Hornady ELD-X Feedback

[Morrey]

I ordered a box of Hornady's new ELD-X hunting bullets to see how they perform in my 30 cal rifles. I called Hornady for load data suggestions, and they really had none to offer except to use that of their other similar weight bullets. Vague.

The bullets I bought to load are 178 gr, .308 cal. I'll use these in my .30-06 bolt action, 24" barrel, 1:10. Also will try loads in .308 Win bolt action, 22" barrel, 1:10.

Any suggestions on starting workup loads? I use IMR 4064 and IMR 4350 and don't wander far off that path. Occasionally IMR 3031 but rare. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[dirtykid]

I am still waiting for mine. I ran the 208gr A-max's with excellent results, I ordered some of the 178 and some of the 212 to see how they do.. I am going to use Varget and 4350 for testing the waters when they do get here..

 

[Morrey]

I am still waiting for mine. I ran the 208gr A-max's with excellent results, I ordered some of the 178 and some of the 212 to see how they do.. I am going to use Varget and 4350 for testing the waters when they do get here..

I found the ELD-X bullets at Sportsman's Warehouse after calling Hornady to get names of some retailers with supplies. Hornady Tech says the bullets will give match accuracy with hunting performance. The accuracy part is easy to see, but the performance part is wait and see how it does on live game. Luckily, here in SC, we have a year round feral hog season. And during the spring and summer, DNR allows hunting at night with artificial lights. Looks like testing will begin soon!

 

[<*(((><]

I've been interested in trying the ELDX and like you would like to see if Hornady's terminal performance claims are true. Please post what you find on the terminal performance on the hogs.

 

[GooseGestapo]

They're essentially the A-max with a different composition nose cap. Just use same data as you would for a similar weight bullet.
NOT a reinventing of the wheel, just a new tire to go on the wheel...
IMO, if your aren't shooting big game at over 500yds they're pointless. Most of my hunting is under 200 yds. I'm gravitating backwards to flat nose and round nose bullets.
Flat based bullets separate less frequently, and round or flat nose expand more reliably.
I'm still lamenting Hornady's discontinuing the 100grn .257" spitzers. I've shot more deer with that bullet than any other. My favorite.257" bullet for many years.
Fortunately, I've got a good stock of both 100 ptspt and 117gr RN.
Two other bullets I miss are the 7mm .284" 139grn FN, and 200grn .338" FN. IMO are unequaled in 7-30waters, and .338ME.

 

[jmr40]

IMO, if your aren't shooting big game at over 500yds they're pointless.

I strongly disagree. The 212 gr ELD fired at at 30-06 speeds will have more energy at 250 yards than a 180 gr Partition fired from a 300 WM. It has more energy at 150 yards than a 220 gr RN fired from a 300 WM.

They clearly offer an advantage at moderate ranges.

 

[Orcon]

I, personally, think it's about damn time somebody other than Nosler made Ballistic tip that doesn't melt mid trajectory. Well done, Hornady. You really did change everything!

 

[GooseGestapo]

jmr40;
Apples to oranges comparison. Energy alone doesn't kill. I've had poor performance from various "uber sleek" Hornady bullets, particularly some of the SST's. Either failure to expand or blow-ups with failure to penetrate.

Read the article in "Rifle" magazine. You'll see that the advantage of the eld-x tip technology only benefits in the beyond 500 yd point which is where the tip melting has time to take effect.
Anyone remember the Remington Bronze Point ammo.......?
Hornady just reinvented the wheel!

 

[Walkalong]

The accuracy advantage or the retained energy advantage is going to be minimal compared to other good hunting bullets. What counts most is on target performance.

 

[dgod]

I have worked (Still fine tuning) load data for ELD-X 200gr and 220gr for the 300 Win Mag, Sprg 30-06, Still deciding if I want to go with the 308. I will gather my load data/Chrony Results, Avg Vel, St Dev, etc and post it. May be tomorrow as today is OVERFULL...

Dan

 

[dgod]

Ok, I have the data collected to-date:
300 WinMag, 200gr ELD-X, IMR-4350, 68.00gr, FC Cases, CCI-LMRP,COAL 3.400, Average Vel 2964. St Dev 25fps.
30-06 Sprg, ELD-X 200gr, IMR-4350, 53.00gr, NNY Cases, CCI-LMRP, COAL 3.302, Average Vel 2547, Std Dev 41fps.
.308, 200gr ELD-X, IMR-4350, 45.10gr, LC Brass, CCI-LMRP, COAL 2,772, Average Vel 2144, Std Dev 47fps.

2 Loads to be Fired/Chrony'd
30-06, 220 gr ELD-X, IMR-4350, 51.00gr, NNY, CCI-LMRP, COAL 3.302, 2430+-
300 Win Mag, 220gr ELD-X, IMR-4350, 65.0, FC Brass CCI-LMRP, COAL 3.400, 2675+-

I worked these loads up in 2.00gr increments, I don't remember the Bullet spread, but I will say they were noticeably closer with the ELD-X Bullets, still no signs of Brass Stress, I think we will change to .5gr increments going forward, looking for most accurate combination.

All Guns are Bolt Action, 1:10 Twist
.308 - Savage Model III Hog Hunter
30-06 - Remington 770
300 WinMag - Savage, III XP Trophy Hunter

70 Degrees, Bar Pres 29.6, Minimal Wind, Chrony 5 Yds from Firearm.

Good Luck
Dan

These Case Lengths are set 0.005 off contact, I basically measured each Breach with each bullet and then backed off 0.005".

 

[JRWhit]

From what I gather, the benefit is in the expansion provided at lower velocities due to the survival of the tip through magnum velocities.
http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/resources/ELD-X_ELD-Match_Technical_Details.pdf
They make a good case. Looking at the ballistic gel, the tracks look nearly identical from 2600fps down to 1800fps.
I believe I'm going to try the 162gn in 7mm wby