Hornady eldm?

the only way to know for sure is try. I will shoot whatever shoots best out of my rifle. I shot a black bear with a 190 nosler custom competition out of a 300 win. At around 2950 fps. Did amazing. 4" exit. This year I'll be using g berger 215 hybrids

Only one thing to add, I have only had marginal accuracy (at best) with ELDX in multiple calibers, cartridges, and bullet weights given ample load development for all.

If a projectile can produce sub .5 moa instead of say +1 moa accuracy I believe shot placement WILL deliver more successful one shot kills.

I haven't hunted with ELDMs yet but plan on trying soon. The Berger Hybrid Targets have always served me well with one shot kills.

I've had equal accuracy out of the 143eldx and 147eldm with the exact same load. Really happy with both bullets accuracy and would hunt with either

JTB said:

Konrad does make a valid point. As an example, why would you choose to use the 6.5 147 eld-m over the 143 eld-x on game when the x was specifically designed to give better results on game. I think it becomes less of an issue with the larger calibers as long as they open up but the smaller calibers will benefit from a jacket specifically designed to enhance penetration especially on bone. If your rifle will only shoot the target rounds you may have to choose the lesser of two evils. All things being equal why not choose a bullet specifically designed for hunting. You may never see a target bullet fail but when you hit heavy bone at longer diatances in will become more likely vs those specifically designed for hunting.

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The mid range with lower velocity cartridges isn't the issue as both will do the job with roughly the same efficiency. The issue is at the extreme ends of the spectrum both really close with high velocity cartridges and really far when the velocities are below 2000 fps.

Up close the ELD-X is preferable as in higher velocity cartridges as the thicker base and interlock ring delay the expansion of the bullet to aid in deeper penetration. The ELD-M on the otherhand

Nathan Foster has done extensive research on the subject and feels that the cut off point for the ELD-X is 1800 fps while the ELD-M is 1600 fps due to the thinner jacket. Long story short of your shooting way out there the ELD-M is better but if close shots at high velocities are possible then the ELD-X would be the better choice.

I have killed one deer with an AMAX bullet, 178gr at 2750 fps out of a 1903 Springfield at 70 yards, double lung shot left a blood trail 3 ft wide for 40 yards, 20 of which were rolling down a hil. The internal damage showed that the bullet had expanded quite a bit as it passed through the doe so I'm sure a bone hit on a larger animal could have proved problematic.

If it's within 100 yrds and I have a decent rest I like to neck shoot deer because they drop instantly, very little meat loss, and where I hunt they are often between 50 and 100 yrds from the property line. I appreciate hearing from y'all, thanks!

My 13 year old son shot a small Doe last season at 80yards broadside with the 120 ELDM with his 6.5 creedmoor. Entry was behind the left shoulder. There was no exit wound. When we skinned her out we found most of the bullet just under the skin left flank. I was not impressed, and he is not using them on game anymore.

Rflamm250 said:

My 13 year old son shot a small Doe last season at 80yards broadside with the 120 ELDM with his 6.5 creedmoor. Entry was behind the left shoulder. There was no exit wound. When we skinned her out we found most of the bullet just under the skin left flank. I was not impressed, and he is not using them on game anymore.

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My guess is too light of a bullet going too fast caused it to fragment to the degree you saw. The 123gr sst or 129gr Interbond would be better suited for that scenario with the ELD performing better once the range had increased and the bullet had a chance to shed some velocity.

There is the possibility that it wasn't perfectly broadside. I've already shot deer and discovered that they weren't as broadside as I thought. The heavier bullet would probably be better though..

I don't get why people are so obsessed with getting an exit wound. The deer is dead right? Target style bullets will still break a shoulder before fragmenting, ice seen Berger's punch through elk shoulders many times at under 100 yards. I don't care if I get an exit or not, just want a quick kill.

I agree. If it penetrates into the vital organs and turns them into jelly, who cares if it dont penetrate. The animal is dead either way. And usually if a bullet does blow right through, the animal aint gonna die as fast as if the bulet penetrates a few inches and then shrapnels causing extreme internal damage.

I agree with you except in the situation where the deer or whatever you're hunting is in thick brush or close to it and you need to track a blood trail then it's nice to have an exit so you get a better blood trail. Of course if it's drt you don't need a blood trail.

JTB said:

Konrad does make a valid point. As an example, why would you choose to use the 6.5 147 eld-m over the 143 eld-x on game when the x was specifically designed to give better results on game. I think it becomes less of an issue with the larger calibers as long as they open up but the smaller calibers will benefit from a jacket specifically designed to enhance penetration especially on bone. If your rifle will only shoot the target rounds you may have to choose the lesser of two evils. All things being equal why not choose a bullet specifically designed for hunting. You may never see a target bullet fail but when you hit heavy bone at longer diatances in will become more likely vs those specifically designed for hunting.

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This is just pure speculation but sometimes the fascination of the higher BC prompts us to give it a try despite the risk or uncertainty. I too varying success and results with the A-Max (178 and 208 out of .300 WM) on deer, antelope, and coyote.

Yes, Where my son hunts in Florida it is very thick brush and sandy soil. A deer can go 100 yards and without a blood trail its like a needle in a haystack. He is shooting a Vanguard Camilla. and it is ultra light. He is 13 and 100lbs. The 143eldx shoots ok and kicks like a mule. The 120eldm shoots under .5 with less recoil. This is why we started hunting with this round. After being disappointed in performance with the eldm we have since started loading our own with 100gr Nosler BT. He has shot a couple hogs with them with good penetration.

Well said Feenix. I am as guilty as anyone for using target bullets on game justifying it by the high BC or better accuracy. Even though I know better, I am contimplating using the 6.5 150gr SMK this year because of BC and great accuracy from my rifle.
That being said, by selecting an appropriate long range bullet design we will more likely experience the best of both worlds; penetration and vital organ damage. Rather than the thin uniform jacket found on most target bullets being used for hunting, jackets specifically designed for hunting will better maintain bullet shaft integrity on impact for greater penetration. Solid copper offers some of the best integrity and penetration but gives up a little BC when compared to some of the lead core long range options, e.g., Accubond LR, eld-x, scirocco.
Granted, I have found the target large caliber heavies like the 285gr ELD-M/300gr SMK 338 to be effective on elk. That much pointed lead/copper with a MV around 3000 fps will generally pass through heavy bone even when surrounded by a thin copper jacket.
Really, most thin jacketed bullets will perform well on deer size game and smaller but I have shied away from using any target bullet, <300gr or so, on elk.
Bullet design plays a major role on the effectiveness of smaller calibers and is the reason we have been able to effectively reach out with them on elk sized game. Companies have put a lot of research into designing hunting bullets to be effective at both short and long distances. We have had great success (one-shot kills) using the relatively smaller caliber 6.5 and 270 premium hunting bullets on elk both up close and at extended ranges. Why not use them when we can.