212 gr ELD-X 50 yard high velocity water jug test

[Swamplord]

March 3rd, 2016
Was out looking for pressure in my 300 Long Range Hunter with
Reloder 33 and WS2 coated Hornady 30 cal. 212 gr ELD-X bullets

Blasted some water jugs at 50 yards going 3200 fps plus , got it on video !

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=AaLdNHtJ2j4

 

[gohring3006]

Very cool.... Looks to be a good tough bullet.

 

[excaliber]

I'm not familiar with the cartridge. Is that a 300 SAUM? 99 grs is allot of powder. I like the way the bullet held up at that velocity and speed. I can't wait for my gun to get back so I can shoot the 200 gr ELD-X.

Thanks for posting

 

[Pdvdh]

Good to know! This is a bullet I'm interested in. You're pushing them faster than I'll be, so they look to be plenty tough for my needs. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Any accuracy testing yet? Early reporting is sounding very positive...

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I'm not familiar with the cartridge. Is that a 300 SAUM? 99 grs is allot of powder.

Looks like an Improved 300 Norma Mag.

 

[bigngreen]

I don't like seeing the first jug blow that much, blood shot horror show on game gun)

 

[Pdvdh]

Slip'em between the ribs...

I never watched the video. When I see a 212gr .308 expanded bullet with that much retained weight after hitting water at these velocities, I don't worry about jelly soup on the entry side.

 

[Swamplord]

What this test confirmed for me is that the Hornady 212 gr ELD-X bullet performs much like the 200 gr Nosler Partition ! About 13 years ago I did an identical test with the 200 gr Partition at similar velocities from the 7.82 Warbird with cookie cutter results as far as water jug blow up, how many and bullet expansion/deformation.......... One of the reasons I shied away from the Partition all these years and packed the 200 gr Swift A-Frame as a defensive and close range hunting bullet on my solo hunts in Alaska, I still want to see an A-Frame/Scirocco 30 cal offspring around 200 gr !

nothing wrong with the 212 gr ELD-X as a hunting bullet, even up close in controlled, properly placed bullets on non dangerous game that runs away, I'll use it on moose at 10 yards and out, yes sir ! but I will not pack it as a first round choice in areas I hunt.................... I feel the same way about Berger Hunting and Hybrid bullets,

I really wanted to see more weight retention up close at these velocities but then again high velocity water tests are pretty destructive bullet tests, although it gives us an idea of what may happen if your bullet hits the big bone you were trying to avoid......

The 212 gr ELD-X bullet is very accurate at high velocities and coupled with the nice BC's, guaranteed expansion.... it should be a decent long range hunting bullet,

the water jug test was to satisfy my curiosity of how it will do up close on a brown bear charge and it didn't pass the test , but I gotta say 3200 + fps can tear many bullets apart at 50 yards......... Maybe at 300 Win Mag/300 WSM velocities it will not shed so much weight and penetrate deeper........ I am loading the 220 gr ELD-X with RL33 as I type this , from 92.0 gr up to 98.0 gr, bullets are coated with WS2 as well and will be shot into water jugs at 50 yards, hoping the 8 gr heavier and longer bearing surface will show more weight retention over the 212 gr ELD-X ......

seems there may not be the perfect do all at all range big game hunting bullet available just yet, at least for where and what I hunt

I'm back to dual bullet carry , well... never abandoned the idea

 

[Pdvdh]

I'm back to dual bullet carry , well... never abandoned the idea

I'm with you. I've never identified any better approach to Alaska hunting. I also use the bear bullets for closer shots on game animals. No sense wasting any more meat than necessary.

 

[Swamplord]

I'm not familiar with the cartridge. Is that a 300 SAUM? 99 grs is allot of powder. I like the way the bullet held up at that velocity and speed. I can't wait for my gun to get back so I can shoot the 200 gr ELD-X.

Thanks for posting

The 300 Long Range Hunter is my version of a 300 Norma Mag Improved, once fired cases have 111.0 gr h20 capacity and it is throated to run the 230 gr Berger Hybrid Target bullets with zero intrusion on case capacity allowing for full use of case for powder......... This wildcat is not intended to shoot bullets less than 200 gr as some lighter boat tail bullets will fall out of case before reaching the rifling......
it's intended for the heavier 30 cal bullets and has the case capacity to drive them faster than the 300 RUM and still function in 3.850" AICS or Accurate DBM's

about a week ago I did some RL33 load work up with the 225 gr Hornady Match bullets to find pressure, that was in order to save the 212 and 220 gr ELD-X bullets as I only have one box of each and 6 boxes of the 225 gr Match, **** those Match bullets love RL33 and high velocity

 

[Swamplord]

This will explain what I am talking about as for "full use of case capacity"

Alliant Reloder 33 powder & Federal GM215M primers
212 gr Hornady ELD-X coated with WS2
C.O.A.L 3.555" C.B.T.O 2.842" (.025" jump to rifling)

96.0 gr RL33
3084 fps
3117
3095

97.0 gr RL33
3146 fps
3134
3144

97.5 gr RL33
3155 fps
3132
3188

98.0 gr RL33
3211 fps
3209 (1st water jug shot)
3201
3176
3198

98.5 RL33
3209 fps
3236
3192
3219
3205

99.0 gr RL33
3227 fps (2nd water jug shot)
3240
3242
3238
3242

99.5 RL33
3263 fps
3234
3240
3280
3271

100.0 gr RL33
3259 fps (3rd water jug shot)
3293
3267
3289
3265


Alliant Reloder 33 powder & Federal GM215M primers
Hornady 225 Match BTHP bullets (naked bullets, not coated)
C.O.A.L 3.490" C.B.T.O 2.827" (.028" jump to rifling)

RL33 88gr
2969 fps
2953
2956

RL33 89 gr
3012 fps
3004
3015

RL33 90 gr
3022 fps
3039
3028

RL33 91 gr
3059 fps
3067
3065

RL33 92 gr
3109 fps
3101
3121

RL33 93 gr
3158 fps
3144
3150

RL33 94 gr
3180 fps
3188
3194

RL33 95 gr
3221 fps
3227
3225

RL33 96 gr
3259 fps
3280
3255

RL33 97 gr
3315 fps
3298
3304

 

[elkaholic]

Your test seems to fit nicely with some I ran this week on the 143 ELDX in my 6.5SS.
Mine tested the mid and lower end. Here is a pic.....Rich

 

[shawnb]

Whats your neck length and freebore for this round?

 

[elkaholic]

Whats your neck length and freebore for this round?

.320" and I think .170", but I am away from my records?.........Rich