Have you hunted with ELD Match bullets

[WVELK]

I noticed on another forum (which I rarely view) that more than a few people had hunted with the ELD M bullets. Particularly the 147 grain bullet. They claimed good performance on several African animals, elk, deer, goats, etc.

I have not taken a deep dive into Hornady marketing materials, but I seem to recall the match bullets were not suggested for hunting. The reason I ask, is that I have some and thought I would see if my rifle likes them better than the ELD X.

 

[sveltri]

I haven't hunted with the 147 yet, but I shot my ram last fall with the 108. I would have no hesitation to hunt with the 147, especially with the 6.5 PRC.

 

[Jbehredt]

The M stands for murder ‘round these parts. Very popular for all manner of hunting.

 

[j3h8]

Bullet construction differs quite a bit. ELD-M has a much thinner jacket and does not have the "interlock" feature (you can see very small points halfway down the ELD-X. The ELD-X has a much thicker jacket which should provide for better expansion rather than the potential for a more explosive impact.
I personally would not rely on the match bullets for anything once in a lifetime. Yes, people have done so successfully but I would want to tilt the odds in my favor wherever I could.

 

[WVELK]

You can tell when I have too much free time on my hands. I have already answered my question and think I will stay with the ELD X which has a thicker jacket.

 

[RyanT26]

Yes, in the 168, 147, 140, and 108’s. They are all I currently use. I would not hesitate to use them on a once in a lifetime on or just Whitetail hunt they work and they work well. Use whatever your gun shoots the best.

 

[Taudisio]

Yes, they are fantastic at killing. Use a heavy for caliber tipped match bullet. Read around the threads here, 223 for everything, 6mm for everything, 6.5mm kill threads. The majority are using and recommending match bullets. It will open your eyes for sure. The 147gr is a straight killer.

 

[Jdeck09]

Ive killed nice sized whitetail does at 385 and 315 with the 147ELDM in my prc with no issue. I wouldnt hesitate to use them on smaller to medium size game. I find them extremely accurate to long ranges and I'd feel comfortable within 600 yards.

My dad does not group as tightly as I do, so I'll be sending him to Africa with 127 LRX in my PRC.

These podcasts might help with your question.

 

[D_wit22]

I know several guys who will not shoot the ELDX anymore and strictly kill with the ELDM. Especially at longer distances they love the performance

 

[rabbithuntr]

Have had great results with 147 and 75 gr. ELD bullets

 

[WVELK]

Yes, they are fantastic at killing. Use a heavy for caliber tipped match bullet. Read around the threads here, 223 for everything, 6mm for everything, 6.5mm kill threads. The majority are using and recommending match bullets. It will open your eyes for sure. The 147gr is a straight killer.

Okay. Maybe you all are changing my mind. Is there a noted performance difference at close range versus long which for this thread I will call 650 yards.

 

[huntnful]

ELDM kill extremely well. I’ve killed most everything with them the last 2 years.

Killed quite a few more with them also. Zero complaints. They flat kill.

 

[MuleyFever]

Do some searching on here and you will find a lot of people hunting with the ELDM.

 

[Jdeck09]

ELDM kill extremely well. I’ve killed most everything with them the last 2 years.

Killed quite a few more with them also. Zero complaints. They flat kill.

Dumped that Aoudad. Great shooting

 

[fmyth]

I used 178 ELD-M's on my once in a lifetime WY Commissioners tag elk hunt in 2020. I chose the ELD-M's because it was the most accurate of all the ammo I tried out of my rifle. I was anticipating 500yd plus shots in very windy open country.

This is a picture of my bull after the .300WM 178 ELD-M hit him just in front of his front shoulder at over 300 yards. He was dead on his feet after the first shot but I put 2 more in the same spot for insurance as he was on a very steep hill. I was solo and I didn't want to have to pack him up any further than I had to.

I've since killed 2 more elk and a couple large mule deer with 143 ELD-Xs out of my 6.5CM at 300-400 yards.

ELD-M's and ELD-X's work great for me given the windy open country I hunt in with most shots beyond 300 yards. If I was to go back home to MO to shoot a whitetail at 30 yards out of tree stand I'd use a different bullet.

 

[LongWayAround]

I have shot four animals in the last couple of years with the 147 eld-m. They all died quick.

I intend to keep shooting them until shown a reason not to.

Jake and Ryan on the shoot2hunt podcast also frequently race about the 147.

 

[LongWayAround]

This one went through a whitetail diagonally at about 220yd and was recovered under the offside hide.

 

[LongWayAround]

Okay. Maybe you all are changing my mind. Is there a noted performance difference at close range versus long which for this thread I will call 650 yards.

Check out the 6.5mm kill threads. Lots of 140/147 pics showing the wounding.

 

[fmyth]

ELDM kill extremely well. I’ve killed most everything with them the last 2 years.

Killed quite a few more with them also. Zero complaints. They flat kill.

Great shooting!

 

[WVELK]

I used 178 ELD-M's on my once in a lifetime WY Commissioners tag elk hunt in 2020. I chose the ELD-M's because it was the most accurate of all the ammo I tried out of my rifle. I was anticipating 500yd plus shots in very windy open country.

This is a picture of my bull after the .300WM 178 ELD-M hit him just in front of his front shoulder at over 300 yards. He was dead on his feet after the first shot but I put 2 more in the same spot for insurance as he was on a very steep hill. I was solo and I didn't want to have to pack him up any further than I had to.

I've since killed 2 more elk and a couple large mule deer with 143 ELD-Xs out of my 6.5CM at 300-400 yards.

ELD-M's and ELD-X's work great for me given the windy open country I hunt in with most shots beyond 300 yards. If I was to go back home to MO to shoot a whitetail at 30 yards out of tree stand I'd use a different bullet.

View attachment 885967

As my forum name implies, elk are my passion. Congrats on a GREAT WY elk. Have killed several in Wyoming, but none nearly as nice as that one. Well done!