Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 147 ELD terminal performance

How do 147 ELD's perform on game at Creed/Swede speed?

DF

I'm all ears for this one myself DF. Seems like they should be wicked at those two cartridges speeds.

Not sure they've been out long enough.

If that's correct, anyone killing game with them may NOT want to share the results...

I sure wouldn't, even being from Louisiana...

DF

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...38/re-147-eld-m-performance#Post11806238

Had a few more in feral hogs and they didn't disappoint. Seem much tougher than the 143 Xs......

Thanks, Josh.

Exactly what I was looking for.

I see reports that the 147 ELD-M may be a better game bullet at Swede/Creed speed than the 143 ELD-X.

I went to the Hornady website, seems the 143 ELD-X bullet has a bigger cavity behind the tip, has a heavier jacket with the lock feature per the Interlock.

The 147 ELD-M looks more like the A-Max regarding tip and jacket. The A-Max has been a good performer, hopefully the 147 ELD-M will be similar.

DF

I'd like to see a 129/130gr ELD-X in that caliber. The 143 is a bit heavy for my needs.

https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/6.5mm-.264-130-gr-eld-match#!/


These won't work?

I was talking about wanting to see a 130gr hunting-style of ELD with the interlock feature. I don't really want an A-max replica, but something a little stouter that could be pushed at 2,850fps from a typical Creed/260 sporter. Seems like it would be a nice fit for Hornady factory ammo concerning the typical deer hunter, perhaps better than the 143 at slower speeds. Then again, we already have the 130 NAB and 129 LRAB, both of which I use and like in my 6.5's. Some of today's hunting reticles like the Leupold B&C or LRD work better with the 130's at 2,800-2,900 than the 140/143/147 at 150-200fps slower.

Yeah, I can see that. As I posted earlier, around 2,750 fps seems a good fit for the 6.5mm 147 ELD-M bullet construction.

The tougher ELD-X may be a better choice, pushing 3K+.

The 129 LRAB, 130 NAB choices you noted, work well.

I've long been a proponent of balancing speed and bullet design parameters.

I like the idea of the heavier 147 ELD in my Swede with its long throat.

One bullet doesn't fit all. Otherwise what would keep us Loonies up at night thinking about such stuff.

DF

Do the ELD-M have the interlokt feature? If not I think they would be a step down from the NABLR and AB. If I'm set up for long shots it almost guarantees a deer will show up at hand shaking distance. I have shot two from the hip like this and an Elk with the rifle held bazooka stile on top of my shoulder as I couldn't move into position with out spooking them. The 300 comes back pretty hard when it isn't on your shoulder came real close to getting scope eye.

Based on sectioned photos, no.

It looks like the A-Max. The ELD-X looks more like the Interlock.

DF


Edited to add, it has a locking ring, but not like the Interlock. They are different. So, will the X bullet hold up as well as the IL?

Reportedly it does pretty good.

www.hornady.com/bullets/interlock

www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/6-5mm-264-143-gr-eld-x

www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/6.5mm-.264-147-gr-eld-match

You can compare construction of the X and M bullets.

DF

JPro, did you see where Josh has shot several animals with both the X and M, and he says the M seems tougher?

From looking at cross sections of both bullets, one would conclude the X is tougher than the M, based on jacket construction/thickness.

But, it's what happens in the field that counts.

The Scenar 139 has a thin jacket and it holds together better than most thin jacketed bullets, possibly something to do with the lead alloy.

Maybe the lead core has a different hardness, M vs. X. I could see hunting bullets made with a softer alloy, depending on the thicker jacket to hold things together.

A harder alloy would make a lot of difference with terminal performance.

DF

I do remember seeing that. I suppose my thoughts also had to do with marketing and factory ammo, as the 130gr range sounds like a natural fit for a 6.5mm bullet designed for hunting deer-sized game. From a component standpoint, it is probably is unwise to knock the 130gr match version as a viable hunting bullet for handloaders until it's given a fair shake. It might be a decent one.

People have been dissing target bullets on game for a long time, regardless of evidence from years of field experience.

The proof is in the puddin' as they say.

The VLD and A-Max have been tested extensively on game, terminal performance seems pretty well documented.

My deal, you gotta match velocity with design parameters of the bullet.

A great bullet at one velocity can be a terrible bullet at another velocity.

DF

Whacked a 200 pound hog at 500 with the 147 out of a .260 last year. It worked great. Will chase elk in Nov. with them.

It will be interesting to see more reports this season. I have 147's ready to go in my 260 but it's hard to leave the scenars on the shelf.

I am currently carrying mine for elk here in Nebraska. I have the 147s loaded to 2825fps, from a 24-inch barrel. I had a hard time deciding to do it, in lieu of my 7 mags, '06 and .308s, but I could not help myself from trying something new!

If I get one killed, I will report on the results. I was hoping earlier to test some on deer, through depredation permits, but my neighbor didn't get around to getting the permits, so that was a bust.