ELD-M for hunting

[richhymas]

Easier said than done sometimes. I always prefer the crease but when a big bull is moving through the timber at 200 yards sometimes you hit bone. My preference is to not have to pass up shots because my bullet is too wimpy to get through a shoulder at close range or a bit too much or too little wind drift at longer range. Sometimes you hit the shoulder weather you mean to or not.

 

[7.62 Gunner]

I would never hunt again with ELD match for anything bigger than deer. Lost an elk this year. Hit it hard in the shoulder. Elk bedded several times. Recovered 3 large pieces of shoulder bone but the blood trail eventually dried up after over a mile. I’m afraid the bullet didn’t penetrate the chest cavity. 200 yard broadside shot on the shoulder.

Man sorry to hear about that
I've seen the exact thing happen with a 225 eldm on a bull at a much longer range, they are way too explosive for me same with the eldx.
I use bergers now, I've personally put a 220 in a bull that was quartering away and it penetrated through the offside shoulder at 300 yards.
I agree that a bullet should penetrate through a shoulder, it wasn't a poor shot just a poor bullet for the task

 

[Raudy707]

Wow! That is an interesting comparison. I would say in 257 cal, .284 cal the Bergers are every bit as frangible as an Eld-m. But you've discovered the 220 Berger to be stouter than the 208m? I've had good luck with the 208 m out of my 300 wm on elk but I start it at 2900 fps. The 115 Berger out of my 25-06 never exits. It kills like lightning but even on a small hog it completely fragments. 168 VLD on elk same story. The 175 Classic hunter does pass thru for me. I will have to keep a journal and watch this forum for more information and experiences with the Eld-m. Good stuff!

 

[Joefrazell]

I would never hunt again with ELD match for anything bigger than deer. Lost an elk this year. Hit it hard in the shoulder. Elk bedded several times. Recovered 3 large pieces of shoulder bone but the blood trail eventually dried up after over a mile. I’m afraid the bullet didn’t penetrate the chest cavity. 200 yard broadside shot on the shoulder.

What bullet and speed?

 

[7.62 Gunner]

Wow! That is an interesting comparison. I would say in 257 cal, .284 cal the Bergers are every bit as frangible as an Eld-m. But you've discovered the 220 Berger to be stouter than the 208m? I've had good luck with the 208 m out of my 300 wm on elk but I start it at 2900 fps. The 115 Berger out of my 25-06 never exits. It kills like lightning but even on a small hog it completely fragments. 168 VLD on elk same story. The 175 Classic hunter does pass thru for me. I will have to keep a journal and watch this forum for more information and experiences with the Eld-m. Good stuff!

I've seen the same thing with 195's, not on game but with hillbilly expansion tests. The 195 penetrates and holds together way more than the 180 eldm, and I've made kills with the 180 eldm.. Very splashy

 

[richhymas]

What bullet and speed?

225 factory ELD match out of 300 PRC. MV 2830 FPS so impact velocity around 2600 plus or minus at 200 yards.

My son shot a cow elk in the crease at 190 yards about a month before and that bullet did not exit the chest cavity. Cow was dead about 30 yards from the point of impact.

If you always have an open shot with no rush and no wind and can be sure you will not hit the shoulder, it’s probably fine, but in my elk hunting experience things can get exciting and sometimes rushed. Sometimes off hand inside 100 yards through a narrow clearing with a moving animal. I want an elk bullet that can penetrate and can be used close or far. The ELD-M is not it. I am currently working up a load for a 199 HH and a 245 Berger. I figure with the 245 Berger and a MV of 2800 FPS it should get through a front shoulder even at close range. The 199 HH will likely exit but with a bit less shock. Those petals should help rupture arteries though. I just need to find an accurate load.

 

[WildRose]

I would never hunt again with ELD match for anything bigger than deer. Lost an elk this year. Hit it hard in the shoulder. Elk bedded several times. Recovered 3 large pieces of shoulder bone but the blood trail eventually dried up after over a mile. I’m afraid the bullet didn’t penetrate the chest cavity. 200 yard broadside shot on the shoulder.

If you have a Toyota FJ and a Ferrari which would you pick to climb a mountain on a rough road?

Use the right tool for the job, I won't shoot target bullets at game. There's simply no reason to when there's lots of bullets better designed for the job.

Pick the right tool for the job, "Don't use a hammer for a screw driver and don't use a screwdriver for a wrench".

Sorry you had to learn the hard way but it's the painful lessons we tend to remember longest.

 

[MOOSE39465]

I feel like there's way more bullets better suited for hunting then the ELDM.

 

[Hugnot]

The .224 75 grain ELDM at 3200 fps from a 7.7 twist .22-.250 is a fine target & rodent bullet. (period)

 

[snookntarpon]

I have shot multiple deer with 147 ELDM out of a 6.5 GAP at 2965 fps. Never a problem. Exits past 300 yards if no major bone is hit.
in my 7-08 i shoot the 150 ELDX at 2730fps. max distance has been 2 shots at 265 yards. Exits on these, no exits inside 200 yards. not very different from the ELDM in the GAP.

I would use either on deer size game. Elk I don't hunt, but would probably pick something bonded, or heavier for caliber.
SnT

 

[born2hunt4ever]

Wow! That is an interesting comparison. I would say in 257 cal, .284 cal the Bergers are every bit as frangible as an Eld-m. But you've discovered the 220 Berger to be stouter than the 208m? I've had good luck with the 208 m out of my 300 wm on elk but I start it at 2900 fps. The 115 Berger out of my 25-06 never exits. It kills like lightning but even on a small hog it completely fragments. 168 VLD on elk same story. The 175 Classic hunter does pass thru for me. I will have to keep a journal and watch this forum for more information and experiences with the Eld-m. Good stuff!

I am new to the forum but an avid hunter. Been hunting in Montana since I was 12 and am now 31 and have taken multiple elk, deer, antelope and bears. I am currently shooting 210 berger vld's at 3000 fps in my 300 win mag. I am running low and cannot find them anywhere. I mainly shoot this rifle for elk and an occasional deer, then use the custom 6.5-284 as described above for deer and antelope. I am looking at switching to the 208 ELD-M after having such great luck with the 147 ELD-M in the 6.5-284 but have no first hand experience with the heavier ELD-M line for the 30 cal. Please let me know your thoughts. Where I hunt shots can be anywhere from 20 yards to 1000. Thanks and happy hunting!

 

[Joefrazell]

225 factory ELD match out of 300 PRC. MV 2830 FPS so impact velocity around 2600 plus or minus at 200 yards.

My son shot a cow elk in the crease at 190 yards about a month before and that bullet did not exit the chest cavity. Cow was dead about 30 yards from the point of impact.

If you always have an open shot with no rush and no wind and can be sure you will not hit the shoulder, it’s probably fine, but in my elk hunting experience things can get exciting and sometimes rushed. Sometimes off hand inside 100 yards through a narrow clearing with a moving animal. I want an elk bullet that can penetrate and can be used close or far. The ELD-M is not it. I am currently working up a load for a 199 HH and a 245 Berger. I figure with the 245 Berger and a MV of 2800 FPS it should get through a front shoulder even at close range. The 199 HH will likely exit but with a bit less shock. Those petals should help rupture arteries though. I just need to find an accurate load.

That’s good to hear. The 225 was supposed to be my go to elk bullet in my 300 prc ehhh.. maybe just stick with 215 bergers for elk.

 

[Kimber7man]

I probably shouldn’t post these….

6 creed, factory Hornady 108 ELD-M ammo

Both between 200-300 yards.

1 shot:

2 shots (he was excited and first shot hit back end):

 

[Joefrazell]

I probably shouldn’t post these….

6 creed, factory Hornady 108 ELD-M ammo

Both between 200-300 yards.

1 shot:

View attachment 336673

2 shots (he was excited and first shot hit back end):

View attachment 336674

You should post these and I’m glad you did. You kept the range very modest and I have no doubt the bull and buck expired quickly. Nice critters!