ELD-X NOT recommended under 400 yards.

[Overkill338]

I emailed Hornady, after we had that huge debacle about Brown bear with the ELD-X. I was curious why they recommended the SST from a .338 WM, and the 220 Interlock from a 30-06, when the 200,212,and 230 ELD-X is not. Even the 270gr in the Lapua isn't recommended for brownies.

 

[86alaskan]

Well, to reinforce their view, I killed both my brown bears with the 250gr Interlock PSP from my 338WM. the first was a thick, ready for the den 8ft sow at 45yds. 2 bullets recovered weighing about 150gr each They went thorugh about 4ft of bear, both shoulders and fat. third bullet impact shoulder bone and spine at about 10yds, no recovery attempted. Having killed caribou with the 143gr eld-x, there is no way, no how that I would try to kill a big brown with that bullet. There are soooo many much better dangerous game options.

 

[snox801]

Ya like hammers! lol

 

[snox801]

I should add that yes that does sound like a logical answer. Those looking for long range bullet need it to do that. Would mimic the holes I get at close range on deer with them.

 

[Buttermilk]

I used a Hornaday 7mm 162gr ELD-X to kill a buck at 72 yards two years ago using my 7mm RSAUM XP-100. No issue with fragmentation. In fact, it appeared the bullet worked like a charm with a caliber size entrance hole and about a quarter size exit hole. Bullet impact was on the point of the near shoulder exiting behind the off side shoulder. Deer dropped on the spot.

 

[YZ-80]

Well gosh darn-it! I got my 6.5 x 47 shooting reeeelly good with the 143 ELD-x with a Varget load (2,740 FPS). My shots are 250-400 yds. Wonder if I'll be OK with swamp donkeys? If not there's always the 130 Accubond....

 

[Bstick]

The eld x is fine for killing stuff under 400yards.

Have y'all ever thought that y'all are over thinking this bullet/killing thing?

 

[FIGJAM]

These results are pretty interesting.
https://www.fieldandstream.com/long-range-shootout/

I know it is in gel, but the eldx performance is pretty impressive.

I have killed elk, mule deer and black bears with the eldx at various ranges and have never had a problem with it.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I've killed plenty of critters with the eld-m let alone the eld-x at 100 and less. Shot my bear last year at 12 yards and the 140 eld-m passed completely through. Not sure why everyone is so wound up about this. As long as your not running a hyper velocity cartridge and shooting light for caliber you'll be perfectly fine. My father shot a bear with his 300 winmag and the 200 eld-x at about 30 yards and it went in at the base of the neck and blew a fist sized hole out by the rear leg.

 

[nathank]

have killed moose at 40 yards to 660 yards with eld-x no issue

 

[wildcat455]

When I was running them, I only had opportunity for deer. It's been 5 years since I've been drawn for elk. Most of my shots were in the crease just behind the shoulder. Never had a lick of trouble with them, deer at 200 yards and under running them out the muzzle right at 3000 fps in my 300 win mag, and 2750 out of my 30-06, so pretty hot loads. They would punch right through with caliber size entry and golf ball size exit, usually with a good quantity of lung and rib bone.
Every animal was DRT. Suspect with impact velocities in the 2500-2600 FPS range, the animal succumbed to hydrostatic shock and bled out right on the spot in his sleep.
Now, my cousin had issues with them in 7 Mag, and he quit using them after 1 elk hunt. 4 shots on the animal before he anchored him.

I've since moved on to the 208 ELDM and the 215 BHT. My rifles seem to like the 208 the best.
I do still have some 200 gr ELDX loaded up for 308, 30-06 and a few in 300.

They definitely would not be my first choice for bear. I'd rather have something in the 338-375 caliber for them, preferably with a proven performer on dangerous game.

 

[86alaskan]

I would have to say that hornady is covering them selves here. While teh ELD-X may do the job, I certainly would not try it on a brown bear. Lots of bullets kill lots of things, natives kill polar bears with 243's. When the hunt of a lifetime is on the line with a $30k+ price tag, why chance it with a bullet not designed for the task at hand? Load up some heavy coppers with a proven track record of deep penetration and minimal fragmentation, and go kill a bear.

And while on that, I also wouldn't trust an SST on a bear either. I've had those come unglued on White tails, so they'd stay on the shelf for sure.

 

[nathank]

having said that i have killed moose from 60-660 yards with them id still probably go with a .375 with a nice round nose lol

 

[Jammer65]

I cant imagine using anything but a premium controlled expansion bullet on big bears. Seems obvious to me, but maybe thats just me.