ELDM Expansion Velocity

[Tullis94]

I've always used 1800 fps as the minimum velocity for expansion. On one of the recent Shoot 2 Hunt podcasts Ryan talks about the 180 eldm penciling at 1950fps Impact velocity. I also experienced what I suspect was a 180 eldm that penciled at about 1850fps impact.

The deer was never recovered but was seen feeding in some thick mahaognay again about 20 minutes later acting as if nothing had happened. I have the impact on video. It was just in front of the shoulder. Maybe in the very front part of the shoulder. (Not ideal placement, but upon impact I told the shooter it was a dead deer) Hearing Ryan's experience of the failure to expand basically solidified what I though happened.

Basically I would like to know at what velocity you guys have seen expansion or failure to expand with eldms or any other bullet at 2000 fps and below. Please include the make and size/weight of the bullet.

Im looking for actually experiences please. Not just what you have read on the internet.

 

[J.B.]

Interesting, definitely following. Made a kill around 1850 fps with the 147 this year but did not look at the wound too close. Hit bone so that would help expansion for sure.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Share the video?

 

[BrentH]

My son shot a whitetail two years ago with a 143 ELD-X out of a 6.5 CM. 430 yards and the impact velocity would have been around 1840. Deer was quartered away, and the shot went in perfect to take out both lungs. Deer ran about 50ish yards and was dead.

 

[mtnbound]

I've always used 1800 fps as the minimum velocity for expansion. On one of the recent Shoot 2 Hunt podcasts Ryan talks about the 180 eldm penciling at 1950fps Impact velocity. I also experienced what I suspect was a 180 eldm that penciled at about 1850fps impact.

The deer was never recovered but was seen feeding in some thick mahaognay again about 20 minutes later acting as if nothing had happened. I have the impact on video. It was just in front of the shoulder. Maybe in the very front part of the shoulder. (Not ideal placement, but upon impact I told the shooter it was a dead deer) Hearing Ryan's experience of the failure to expand basically solidified what I though happened.

Basically I would like to know at what velocity you guys have seen expansion or failure to expand with eldms or any other bullet at 2000 fps and below. Please include the make and size/weight of the bullet.

Im looking for actually experiences please. Not just what you have read on the internet.

The only elk I did not recover was shot with a factory-loaded .308 168-grain Nosler Accubond at about 2200fps.

 

[West2East]

Interested in this too. The only animal that didn't get expansion like I thought it would was in an antelope at 475 with a 147 out of a 6.5CM. Impact velocity should have been about 2030fps. I wouldn't call it a pencil, but the lungs had an 1" hole, through and through.
Counter that to all of the other animals and they were all 2" holes or jellied lungs.
I attributed it to antelope having smaller frames and "thin skin". But IDK

Edit to add: Factory 147s

 

[207North]

How much of this variability is factory ammunition and how much is reloaded.

A lot of neck tension can result in obvious deformation from bullet seating. Could this be why some projectiles open and others pencil at similar velocities?