Hornady ELD-X Bullet for deer?

[Doug]

This is a long story, but to cut to the chase:

I recently had shoulder surgery, and the surgeon has not declared himself on whether I can hunt this fall. The issue would be recoil, and the possibility of damaging the extensive surgical repairs.

After many years, many rifles, and many cartridges I have settled on the 6.5 x 55 with 140 grain Nosler Partitions for hunting Eastern Ontario whitetails. Most shots see the deer drop in its tracks, and I am happy with this cartridge and bullet combo. It is a mild-recoiling round, accurate, and deadly.

BUT!!! If I have to go to a rifle with less recoil, I have a nice light Sako in .243. I have a zillion 6 mm bullets here, but no Nosler Partitions, which I would favour. I DO have some 103 gr Hornady ELD-X bullets.

The Hornady hype suggests these would be a good choice for a hunting bullet. I wonder if anybody here has actual experience with these bullets in a hunting scenario?

Please note, I am looking for advice based on actual experience, not opinion garnered whilst surging the Internet. Specifically, Hornady ELD-X bullets for hunting. Thanks folks.

Doug

 

[hawk-i]

Hi Doug, I've used 6.5 CM143 ELDX on black bear with great results, also used 7mm 175 eldx and 178eldx 30 cal on moose with great results.

I don't have experience with the 103 eldx though.

cheers

 

[Doug]

Hi Doug, I've used 6.5 CM143 ELDX on black bear with great results, also used 7mm 175 eldx and 178eldx 30 cal on moose with great results.

I don't have experience with the 103 eldx though.

cheers

Thanks! It is the bullet type that is of interest, like I trust Nosler Partitions in a range of calibres. Your experience with The ELD-X sounds like this one is also a winner. Thanks for posting.

Doug

 

[Jon87]

I shot a moose last year with 143gr ELD-X from about 70 yards in 6.5CM. I recovered the bullet in the hide on the exit side and weighed it. It expanded as expected, didn't separate, and retained 73% mass. The moose went about 30 yards and dropped, lung shot with some ribs along the way. That's my only first hand data point for hunting with ELD-X, but it did the trick. I'm planning to deer hunt with that setup this fall, and moving up to 7PRC and 175gr ELD-X for moose.

 

[Doug]

I shot a moose last year with 143gr ELD-X from about 70 yards in 6.5CM. I recovered the bullet in the hide on the exit side and weighed it. It expanded as expected, didn't separate, and retained 73% mass. The moose went about 30 yards and dropped, lung shot with some ribs along the way. That's my only first hand data point for hunting with ELD-X, but it did the trick. I'm planning to deer hunt with that setup this fall, and moving up to 7PRC and 175gr ELD-X for moose.

Thanks! More validation, much appreciated.

Doug

 

[bcsteve]

They're just a high BC plastic tip cup and core. Think of them as a high BC Nosler Ballistic Tip or Hornady SST. They're definitely lighter constructed then a Partition but I wouldn't hesitate to use them on deer.

 

[Doug]

They're just a high BC plastic tip cup and core. Think of them as a high BC Nosler Ballistic Tip or Hornady SST. They're definitely lighter constructed then a Partition but I wouldn't hesitate to use them on deer.

Thanks!

 

[savagelh]

I've used the 120eldm on deer with excellent results in a 6.5x55

 

[medvedqc]

if it is on the right shoulder maybe time to become a lefty for gunnie. otherwise your choice should work.

 

[AlbertaJohn]

Did you consider putting a brake on your rifle to lessen the recoil?

I put one on my 7mRm and now it kicks about the same as a 6.5cm.

However I will be taking mine off for hunting but at the range it's great.

 

[Canuck65]

My brother uses them. Last year's hunt he hit a moose at pretty close range, and the bullet fragmented almost like a varmint bullet. The moose was dead in its tracks, so the bullet did its job, but there was a good bit of jellied, mangled meat around the neck and shoulder even though he hit it in the ribs. Could have been a fluke though, or a bad shot - who knows?

 

[Doug]

if it is on the right shoulder maybe time to become a lefty for gunnie. otherwise your choice should work.

I actually asked the surgeon about that. He said it would be a bad idea because I would be stretching out my "bad" arm to support the rifle...

 

[Doug]

Did you consider putting a brake on your rifle to lessen the recoil?

I put one on my 7mRm and now it kicks about the same as a 6.5cm.

However I will be taking mine off for hunting but at the range it's great.

I do have braked rifles, but do not prefer them, and this situation will hopefully only be for this season. The 6.5 x 55 is really a soft-recoiling cartridge, but still a bit more than a .243..........

 

[MiG25]

From what I have seen the 243 demands good bullets. 6mm Partitions are available.

 

[Doug]

From what I have seen the 243 demands good bullets. 6mm Partitions are available.

Yes I am highly aware of this, please see my first post. If I had some 100 gr NPs I would be loading them. But I gave them to a buddy last year.........

 

[Buckmastr]

I’ve shot deer with the eldx no issues but I might suggest an 80gr ttsx out of a 243 for even lighter recoil. Good luck and speedy recovery!

 

[Doug]

I’ve shot deer with the eldx no issues but I might suggest an 80gr ttsx out of a 243 for even lighter recoil. Good luck and speedy recovery!

Thanks!

 

[Wild_Thing]

Formidable deer round, a match-grade hunting bullet. At the end of the day just a cup and core bullet. I found it a little too frangible for my needs but YMMV.

 

[Wild_Thing]

double tap

 

[Jim870]

No complaints with the eld x or m. I wouldn't expect an exit and I'd plan on trimming a little extra bloodshot meat.

However the .243 isn't really much of reduction in recoil from the 6.5x55. If recoil reduced deer killing is really your goal the 6.5 grendel and 6mm ARC would let you use components you may already have and more noticeably reduce recoil while still being suited to deer. The .350 legend may be worth a gander too if the trajectory is acceptable.