To your point, I think the 143 gr ELD-X's are especially good in 6.5mm bullets. I have a 6.5 PRC that shoots lights out with factory Hornady Precision Hunter 143 gr ELD-X's (shot a .75" group at 300 yards the first group after I dialed it in at 100yds with factory ammo). However, I reload for my 6.5 PRC and have shared the recipe on this forum many times and I use 143 gr ELD-X's and I am getting 5/8" group at 100 yards--plenty good for the Northwest Louisiana deer woods where I do not have a shot past 300 yards. I have read all these posts about if the ELD-X bullets were good or bad. Seems to me that there have been many more positive attributes posted than negative ones. At the end of the day it is all about shot placement and knowing your equipment for a clean, ethical kill. My other whitetail deer rifle is a Browning X-Bolt 25-06 and I shot an 8pt last year in which there was no exit; however it dropped in its tracks. To the other side, if you are hunting in the evening and shoot a deer before dark and they do not drop and you do not get an exit wound, it can be frustrating tracking if you don't have a good light. But more times than not, when you don't get an exit wound (and don't drop your animal) and you make a good shot you should pick up blood not far from where your animal was standing at the initial shot. As many have posted, there is probably no perfect bullet and it just depends on what your needs are. If you are bound and determined to get penetration and an exit wound, you might want a solid copper bullet like the Barnes TTSX. If hydrostatic shock is your desire, you might consider the ELD-X. Thanks