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.


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[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