Why is the ELD-X not offered in more grain weights like the ELD-M?

[mwoolsey5]

Why is the ELD-X not offered in more grain weights like the ELD-M? As hunters have switched to the heavy for caliber bullets, it just seems odd that the ELD-X is not offered in more grain weights.

For the .224 we get an 80 grain ELD-X. Meanwhile the ELD-M is available in 73, 75, 80, 88 and a slew of lighter grain options as well.

For the 6MM we get a 90 and 103 grain ELD-X. Meanwhile the ELD-M is available in 105, 108, 109.

A similar pattern seems to play out across every caliber.

Is there a bullet design/engineering reason the heaviest match bullet for each caliber can’t have a matching ELD-X equivalent grain weight?

 

[Chris in TN]

If not for their own insistence that hunting and match bullets were different, I don't think there'd be any physics-based need for the eldX line to even exist. ELDM all the things.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

If not for their own insistence that hunting and match bullets were different, I don't think there'd be any physics-based need for the eldX line to even exist. ELDM all the things.

Agreed. The names are basically marketing. Although I think the X is supposed to have a slightly thicker jacket.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[Crowmangler]

Is there a reason why you're asking a bunch of strangers on the internet instead of just calling Hornady & asking them?
(800) 338-3220

 

[FLS]

If they satisfied every whim or wish they would have a million SKUs. They focus manufacturing on the biggest sellers. There is not enough difference between a 103 and 109 to worry about, same for a 143 and 147. This place, while entertaining and informative, is a tiny echo chamber in the bigger picture.

 

[turbobrick]

I'd argue a hunting bullet the same weight as some of the really heavy for caliber target style bullets would provide lower than minimum for expansion velocities in many common cartridges. Target shooters are often ok with lower velocities and non-mag length COALs in exchange for BC or other factors that some hunters won't compromise on.

 

[doc holiday13]

If not for their own insistence that hunting and match bullets were different, I don't think there'd be any physics-based need for the eldX line to even exist. ELDM all the things.

There is a dude who dropped a ELDX and ELDM in resin and post curing, he milled away 1/2 the bullet. The ELDX is slightly different in construction. Thicker taper jacket to more securely hold the lead core in place. The idea being that its a bit more insurance of penetration in the freak event that your bullet starts to blows up on contact

 

[Chris in TN]

There is a dude who dropped a ELDX and ELDM in resin and post curing, he milled away 1/2 the bullet. The ELDX is slightly different in construction. Thicker taper jacket to more securely hold the lead core in place. The idea being that its a bit more insurance of penetration in the freak event that your bullet starts to blows up on contact

I'm not saying they're the same. I'm just saying that for the crowd moving to shorter barrels and longer/heavier/highBC bullets the current crop of eldX offers no advantages over the current crop of eldM.

Also, if controlled expansion was important to me, in my experience the difference between the X and M is pretty meaningless and I'd skip right to an Accubond.

 

[Skookem]

Wish they would offer it in 375 cal too

 

[rookie7]

Why is the ELD-X not offered in more grain weights like the ELD-M? As hunters have switched to the heavy for caliber bullets, it just seems odd that the ELD-X is not offered in more grain weights.

For the .224 we get an 80 grain ELD-X. Meanwhile the ELD-M is available in 73, 75, 80, 88 and a slew of lighter grain options as well.

For the 6MM we get a 90 and 103 grain ELD-X. Meanwhile the ELD-M is available in 105, 108, 109.

A similar pattern seems to play out across every caliber.

Is there a bullet design/engineering reason the heaviest match bullet for each caliber can’t have a matching ELD-X equivalent grain weight?

Where are you seeing a 105 6mm ELDM? Hornady has the Aeromatch and the old BTHP, but I haven't seen a 105 ELDM.

 

[xsn10s]

Demand. Unless there is a profitable perceived demand for any product manufacturers won't produce it.

 

[LongWayAround]

There is a dude who dropped a ELDX and ELDM in resin and post curing, he milled away 1/2 the bullet. The ELDX is slightly different in construction. Thicker taper jacket to more securely hold the lead core in place. The idea being that its a bit more insurance of penetration in the freak event that your bullet starts to blows up on contact

I stole this from another forum and individual who has done several of these cross-sections.

 

[mwoolsey5]

I appreciate all the replies so far. I do want to emphasize I don’t dislike ELD-M bullets or question their ability to kill. I’m planning to use the 88 ELD-M when my 22 CM is finished being built.

That said, my understanding is that the ELD-X is generally considered an all-around better bullet than an ELD-M when the grain weights are equivalent due to the thicker jacket (A vs. A+). So, if Hornady, for example, had an 88 ELD-X, it would be preferred by hunters over the 88 ELD-M and possibly over the 80 ELD-X if they had the twist rate to stabilize it.

@Crowmangler A few reasons. Rokslide as a whole tends to give good overall insight on hunting/shooting in general and help form a consensus opinion. We have good positive friction here which tends to help everyone arrive at the best solution. I doubt I would get a truly honest answer from a company who has a self-interest in their product doing well or promoting what they’ve already created.

I also thought it would be a good discussion point. If I’m wondering why the ELD-X is not offered in the same grain weights as the ELD-M, maybe there are others that also had the same question.

@FLS I do somewhat get the SKU argument, but they are already doing this to a degree with the ELD-M. There’s literally a 108 and 109 ELD-M, or 73/75g ELD-M’s… It seems odd they would have so many close together if they were streamlining SKUs.

@rookie7 You are correct sir, the 105 is just a match bullet and not an ELD-M. My mistake.

Maybe there’s not enough demand for it, but I did think the ELD-X was extremely popular and a bestseller. Maybe just wishful thinking, but I’d love to see them add an 88-90g ELD-X, and either 108/109 ELD-X at a minimum. I think people would buy it.

 

[LongWayAround]

@mwoolsey5 the ELD-X may sell better with hunters because the box says "precision hunter", but I would guess total sales favor the ELD-M lines by a wide margin.

There are far more rounds fired by target shooters than by hunters as a general statement.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

 

[Huntman777]

@OP wish I could answer that question. Demand is the only reason I would think it’s limited. But there are surely some more ELD-X options I’d like to see