Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Hornady 7mm 162 grain eldx

I can't answer for the 162 gr ELDX but I sure killed a lot of game back in the day with the Hornady 162 gr BTSP so I see no reason why the ELDX wouldn't be just as good or maybe even better.

Man, I really like those 140's. I was out shooting today and the those 140 are excellent performers at 400 yards. I was surprised that they drifted less in the wind than the 162 ELDX did. Same exact winds, but the 140's were more on point, even though the 162 trumps them in the bc department. I know a lot of guys tout high bc, but when the proof is on the target, that is what gets my attention... Now I wish I had more of those Trophy Bonded Tips!!!!!! I have 800 162 ELDX and I'll put those to some good use. Saw the LGS has a bunch of RL23 today. I've been wanting to try that powder in the 7mm RM with these pills.

You'll like RL23.. It is like RL26 with a tiny bit less speed and all the benefits of an H Extreme powder. Usually really accurate too.

I echo all your guys thoughts on the Tipped Bear Claws. Wished I'd bought 500 of each when they were less than 25 for 50 when they came out.

I really kick myself in the azz for not buying more. I only bought 2 boxes because I didn't know anything about them. They were around $29/box, if I remember right. That was 2 years ago. I figured they would work well in the 7mm08. I should have bought 10 boxes!! Here's the target from 2 days ago. Honest target, as per usual. Shot at 400 yards. Not spectacular, but it is what it is:


That target was already up at the 400 yard target board, so I just used it. Figured there was plenty of room there to gather the data I needed. Found it odd that the 140 would outshoot the 162 ELDX. Seemed like the wind was messing with the 162 more. However, I only had those 3 140's to compare the 162's with. One thing about it, if I ever run across more of those 140's, I'm going to buy them. I'll also keep working on the 162 load..

Also, I've decided to loctite the BOSS in place (again!!!) and leave it alone. It could be cool to mess around with, if you only shot factory ammo. When you handload (tailor your ammo to your rifle), Its more than possible to just work up a good load at a fixed setting. My "worked up load" was more consistent at the original setting. That was even after I went up .1 at a time (from 2.0 to 2.8), and then backed it off .1 at a time (from 2.0 to 1.5). I thought I was going to get lucky at one setting, but it was a failed attempt, as 2 other groups said it was a no go. The most consistent setting was 2 on the dial, where I had originally had it set.. I'll take consistency at all barrel temps and fouled conditions over one lucky 3 shot group, just how I roll.. And a 3/4 to 1 moa hunting rifle is good to go. Also, after fn with the BOSS and shooting 15 groups with it, I only had 5 rounds of the 162 eldx to shoot at 400. Like I said, totally honest target there. Not enough ammo left to zero in perfectly. Just shot to compare group size and dispersion of the 162 vs. the 140. I used the last two shots on the yote at 400, of course..

That is a great bullet MAC. I've made my longest shots with the 162 BTSP interlock one year at 648 yards shooting downhill. LRF set on angle comp. Actual yardage was closer to 700. Then 2 years before that it was with a 165 BTSP interlock out of a 300WSM. Shot at 600 yards even in the same canyon. Great bullets that work very well. I'm going to start testing some 162 BTSP interlocks at 400 out of 2 of my 7mm RM rifles and see how they compare to the ELDX. If it is a wash, I'd just buy the old interlock that has worked so well for years. We will see though.. The proof is always on the target..

Blue Collar Reloading have a bunch of the 7mm 162 gr ELD-X, ELD Match & SST bullets in stock

...



Blue Collar Reloading

7mm 162 gr ELD-X

....
7mm 162 gr ELD Match

....
7mm 162 gr SST

Quick question for you, bsa, what is the relative POI between the 162 and 140 at 100 (or whatever your zero range is) in calm conditions? I'm curious if there is an offset to partially explain the perceived greater drift of the 162.

150 eldx out of a 7mm-08 is no slouch, either.




That’s 500 yards, prone, stainless T3, today. She’ll be with me next month for Cascade elk here in Oregon.





P

Loaded some of those 150 ELDX bullets for my son. His 7mm Rem Mag Bergara shot them very well!



Velocity & accuracy and wow - very flat shooting!

Regards, Guy

Guy, looks like a nice load.

If it hasn’t happened to you or a good buddy it doesn’t exist - well that’s a great philosophy. I thought the same of the Nosler Ballistic Tips until one in 7mm blew up on the ribs of a good 5x5 at 245 yards. The shrapnel in his lungs killed him 500 yards later & he stayed on public land & left a blood trail a blind man could follow in the snow so he was steaks & burger but that was just good luck after that crappy bullet performance.

I switched to Barnes TTSX & now to a 300 Weatherby with Barnes specifically to be as reliable anchoring elk as possible. The deer kills aren’t as spectacular as with a softer more frangible bullet but the elk seem to stay put.