ELD-X or ELD-M for hunting

[Fireguy]

I didn't want to continue to hijack the other thread I posted in so figured I'd start a new one on the ELD-X and ELD-M bullets. I was very impressed with the performance of the 143 ELD-X out of a 6.5 Creed and the 178 ELD-X out of a 308 this season on both deer and elk. Incredibly fast one shot kills. Excellent accuracy out of several rifles. In fact I didn't even bother reloading as the factory Hornady Hunter ammo shot so well. I've spoken with several experienced hunters that prefer the ELD-M bullets and have been seeing more and more online where guys are gravitating to the ELD-M's over the ELD-X's. I've pretty much completely moved away from my old standby the Nosler Accubond.

Let's hear your experiences with both and why you would choose one over the other.

 

[Formidilosus]

The ELD-X's have done well that I've seen. So have the ELD-M's, and they have a higher BC. That's why I generally gonwith the ELD-M, but would choose whichever shoots better.

 

[wind gypsy]

147 ELD-m is basically the same form as a 143 ELD-x. The ELD-x have an air void behind the tip to aid expansion and i believe a slightly thicker jacket below the interlock ring. The increase in lead from lack of void and less jacket material gives the 147 a higher BC. After seeing cross sections of cut ELD-x bullets showing the tiny size of the interlock ring and hearing reports of performance on game, I'm not a big believer that it helps much.

Guys have been using AMAX successfully on game for years. I wouldn't expect a big drop off in performance at sane velocities from the 147, but that is not speaking from experience. That said, i would think twice about ELD-m with really high impact velocities i.e. 178 ELD-m in a 300 mag, 140 ELDm in a 26 Nosler, etc.

 

[JP100]

is the ELD M bonded???

 

[Kotaman]

is the ELD M bonded???

Neither one is "bonded". I've yet to hear anything bad about hunting with the "M". I've killed a few with the X and been very happy with their performance.

 

[JP100]

Neither one is "bonded". I've yet to hear anything bad about hunting with the "M". I've killed a few with the X and been very happy with their performance.

I thought the ELD X was bonded? it holds together really well and has very constant expansion from what ive seen.

What does the ELD M do? more expansion??

 

[Formidilosus]

I thought the ELD X was bonded? it holds together really well and has very constant expansion from what ive seen.

What does the ELD M do? more expansion??

The ELD-X has an Interlock ring, it's not bonded. Typically you get your expansion/fragmentation with the ELD-M, however depending on the bullet they may penetrate a bit deeper also.

 

[Hayseed97]

I didn't want to continue to hijack the other thread I posted in so figured I'd start a new one on the ELD-X and ELD-M bullets. I was very impressed with the performance of the 143 ELD-X out of a 6.5 Creed and the 178 ELD-X out of a 308 this season on both deer and elk. Incredibly fast one shot kills. Excellent accuracy out of several rifles. In fact I didn't even bother reloading as the factory Hornady Hunter ammo shot so well. I've spoken with several experienced hunters that prefer the ELD-M bullets and have been seeing more and more online where guys are gravitating to the ELD-M's over the ELD-X's. I've pretty much completely moved away from my old standby the Nosler Accubond.

Let's hear your experiences with both and why you would choose one over the other.

ELD-M 225 in a 300PRC have performed poorly on several elk I have taken. Absolutely no penetration whatsoever. Whether it was a shoulder or rib, the bullets just blew up. Extremely disappointed with their lack of performance. Close range to long range, no difference. Definitely not a bullet for big game.