Hornady Bore Driver Eld-X Range Report

[Durran87]

I’ve been searching for a CO legal bullet that shoots well out of my T/C Prohunter FX. Just picked up some Hornady Bore Driver ELD-X at Fleet Farm. Shooting 100 grains of BH209 by volume, I was shooting 4” groups at 100 with both Thor Hammer .502
300 grain and Federal Borlock 270s—really not too impressed with these out of this gun. Was thrilled to find the new Hornady were spot-on shooting 1” groups. I did at one point have an issue where a bullet pulled back out on my ramrod, so I’m going to order the specific loading tip. Hopefully this helps others with finicky guns shooting full-bore bullets.

 

[elkivory]

I'm surprised you haven't gotten any feedback on ELD-X. On modern muzzleloader forum there have been tests done that resulted in most people saying not good for elk. I couldn't wait for this bullet to come out and when it did, they really shot good for me at the range. I used them on a Colorado elk and at 120 yards I hit low in shoulder. I reloaded with a Federal Borelock and now he was about 130 yards and I hit him a little back. He walked about 40 yards and laid down. Never got up. Not a good test, but I plan to use Borelocks this year. These are the lead 350 grain. When we deboned the elk I only found fragments of the ELD-X. The Borlock was lodged against the opposite side skin perfectly mushroomed. I weighed the Borlock and it weighed 347.94 grains. I would love to use the ELD-X for accuracy, but I'm afraid of terminal performance. Borlocks are next to impossible to find, but another Rokslide member sold me some a few months back. Hope this helps you decide.

 

[204_ruger]

I did same thing loading my ML. I was using Hornady 250gr sst. I went and bought the tip after that. My bullet was stuck in the end of my ramrod.

 

[Durran87]

I'm surprised you haven't gotten any feedback on ELD-X. On modern muzzleloader forum there have been tests done that resulted in most people saying not good for elk. I couldn't wait for this bullet to come out and when it did, they really shot good for me at the range. I used them on a Colorado elk and at 120 yards I hit low in shoulder. I reloaded with a Federal Borelock and now he was about 130 yards and I hit him a little back. He walked about 40 yards and laid down. Never got up. Not a good test, but I plan to use Borelocks this year. These are the lead 350 grain. When we deboned the elk I only found fragments of the ELD-X. The Borlock was lodged against the opposite side skin perfectly mushroomed. I weighed the Borlock and it weighed 347.94 grains. I would love to use the ELD-X for accuracy, but I'm afraid of terminal performance. Borlocks are next to impossible to find, but another Rokslide member sold me some a few months back. Hope this helps you decide.

Interesting—I’ve seen some concerns from the milk jug test but haven’t found many fields reviews—a few people have shot deer/elk/moose with satisfactory performance. Probably due to their delayed availability not many hunters made the switch to them last fall. I still will probably give them a shot although you have one of the more concerning real world experiences with them. I think most people are concerned because they are worried these will perform similar to Powerbelts…

 

[Shō[t]gun]

What velocity or charge weight were you using? I’ve heard you have to step on them a bit at 1/28 twist for best accuracy. Will be testing out two packs soon as well.

 

[TNKnoxville]

My CVA Accura MR-X 50 cal shoots the 340 grain ELD-X > 0.5 inch groups at 50 yards open sights. One 3 shot group was one big hole. I'm using 100 Grains of Triple 7.

I've shot 3 elk, and 2 mule deer with ELD-X's out of my 300 win mag and they worked great. Ranges from 80 to 550 yards. All 1 shot kills.

I'm planning on using these on my muzzle loader elk hunt this year in CO, that is if I get drawn!

 

[30338]

If I was shooting 4" groups at 100 yards with something that gave me the terminal performance I wanted and using irons, I'd simply call it good.

 

[Felix40]

I’ve been looking at those pretty hard. Powerbelts shoot great for me but I don’t want to use them on elk. I’ve been playing with no excuses 420s and I can’t get them to shoot consistently. I really want to try some of the lead bore loks but they are impossible to find. The eldx may be worth doing a test with.

 

[elkivory]

This was ELD-X removed during meat processing. Borlock didn’t hit any large bones.

 

[hunt1up]

I had a chance to finally sight in my new MR-X with the 340 Bore Drivers. I shot 12 rounds, 7 with 70 grains of Blackhorn weighed on a scale. Once I had the gun sighted in I tried 80 grains of powder. 50 yards open sights.

Here’s the speeds and final group. If I draw my CO or NM tag I’ll probably roll with these.

 

[taskswap]

Reviving last year's thread, any new data/anecdotes from folks trying the Bore Drivers? I'm liking them at the range so far, but seeing very little new feedback from folks hunting with them.

 

[JasonWi]

I’ve been shooting the 340 grain in a TC bone collector. With 90,100,110 grains by volume of BH209 with Fed 209a primers.

50 yard groups averaged .5-.8” three shot groups

My 100 yard group was decent for my first four shots and I pulled my 5th to open the group. It was 1.9” the 5th made it 2.6”.

110 grains V averages 1840 fps, but the recoil is definitely stiff! I believe this will be the combo I use for my mule deer hunt this fall

 

[taskswap]

Thanks for the feedback! Do you put any stock in some of the reports of poor terminal performance at short/long ranges? Obviously any projectile can have that but there are anecdotal claims of folks reporting excessive fragmentation/poor penetration. But nothing very data-driven, and everything I can find is on the 290gr FTX, not the heavier ELD-X...

 

[Hnthrdr]

I’ve been shooting the 340 grain in a TC bone collector. With 90,100,110 grains by volume of BH209 with Fed 209a primers.

50 yard groups averaged .5-.8” three shot groups

My 100 yard group was decent for my first four shots and I pulled my 5th to open the group. It was 1.9” the 5th made it 2.6”.

110 grains V averages 1840 fps, but the recoil is definitely stiff! I believe this will be the combo I use for my mule deer hunt this fall

I have mule deer and elk muzzy tags this fall and will be trying a similar combo in a cva accura did the 110 yield the best group?

 

[tracker12]

They are very accurate bullet shot out of my Knight UL but I have only shot deer with them and they did fine. I did shoot a moose with one out of my 300HH but not sure if they are made the same.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Thanks for the feedback! Do you put any stock in some of the reports of poor terminal performance at short/long ranges? Obviously any projectile can have that but there are anecdotal claims of folks reporting excessive fragmentation/poor penetration. But nothing very data-driven, and everything I can find is on the 290gr FTX, not the heavier ELD-X...

The things I have seen are from milk jugs filled with water I believe @ElDiablito conducted them and posted to another forum. Since they seem rather disruptive it might be a balancing act to go with a lighter charge if you are expecting a sub 100 yard shot vs. if you plan on shooting 250-300 or so

 

[taskswap]

Definitely more 100-150 yards than 250-300. I came to hunting late in life and while I'm always working on improving my skill, I'm no sniper.

 

[5MilesBack]

My daughter shot a cow moose with one two years ago, lung shot. Tooth age showed 8 years old, so a sizeable cow. 90gr (volume) BH and the shot was archery distance. The cow went maybe 20 yards, spun around a couple times, and fell over dead. Didn't open her up, but that ELD-X sure seemed to work very well.

 

[Bugger]

Thanks for the feedback! Do you put any stock in some of the reports of poor terminal performance at short/long ranges? Obviously any projectile can have that but there are anecdotal claims of folks reporting excessive fragmentation/poor penetration. But nothing very data-driven, and everything I can find is on the 290gr FTX, not the heavier ELD-X...

120grV BH 209, 1950fps. 55 yard qrtr-away shot on a mature body CO buck. Entered thru last rib and ended up under skin past the opposite shoulder, lungs were mangled. 58% retention and penetration was dead straight. Sorry no internal pics, it was hot and the wasps found me quick! The buck hunched up and immediately started coughing up blood and stumbled 20y downhill. Didnt get the opportunity to use it on a cow elk that season but wasn’t concerned about performance after seeing this on opening day.

 

[Hnthrdr]

120grV BH 209, 1950fps. 55 yard qrtr-away shot on a mature body CO buck. Entered thru last rib and ended up under skin past the opposite shoulder, lungs were mangled. 58% retention and penetration was dead straight. Sorry no internal pics, it was hot and the wasps found me quick! The buck hunched up and immediately started coughing up blood and stumbled 20y downhill. Didnt get the opportunity to use it on a cow elk that season but wasn’t concerned about performance after seeing this on opening day.
View attachment 892855

Sounds like 20+ inches of penetration through animal hide and internals, plenty good, especially since the big worry was too much fragmentation