Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Eldx. bullets

What's everyone's opinion of these from Hornady. As a hunting bullet for large game, elk, African plains game

Can't answer as to plains game, but they work VERY well on deer and antelope

Back when I couldn't get NPTs or bonded bullets during the most recent past unpleasantness, I switched to the using the ELD-X out of the 6.5 CM on my annual 1 or 2 cow elk wanderings.

What I would do is make the effort to avoid big bones and go for mid-to-high lung shots. Never a problem, and the furthest I ever had to look for one was at most 40 yards. The majority were downed far closer than that. All were pass through shots.

I agree with longarm - they should work very well on typically sized deer and antelope. In fact, when the stash of .257 110 gr. NABs are gone, I'll be switching to the ELD-X.

No experience using them on plains game in Africa. For them I'm an A-Frame groopie.

I like them myself. The heavier ones have worked well for me in my 06 and 6.5 Creed.

Yep--and a large part of the reason is the same as it's always been: "Cup-and-core" bullets work more reliably when muzzle velocity is moderate.

The difference these days is that you can start higher-BC bullets like the ELD-X at moderate velocities, and they'll also work well farther out, due to more retained velocity.

They work extremely well on large hogs in a 6.5 CM. !! Usually one an done...

7mm-08 150 eldx is our go-to. Deer elk antelope. Near and far.

30-06 178 eldx is popular but no kills yet.

7mm Rem Mag 162 eldx is our go-to. Deer and elk. Near and far.




P

With my very limited experience with them (6.5 143 grain) I’d not recommend them for anything larger than a larger bodied deer……especially at close range! JMO. memtb

We used a 147 gr eld-m in a 6.5 PRC to take several deer from 75-300 yards. Was very satisfied
With their performance

I used ELD-X bullets on this spring's black bear hunt in A!Berta, it was a spot and stalk hunt so the ranges could be much farther than usual 30 yard shot over bait. I usually use copper bullets out of my 375 Ruger or 9.3 x 62 both sporting 19 inch barrels.

I loaded up some 178 grain ELD-X's in a 30-06 and found they shot very well at 100, 200 and 300 yards more than adequate. The Howa 1500 really liked the bullets shooting under 1MOA out to 300 yards.

On day three a big boar came out in a lumbering gate walking directly away from us . I got into a prone position and told the guide to use his predator call to turn him so I would have better access to the lungs, decided to take the first available shot. The bear turned after about 15 seconds on the call and I took a quartering away shot. The sound of the impact was better than I think I have ever heard and the bear had hunched up hard after the shot and wandered into the bush. We found him about 20 yards from impact point dead.

I hit him about 3 inches behind the last rib and we found the bullet on the hide just behind the opposite shoulder. I was impressed with the retained weight as I assumed it would just be the jacket, the retained weight is 98 grains. Granted the bullet only impacted one bone, the rib on the way out. Only one bone but about 25 inches of bear. The bear was a very large bodied that measured just shy of 6 feet from nose to tip of tail. No weight as we skinned in the field.

When I chose the bullet I was pretty sure I was not going to get two holes like I always do with my normal guns and bullet. I told the guide we might not get a blood trail but we should have a very dead bear, and that is what we found.

The bullet did its job I have nothing to complain about. I understand that the bullet that stays in the carcass dumps all its energy and that helps the kill but I do like two holes to let more blood out. If I still hunted deer I think that particular bullet would be a great performer, on a bear it is at least a good performer. I was careful to avoid the shoulder bone on entry as I think that would change the story.

That is my story and I am sticking to it, hope it helps.

Used the 178 gr ELD-X at 2790 fps from my 30-06 to take a cow elk at 405 yards in January. Bullet broke her fore-leg then went through the lower part of her heart. We didn't find the bullet during field dressing. Amazing me, she ran and stumbled off quite a ways and a finishing shot from closer range was required. I was pleased with the performance of the bullet. That's the only game animal I've taken with the ELD-X. I'd like to try the heavier ones as well, like the 212 grain ELD-X, which should work great from my 30-06 rifle.

For accuracy, the ELD-X's I've shot have been great!

Regards, Guy

I have had zero issues getting the 145gr to shoot out of my 270 WCF.

Have shot one doe antelope, and one mature mule deer buck with them. Approx 475 and 170 yards respectfully. Complete pass through on both.

My impression is they shoot great and work, but cause a lot of tissue damage.

tried some 145 eld factory in the 270 getting acceptable 3rd best accuracy 5 shot group

2nd best was 130 gr "whitetail", but the gun loves 15o corelokt round nose!

I'm a fan of inexpensive bullets that work. I've had great success with 143,140,147 elds when launched at modest velocities around 2700 ish