ELD-M minimum velocity for “expansion”?

[Huntnful]

It's quite the projectile. I'm launching them at 3019 in adg brass in a sammi chamber and it's nasty.

That's legit!! I love the bullet as well

 

[fruitnut]

The 180 Bergers are about 1.53 long with a G7 form factor ~0.91 and G7 BC near 0.35. Maybe the tip gives the ELDM some BC advantage. But I doubt the ELDM is much better than the Bergers.

The only Bergers with G7 form factor below 0.8 are the 375 caliber VLD solid target bullets. Most of their heavy hunting bullets are now 0.88-0.92. The 407 grain VLD is 2.347 long with G7 BC of 0.523 and form factor 0.79. That bullet could be even more sleek since 0.5 inch appears to be bore rider not engraved by rifling. If they can make copper target bullets with sleeker shapes why not hunting bullets?

I think bullet makers can, could, and eventually will have hunting bullets with even better form factor than what we have now.

 

[Salmonhead]

The hornady stated minimum for the eldx is 1600 and the cross section of an eldx vs eldm shows the X has a thicker and tapered jacket. The m is thinner and not tapered. I would think 1600 or slightly less for the m would be reasonable.

 

[Longshotjames]

Put our theories to the test last weekend. Shooting my 300wsm with 208eldM into 2 management deer at 640yds gave us an approx impact of 1805fps. Bullet path looked like a controlled expansion bullet. If you are looking for something with more violent with huge explosion on impact then the velocity needs to be above 2000fps. If your shooting elk and want more penetration at that impact speed then its perfect. Pick your poison
James

 

[Exterminate1]

Is there a recommended, or experienced, minimum velocity for terminal performance for the ELD-M (or any other "target" bullets, Berger comes to mind)? I'm doing some ballistic comparisons and have a few hundred ELD-Ms in different calibers and for different cartridges that I'm thinking I want to try for next hunting season. I'm just trying to figure out what the limits are for these, and if it even makes sense. If anyone has any personal experience with these I'd be ecstatic to hear your experiences. Currently I'm thinking of trying the 140 ELD-M in my 6.5 Creedmoor compared to the 143 ELD-X, also the 180gr ELD-M compared to the 195 EOL in my 28 Nosler. I have others that I'd consider trying too, like a 120gr ELD-M in a 6.5 Grendel or 162gr ELD-M vs ELD-X in a 7mm WSM. I'm open to suggestions as well, mostly in the Berger and Hornady lines.

Just got back from Colorado thought I'd report on my experience with 162 gran ELD-M. My son took a shot at a very nice four by with his 7 mm SAUM at 285 yards slightly downhill mostly broadside. I was watching the shot looked like a great hit went down to where the deer was standing and found no blood. About 5 foot from the on side found two pieces of rib stripped of meat. Decided to walk in the direction the deer ran to about 25 to 35 yards found a 5 inch round blood spot then a single drop every 10 yards or so for about a quarter mile , then the blood spots went to you 25 yards to 50 yards. Searched all day did not find the animal. Very weird never seen anything like it.