Is an ELD-M basically just a tipped berger?

[Huntnful]

Been researching these bullets a fair amount. I've already killed a decent amount with bergers, but the ELD-M's have peaked my interest lately also. It seems like their construction is very similar, except for the tip on the ELD-M. I think the tip on the ELD-M may make expansion just a hair quicker at closer ranges, but aid in the expansion, and more importantly, consistent expansion, at longer ranges.

I've been looking specifically at the 225 ELD-M as an option for my 300 NMI. They are readily available and have a higher BC than the 230 Hybrid Bergers.

Curious if this makes sense to anyone haha? Or if anyone has used both for a comparison? Or even specifically, used the 225 ELD-M as of late for killing deer & elk.

 

[patross79]

I've used both Berger's and eldm in 6.5 and 7mm for hunting (deer/antelope) and both for me have anchored game quick, although antelope aren't overly tough anyway. I can not weigh in on elk but have heard good things on eldm in heavier weights for them. A 225 on deer I would confidently use on deer any day as 140s in a 6.5 work very well.

 

[WildRose]

Been researching these bullets a fair amount. I've already killed a decent amount with bergers, but the ELD-M's have peaked my interest lately also. It seems like their construction is very similar, except for the tip on the ELD-M. I think the tip on the ELD-M may make expansion just a hair quicker at closer ranges, but aid in the expansion, and more importantly, consistent expansion, at longer ranges.

I've been looking specifically at the 225 ELD-M as an option for my 300 NMI. They are readily available and have a higher BC than the 230 Hybrid Bergers.

Curious if this makes sense to anyone haha? Or if anyone has used both for a comparison? Or even specifically, used the 225 ELD-M as of late for killing deer & elk.

It's a target bullet, I would not shoot it at game. The ELD-X however is a very good hunting bullet.

 

[Pdvdh]

Been researching these bullets a fair amount. I've already killed a decent amount with bergers, but the ELD-M's have peaked my interest lately also. It seems like their construction is very similar, except for the tip on the ELD-M. I think the tip on the ELD-M may make expansion just a hair quicker at closer ranges, but aid in the expansion, and more importantly, consistent expansion, at longer ranges.

The ELD-M would likely expand more consistently, IMO. Couldn't be worse!

I shot a Mt. Goat with one at 420yds from a 30 Sherman. Not really long range, but it performed well.

 

[Huntnful]

I've used both Berger's and eldm in 6.5 and 7mm for hunting (deer/antelope) and both for me have anchored game quick, although antelope aren't overly tough anyway. I can not weigh in on elk but have heard good things on eldm in heavier weights for them. A 225 on deer I would confidently use on deer any day as 140s in a 6.5 work very well.

Thanks for some insight into your experience with them!

The ELD-M would likely expand more consistently, IMO. Couldn't be worse!

I shot a Mt. Goat with one at 420yds from a 30 Sherman. Not really long range, but it performed well.

Good to hear! I'm honestly not worried about long range performance as much as I am close range performance. I feel like they would be an excellent long range bullet!

It's a target bullet, I would not shoot it at game. The ELD-X however is a very good hunting bullet.

Yeah I killed a few bucks with the ELD-X and they did their job for sure! I'm also just not scared to shoot a target bullet at game either though. Especially a 225gr. at a big mule deer. They can't handle that kind of trauma like an elk possibly can.

 

[Reelamin]

If your happy with Berger you will be happy with ELD-M/X. I believe you will be considerably happier.

 

[Plinker147]

When comparing Berger target bullets to edlm target bullets the OPs assumptions have been correct from my experience. I don't use either of these for hunting but have seen them used numerous times in 7mm. The 180 edlms have been very consistent in there performance on game where the Berger hybrid targets have been less consistent. The Berger's failed to open and tumbled on a few animals. The edlm have been have performed consistently and all opened and showed fine results.

Edlx have shown to be a good hunting bullet but they definitely harder to get to shoot than the edlms or Berger's. If your gun likes them they are great but it seems to be about 50/50 for the guns I've tried them in.

My advice instead of messing with either of the targets bullets get the Berger elite hunters. Target bullet Accuracy and long range performance and they are consistent and killers on the 20ish animals I've used them on. Only reason I use a few different bullet is cuz I can't find enough elites now a days.

 

[Tidus56]

Killed a cow elk at 460, deer at 530 and a deer at 115 yards all with a 280 AI and a 162 ELDM. I was pleased with performance across the board. Given the choice between a hybrid bullet or an ELDM I would still choose the Hybrid. I have had more experiences with the Hybrid and it has hammered everything it has touched. I have no negatives on ELDM, either.

 

[7.62 Gunner]

I killed a few bulls with ELD-Ms and they're really splashy, even at 700 yards.
I switched to Bergers after seeing a few 225s grenade on elk scapulas.
I think they'd be a good choice driven at low velocities and impacts under 2000 fps

 

[Huntnful]

When comparing Berger target bullets to edlm target bullets the OPs assumptions have been correct from my experience. I don't use either of these for hunting but have seen them used numerous times in 7mm. The 180 edlms have been very consistent in there performance on game where the Berger hybrid targets have been less consistent. The Berger's failed to open and tumbled on a few animals. The edlm have been have performed consistently and all opened and showed fine results.

Edlx have shown to be a good hunting bullet but they definitely harder to get to shoot than the edlms or Berger's. If your gun likes them they are great but it seems to be about 50/50 for the guns I've tried them in.

My advice instead of messing with either of the targets bullets get the Berger elite hunters. Target bullet Accuracy and long range performance and they are consistent and killers on the 20ish animals I've used them on. Only reason I use a few different bullet is cuz I can't find enough elites now a days.

Thank you for the info! I appreciate it!

Killed a cow elk at 460, deer at 530 and a deer at 115 yards all with a 280 AI and a 162 ELDM. I was pleased with performance across the board. Given the choice between a hybrid bullet or an ELDM I would still choose the Hybrid. I have had more experiences with the Hybrid and it has hammered everything it has touched. I have no negatives on ELDM, either.

Good to know! Thanks for sharing that!

I killed a few bulls with ELD-Ms and they're really splashy, even at 700 yards.
I switched to Bergers after seeing a few 225s grenade on elk scapulas.
I think they'd be a good choice driven at low velocities and impacts under 2000 fps

That's great first hand experience and knowledge with the 225's, even out at a good distance. Mine definitely won't be driven at a low velocity, so it may be best if I steer clear from them for elk. I don't think anything on a deer would stop a 225? I mostly hunt deer. Maybe 1 elk for every 4-5 deer.

 

[7.62 Gunner]

Thank you for the info! I appreciate it!

Good to know! Thanks for sharing that!

That's great first hand experience and knowledge with the 225's, even out at a good distance. Mine definitely won't be driven at a low velocity, so it may be best if I steer clear from them for elk. I don't think anything on a deer would stop a 225? I mostly hunt deer. Maybe 1 elk for every 4-5 deer.

They'll crush any part of a deer
I actually shot a big bodied muley at 400 yards with a 180 eldm a few years ago.
It blew one hell of a hole through him

 

[WildRose]

Thanks for some insight into your experience with them!


Good to hear! I'm honestly not worried about long range performance as much as I am close range performance. I feel like they would be an excellent long range bullet!


Yeah I killed a few bucks with the ELD-X and they did their job for sure! I'm also just not scared to shoot a target bullet at game either though. Especially a 225gr. at a big mule deer. They can't handle that kind of trauma like an elk possibly can.

The question is why would you choose to shoot a target bullet knowing there's a much higher probability that it will either blow up shallow horribly wounding an animal or pencil through when we have better options available.

If we were starving and hunting for food and had no other choice it would be a completely different equation.

I feel like we owe the game we seek the quickest and most humane death we can give them.

 

[7.62 Gunner]

The question is why would you choose to shoot a target bullet knowing there's a much higher probability that it will either blow up shallow horribly wounding an animal or pencil through when we have better options available.

If we were starving and hunting for food and had no other choice it would be a completely different equation.

I feel like we owe the game we seek the quickest and most humane death we can give them.

At long range, target bullets provide the quickest most humane death in my experience.
The one elk I lost was shot with an accubond

 

[WildRose]

At long range, target bullets provide the quickest most humane death in my experience.
The one elk I lost was shot with an accubond

If you lost that elk it was due to poor bullet placement, not the construction of the bullet.