Thread: 178gr HORNADY ELDX

A friend switched from 178 eld-x to 178 eld-m in his .308. Like you he felt the eld-x didn't kill as well. He is very pleased with the results of the eld-m.

I'm pushing my 178's with 42.5 grains of 2208. I only tested as high as 43 gr (still have some 43.5 in the ammo box I never tried). Lapua brass in a Brno ZKK601. I'm waiting to chrono the load (expecting around 2500fps), and I am re-reloading the same group of cases to see how long they last, as I may be getting a bit more case head expansion than ideal. I also had to trim a handful of cases for length when loading the last lot.

Have tried a box of ELD Match 178s, couldn't make them shoot, same recipes as the Xs they just didn't shoot as well. Haven't shot anything with the Xs so all the feedback is interesting. I like a pass thru and blood trail, tried this flangable, dump all the energy inside the animal stuff, haven't been overly impressed.
Included is a photo of the difference between the X & M the M is on the right, same 178g the X has a longer bearing surface, which suits my rifle.

There is no other option for a 270 cal anyway hornandy don't do an eldm for that cal for some reason,
Guess I'll stick with the X

Originally Posted by flock

Have tried a box of ELD Match 178s, couldn't make them shoot, same recipes as the Xs they just didn't shoot as well. Haven't shot anything with the Xs so all the feedback is interesting. I like a pass thru and blood trail, tried this flangable, dump all the energy inside the animal stuff, haven't been overly impressed. Included is a photo of the difference between the X & M the M is on the right, same 178g the X has a longer bearing surface, which suits my rifle.

Couple of suggestions @flock, probably telling you how to suck eggs, but anyway... the longer bearing surface of the -X means that for a given powder load, it will generate higher pressures, sometimes too much more. The two bullets -X and -M behave very differently in most (all?) rifles and should have seperate load development. The difference in shape, but equivalent weight, is because there’s more lead / less copper (thinner jacket) in the -M. Totally different bullets.

Couple of blokes have come unstuck with putting a hot -M load under an “equivalent” -X, blown primers, stuck bolts etc. My experience of loading the two is that the 178gr -M likes a fair bit bigger push than the 178gr -X. Very effective hunting bullet.

Using frangible hunting bullets and expecting the bang flop from dumping all the energy inside... very dependant on shooting the animal in the shoulder or just forward, the old “front line of the foreleg” position. If the traditional heart shot is used, or its a wee bit high and back in the rear lungs towards the liver, expect a runner. Discussed this with @Wingman this week, photos of TMKs shot into the front of the chest cavity. Instant jellification of the lungs and all the important bits connecting to the heart, including the CNS that produces the bang flop. I used A-Max for years with that shot placement, very dependable when you don’t want even a short runner.

What I like about the ELD-X so much is that the top half breaks up and fragments in a wide radius of damage, the bottom half pushes through with dirty great big petals making a big hole. Best of both worlds.

Honestly if a typical meat deer is hit in the position described, it doesn’t really matter if its an -M or an -X, its going down. Just like @GWH’s video yesterday.

Interesting, about the Ms might revisit them with a sampler pack.
Way back (80s) I used to use speer hot core 150s exclusively in a M77 rifle and had good results (C North Island, Bush). Started hunting again,( South Island, open country)
Got all wrapped up in the latest and greatest projectiles, anyway shot a large hind slightly quartering in the usual spot. Distant was 180 yards, using a Berger VLD 168 hunting.
Was not impressed, she reared up and belted down hill and went about 80 yards, which is not bad but with no blood trail and thick matagouri, took ages, with no dog to find her, so a blood trail is important to me.
Hence the stouter ELD-X idea, also I like the high BC, accuracy, giving me more range, for South Island shooting.
Trying for the impossible, one rifle, one caliber, one load.

If I wasn’t a gun nerd who couldn’t in a million years exist with one rifle, one bullet and one load...

Then I’d likely pick the .308 Winchester. And the 178gr ELD-X would be a good pick for an all rounder as it will deal to anything we have in this part of the world, from close range to as far as you’re competent.

Would be a bit OTT for possums and bunnies though. And mynas.

Would be a bit OTT for possums and bunnies though. And mynas.

[/QUOTE]

And half-grown bunnies don't like them much either... ��

Originally Posted by Steelisreal

Would be a bit OTT for possums and bunnies though. And mynas.

And half-grown bunnies don't like them much either... ��[/QUOTE]

Bunny mist

Do own several rimfires, PCP air rifles etc, this is my only centerfire rifle and I do enjoy shooting bunnies at long range with it - quite a blast.