7mm Rem Mag Precision Hunter 162gr ELD-X Ballistic Gel Test: Explodes Like A Varmint Bullet?!

7mm Rem Mag Precision Hunter 162gr ELD-X Ballistic Gel Test: Does Hornady's much maligned ELD-X bullet actually "explode like a varmint bullet" upon impact with game like some detractors have claimed? Is Hornady's 7mm Rem Mag Precision Hunter ammo worth the hype? Find out in this 7mm Rem Mag gel test where I analyze the performance of the 7mm Remington Magnum cartridge shooting Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm Mag ammo with a 162gr ELD-X bullet!
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In this video I test and review Hornady Precision Hunter 162 grain ELD-X 7mm Remington Magnum hunting ammo, shooting into 10% ballistic gel from Clear Ballistics.
Though ballistic gel won't exactly predict how a bullet will perform in an animal, it's great for testing and comparing different cartridges and loads against each other in a consistent and repeatable manner
Here's the specific load and rifle I used in the test:
Remington Model 700 7mm Remington Magnum (24" barrel)
7mm Remington Magnum Hornady Precision Hunter 162gr ELD-X
As you'll learn here shortly, this ammunition had some pretty interesting performance in ballistic gel.
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Hunting Guns 101 subscribers will also receive receive access to my extensive (and growing) library of ballistic gel test results, most of which are NOT on KZbin.
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7mm rem mag gel test
7mm remington magnum ballistic gel test
7mm remington magnum gel test
7mm rem mag ballistic gel test
7mm mag gel test
7mm mag ballistic gel test
7mm rem mag Precision hunter gel test
7mm remington magnum Precision hunter gel test
7mm remington magnum Precision hunter ballistic gel test
7mm mag Precision hunter ballistic gel test
7mm mag Precision hunter gel test
7mm mag ELD-X gel test
7mm mag ELD-X ballistic gel test
7mm rem mag ELD-X ballistic gel test
7mm rem mag ELD-X gel test
7mm remington magnum ELD-X ballistic gel test
7mm remington magnum ELD-X gel test
00:00 Introduction & Test Parameters
01:25 Shooting
01:44 Initial Gel Analysis
02:58 Bullet Expansion & Weight Retention
03:48 Final Analysis

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Get my Free E-Book on the best hunting calibers here: thebiggamehuntingblog.com/ebook

[@paulkysar6207]

I'm not real knowledgeable on rifles or ballistics. But I think the 7mm Remington Magnum really likes a 26-in or longer barrel.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

You're not wrong. Most 7mm Rem Mag rifles have either 24" or 26" barrels. I know for a fact that Hornady and Federal both advertise their velocities with a 24" barrel, so this stuff should have been shooting close to advertised velocity wise. But like I said in this video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6bahnRqjcinm7s), everything is just slow out of that particular rifle for me, though the Winchester ammo came pretty close to performing as advertised.

[@tonythorson1641]

I’ve got a savage 111 in 7 mag with a 24 inch barrel and my garmin caught a 3 shot average of 2985 fps with the hornady 162 PH a couple weeks ago. I would’ve shot more if it didn’t cost $50+ a box. I think he’s right some rifles/barrels spit out ammo at different speeds regardless of same barrel length.

[@cgruber54]

I don’t hunt ballistics gel, but on elk and mule deer it’s gotten the job done - without exception. Tikka T3x. Most shots in the ~200Y range. Last bull was at 190Y, lungs, pass through, ran ~75Y.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

I use this bullet for whitetail in my 7 mag. I have harvested mature doe at 120ish broadside with high shoulder shot. It dropped of course. The entrance was fairly harsh and the exit was very big. But I didn't loose much meat to speak of. And there was no lead or jacket the meat we kept anywhere. I took another shot on doe at basically same distance that was slightly quartering. It went in just in front of nearest leg and traveled through lung, liver, a tad of stomach, along the flank and under the skin. We retrieved the bullet in front of opposite back leg just under the hair in the hide. It was very well mushroomed and in tact. It was over 60% weight retention. It was an handload at about 2850 fps MV. I also have a 2925 and 2980fps loads that are great ES/SD and very impressive accuracy for elk. I like the ELDX.

[@WilhelmNauta]

Why take the chance with something that fragments easily when there’s so many good alternatives available?

[@patchitwood7428]

Love the gel tests. I think it would be interesting to show different bullet weights from the same cartridge as a comparison. You do a great job with this KZbin channel and your podcast. Keep up the good work!

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-eg8hb8xt3j]

You’re bang on about the ammo being used at longer range . These things blow into sand size pieces on elk sized game . I read the box and expected the weight retention the box said . It’s not the case at all at 300 and under . Got the job done but a quartering shot could be disastrous

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Can you tell me a little more about your experience with these bullets on elk?

[@jrnbakken4348]

Keep these coming! 👍

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

More to come!

[@joeyindahl2593]

Man, idk. That would certainly kill something quick if you didn’t hit a bone, but for me, I would use a monolithic or a north fork soft point . I have some 160 grain north forks loaded in my 7mag for this upcoming season.

[@BorealEDC]

Last year. 7mm-08 w/ 150 grain eld-x. Black bear at 15 yards, straight angle. Bear ran maybe 20 yards, and died very quickly. Bullet did not exit.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Did you recover the bullet? If so, what did it look like?

[@BorealEDC]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog No I didn't recover it. I skinned the bear, took some fat and meat. The bullet was somewhere in there. The expansion at that short range must've been pretty explosive because it didn't even break the ribs or skin on the opposite side. The entry wound seemed like any entry wound.

[@carlbunner5515]

Well lets see my buddy shot an oryx with 162 in an stw at 275 yrds 2 steps done. I shot a huge oryx bull 185 yrds with 6.5x284 143eldx drt. Shot bull elk at 75yrds 200gr eldx from 30-338 , 50yrds done. Bull oryx same gun 75yrds drt. Bull elk with 338-06 , 230gr eldx 5 steps or so. Shot a barbary sheep 6.5-06 @ 130yrds 143eldx, 25 yrds. Shot barbary sheep @ 653 yrds same gun went 30 yrds and down a cliff 200 ft never recovered sheep . My buddy shot an oryx 6.5-06 143 eldx @ 25 yrds 🤯 ran 25ft . All eldx bullets have yet to have one fail to kill an animal very quickly

[@glennllewellyn7369]

I once shot a mouse, at two feet, off the side of a stump with a 17 HMR. Exploded everywhere. My mate was not too impressed. Australia

[@randallreiners3703]

The Hornady bullet poster shows the MAXIMUM RECOMMEND velocity is 2,800 ft per second

[@mr.mr.3301]

Gel test are my favorite test with accuracy being second

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Roger that, thanks!

[@timsmith5837]

Really enjoyed this, thank you

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@asagower3842]

I used this exact ammo and caliber to take a black bear that ended up scoring Boone and Crockett. First shot was around 275 yards and dropped it. After closing the distance about 25 yards I could see movement so took a second shot to make sure it didn’t get up and run off. One of the shots was a pass through and I found the other round just under the skin on the far side.

[@mz6267]

This reminds me of an article I read years ago. The author was an African PH but I do not remember his name. I read it somewhere that was reprinted from wherever it was originally published. The main theme of the article was what the author called the “Green Band” principle. The Green Band was the range of impact velocity at which an expanding bullet performs so that is it effective on game animals. The author was specifically referring to jacketed lead core rifle bullets. He claimed, if my memory serves, that for almost all bullets, regardless of weight or caliber, the green band would be between 2000 and 2600 fps. So when shooting at game, one should restrict their shots to whatever distance put their chosen load -cartridge/bullet weight/mv- in the green band. One would not shoot an animal at very close range with a cartridge with a lighter bullet weight and a very high mv. Correspondingly, one would not shoot at game at very long range with a slower cartridge where bullet impact velocity would have dropped below that 2000 or 1800 fps threshold. It seem like from your test, the 162gr ELD-X bullet might have very similar performance. It might be better to use a heavier (and thus slower) 175gr ELD-X in the 7mm magnums and use the 162gr in slower cartridges like the .280, 7mm-08, or 7mm Mauser.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

While a few bullets perform well at lower and faster velocities, I think 2000-2600fps is a good rule of thumb for most of them. With regards to the Hornady ELDX, Hornady advertises a 1600fps minimum velocity threshold.

[@rayzielonka7856]

Have a weatherby MK v and a Kimber I'm 7mm rem, , both with 26 inch barrels. Shooting this ammo , it was slower by an average of 80 ft/sec, low was 2863.

[@Hoghunter245]

You should do a detailed review and gel test with Federal Terminal Ascent. I recently shot an Axis buck at 50 yards with the ELD-X. My experience was using a 6.5 Creedmoor and the bullet had an estimated impact velocity of 2450 fps. The deer only made it 40 yards but no exit and zero blood trail. Luckily he was easy to find. I would say the bullet did its job since he didn’t go far but I prefer an exit wound because some of the areas I hunt are very thick. I have recently switched to the Federal Terminal Ascent but have yet to take an animal with one. I’ve seen a lot of positive feedback on these bullets and the bullet design is great in my opinion.

[@user-ck7wf1qk7m]

I shot a 215 lb whitetail buck with the 145 eldx out of a 270 WSM. High shoulder shot at 200 yards. First bullet fmj’d with zero expansion and the bullet hole looked like a small bruise because it sealed up. But since it went through both shoulder blades and under the spine he dropped Finisher shot at 200 completely grenaded and it looked like lead and copper glitter

[@DavidBanks02]

I’ve had good success with 6.5 ELDX 143s 2670FPS MV at 50-125 yards on wild hogs 100-160 pounds. Always pass throughs and most have dropped on the spot from spine hits or neck area and exiting through an eye/cheek etc.

[@abbeybremner4162]

Great vid. You’re spot on with precision hunter. Terrific at a few yards, up close my 270 turns goats inside out (New Zealand)

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Glad you enjoyed it! How close and how far have you use those ELD-X bullets on game over in NZ?

[@abbeybremner4162]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog from 6yds to 220yds. Up close they punch a gaping wound! At 200yds with 7mm 08 they behave great. Nice mushroom with usually core separation, and accurate

[@abbeybremner4162]

Our animals in NZ are soft skinned and suit simple cup n draw or eldx. Maybe some of our southern wapati or huge otago reds might merit a tougher bullet

[@dungeontales8117]

The only thing i like about this ammo is availability and accuarcy. I really dont like it for hunting though as I've seen unethical kills with it (aoudad, 4 shots, 6.5 creedmore, 360ish yards). the old ram didn't go down until the third shot. 2 shots hit ribs and didn't seem to penetrate. two hit soft tissue when quatering away and did a lot of damage but we only recovered one bullet jacket...the rest was lost somewhere is the chest cavity and we lost a lot of shoulder meat. federal fusion is in this price range or cheaper and the bullet is constructed better. I'm gonna take those out for the tag I drew this year. I have 7 rem mag so hopefully it will perform better.

[@user-cs6gd5jz2y]

Shot a buck at 165 yards. Destroyed the vitals but didn’t exit the animal and didn’t leave a blood trail.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

How far did the buck go afterwards?

[@user-cs6gd5jz2y]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Ran about 100yards. Found him in a creek. No blood near or in the creek. Couldn’t even tell where I hit him.

[@Anthanos89]

Can't speak for ELDX but had a 165gr SST in 30-06 explode on a Rusa stag at 350 yards. Though not desired, a fragment did go down into the lung which is why I got him.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

The SST is indeed an even softer bullet than the ELD-X. Tell me more about how it exploded. What was the biggest piece of the bullet you recovered?

[@guardianminifarm8005]

I like the ELDX.

[@smokedbrisket3033]

As Thomas Sowell likes to say, there are no solutions, only trade-offs. I got a terrific load using 160 gr A Frames in my 280 AI, just under 3k fps. I'd also tested 156 gr Oryx, great accuracy, but given the terrible BC on Oryx, I figured I was going to need 3k+ fps to be able to reach out to 500 yards and still maintain that magical 1500 ft-lbs of energy, and I couldn't get any better than about 2850 or so. I ended up going with 175 gr Partitions because Swift and Norma are just unobtanium anymore.; BTW, I talked to the Rhino guys, their shop is just on the south side of JNB, about 10 or 15 minutes from the hotel we're staying in before heading up to Limpopo in August. I'm planning on buying some Rhinos for my 404J, LMK if you want me to get you any. I'll trade you some bullets for a MagnetoSpeed Sport. ;^)

[@edwardhoward4708]

Good video. This tells me it’s a good idea to keep a cartridge with a tougher bullet on hand for shorter shots.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I don't do that myself, but I know people who do for that exact reason.

[@edwardhoward4708]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog thank you for the videos that you make. Because of you and a lot of the other content providers, I’m going to make a lot fewer newbie mistakes.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Awesome, I'm really glad to hear it! That's exactly why I do what I do!

[@TROD662]

I am headed in a pronghorn hunt in October with a .243 Win. These are very accurate but I’d hate to muff things up.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I think this is great ammo for an antelope hunt with your 243.

[@Freezer003]

I handload this combo to about 2900 fps, and it's dropped every elk I've ever pointed it at from 200-400 yards

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Awesome! Sounds like you're using this bullet within its ideal velocity range and it's performing fantastically! How many elk have you taken with it? And how many of those bullets exited?

[@abbeybremner4162]

I like high shoulder shots with eldx. Less loss of front leg meat and fragments more likely to hit spine and less likely stomach. Iv had great results with precision hunter

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Good deal. What cartridge(s) have you used that ammo in on game?

[@abbeybremner4162]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog 7mm08 on goats deer and pig and 270win on goats ( destructive!) modest 2700fps on 7mm08 favours eldx for meat preservation. Tikka trx shoots all honady ammo well

[@joshuahedum9563]

If they would just group in my Tikka T3x. A completely different bullet, the Barnes TTSX 150’s group all day around 1/2”. I got 2805 fps out of my 23” Tikka barrel. FYI, I cut an inch off for a muzzle break.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Well, the 150gr Barnes TTSX is also an outstanding bullet (Hunting Guns 101 subscribers will receive access to my gel test of that ammo). If that stuff shoots well in your rifle, I wouldn't worry about the Hornady Precision Hunter ammo and would use the Barnes ammo with confidence.

[@waynemensen4252]

Stick with that ttsx. You won't have all those chips in your meat. It will go through the animal in most cases. Be careful not to kill what's behind it.

[@user-eg8hb8xt3j]

It would be even better if they didn’t blow to pieces on game

[@user-eg8hb8xt3j]

@@waynemensen4252 bingo

[@derekmcmurry]

That TTSX ammo is superior anyway, substantially. If you really want to try another great factory ammo for 7RemMag, search Norma 165 grain Bondstrike 7RemMag. Basically a near clone of an ELDX or ELDM bullet but bonded. No downside

[@warreng2885]

I believe this bullet is great at longer range but close, inside of 200 yds, will come apart if it hits shoulder bone of elk or moose, resulting in failure to properly penetrate

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I agree

[@jmgates09]

Wish i could find a box of these for 7wsm

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Unfortunately, it's tough to find much of anything for the 7 WSM these days...

[@jacobrohr5903]

you don’t like WSMs that much if you don’t reload..

[@jaredstewmelt]

Yeah, the 7 WSM is a reloader's dream cartridge, tho

[@jmgates09]

I just got into reloading a few months ago but unfortunately I work away from home majority of my time and have plenty factory 7wsm ammo so most my time has gone into my 25wssm

[@jwoak0913]

My Fierce Carbon Rival hates this ammo. Best was 2” groups. 👎🏽 Velocity was 3005 btw. 24” bbl

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

What ammo does that rifle prefer?

[@jwoak0913]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog She likes the 168 Berger Classic Hunter loaded by Federal. It shoots .75 with a velo of 2975. I started to use the Hendershots 175 Elite Hunter load in Lapua brass. That load is under .5”, velo of 2750. Another load it hates is the Federal Terminal Ascent. I wish it didn’t because that would be my preferred based on bullet construction.

[@johnandrosemarywyatt977]

Wouldn't a bonded bullet be better ?

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Yes and no. It would certainly be tougher, especially if the bullet encountered a bone. One of the interesting things I've learned doing all of these tests is that there is a BIG difference in the performance of different bullet types. Not all bonded bullets are created equal. Neither are all copper bullets equal. Or cup and core bullets, etc.

[@johnandrosemarywyatt977]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog you may want to try norma bondstrike. Just sayin

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I've never tested that ammo in gel, but I'm not opposed to doing so. What has your experience been with it?

[@johnandrosemarywyatt977]

@Thebiggamehuntingblog the bondstrike is very accurate. It has a high bc and seems very consistent for factory ammo. I don't reload cuz I want to stay married😉. I have not had a chance to use it on game as I can't get drawn. I will get to test it this fall in wyoming. Another norma bullet used worldwide is the oryx. It's a bonded soft point.

[@johnandrosemarywyatt977]

I will send you a box of bondstrike in 7mag if you tell me where to send it. Btw, it is in the zone for 7mag at 165gr

[@hotramen5952]

just one more reason I swear by federal fusion. of course if that lead is in the lungs or neck, who cares. most important, it will kill game. i have seen this with .270 win and cup and core bullets on whitetail my whole life. rem win and Hornady. 130's don't make it through all the time but the deer is dead on its feet. bullet under the skin sometimes, some jacket in the wound. If the deer wasn't shot in the shoulder, I haven't had to chase much lead, nothing like the gel test might suggest. but the bullets are 55-65% retained weight if they don't fail. 150's, I have never gotten one back to tell you about. some of that is good fortune. my dad would say better aim 😀. a 130 grain to the shoulder at 15 yards is a tragedy. bone and lead through the whole deer. i didnt take the shot but i saw the, carcass. I would rather put a hole through one shoulder than eat tag stew, so I switched to fusions so I sleep better if/when I decide to shoot one in the shoulder. spoiler. my father will say I missed. 😆

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

I've tested 150gr Federal Fusions in my 308 and they mushroomed great and retained nearly all their mass (over 90% weight retention), but I wasn't impressed with their penetration. Certainly enough penetration for a whitetail most of the time, but I'd like a little more penetration just to be on the safe side. Sounds like the 150gr Fusions from a 270 worked well for you with exits? And the 130gr Fusions exited less often?

[@hotramen5952]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog yes but the 150's didn't have to be fusions to get the pass through. I would still see evidence of bullet failure occasionally. a jacket in the wound here, large lead fragment there. I switched to the fusion 150's and I've never found a separated jacket.

[@stevenboggs5076]

I'll spend the extra $50 for better reliability during my $500 hunt.

[@francoisbuys8783]

The only great thing Hornady makes is a potcast

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

What's a potcast?

[@chadperry4021]

300 prc and eldm are great.

[@Weatherby406]

Was not impressed with it in a 220gr out of my 30-378. Not a great hunting bullet if you plan to eat it. Lead blew up into all the meat.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Tell me more

[@DavidBanks02]

@@ThebiggamehuntingblogI can chime in here. Went on a hog hunt in South Georgia and a friend was shooting 30-378. The 150lb pig he shot in the shoulder area looked like a bomb went off. No penetration (kind of to be expected) but it did break the shoulder/leg. Hog required another shot slightly farther back to be dispatched but still ran 75-100ish yards. Shot distance was MAYBE 30 yards.

[@brianharch8808]

I wouldn't exactly call that poor bullet performance rather poor bullet selection, especially if it's being launched out of a 30-378

[@AlaskanBallistics]

I'll never use this ammo again. Shattered on a caribou spine at 212 yards AND DIDN'T EVEN BREAK THE SPINE. Only unethical hunters use ELD-X

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

Tell me more

[@samwernerb5424]

Sounds like bullshido to me. How did you know it shattered on a caribou spine? Did you find the caribou? How was your shot placement on the spine at 212 yds? Pretty poor marksmanship to assert that other hunters are non ethical for using a particular bullet brand. I don't put much weight in comments like this.

[@BorealEDC]

So by your logic, you're an unethical hunter.

[@carlbunner5515]

212 and you spine an animal .... seriously come on serious would expect YOU sir especialy you to do better . But did you recover animal or did you just hit above spine or just below spine in no mans land. I know shit happens but if no recovery of animal its all speculation. Cause if you read my post i have taken african plains game easily with eldx bullets and an oryx i promise is way way more tough than a bou , its not even close .

[@haisardao8224]

Oh yes, the usual “bullet failure” and labeling people who don’t share your opinion. We, hunters, are truly our own worst enemy

[@garytrainer1690]

ELD-X sucks.

[@JamesClark-lw6sw]

Anyone who thinks this is not stellar performance from a cup and core bullet is simply ignorant.

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

100%. I was pleasantly surprised to see those results firsthand!

[@CST-ft9dv]

I prefer my meat without lead all in it but you do you

[@derekmcmurry]

Mason Leather gel tested the 145 ELDX in 270 Win with good and surprising results

[@Thebiggamehuntingblog]

What are the Cliff Notes of his test with the 145gr ELD-X @derekmcmurry4263 ? Similar to the results I obtained here?

[@derekmcmurry]

@@Thebiggamehuntingblog yes similar, the 270 bullets held together pretty well. I'd have to go back and rewatch his video but it was good. I have about 5 cases of it in 270 Win I got for $24/box at auction