Hornady 143 gr ELD X Terminal Performance Report

[hometownhero]

I thought I'd read somewhere that it's difficult to make a bonded bullet shoot as well as non-bonded and since they were going for match accuracy they chose non-bonded.

I tried interbond in 30-06 and 243 could never get them to shoot well at all. 1.5-3 moa is all I could muster. They were also $70-90 per 100 in Canada so that was a major deterrent as well. I can't imagine what they would cost these days as interlocks are now $40-45 per 100 when they used to be $25 a few years ago (less then 5 years)

 

[Zen Archery]

I wouldn't use a bonded bullet on a deer. I don't The the ELD-X "replaced" the AMAX. I think the SST performs more like the A-MAX. For thick brute hogs the ELDX has been phenomenal but as I stated above I wouldn't use a bonded bullet on deer.

 

[hometownhero]

Eld-M is supposed to be the amax replacement.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Eld-M is supposed to be the amax replacement.

That would be correct just with a slightly higher bc. I took a buck with the eld-match and It performed identical to the old a-max

 

[elkaholic]

I posted on the 147 eldm thread but I agree with the amax.
147 eldm at 3107 mv from 6.5sst. Range 150 yards. Deer quartering heavily away. Impact behind last rib and exit through opposite upper leg. Part of core with base of jacket just under hide after breaking offside rib. Bullet traversed 27" measured. Everything jello for nearly 2 feet!

 

[Crowe284]

Life has been busy lately...bought 500 eld m's but haven't gotten time to develop a load yet for Creedmoor. Got a chance to go hunt this evening and used my 6.5 GAP 4S. Was shooting the 143 eld x in this rifle as well. Load is very accurate, shoots in the high .1's @ 3033 fps. I shot a doe at 857 DRT and a 180 lb buck at 641 also DRT. Both deer were hit in the middle of the shoulder and both bullets exited. Took a picture of exit on buck. He was quartered to me slightly. Bullet entered middle of shoulder and exited ribs behind shoulder on opposite side. Impact velocity on buck was arond 2,124 fps (1432 ft lbs of energy). Although I don't like them as much as the amax, really can't complain as I haven't lost anything yet....

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Life has been busy lately...bought 500 eld m's but haven't gotten time to develop a load yet for Creedmoor. Got a chance to go hunt this evening and used my 6.5 GAP 4S. Was shooting the 143 eld x in this rifle as well. Load is very accurate, shoots in the high .1's @ 3033 fps. I shot a doe at 857 DRT and a 180 lb buck at 641 also DRT. Both deer were hit in the middle of the shoulder and both bullets exited. Took a picture of exit on buck. He was quartered to me slightly. Bullet entered middle of shoulder and exited ribs behind shoulder on opposite side. Impact velocity on buck was arond 2,124 fps (1432 ft lbs of energy). Although I don't like them as much as the amax, really can't complain as I haven't lost anything yet....

If you like the old A-max, you'll like the eld-match. I took a buck with the 162 eld-match out of my 7mm Rem mag with a mv of 3115. The buck was shot at 50 yards. He ran 20-30 yards and dropped. He was quartering towards me slightly. On the hide, it was a 7mm entry. Inside of the entry side of the ribcage had a hole the size of a golf ball. I found the bullet lodged in the hide on the off side near his hind quarter. Retained weight was 62 grains. His insides were a complete mushy mess and next to none for meat loss.

 

[WildRose]

I thought I'd read somewhere that it's difficult to make a bonded bullet shoot as well as non-bonded and since they were going for match accuracy they chose non-bonded.

There isn't anything about the bonding process that makes bullets less accurate, it was all about cost.

 

[WildRose]

Their ELDs are reportedly shooting accurately, anyhow.
I checked a couple days ago and saw a limited offering of Hornady Interbond bullets currently in manufacture. Maybe they're back in the Interbond business again. Didn't see any weight offerings for my personal use in 308 or 338 cals, but they are offering bullets in these and a few smaller calibers.

They are getting there slowly. They told me over a year ago to be patient as they were just neck deep in the rollout of the ELD's but, true to their words, they are starting to hit the shelves again.

I was hoping to see a 200gr .30 cal and 260-270gr .375 but we're not quite there yet.

Last I checked Midway had the 140gr 6.5, 140 and 154gr 7mm, and 180gr .30's in stock though.

 

[rolly]

I wouldn't use a bonded bullet on a deer. I don't The the ELD-X "replaced" the AMAX. I think the SST performs more like the A-MAX. For thick brute hogs the ELDX has been phenomenal but as I stated above I wouldn't use a bonded bullet on deer.

Why? I use Accubonds and LOVE them. 10+ big, northern heavy deer DRT, without another step. Can't be unhappy about the bonded bullet experience.

 

[WildRose]

Why? I use Accubonds and LOVE them. 10+ big, northern heavy deer DRT, without another step. Can't be unhappy about the bonded bullet experience.

I can't help but laugh. Until the Berger Craze hit full bloom the Accubond was by far the most popular bullet with the gang around here.

I will never understand why anyone thinks consistent, predictable, repeatable expansion and great weight retention are not the ideal.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I can't help but laugh. Until the Berger Craze hit full bloom the Accubond was by far the most popular bullet with the gang around here.

I will never understand why anyone thinks consistent, predictable, repeatable expansion and great weight retention are not the ideal.

People are different. Everyone has different opinions on what good terminal performance is.. I'm not a berger guy, I was a huge fan of the old A-max (now eld-match). I can tell you a 140 amax at 2850 does very bad things to critters.

 

[Capt RB]

Because everyone is different. Takes all kinds to make the world go round. I'm not a berger guy, I was a huge fan of the old A-max (now eld-match). I can tell you a 140 amax at 2850 does very bad things to critters.

I'm hoping the 147eldm@2920 is just more of a good thing

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I'm hoping the 147eldm@2920 is just more of a good thing

As soon as I eat the new 500 sleeve of 140 eld-m I have I'll be switching to the 147