Thread: 162gn ELDX not expanding

Anyone else had problems with this projectile not performing at close range? I initially thought it was the ducks nuts when the first few deer I shot went bang flop. However they were all at 300-400 yards, recently I have shot a few deer up close and had them all run in excess of 100m. The load is 162gn eldx, 72grns of 2217 going 2990fps out of a 7mm Rem Mag.

What’s a good alternative for the bush from the rem mag, Thinkimg of using a Barnes ttsx, anyone shooting them out of a rem mag?

ELDM

Barnes TTSX are mono bullets and will expand less vs eldx. Very odd that you had good expansion at 300-400y and problems at shorter distances. Higher velocity usually causes more expansion. Was your point of impact the same in all of the examples? Been hunting with eldx and really enjoy it.

ELDm is softer than eldx but wouldn't use it at close range with a high velocity caliber like a 7mm rm, only if shooting head shots. if not you'll have a lot of fragmentation

My 2c

150 or 160 gn partitions - exceptional performance out of rem mag, up close to 400+ yards

Sounds like you got a couple of Friday afternoon specials ...

I am curious to know what evidence you have of them not expanding? Have you recovered a bullet or are you judging them on the terminal damage and exit wound? Where were the animals hit?

I have shot several mature reds sub 150m, closest about 60m, with the 143 grain 6mm and 178 grain 308 ELD-X. Whilst these are not exactly the same as yours they sure as shit expanded. I've got some photos at home of bullets I've recovered from the animal or the bank behind the animal, at close range they open right up and fragment of the top half of the bullet. I think @Mooseman has some photos of carcasses hit at close range by ELD-X?

It is interesting though that you are commenting about the 7 mm because there was someone else on here who was complaining of the same thing, also out of a 7mm Rem Mag if I remember correctly.

I also use eldx 145g and haven't shot anything super close but have shot critters from 145 yards to 450 yards all resulting in bang flops.
I am getting similar speed @ 2930 fps just a lighter projectile, be interested to see your results. I've literally never had a runner with eldx I absolutely rate it.
I will say this at all distances I've, shot animals at I've never seen an exit wound bigger than finger sized, dunno if blood trail would be an issue ?
It's never been a problem, the hydro static shock this round does to internal organs is seriously impressive and if you hit solid bone it does some real damage too.
I can imagine if you had a through and through and hit nothing substantial you might have issues, but again I haven't experienced this, nor am I suggesting this is your issue, just stating my experience.
I won't be changing projectiles any time soon.

I gave the 7mm 160 ELD-x in a Rem Mag a reasonable go. If you look up my posts you will find what I thought of them. Since then I have gone to the old boring 150 gr Sierra sp Game King and I am roughly 25 for 25. Reds, Fallow and pigs. Range from 35 to just under 400 yards from small Fallow to slightly over average Reds bang = dead. Oh and they shoot consistantly in the .5s with 2217.

Thanks for the input, could be to do with the placement. All shots have been in the engine room, a couple slipped in behind the shoulder but most through at least 1 shoulder. I couldn’t tell you exact numbers of runners but definitely 4 of the last 6 have run a reasonable way 50-150m often with very little blood. I’ve never had this before with softpoints in other rifles, but then again it could just be bad luck ��.

I haven’t recovered a ELDX yet so maybe assuming they are not expanding is a little pre mature. Based on bullet damage/exit would and the fact a lot have run I was kinda reading between the lines guessing they were penciling through but could well be wrong. Maybe I need to give them some more time and hope it’s just been an unlucky run.

I had great results out of a 308 with the ttsx at close range hence looking at them again.

Use berger vlds, they'll never let you down.
A year or 2 ago I changed from vlds to eldx for a try and I lost a couple nice rutting red stags with eldx, good solid mid shoulder hits and they were gone.
Touch wood , I haven't had a issue since changing back to vlds. I haven't tried eldms but I've heard they are a better option

We have been shooting quite a few deer with the ELD X bullets in various calibers and find them very good most are dead on the spot. This picture is of a red spiker shot at 40 odd yards with the 145 gr ELD X at over 3100 fps, he rolled down the hill stood up on shaky legs then fell over. This was with a 270 Win.
A friend in Canada shot this Elk with a 162 gr ELD X in 7mm Mag the Bull ran about a 100 yards from memory, in the photo that is the entry hole.
I haven't had any animals move far from where they were hit, like only a couple of steps if anything so can't understand why you would be having problems. If anything, on the Bull Elk that was to much expansion looking at the entry hole.

I would think on close shots the ELD M would open up quicker like the A Max. Shot a big hind with the 162 gr A Max in my 7mm Mag at about 50 yards, it dropped then jumped up and went about 20 yards, damage was massive as I hit the shoulder blade going in it messed the insides real bad and I found a small piece of jacket on the off side. Had that been the ELD X it would have exited I think.
Till we get some bad results we will continue with them.

Few more pics, first is a 143 gr ELD X out of a Rusa Stag at about 130 odd yards, second is the same projectile out of a Red Stag at 528 yards both from a 260 Rem at 2772 fps.
The next is a 178 gr ELD X out of my 300 WM at 3000 fps taken out of a Sambar Stag's neck at 25yards ( 91 grains). the last photo is from a red yearling I shot with the 300 WM and 178 gr ELD X at about 60 yards. This is the bullet exit through the rib cage.
We have recovered a few 150 gr ELD X bullets out of a 7mm 08 but don't have photos of them but they are well expanded and retaining the lead.
I have now changed my 300WM over to 200gr ELD X at 2900 fps but yet to shoot an animal with them.

now me......personally ....would be asking why in Gods name are you trying to use a notoriuosly soft projectile that is a longer range/lower velocity proposition (eg thats where it REALLY SHINES) up close n personal???? why not a dirty great big fat flat or round nose with HEAPS of exposed lead???? big fat flatty up first with slick longer range loads underneath suits me.

go back 2-3 years and folk were either swearing at or by A Max pills up close for similar reasons.... you are sort of asking a concord to do the work of a herc..... a massarati to do a landrovers job....

This is a 178gr ELD-X out of my 300WM @ 3050FPS. This went through a spiker @ 380yards and I dug it out of the bank behind it. The core completely separated and 30% weight retention. Hate to think what will happen inside 100yards. Second deer was at 420 yards and a similar result. I am also looking for something more solidly constructed.

Anyone used the Federal trophy bonded or TLR's ? they look like a good hybrid construction for close and far.