Thread: ELD-X - 308 - Bush Hunting

Hi Team, I've been using 178gr Hornady ELD-X in my 308 since this years roar with mixed results. I'm hunting thick bush so 20-50m max shots. Now you could say its not the bullet but my shooting/rifle zero, and you could be right...I am fairly new to this but I've had about 3 animals get away from me that I couldn't find and I could swear the shot placement was mint (no blood trail).

Anyone else had this issue?

So question - What ammunition are you guys using for close bush hunting in 308 Win?

For bush hunting ranges, it's notlike the BC is important at all. I would look at the Speer gold dots or Impacts if you're feeling fancy.

Federal blue box 150 and 150 fusions eere solid performers bush hunting when I ran them at those ranges in my blr 81 308. Nothing walked away. Fusion was tougher projectile and left golf ball sized exit holes at times. Brutal.

Use a bigger gun. .308 clearly isn't enough and you need more margin for error.

Originally Posted by gimp

Use a bigger gun. .308 clearly isn't enough and you need more margin for error.

Really though you may need to be more selective about placement. How much effort are you putting into looking for the animal after the shot? Are you tracking?

Dont listen to Gimp. Hes taking his frustration at others out on you.

Give us some more information so we can help- a little more effectively.

Tell us about each shot where the animal has got away. What angle was it at, where did you aim and where do you think you hit? Also what were the animals reaction at the shot?

I suspect You are possibly hitting too far back

Mickey Duck will be along soon to recommend a cup and core bullet....and this time he's probably right

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I've had poor results up close with the 7mm 162elx pencil wounding at under 100yards.
The 162eldm on the other hand is a great all rounder

3 get away with no blood trial from a 178 eldx and new to bush hunting?im thinking it is definitely something your doing wrong.how do you know you have hit the animal?how many animals have you actually recovered?to much going on here to blame the bullet.shoot the next one in the head which is easy at 20-50m if it runs you know what the problem is.

I use 308 in bush aswell, i use 180gr norma bondstrikes, also used 165gr nosler bt's to good effect, prefer the heavier bonded in bush more twig resistant

Originally Posted by BRADS

Mickey Duck will be along soon to recommend a cup and core bullet....and this time he's probably right

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Yip 180 grn Hornady round nose...they don't walk away from them.

The X is a resonably heavily consitructed cup and core designed for deep penitration and controled expansion at medium - longer ranges.
You are shooting a 308 at short - moderate ranges so that rules out extremely high or low velocities as being the problem.

For what you are doing using some other bullet may make better financial sense but that won't solve your problem.
You don't need a premium load for under 200 mtr shooting.

As above I would be looking at bullet placement, rushed shots, shots that exit through the gut often don't bleed very much and the animal can travel a long way.
Even a heart lung shot deer can travel 100 mtr. Is it possible that you are taking length wise shots from the ass end of the deer forward as it heads away? Or even quartering shots front on that could have the bullet exit via the back half of the animal or not exit if the gut is full of grass.
Z

Any 150 to 180gr,
308 bullet, including the 178 eldx, will be completely fine. Shot placement is everything.

I used to run 178 amaxes in "Tim" my 30-06 Terminator Imp max, they were devastating at high speed but not so sure once they lost their custo, might nto be the best choice for a short barrel bush gun

As many have said - go for a basic lead nose soft point, be "bang - flop" chur

Thanks for the messages.

100% could be me and just not putting the bullet in the right place.

I think I'm okay at tracking out to 100m ish but after that with no blood it's really tricky in the bush,for me anyway.

I've put 8 deer on the ground since my first in February, all public land in the Kaimais/ Waioeka area. First 2 animals were with Nosler 165s and they did some serious damage, full blown out shoulder and exit wound.

Since switching to ELD-X head and neck shots are sweet as, drop them on the spot. But up close shoulder & lung shots there isn't the type of damage that I would expect and no exit wounds or blood trails.

Just thought I would ask the question as I have no idea about the ELD-Xs i just brought them on a recommendation.

Appreciate the feedback 🤙

N