Ep. 087 - ELD-X & ELD Match Bullets

On this episode, Seth is joined by Assistant Director of Engineering Joe Thielen, Senior Ballistician Jayden Quinlan, and retired Ballistician Dave Emary. This show dives deep into the development and features of ELD-X and ELD Match bullets. The discussion starts with the purchase of a Doppler radar and a mission to create the best all-range hunting bullet on the market. The ELD-X project led to some important discoveries and that technology was implemented into the new line of ELD Match bullets. We hope you enjoy this entertaining and educational episode about two of our most popular bullets.

I like using the line of the “proof is in the pudding”. A recent hog hunt with my son and he took a very nice 200+ lb sow with 143 gr. Eld-x at 100yds and folded her up right where she stood. While the guide didn’t find much of the bullet left it obviously did its job on a very tough animal. It is very satisfying putting the bullets together myself and seeing them work as they should. I love your show and learn every time I turn you on. Thank you Hornady.

[@user-mp9oe8ok1b]

Thanks very much for providing such an informative discussion. You guys are the best podcast on the internet for people interested in shooting.

[@marcmoore4115]

Hornady for the technical stuff, Vortex Nation for the general stuff & optics. Dream combo!

[@shanepeacock5592]

Thank God for guys like you all. You're passion has helped all of us..thanks

[@marcmoore4115]

I hunt on a farm in Namibia, using a 26" .308 Win, primarily going after Gemsbok. My favourite bullet at the moment is the 168gr ELD-M at 2844fps. At close range, within 100m I've had Gemsbok run a couple paces before tipping over and I've now harvested Gemsbok out to 400m and my furthest was 436m. Incredible performance from it. The core generally separates from the jacket - of course, because there's nothing holding it together, unlike the ELD-X - but even with that, at 400m the ELD-M penetrated right through and on the one at 436m, I recovered the copper jacket between the ribs and hide, properly expanded after penetrating over 45cm through both lungs. Very little wind drift, less drop than anything else I've used and great performance to 400m. Absolutely love it!

[@marcmoore4115]

@@stevefrench2276 hey, thanks for the suggestion. Weird how 1 month changes things - I'm still using the ELD-M, still extremely happy with it - but now my 3 furthest shots are 580m, 589m and 622m and I'vetaken a 400m neck shot (bit of a long story, but I knew it was the absolutelast chance I would get)... my average shot distance now has grown to around 300-450m. I agree with what you're saying - makes a ton of sense - slower velocity = it hols together better. Have you tried maybe going up to the 178gr? I feel like that might work better at slower velocities. I might try it at some point, but honestly I'm happy with the 168gr being pushed hot at the moment.

[@MrBoostin18]

When are y’all going to build a hybrid bullet to compete with the Berger hybrids?

[@DG2244]

The talent at that table is Amazing!

[@wvlongshooter3912]

Before cell phones and personal computers in homes I use to run stepped bc’s just to impact reliable out to a grand. I would use one g1 bc out to 300 yds, another bc out to 750 yds and a third one for the last leg of ballistics. I would use ballistic calculations from the back of reloading manuals to calculate trajectory. One would have several pages of math just to consistently shoot out to 1000 yds. I also used some military tank round trajectory ballistics to calculate for different atmospheric conditions. I bet some lrs of today wouldn’t believe what it took to be a consistent lrs. It’s so much easier now days with ballistic computers and phone apps. Great content, thanks!!!!

[@marcmoore4115]

You're absolutely right - in 12 months and a lot of practice and hunting (specifically culling), I went from a complete newbie thinking 200m was far, to dropping a Gemsbok at 622m with a .308... without Strelok Pro and a Rangefinder, I'd be hard-limited to about 250m, maybe 300m. I had the ballistic app from the beginning and it made sense, but with no way of knowing exact distances it was very unreliable. When I got a Rangefinder, my first time shooting long range, I was able to stretch out to 880m without breaking a sweat... those 2 things completely revolutionized shooting as a whole. Also - it's absolutely insane that you were able to calculate all that. I think if I had a Rangefinder, but no ballistic app, I'd have made a good old DOPE card eith tons of trial and error.

[@wvlongshooter3912]

@@marcmoore4115 thanks fir your comment!! It was a lot to figure out back in the day. For the range I would measure certain objects and different things and mil them. I had different plywood cut outs that I would place at different ranges and mil them at the tgts. This would only be close to a true range but this was before hand held range finders. And this was done with a second focal plane moa turret with a mildot reticle optic. I still carry charts that will calculate every perimeter that a Ballistic app or kestrel will do, I use this technique to double check my garmin 701 and my kestrel at times. I still shoot 2-4 days a week. I use to shoot more than this just a couple years ago. I just enjoy studying ballistics, especially out in the transonic and subsonic regions. Your story is very interesting to me. It’s so cool once you got a range finder and an app that you could impact out ti 880 m’s. That will always be a far stretch, it’s a long ways off!! Good shooting to ya and your comment was very interesting and I can relate to the same struggles of trying to shoot at distance without some of the tools that we have today.

[@wesleyherring9870]

What Hornady has done to all shooting sports is equal to what Apple did to the phone. Different world for the average guy, Like you said anyone can shoot well now. Steve And Jason Hornady just know how to puzzle together . Thanks to all at Hornady!

[@NordicRifleman]

Agreed. I’m an old Norma fan as I’m a Swede but boy did Hornady push the envelope for the past 15-20 years now 😀👍🏻

[@edwardabrams4972]

Thanks to Steve and Jason for all the shooters out there that are thinking they can hunt game at unrealistic ranges and wound twice as much game because they think long range shooting is hunting😳 just my 60+ years of hunting reloading and collecting rifles! My father as next to the cutting edge of hunting bullets who’s friend was reloading in the yearly 50’s and using anything new in reloading and was reloading Partitions for my father! Reloading is fun and helps with being more accurate when hunting but this thing about long distance hunting has gotten totally out of hand and had just given anti- hunters just more ammo against us lovers of hunting and shooting! When we invent something we have the responsibility to what ever happens with what we invented! Einstein showed this with the atomic bomb and why the US ended up with it first because he didn’t want it to get into the wrong irresponsible persons hands! I love yo teach new hunters how to hunt and be responsible hunters so please do the same for our industry!

[@davidmartin7479]

​@@edwardabrams4972FUDD

[@brettbehm3486]

Still wish you made an ELD X bonded style bullet

[@ericb.4358]

My favorite Hornady cartridge is the 6.5 PRC in my Browning Bolt Pro scoped with a Bushnell Elite 4.5 - 18 x 44 scope with a G3 reticle. Here in Nevada's greater ranges it is a laser beam. That rifle's 1:7 twist rate is good for the 143 ELD-X 6.5 PRC Precision Hunter and the 147 ELD-M Match bullets.

[@buzzardwhittle4336]

Great discussion. Highly informational.

[@hornady]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@readyalready4697]

Thank you all for the work. I enjoy giving y'all some coffee money.

[@hornady]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@capt.martin5169]

Love your Podcast, a real treat to have such talent sitting at one table and talking about the historic advancements they and Hornady have made. Great to hear the back story of history in the making by the guys who made it! Great job with the Podcast Seth, keep it up!

[@hornady]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@jimmoseley2983]

The ELDMs are excellent long-range hunting bullets. I wish they would have that discussion.

[@djmcdonald5508]

One of the best for sure!

[@jameswatson4110]

on one and what I like about it is it will still open out to 800 yards

[@jimmoseley2983]

Shooting the 7mag, the 162 will open at 1100 yds on a whitetail.@@jameswatson4110

[@austinanderson8485]

Something about an old school 270 win with the 145 eld-x makes me feel like I can do anything it’s not stupid big where any shooter can pick it up and go but also 270 is plenty big to go hunting just about everything

[@kenbyker6696]

Thanks for the round table discussion! Very interesting and informative! I still enjoy hand loading,but the advantages,and knowledge you have gained,and applied ,for your company,and all of us as shooters 55:23 ,and hunters,is truly remarkable and appreciated! Thank you for sharing!!!🤔😁👏

[@hornady]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@joearledge]

Gold Dot's and Fusion's are the only 0.224 cal hunting bullets on the market that are 75gr and over. We'd LOVE to see a few from you guys in the 70gr to 90gr range! Vista, or whoever the parent company is for Federal and Speer, can't seem to produce adequate stock of anything, and definitely not at a reasonable price. If y'all make something good for whitetail in that weight class for .224, at a reasonable price, you'll make a killing.

[@theangrycanuck8331]

I second this. Especially with 22 creed coming out. .224 val is the only loaded .224 ammo I seen with a 90gr soft point.

[@ryanehlis426]

Nosler Ballistic tip was a pioneer long range hunting bullet.

[@DanielReyes-hz1qk]

Very nice! I wanted a deep dive on this topic

[@hornady]

Glad to hear it!

[@justice1327]

Awesome more info on these two designs

[@hornady]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@showtimeridershouston6054]

Great video excellent content. dude you're a creative genius 💯

[@biggs8729]

You guys are so confident in your 7 PRC cartridge, and I agree, it's pretty awesome. Had you pumped it out 2 years earlier, I definitely would have bought one. Problem is, I was in the market to build my dream rifle two years ago and wanted something in between the 6.5 PRC and the 300 PRC, so I built a $7,000 6.8 Western. There is no going back. The only thing holding that cartridge back is the fact that the best bullet company in the business won't put out a 6.8/.277 heavy for caliber high BC hunting bullet or loaded ammunition for it. Develop and put out a .277cal 170 grain ELDX and a 175 grain ELDM and let the chips fall where they may. If the 6.5 and 7 PRC's are as great as you say, your sales will stay strong and you will have made a bunch of new friends who did what I did. Thanks,

[@davecollins6113]

Hornady has had a good run with the ELD stuff, but, I remain skeptic to an extent, as I think one of the drivers in their success, is availability in most areas, they've blown the doors off the other mfgrs in the last few yrs in that regard.

[@danielszablewski9526]

Just shot a bull moose with 230 grain eldx persion Hunter did a great job 4shots from 338 win mag did a perfect job

[@JosephBliss]

Really enjoyed this episode. A similar episode on the A Tip in the works???

[@headcarter4656]

I really like the eld-× bullets, but my favorite is the vld-hunting bullets from berger. I have dropped everything so far in it's tracks. Change my mind! I would love for the bthp bullets to match the bergers.

[@foonus406]

Excellent episode fellas. You answered a question I had for a long time about the A-Max in the 22-250, it always shot well for me, your explanation with the velocity and BC answers why I wasn't seeing the effects of the tip deformation in that chambering. I have a 300PRC with a 26 inch barrel that I am about to load for, I picked up a couple of boxes of the 220 grain ELD-X. Hearing 3 or you say 212 grain makes me wonder if I should bother with the 220's or will the added 2 inches of barrel be enough to compensate (long range stabilization as you discussed today). The 2 of them have enough of variation that a different seating tip is needed, and a notable difference in BC. Is there some extra information on why the 212's are selected for the factory load? Highest BC for the chambering? A nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

[@rogercarlton4385]

I’d personally pick the 212 for the 300 PRC.

[@foonus406]

@@rogercarlton4385 Thanks for chiming in. Is there any particular reason aside from that's what the box load uses? The Outfitter line runs a 190grain CX bullet with a BC substantially lower than any of the ELD-X which makes the choice even more interesting. I've got a couple boxes of these as well to try. Would be working up a some test strings but with no magnum primers available I don't want to start throwing good components at a bad idea.

[@johnmarken3945]

I really super appreciate this video. I love to see a rather scientific approach (hypothesis, testing, rehypothesis) and more granular measurements (dopler) and the history surrounding it. This video seems to be a culmination or tie-in for me for your other vids from internal+external ballistics, riffling, vid on terminal effects, and arguing the points with high end match shooters homespun theories. I also just love the knock on "BC". I have experienced such conceptual shifts in my life in scientific research. Just loving this! thank you!! BTW poor Steve:>)

[@scottstruif3939]

Is it cheaper to manufacture a match bullet with a plastic tip than one without a tip? You said the tip was necessary for terminal performance of the ELD-X, and that aluminum tips were too expensive. You also said that there was no enthusiasm within the company to improve the existing line of HPBT match bullets. The competition, such as Berger, doesn’t use tips. What’s the advantage of a tip on a match bullet? The cost of manufacturing?

[@nevadacoyote]

I really enjoy your podcasts. How does the core, jacket construction, polymer tip in the SST bullet differ from the ELD-X? I have been shooting the SST in the superformance line for hunting and have had great success out to 325 yds with it. Thanks again for great products and podcasts

[@REDNECKROOTS]

SST are super fast expanding. Great for long range. But terrible fragments up close. The eldx are supposed to address the Terrible fragments up close while still expanding at distance. There Def better at staying together but not much. I prefer a more rugged built hunting projectile . Terminal accent are what I use. There 10 times the hunting bullet vs the ekdx or sst in my opinion

[@Mr.Run-n-Gun]

@@REDNECKROOTS But do they offer the match like accuracy of the ELD-X? The bonded bullets do not have the same concentricity potential as the non bonded... I'd like to see a non biased comparison out to 600-800 yrds from a competition shooter, into gel, every one hundred yards.

[@ronlowney4700]

🕵️‍♂️ I Would Like To See You Put On The Box "Not Meant For Hunting" For Your "Target Bullets/Ammunition"! 🤷‍♂️

[@edwardabrams4972]

They can’t do that then they wouldn’t sell it to all the crazies who think they are 🤔😳😂

[@oif3vetk9]

I shoot prs gas gun. (6 ARC) I was using berger 105gr hybrids but this year I switched back to the 108gr eld-m. Yeah, I'm not looking back. For ARC the 108gr eld-m is the way to go. I absolutely love that cartridge. For .308, mine prefers the 168gr A-Max. (M1A) Don't get me wrong, it does well with the 168gr eld-m but I can get slightly tighter groups with the A-Max. Heck, it even likes factory TAP ammo. That's the first factory ammo that rifle likes.

[@TTT-du6oj]

Does this mean Dave is back 🤔

[@jonkonerza5643]

I'd like to see Hornady come out with a 165-168 gr ELDX in 30 cal. The 178 gr. ELDX works great, but for a 308 Win, I'd like to get a little more velocity than what I can get with the 178 Gr. Are there any plans to build a lighter 30 cal ELDX?

[@marcmoore4115]

That would certainly be interesting. Imcurrently using the 168gr ELD-M at 2844fps in my .308. Been culling Gemsbok in Namibia for the last while, harvested over 100 with that load - absolute hammer, close (harvested Gemsbok and Warthogs within 50m) and far (harvested Kudu and Eland just over 300m, Warthog to 370m and Gemsbok at 580, 589 and 622m/680yds). I think a 168gr ELD-X would certainly be a better option though, with its higher likelihood of keeping together, giving a higher chance of full penetration.

[@robertjordan4755]

thank you

[@mr.mr.3301]

I appreciate all Hornady has done for shooting. However their product line only offer the CX copper bullet I would hunt with and maybe the interlock. Hornadys long range push has been great for all of us. But 200 yards and in hunting deer in the woods in the south east I want bonded and copper. I don’t even think Hornady makes a bonded bullet any longer. Eldx does not retain weight at close distances. I don’t think many realize this. Probably most watching this podcast does. But I can’t tell you the number of people who buy Percision hunter then complain about their 270 or 6.5 performance. I used to knock anything smaller than a 30. But use an accubond, ttsx, or terminal assent and I’d hit with a 6mm.

[@shovelhead2155]

Fleet Yaw is also an important but often ignored variable in terminal ballistics.

[@jimmoseley2983]

Looking for load data for the 7mm 190 gr A-tip for the 28 Nosler. I don't see anything on the Hornady site or with the Hornady staff.

[@therealfearsome]

I wish you guys would show some the equipment you talk about...the Dopler, some of the loading tools. you don't have to give away the bank, just give us some context.

[@afroghair6793]

You might want to pump the brakes on those polymer tips, on ar15s anyway. Personally, I'm going back to bthp's.

[@cadillacvelocity]

Plan on running the 220 grain ELDX in my 300 RUM, what are you're guy's thoughts on that bullet?, I know you all said the 212.

[@hornady]

The 220 is a good choice as well. If your magazine box will allow the 212, you should give it a look.

[@DrLuigiPhd]

How does twist rate or rpm affect terminal performance? Does a faster twist cause more damage?

[@jmanswat2457]

I think it has to do with keeping the bullet traveling straight in its path of travel so that it can expand the way it needs to consistently. Earlier they discussed this on the topic of using match grade boat tail hollowpoints for hunting: the accuracy and velocities are there but after they impacted they just tumbled- causing mixed results from complete devastation to completely ineffectual. The company Q is discovering this with their ultra fast spinning (1in3 twist) heavy grain (200) solid copper bullets traveling sub sonic speeds. It's like shooting a drillbit at the target and they're killing anything with it, including dangerous game in Africa.

[@MrMillez]

Best line. What are we going to get out of it. :)

[@shanesimpson4124]

Except the old 162 amax smoked tens of thousands of deer in New Zealand, Keep them under 3100fps, and dam they hit like a hammer.

[@crawford323]

Where is the reference in the 9th edition of the reloading manual?

[@jqmachgunner2577]

Do you have any ballistic calculators you can recommend for shooting the 300 PRC?

[@hornady]

Hornady Ballistic App w/4DOF on iPhone and Android and hornady.com

[@37greenfox]

Will you guys be making 25 creedmoor sami approved in the future?

[@TheGunNerd]

Why no 77 gr otm .224 cal bullets/loadings?

[@michaelkaylor6770]

Weight is a number, just gained 300,000 female fans!

[@mr.mr.3301]

New podcast suggestion. Bullet compromise Copper has to go fast to expand Bonded is less accurate Tiles cup and core does not retain weight at close range Etc.

[@user-mv7zx5ml8e]

Oops wrong channel I thought this was the nosler podcast

[@cecilandrews7479]

I'm a fan of the ELD M. I have a Remington 700 and a AR. in 308. My loads are with the 168 grain ELD M. 1/2MOA groups out to 350. My older brother used my loads a couple years ago the first few days of hunting season. 80 yd lung shot. You found a deer 3 days later clean pass through both lungs. Quite a few other friends using strictly on Hogs because they're going to run off and die. I personally do not think the ELD is a good hunting round. The only round I use for hunting is the Winchester XP. As far as Target eldm is my favorite. I have two buddies that are Precision shooters what's some of the most expensive rifles I've ever seen. They are blown away that I built a gas gun was my round shooting groups as good as them with their precision rifle

[@donaldrussell4218]

On deer the SST does really good to.

[@josiascloete]

Hi I bought a 6.5 PRC, what is the max fps that the eld m can handle?

[@rgthomson1]

It may be about 2950, my 284 shoots them great so i tried them in my 7/270 at an F class match running them at 3080, some blew up and the rest sprayed all over the target, so back to the Berger for matches

[@not4younot4you70]

So what’s better a-tip or eld bullet!?!?

[@thepanman99]

If they ever make a movie about Jaden he should be played by Zack galifianakis

[@mrshort2379]

Here is a question for Hornady Manufacturing how come you cannot make a bimetal case for 5.56/223 such as Sig Sauer did with the 6.8x51/277Fury. in theory you could raise the pressure of 5.56/223 not a whole lot but enough to stay within chamber tolerances, therefore being able to use an even heavier projectile, for accuracy, faster fps, and longer ranges, and harder hitting on target etc. like I said all in theory really all I am saying is please don't give up on 5.56/223 I believe 5.56/223 still has allot to offer, just the right formula has yet to be found!

[@jmanswat2457]

As good as hornady is, they're not the only ones to come up with a good idea. Sounds like the big boss is the one holding them back and is a big sceptical traditionalist. Every talk they've had on these wonderful cartridge innovations the prices included convincing "the boss" why they were doing what they were doing. As for 223/556 youre right, there may be some improvements left but the military wants something that can ALSO replace 308. The 277 is a great in between. And since the military trials were for a round AND rifle, that means hornady couldn't be in the running (since they don't manufacture rifles).

[@amym828]

I'd really like to see Hornady and other manufacturers and ballistics experts start to evangelize on the idea to stop using G1 for boattail projectiles and start talking about only using G7. G1 is a flat base model, if you're shooting a boattail then use a boattail model like G7.

[@jeffsiewert1258]

IMO, any BC based traj calc is a poor second compared to drag vs Mach calcs in Hornady 4DoF..

[@Alfs_Armory]

Love the 123 ELDM in the Hornady Black 6.5 Grendel. Feels like I’m cheating.

[@REDNECKROOTS]

Idk i shoot 1 hole 🕳 groups w federal terminal accent over n over i think federal figured out bonding process just fine. There consistent as could be🎉

[@jfess1911]

Terminal Ascent bullets are a hybrid copper/lead design rather than a cup and core or typical cup-and-core/bonded. If you look at the cross-sectons, Terminal Ascent bullets use a larger volume of copper than lead. This minimizes the effect of the denser lead throwing off the balance of the bullets. The disadvantage is lower BC, although not as low as pure copper bullets. The large percentage of copper makes the bullet lighter than a cup and core like the ELD-X of the exact same shape, and this lowers the BC (BC partially depends on sectional density).

[@mr.mr.3301]

It took me a while to get to this conclusion. Please make a bullet a little more advanced for us east coast hunters who prefer penetration. I really want to buy Hornady but for me the interlock is where I stop. Saw a buck this year who was neck shot at 40 yards with a sst in 308. No pass through. I know Hornady loves the long range game but what about the short range guys hunt in the woods? We need those pass through for blood trails. I’d also rename some of the lines. Precision Hunter should be precision long range hunter. American Whitetail should be American hunter. Last how about a Grendel, 7.63x39, mini action with the inter lock. Call those American hunter as well. Charge in between fmj and Hornady black.

[@MrTacklebury]

Explain why I should use an ELD-M or X in lieu of the Nosler Accubond LR which is a bonded bullet, it expands down to 1300 fps instead of 1600 and also, has a slightly higher BC? You guys don't do comparisons to those, because in my opinion they are close or better than yours as they are bonded! I love your products, but if you really want to grab me, I'd love to see this done directly through your 4DOF, because I shoot these in 3 calibers including .30, 7mm, 6.5mm. I would love to really be able to compare these...

[@jfess1911]

It appears that Hornady was never able to get bonded bullets as accurate as their cup and core. I have also heard Gunwerks claim that they could never get bonded bullets accurate enough at extreme long range. As mentioned in this podcast, bonded bullets generally need thicker jackets (the core needs to be softer lead to bond), and concentricity becomes more critical with thicker jackets. I am curious if Nosler managed to develop a process to improve accuracy at long range.

[@bobmcmillen4502]

⁠@@jfess1911I am still gathering data but it appears that I can hold a better group at 1000 yards with match bullets than ABLR’s. ABLR’s make way more sense when shooting an animal. That’s why at this point 600 yards is my hunting number. FYI I hit Gunwerks up on why the didn’t shoot ABLR’s ion their 7 prc podcast. That is what they said. To be clear, they are a accurate enough for 600 yards. They will shoot sub moa. That’s a kill shot at 600. They’re are not .5 moa and that’s what you need at extended ranges.

[@biggs8729]

I jumped on the Nosler "Bonded Bullet" bandwagon several years ago and then couldn't get off the wagon fast enough. No ABLR bullet I have ever shot was as accurate as it's cup and core non bonded counterpart and they are more expensive. In order to get good expansion at distance, the jacket toward the nose is really thin and the lead is soft, thus at close range, the ABLR's seem to over expand and so cause massive meat damage. To bond a bullet to the jacket you have to use soft lead with no hardening agents. Expansion in regular Cup and Core bullets can be controlled by hardening the lead where as Bonded bullets can not. Six of one and a half dozen of the other, you get almost the same terminal performance with less accuracy in a bonded bullet.

[@jfess1911]

@@biggs8729 Thanks for the info. I knew accuracy had been an issue in the past, but hoped someone had improved it. It seems not yet. I am not a big fan of lead fragments. I appreciate the engineering of ELD-X but just don't like the way it sheds its core. I spent 15 years dealing with tanker loads of lead-bearing hazardous waste, so I hate the stuff! Lead particles have an annoying way of getting into the food chain. The Terminal Ascent is an interesting compromise by inverting the normal bonded-bullet design. By making the copper-alloy walls very thick, the lead is moved towards the center, where it has less effect on axial center-of-mass. It reduces BC over a normal cup-and-core but stays above pure copper-alloy monolithic designs.

[@WayStedYou]

​@biggs8729 the ABLR is almost pointless vs the regular AB unless every single shot is at 500 plus yards tye bc isnt that much better but the projectile falls apart closer

[@readyalready4697]

16:00 so? Partition.

[@urblotasunkynewulf615]

Eld=fire...Norse...

[@Mr.Run-n-Gun]

Explain the GMX to CX

[@jfess1911]

They did that back in EP. 007, a year or so ago. The goal was largely to increase BC and switch to the heat-shield tips.

[@Mr.Run-n-Gun]

@@jfess1911 Thanks, I'll check it out👍🏼

[@jfess1911]

@@Mr.Run-n-Gun In that podcast, they stated that the CX bullets are designed to need about 2000 fps to open. This actually raised the opening velocity of some, like the 100gr .277 bullet. This may make it better for the 270 Win, so it won't lose petals at short distance/high velocity, but it became less useful for the slower 6.8 SPC and lost a lot of effective range. Tradeoffs.

[@Mr.Run-n-Gun]

@@jfess1911 That's really good to know, as I have a 6.8 spc. Guess new doesn't always mean better just different. Like you said-trade offs.

[@jfess1911]

@@Mr.Run-n-Gun If you want monolithc bullets for the 6.8 SPC, Cavity Back has a 105gr and a 120gr made especially for it. They are pretty much the "latest and greatest" for that cartridge. Some of the guys who bought the 100 gr CX have resorted to cutting off the plastic tips to get better expansion. The new, harder Heat-Shield tips seem to be part of the issue.

[@Rattlebone-hf8kx]

I’ve never had an ELDx bullet not blow up. 143gn 6.5CM, 145gn 270win, 200gn 300WSM. Deer; Antelope; Cow Elk. That’s not what I want out of a hunting bullet. They are ok if you’re just talking target shooting.

[@InfamousTactical]

It’s funny how I have shot 15 deer with a Berger VLD hunting and recovered several bullets that expanded properly Lol

[@Cannonballer95]

Is there any particular reason why there are so many variations of ELD Match that don't have a ELD-X counterpart? as far as I can tell, there are no ELD-X bullets in .224 while there are several weights of Match available. seems like a missed opportunity especially with the new SAAMI submission of the .22 creedmoor, great cartridge but no heavy, high BC hunting bullets available to take advantage of its benefits for hunting

[@mr.mr.3301]

Every complaint I’ve had with eldx they address. Basically ar close range and speed they don’t hold together. This is a long range hunting bullet.

[@Freddanrocco]

Shot a bull moose with the 270 grain ELD-X 338 LM. Hand loads with 93 grains of N570 generating 900 m/s. The first shot nothing happened so i thought I missed and shot another one and it dropped. When skinning we actually saw that the two shots were less than 2 inches appart well placed. It’s like the first one didn’t expand at all.

[@stevendavis1686]

Tag soup......baaaaaaahaha!! Worst soup ever!!

[@floydmiller3288]

Amma every big animal over 400 yard

[@trentsnaza3372]

147 and 140gr eld's work awesome in my 6.5 Swede!! .308 178gr elds in my opinion are garbage! 200gr eld's not too far behind the 178's!! My Remington 700 long range in 30/06 doesn't care for either!!! OTM is still king!!! 😂 ya know like Sierra Matchkings or Berger VLD's!! Have a great labor day weekend!!

[@jfess1911]

Does the 30-06 have a match or SAAMI chamber? The SAAMI chamber is just a taper with no freebore to align the bullet with the rifling. This makes then more picky.

[@trentsnaza3372]

@@jfess1911 Sammi. I am having one built with a krieger contour #14 heavy Palma, 30 inch and with a German Salazar Seringetti match reamer

[@jfess1911]

@@trentsnaza3372 I'm glad to hear about the new barrel. The SAAMI 30-06 chamber is an old design and I think you will be more accurate with the match chamber. FWIW, most of the newer cartridges (PRC's, Creedmoors, etc) use pretty much the same tight dimensions as match reamers. That is why they tend to be so accurate.

[@Castigar48]

And i trust niether of these bullets on anything bigger than a white tail

[@edwardabrams4972]

Actually nothing bigger then a paper target!

[@jmanswat2457]

Unless they're lying, they said they've killed plenty of big game with it. Including Africa and with 6.5CM🤷

[@Castigar48]

@jmanswat2457 white tail and pronghorn count as big game...maybe i should have specified

[@frankbruce6889]

ELD-X works great. I have used it for about 5 years and taken several elk from 100 to 700 yds.

[@Castigar48]

@frankbruce6889 good on ya. I just like bonded bullets

[@trevorkolmatycki4042]

It is not uncommon for me to be critical of Hornady… however, I am a loyal customer, I use your products and I appreciate what you have done for the shooting sports. Keep up the great work fellas. And… Perhaps make us some 6.8W brass too… pretty please?… lol. 🥹

[@biggs8729]

YES! To the 6.8 Western brass and High BC Bullets.

[@bobsimons4982]

Too long winded

[@nigelscott1922]

What’s with the headphones and mikes, cant you just talk?

[@redteam9881]

Too soft ELDX I prefer the Hornady SP-RP bullets for hunting in Alaska.

[@buckaroobonsi555]

Your ELD-X and ELD bullets are not very good bullets outside of getting down range to a paper target. Your bullets for hunting are terrible. If they have high BC's then they fragment like glass on game. If you guys where not snow flakes and fragile with your ego's I would speak freely but you can not handle that. The worst thing about any proprietary cartridge you guys have a hand in is the lack of quality bullets for actual hunting and the artificial limit on the variety in weight and bullet design. I love your bullets for target work but even if you gave me your bullets for free I would not use them to hunt anything larger than a varmint. Every time I see game shot with your bullets that are deer sized and larger from 100 yards on out the bullet is always broken up, missing mass, jacket is shed and no war to be seen. I blame you directly for people thinking they can use the 6.5CM to take Elk cleanly at 1000+yards. In the real world the 6.5PRC does not out perform the 6.5CM because they are using the same terrible bullets and the bullets you make can not extract additional killing power from the 6.5PRC as compared tot he 6.5CM directly because of the terrible design of the bullets loaded from the factor! The additional velocity of the 6.5PRC is wasted because of the bullet design and construction. When I have loaded a Nosler Partition for example into the 6.5PRC the additional performance of the cartridge is immediately obvious on the game animals. I think you make fantastically accurate match bullets but some of the worst premium hunting bullets in the industry. You worry to much about BC and push that as if it is the most important aspect of a bullet when it truly is not especialy when talking about hunting bullets for large game!