Hornady ELD-X bullets

[Magnus777]

Sorry Wildcatter, that long winded question wasn't much related to the latest round of thought on this subject concerning orders placed, and orders received. It was more of a summary question for my own piece of mind. After reading this and other threads concerning this bullet, after all the earlier technical discussion, reading convincing arguments going both ways about whether tip melting is a real phenomenon, I am left with one question. Whether or not this is a real thing, does the cost in research and development, retooling, marketing and advertising balance with the benefit? IF the predicted results jibe with real world observations in the field, it might cause a few folks to give them a try. Looks like more than a few were eager and willing to place their trust in the company, and try them out. Positive results are coming in. But does this new thing really make ENOUGH difference out there on paper and in the field over other choices. Did accurate bullets not exist before? Were satisfactory results not being achieved by the end user? I can't affirm any of these. And so, I think about the cost of what it takes to get these to market, and I'm weighing that against what's really possible to gain, both suggested, and what shooters are actually reporting. Worst case, as has been said before, shooters and sportsmen now have an additional option, it flies like you would want it to, and it kills like it has to. But really...isn't it possible that Hornady invested some time and money into developing a harder plastic that they could shove into the nose of their bullets a little faster, and a little harder in order to speed up production, and/or lower production costs? And might they further pad their bottom line by using this new technology and method to consolidate several of their bullet lines? It would be reasonable for them to expect a solid return on their investment, so why would they not seize the opportunity to sell these changes to the market as an exclusive benefit of their brand? It's a business, after all, and business cares less about what it can do to service your need than it does about creating a need that it may service exclusively..."New tech! New material! Available only here! You need it...and here's our own research to explain why!" sounds much better than "Us, too!"

 

[Sneaky Apasum]

Some of y'all are really overthinking this.

There hasn't been a traditionally built bullet with acceptable BC's until Nosler made the LRAB. We were stuck with exploding Bergers, monometals, or custom bullets that couldn't keep up with demand. The LRAB was going to solve that, but was too inconsistent for most people. The ELD-X is supposed to be our solution, now. If it works, the we will have the bullet we always wanted. Who cares about the tip?!

 

[ShootnMathews]

Sorry Wildcatter, that long winded question wasn't much related to the latest round of thought on this subject concerning orders placed, and orders received. It was more of a summary question for my own piece of mind. After reading this and other threads concerning this bullet, after all the earlier technical discussion, reading convincing arguments going both ways about whether tip melting is a real phenomenon, I am left with one question. Whether or not this is a real thing, does the cost in research and development, retooling, marketing and advertising balance with the benefit? IF the predicted results jibe with real world observations in the field, it might cause a few folks to give them a try. Looks like more than a few were eager and willing to place their trust in the company, and try them out. Positive results are coming in. But does this new thing really make ENOUGH difference out there on paper and in the field over other choices. Did accurate bullets not exist before? Were satisfactory results not being achieved by the end user? I can't affirm any of these. And so, I think about the cost of what it takes to get these to market, and I'm weighing that against what's really possible to gain, both suggested, and what shooters are actually reporting. Worst case, as has been said before, shooters and sportsmen now have an additional option, it flies like you would want it to, and it kills like it has to. But really...isn't it possible that Hornady invested some time and money into developing a harder plastic that they could shove into the nose of their bullets a little faster, and a little harder in order to speed up production, and/or lower production costs? And might they further pad their bottom line by using this new technology and method to consolidate several of their bullet lines? It would be reasonable for them to expect a solid return on their investment, so why would they not seize the opportunity to sell these changes to the market as an exclusive benefit of their brand? It's a business, after all, and business cares less about what it can do to service your need than it does about creating a need that it may service exclusively..."New tech! New material! Available only here! You need it...and here's our own research to explain why!" sounds much better than "Us, too!"

It could just be that other are excited to try them for other reasons. For example I have a gun that will not group VLD style bullets. It shoots amax well but but in my opinion they are too frangible for close hunting and here I end up with a lot of sub 200 yard shots with the occasional long shot. Therefore I've been stuck using a Nosler BT that holds together well enough for me. These new eldx are supposed to hold together better than amax but still expand down to a lower velocity and have a much better BC than the Nosler BT. So I'm very excited to try them. Put my order in months ago. If they do what they claim they should extend my effective killing range another 300-400 yards as the Nosler BT, using their 1800 fps minimum runs out about 650-700 yards. In this gun.

 

[Nomosendero]

Sorry Wildcatter, that long winded question wasn't much related to the latest round of thought on this subject concerning orders placed, and orders received. It was more of a summary question for my own piece of mind. After reading this and other threads concerning this bullet, after all the earlier technical discussion, reading convincing arguments going both ways about whether tip melting is a real phenomenon, I am left with one question. Whether or not this is a real thing, does the cost in research and development, retooling, marketing and advertising balance with the benefit? IF the predicted results jibe with real world observations in the field, it might cause a few folks to give them a try. Looks like more than a few were eager and willing to place their trust in the company, and try them out. Positive results are coming in. But does this new thing really make ENOUGH difference out there on paper and in the field over other choices. Did accurate bullets not exist before? Were satisfactory results not being achieved by the end user? I can't affirm any of these. And so, I think about the cost of what it takes to get these to market, and I'm weighing that against what's really possible to gain, both suggested, and what shooters are actually reporting. Worst case, as has been said before, shooters and sportsmen now have an additional option, it flies like you would want it to, and it kills like it has to. But really...isn't it possible that Hornady invested some time and money into developing a harder plastic that they could shove into the nose of their bullets a little faster, and a little harder in order to speed up production, and/or lower production costs? And might they further pad their bottom line by using this new technology and method to consolidate several of their bullet lines? It would be reasonable for them to expect a solid return on their investment, so why would they not seize the opportunity to sell these changes to the market as an exclusive benefit of their brand? It's a business, after all, and business cares less about what it can do to service your need than it does about creating a need that it may service exclusively..."New tech! New material! Available only here! You need it...and here's our own research to explain why!" sounds much better than "Us, too!"

I am a Capitalist so I hope they do make a ton of money. Then they can intro more new products, handgun, ML bullets etc. As far as "business" goes, this is a volume business, if they do as advertised then the repeat volume sales will not only be there but multiply.
As far as whether they sell the tips to other bullet Co, I don't care. Mathews sold their Solo Cam rights to other bow companies and for years it was a really big deal, but instead of the Bow companies whining, some got off their butts and developed their own style cams and we have more choices and better Bows on the market than ever. I expect other bullet companies to just work harder now, good stuff.
Competition is a wonderful thing and very American, let the good times roll !

 

[Barrelnut]

Is it at least possible that in a period of historically high demand for their type products, and within an industry that for some time now has been hard pressed to keep up with consumer demand, a company is taking the opportunity to SELL THE SIZZLE rather than explain their efforts to develop a new manufacturing process geared toward increased production and line consolidation?

Hornady seems to do a better job than most keeping their products on the shelves these days. Plus they have been able to bring this innovative new bullet for long range shooting to market. I just wish they made primers; bet they would make some good ones.

 

[Magnus777]

These are some really good and thoughtful comments. Thanks to all!

 

[drpbroun5]

Bottom line for me is: how does it fly and how does it perform on various sized game at various terminal velocities for long range hunting? Is it a better choice that ___________? Hopefully we all can see first hand experience from the wealth of expertise of the folks on this forum. I'm very hopeful that we will get reports coming on to tell the world what hunters are finding in real world of U.S. hunting!
Paul

 

[AaronSkipDavidson]

After playing a big part in the Long Range Hunting industry for the past 10 years, and shooting a hollowpoint bullet personally at over 100 animals, and witnessing more than another 100 first hand, I can claim a significant body of experience.

For the past three years (which coincides with the date I proposed a new, tipped-VLD bullet to Hornady), we've worked and waited for a new bullet that would eliminate the fringe failures we have seen in terminal performance. We have over 30 animals harvested with the new ELD-X, and we've shot approximately 1000 rounds with several of the bullets and so far, I am very pleased with the result.

Initial benefits we've noted:

Less vertical dispersion than untrimmed HPBT.
More consistent expansion--not tumbling--expansion.
BCs are essentially dead nuts within typical gun to gun variation.

Questions pending:

Does the interlock ring yield consistently better penetration?
When do I get my big orders?

And, guys look at Hornady's pricing. I feel like they are one of the most consumer price conscious companies out there.

 

[wbyfireman]

Just ordered 100 rds of 285gr target bullets (on backorder) for my 338 Lapua build being built by Phoenix Custom Rifles.

Question..... Are the new ELD bullets basically the Amax's with an improved tip or has Hornady changed the dimensions? The BC's are higher in the new ELD's so just curious if an improved tip could make that much of a difference.

Thanks

 

[SHRTSHTR]

After playing a big part in the Long Range Hunting industry for the past 10 years, and shooting a hollowpoint bullet personally at over 100 animals, and witnessing more than another 100 first hand, I can claim a significant body of experience.

For the past three years (which coincides with the date I proposed a new, tipped-VLD bullet to Hornady), we've worked and waited for a new bullet that would eliminate the fringe failures we have seen in terminal performance. We have over 30 animals harvested with the new ELD-X, and we've shot approximately 1000 rounds with several of the bullets and so far, I am very pleased with the result.

Initial benefits we've noted:

Less vertical dispersion than untrimmed HPBT.
More consistent expansion--not tumbling--expansion.
BCs are essentially dead nuts within typical gun to gun variation.

Questions pending:

Does the interlock ring yield consistently better penetration?
When do I get my big orders?

And, guys look at Hornady's pricing. I feel like they are one of the most consumer price conscious companies out there.

skipdavidson,

Have you guys noticed any velocity loss with the ELD-X when compared to a HPBT? Its seems bearing surface is considerably longer than some of the other open tipped bullets out there.

Is seating depth as critical as it is with VLD's?

Ray

 

[gohring3006]

Has anyone figured out if the 208 ELD is the Amax with a new tip?

 

[ShootnMathews]

I was figuring the 6.5 was a retipped 140 amax. But it is obviously a totally new bullet when put side by side

 

[gohring3006]

I was figuring the 6.5 was a retipped 140 amax. But it is obviously a totally new bullet when put side by side

I saw that... I guess it's no big deal..... I was just hoping to load some at my Amax load and they would be the same... I knew better but.....

 

[300RUM LNGRNGE]

Some of y'all are really overthinking this.

There hasn't been a traditionally built bullet with acceptable BC's until Nosler made the LRAB. We were stuck with exploding Bergers, monometals, or custom bullets that couldn't keep up with demand. The LRAB was going to solve that, but was too inconsistent for most people. The ELD-X is supposed to be our solution, now. If it works, the we will have the bullet we always wanted. Who cares about the tip?!

Yeah........what he said!