Hornady Podcast 226 Match Bullets for Hunting

[wgcracker13]

I figured this would come up. Listening to the Hornady Podcast Episode #226, Match Bullets for hunting. I am about 8:50 into the listen, so still fresh. They mentioned they don't do terminal performance testing (ballistics gel). There may be some splitting of hairs with FBI testing and terminal testing. I can't wait to see the discussion of this podcast.

 

[wind gypsy]

They sure post a lot of terminal results of “match” bullets for the TAP line of ammo.

 

[RancherJohn]

They sure post a lot of terminal results of “match” bullets for the TAP line of ammo.

Of course they haven't tested it, they just have all the info and pictures regarding it's terminal performance, even going so far as to claim large wound cavities. But definitely not tested.

 

[wgcracker13]

I'm picking up more as I listen. It sounds like there isn't lot to lot consistency with the lead cores on the eldm. I believe Ryan has mentioned that he had a different behavior with the eldm out of a 7 prc this year to where it didn't have a pop sound that it traditionally had.

 

[Ready2Rut]

I'm somewhat confused as to why folks would shoot the ELD-M instead of the ELD-X in calibers where both are available. From what I understand, Hornady has designed for and does continuous QC on the expansion and fragmentation of the ELD-X but not ELD-M. Are the in-flight or terminal ballistics of the ELD-M really that much better? Does it just come down to the greater variety of bullet weights for handloading in the ELD-M?

 

[wgcracker13]

I'm somewhat confused as to why folks would shoot the ELD-M instead of the ELD-X in calibers where both are available. From what I understand, Hornady has designed for and does continuous QC on the expansion and fragmentation of the ELD-X but not ELD-M. Are the in-flight or terminal ballistics of the ELD-M really that much better? Does it just come down to the greater variety of bullet weights for handloading in the ELD-M?

I have had personal experience with the factory ELDX and ELDM with my 300 prc. I have had a 20-shot group at 100 yard be 6" with factory ELD-X, then on the same day/hour, had limited factory ELD-M shoot sub-moa out of the same rifle. Which one would you take hunting in that situation?

 

[Ready2Rut]

I have had personal experience with the factory ELDX and ELDM with my 300 prc. I have had a 20-shot group at 100 yard be 6" with factory ELD-X, then on the same day/hour, had limited factory ELD-M shoot sub-moa out of the same rifle. Which one would you take hunting in that situation?

That makes sense for your situation, I also shoot factory and luckily my rifle likes the ELD-X.

I guess I was more wondering why people who get super nerdy about handloading and load dev--who could probably tune the ELD-X to shoot really well in any rifle--would build a load from the ground up with ELD-M.

 

[streamerfish]

That makes sense for your situation, I also shoot factory and luckily my rifle likes the ELD-X.

I guess I was more wondering why people who get super nerdy about handloading and load dev--who could probably tune the ELD-X to shoot really well in any rifle--would build a load from the ground up with ELD-M.

I dont personally use them, but the pics above of the fbi gel testing tell the story. Very large wound cavities with plenty of penetration. Along with more/better heavy for caliber, higher b.c. choices. And they tend to be very accurate.

 

[IdahoHntr]

That makes sense for your situation, I also shoot factory and luckily my rifle likes the ELD-X.

I guess I was more wondering why people who get super nerdy about handloading and load dev--who could probably tune the ELD-X to shoot really well in any rifle--would build a load from the ground up with ELD-M.

Having shot both bullets, I’ve seen more consistency in the ELD-M in both accuracy and terminal performance. The ELD-X just isn’t as destructive IME. I think it’s still a good bullet, but with way more options available for the ELD-M, especially in factory loadings, I don’t have a reason to shoot the ELD-X again.

ELD-M factory ammo also tends to be cheaper which is a nice plus.

 

[wind gypsy]

That makes sense for your situation, I also shoot factory and luckily my rifle likes the ELD-X.

I guess I was more wondering why people who get super nerdy about handloading and load dev--who could probably tune the ELD-X to shoot really well in any rifle--would build a load from the ground up with ELD-M.

The "tuning" with handloads is functionally a myth much of the time. Some bullets just dont shoot well reliably out of certain rifles.

Compare BC on 175 ELDx vs 180 ELDm.

If people can get them to shoot better, they have a higher BC, and terminal performance meets their desires, why wouldn't they shoot the ELDm?

This variability in cores is new info to me. If more folks have poor terminal performance with ELDm i could see them becoming less popular for hunting.