Have you guys tried the Hornady ELD-x bullets vs the Sierrra Gamechanger tipped game king? They're both boat tail match grade that are supposed to be suitable for hunting. Basically hybrid match/hunting bullets. I haven't really seen anything about how well they expand, or perform on game.
hybrid long range hunting bullets
- Thread starter flintyboom
- Start date
I've used an ELDX on a deer at close range. Velocities were moderate, weren't too fast, magnum-like. It pretty much performed as any other conventional cup and core bullet would have performed. It hit a rib and blew up. The deer died in place, though. So it did what a bullet should do. I think the bullet performs better at lower velocities. My inclination would be to go for heavy for calibre weights and moderate velocities. The faster the intended velocities, the heavier the bullet, twist rate permitting. My experience is that they can be very accurate. My 65CM shoots them into a ragged hole. Another rifle also shot them very well. I have no experience with the Sierra GC but if they are like other sierra bullets I've loaded, they'll shoot just as well. I've found Sierra to shoot well in a variety of rifles in general.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
The Speer 200 gr Hot-Cor's work well from the 338-06. They also have 225 gr boat tail soft points that function well.
I blew up a 230gr .338" ELDx on an elk's scapula @ 2300 fps impact speed. It failed to penetrate the rib cage. Five more shots did the trick
….'nough said.
….'nough said.
Yep! Hornady used to be one of the more reliable performers on big game, the InterLock series in particular. Too bad they had to 'improve' them.
todbartell said:
Imagine a 230 gr, so-designated .338 hunting bullet, started at 2530 muzzle velocity, blowing up at 250 yards.
Ted
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their factory 338 Win Mag load with that bullet is rated at 2810 fps at the muzzle. 2200 fps impact speed would come at 1/4 mile
Agreed, however it's not the toughness of the animals that is the concern, but the frangibility of the bullet.
2200-2700fps or so, is the zone where ordinary cup and core bullets perform very well.
todbartell said:
You weren't frustrated at all, I'm sure.
Ted
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Nosler makes many good hunting pills....accubond, partition, even their BT are decent cup/core.
Been using the ABLR but only have a small buck from 40 yards that folded up so can't say yet if they are good or bad.
Sierra GC is a poor bullet from just about every serious review I've seen, seperation is guaranteed.
Been using the ABLR but only have a small buck from 40 yards that folded up so can't say yet if they are good or bad.
Sierra GC is a poor bullet from just about every serious review I've seen, seperation is guaranteed.
I have been shooting some 208 gr ELD Match in a Rem 783 300 Win Mag. Pretty amazing at close to 3000 fps with H1000 and WLRM primers.
No question they are accurate, even in a $400 rifle.
The mag box is too short to keep the ogive out of the case neck, so it becomes a single shot with them.
Ted
No question they are accurate, even in a $400 rifle.
The mag box is too short to keep the ogive out of the case neck, so it becomes a single shot with them.
Ted
buckbrushoutdoors
Regular
- Location
- fort saskatchewan AB/Edson AB
I’ve killed one 325” bull elk at 60 yards and one 155” whitetail buck at 80 yards with the 145gr eldx from my 270wsm. Elk was completely broadside and I had a full pass through. Whitetail was frontal and bullet lodged in the back quarter. I really like them which says a lot because I’ve only really used barnes ttsx and tsx before.
For Deer or if I knew I wasn't going to shoot under 300 yards, sure. It seems some of the Hornady ELD's either X or M have better reputations than others on game but the general theme seems to be muzzle velocities are lower or shots farther. I have been well pleased with conventional Hornady Interlocks, Speer Hotcores, golddots, and Sierra Gamekings and Prohunters not to mention Nosler's offerings and Barnes. I wouldn't refuse to hunt with ELD's or Gamechangers but don't see them knocking accubonds off their position as my favorite medium and big game bullet. Yes, I leave a little BC on the table and pay a premium but they perform consistently well on game from magnums or not from up close to beyond my comfort zone.
