Are the Eld x bullets that bad

[Oldtime Shooter13]

Here's an eld-x coming apart and going through the target sideways at 100 yards.

More information should be included in your post. Bullet weight, Caliber and Twist Rate? Looks to me like a bullet stability issue?

 

[SeaLeopard]

I have done a comparison using 143g ELD-X, Berger 140g Hybrid, Sierra etc. with Remington 6.5 Creedmoor PCR. The results have been favorable with all tried, however my go to is the 143g ELD-X which is the most consistent at all ranges out to 1k. I no longer hunt, but if I did, I would use the ELD-X.

 

[Brazos65]

Not 162 ELD-X but 200 ELD-X out of his 300 WM. My hunting buddy shot a very nice bull elk and almost lost it. He put 2 rounds through the lungs at 400Y+. The bull managed to run back into the timber over a 1000Y; that is correct. Four of us looked for over an hour to no avail. Another hunter above us was watching and nice enough to tell us where the bull had expired. There was a spec of blood 5Y yards where he passed. We found 2 tiny holes in the lungs without a pass-through, and the bullet did not expand. He also shot a muley buck at 200Y and was able to run 400Y; the same result as his elk, no expansion.

He was using factory ammo. He sent the remaining box to Hornady, and they did not find anything wrong with them. My buddy stopped using them. I have over 300 .30 cal ELD-X that I hesitate to use on a game after his experience. The bottom line is that we all have varying experiences and need to know which is best suited for our intended purpose. Some people here and elsewhere have a better experience with the M over the X.

Good luck!

Flukes happen. While it wouldn't be my 1st choice for elk…although I might consider it in heavy for caliber offerings…the ELD-X is a well designed hunting bullet. Do your own expansion tests if it gives you warm fuzzies. If ya have em shoot 'em

 

[Brazos65]

At some point every bullet has had a bad expereince with someone. I had a 110 grain eldx come apart in a whitetail at close range out of my 257 weatherby. The deer dropped (appeared dead) and when i climbed from my stand and half way to him (he was at 50 yards) he stood up, not going far fast but required another shot?

I have had the same experience in that caliber with a pronghorn and an accubond. Moving that fast close range things happen, both animals were easily recovered.

I'm a believer in hornady products, however I'm also a believer in many others. Most of my hunting rifles are weatherby's so factory offerings are somewhat limited, I've found that many of my calibers offer the scirocco line from swift and I've not had a bad word to say about them.

I know people who swear by ELDX and they are accurate as expected in what i've shot. There are extreme cases like mine and others with no expansion will leave you scratching your head. The nay sayers will always out weigh the pros on website reviews, how many millions of animals were humanely taken with these bullets, hey there's maybe 100 reviews? I'm sure you will find them to be accurate and effective, hornady is a great manufacturer founded by hunters as many are.

Agree. Gig'em'87

 

[SeaLeopard]

Here's an eld-x coming apart and going through the target sideways at 100 yards.

Is it possible the firearm had an issue?

 

[nksmfamjp]

These are 162gr ELDX mushrooms at long range….

What was impact velocity?

Would have loved to see a same weight mono shot with same velocity….

 

[blvette75]

So are the 162 grain Eld x bullets that bad? Sure see slot of negative comments about them.

I only have experience with the 143 ELDx in 6.5 Creedmoor, no problems. Another bullet I have not tried on game yet with is a 200 grn ELDx out of my 300 win mag, but the accuracy is very good. Each rifle load combo and placement of the shot would give you potentially different results. I have never been one to recover bullets readily if it did its job, if did a number on the meat, would look at changing. For years my 300 wm go to round was a 180 grn Nosler partition, wasn't broke just kept using it. Since have more time and availability to explore other bullet technology is why I have tried the newer bullets with higher BC, for long range hunting. Has been a rewarding hobby and fun.

 

[Csbc4fun]

Don't know if the ELDX is any good compared to what is available today. 143 ELDX is all I had so I took a 475 yard shot on a cow elk hunt. My spotter reported blood visible right behind the front shoulder. Funny, that's where I was aiming. She stopped and stood there for what seemed like 5 minutes then fell over. By the time I got there she was dead dead.

Then there was a muley at 300 yards same shot location same result. At least a dozen pigs but I don't think I should add the pigs because they were all shot about an inch below their ear. I suppose any bullet works well with that shot placement. Just my experiences on hunts that were great fun.

Good luck, hope you all find a bullet that works for you.

 

[asd9055]

Agree. Gig'em'87

Gig'em from my self and my three children!!! That'a All

 

[James Murphy]

I've had great luck with the 143 out of the 6.5x284, and the 145 out of the 6.8 Western. 20 plus kills and no problems at ranges from 100 to 600 yds on antelope to elk......

 

[skipglo]

Fairy tales and Pixie dust!!!! All I shoot are X's and M's.. .in all calibers! And I have alot of calibers..but only one old man's opinion...for what it's worth! I have supported Hornady for 50 years because Hornady supported me! Look at the shortages of Barnes, Berger, NOSLER, the past 2 years and the dramatic price increases of especially Nosler....if you can ever find it. But hey....don't ever shoot X's...I need them.....they are TERRIBLE!
.

 

[yogibearmech]

I have seen bad posts about Berger's and Hornady. I have a buddy using the 143 ELD x in a 6.5 PRC and has had good luck with them. Took a mule deer and a bull elk with them no problems. I would say like anything else there are good and bad days of production. I am trying the ELD x in my 6.5 PRC and 28 Nosler because I couldn't get the Beger's to shoot in either one. Hate to say it but believe we just have to trust what we get. Though you could test the lots in ballistic gel or something similar to animal bone and tissue and see how that lot performs.

 

[tooth doc]

I will say on the 162s. I did try them in my 7saum and could not get under 1in with that bullet and rifle. Went to Sierra and tmk were .25 and GC were .4 but both were not impressive on game. I have some hammers to try when time allows. Maybe there is something with caliber weights and design. My 300wm is an animal with the 212s never tried a 200s though. 6 & 6.5s both performed great on antelope and deer.
Adam

I think you will love the hammers or barnes ttsx bullets. accurate , phenomenal performance. you do your job, the bullets won't fail! that's my experience with over 200 head of big game over the last 25 years.

 

[troydrex]

I had a poor experience with a 162 ELD-X on a cow elk last season in my 7mm Rem.