Thread: The good old ELDX

I have been using the ELDX bullets in several of my rifles and always have had good success with them so long as you hit them right, much the same as with most bullets.
I load for a mate who uses a 300 Win Mag using the 178 gr ELDX. The load using that bullet is 78 grs of AR2217 at a chrono speed of 2940 fps.
Since starting to load for him he has had a great run with them near and far, his longest shot to date was during the roar on a 300+ DS stag at 860 yards.
He dropped in today after a morning hunt with what’s left of a 178 gr ELDX after it passed through one deer and through the shoulders of a second deer coming to rest on the off side skin.
One main piece with some lead intact and small piece of jacket which weight 51.5 grains.
This is the fourth lot of doubles he has had using this bullet but the first to recover the spent bullet.
Over the years there has been varying reports on the performance of the ELDX but I think they are a bullet that does what it was designed for both near and far which makes them good all rounders.

Out of curiosity, what was the distance?

Sorry missed that about 80 yards. So still got some herbs behind it.

The deer were both yearling spikers so not overly huge body wise.

I guess I'm in the torn camp regarding performance. I've decided I don't prefer them for hunting due to inconsistent results with kills. That mainly applies to 30 cal 178 gn ELDX and 270 cal 145 gn ELDX. I have a stash of both so, in fact, will continue hunting with them to use them up. I don't blame these bullets entirely for what I percieve as less than desired performane, knowing full well that I as the shooter contribute to the my results but these results, such as they are, have lowered my confidence in using this bullet. The one exception is the 243 cal 90 gn ELDX I use in my 243W. I have used it for varmints and goats with excellent performance.
In saying the above what I have found with ELDX bullets is that development of highly accurate and flat shooting handloads is quite achievable. Thay are just great to shoot on the range.

Also, I am happy to see some guys happy with their performance in hunting ammo. They must be using them right.

Hmmm, some people like the eldx but I’m not one of them. Found them rather lacking in regard to penetration. Good for double lung shots but then what isn’t. I’m using the Eldm now and find it much more reliable. Each to their own.

Originally Posted by Mararoa

Hmmm, some people like the eldx but I’m not one of them. Found them rather lacking in regard to penetration. Good for double lung shots but then what isn’t. I’m using the Eldm now and find it much more reliable. Each to their own.

I would consider just about complete penetration of two deer pretty good, I would be thinking an Eldm wouldn’t achieve that. Can’t say for sure but haven’t used them but I have used the old AMax which were very explode which killed well.

Originally Posted by 30.06king

I guess I'm in the torn camp regarding performance. I've decided I don't prefer them for hunting due to inconsistent results with kills. That mainly applies to 30 cal 178 gn ELDX and 270 cal 145 gn ELDX. I have a stash of both so, in fact, will continue hunting with them to use them up. I don't blame these bullets entirely for what I percieve as less than desired performane, knowing full well that I as the shooter contribute to the my results but these results, such as they are, have lowered my confidence in using this bullet. The one exception is the 243 cal 90 gn ELDX I use in my 243W. I have used it for varmints and goats with excellent performance.
In saying the above what I have found with ELDX bullets is that development of highly accurate and flat shooting handloads is quite achievable. Thay are just great to shoot on the range.

Also, I am happy to see some guys happy with their performance in hunting ammo. They must be using them right.

I use the 178gr ELDX in my 30 06 and find them fine I also use the 145 gr ELDX in the 270 and have found them to be better than most others I have tried but rather destructive.

Keep in mind that caliber size and weights of each eldx all perform differently. Magnum vs standard fps also dictates performance in close so one eldx(or any projectile) is not the same result on game as the next.

Originally Posted by Gkp

Keep in mind that caliber size and weights of each eldx all perform differently. Magnum vs standard fps also dictates performance in close so one eldx(or any projectile) is not the same result on game as the next.

You are quite right to make a perfect bullet for standard and magnum calibres at various speeds would be really good but near on impossible, the ELDX is close but not perfect.

Originally Posted by Mooseman

You are quite right to make a perfect bullet for standard and magnum calibres at various speeds would be really good but near on impossible, the ELDX is close but not perfect.

The old AMAX 162 7mm and 105 6mm.

No idea why Hornady felt it was a good idea to can them.

But they still make a 30 cal AMAX for their 'law enforcement' line of ammi

Originally Posted by Mooseman

You are quite right to make a perfect bullet for standard and magnum calibres at various speeds would be really good but near on impossible, the ELDX is close but not perfect.

Yes, fair point and I agree. Manufacturers attempt to create a single bullet design to perform sufficiently in most situations and while while materials and ballistics advances continuously push the limits the objective of perfection seems ever elusive. I think part of that is that shooters expect more is of bullets these days used in currently very high accuracy rifles and extended range game shooting. It must be challenging for bullet manufacturers to keep up with that level of progress but they sure try.

I thoroughly rate the 200g ELD x. Used them for a number of years in 300wsm. I found them great at all ranges. I wish they made a 165g in 30cal.

Originally Posted by 300wsm for life

I thoroughly rate the 200g ELD x. Used them for a number of years in 300wsm. I found them great at all ranges. I wish they made a 165g in 30cal.

The 200 ELDX is my preferred bullet in my 300 Win Mag, kills well but once again can be messy when plenty of bone is hit.

I've had excellent results with 145gr eld-x. Mainly on Sika and a few reds. Deadly and consistent performance from 0 - 500m.