ELD-X and 308 testing

[MagTen]

Finally Hornady is shipping the new ELD-X. MidwayUSA contacted me couple days ago and said they had supplies of the ELD-X and I ordered a few in .308. Will receive them Tuesday and we should get them loaded and get to the range. Our precision water jug range is already setup and ready for the full load and long distance testing to get an idea of what this slug will do past 400 yards. The photos below Do indicate what we have seen with our jugs that we get more penetration as ranges get out beyond 300 yards but less bullet upset. From what I have read the ELD-X with it's high BC should out perform the AMAX and give AB type game performance.lightbulb

 

[Csafisher]

Looking forward to the report. What weight did you get?

 

[MagTen]

Looking forward to the report. What weight did you get?

178 graingun)

 

[rhouser]

Tagging in for a report too.
rch

 

[catorres1]

Just got some 200's in this morning. Looking forward to seeing your results!

 

[jgal72]

Would be nice to see the 7mm, 175's. Does anybody know how soon for those?

 

[MagTen]

I finally received today a supply of Hornady .308 178 grain ELD-X bullets. The purpose for this testing is to show long distance performance of three different slugs. Hornady ELD-X .308 178 grain, Hornady .308 168 grain AMAX, Nosler .308 165 grain (Hunting) BTs. All were shot using IMR 4895. Only one was shot at full power @ 42.5 grains @ 2647 FPS. Other three were @ 30 grains @ 1800-2000 FPS simulating a long distance shot at 300-400 yards. This testing DID reveal a few surprises.
AMAX copper did fly apart but lead held together and penetrated into 8th. JUG. Deepest of all.
ELD-X @ full power penetrated the least @ 5 jugs. Although it did make the absolute biggest upset of the first 4 jugs. Awesome wound channel.
ELD-X @ slow power did hold together and penetrated 7 jugs.
Ballistic Tip @ slow power did give SAME results as ELD-X. This was the biggest surprise. Be aware that this particular comparison does not say that the BT will outperform the higher BC - ELD-X at 500-600 yards. But at 300-400 yards the BT is comparable to ELD-X mushroom.

I added this photo to show my particular gun shoots the best with IMR-4320 with the 168 gr. AMAX. I have not grouped the new ELD-X 178 grain with 4320. I will put these two slugs head to head in the coming weeks. If you look real close the ELD-X and AMAX look almost the same but the AMAX has a smaller plastic tip and smaller hollow point it fits in.

 

[excaliber]

That 178 Gr ELD-X really came apart. I thought it was supposed to keep expanding and hold together?

 

[MagTen]

That 178 Gr ELD-X really came apart. I thought it was supposed to keep expanding and hold together?

Typical advertising.

 

[RobStar]

Watching and learning...

 

[ShootnMathews]

I bought some 200 trainers to shoot in my Mosin Nagant. Just started to load work with them some yesterday.

 

[MagTen]

I bought some 200 trainers to shoot in my Mosin Nagant. Just started to load work with them some yesterday.

I think they will work great at greater than 300 yards.

 

[MagTen]

Notice numbers: The 130 grainer starting out at much faster speed gives it speed advantage all the way out to 500 yards. Energy advantage to nearly 200 yards but this is where weight of 168 holds up better in longer ranges. I am not convinced the 168 is truly the better long range slug. The difference is not that great.


TTSX 130 grain

0 3200 2956 -1.50 0.00 0 0.000 0
50 3060 2702 -0.27 -0.44 0.00 0.050 2
100 2920 2461 0.03 -1.80 0.00 0.100 -0
150 2784 2237 -0.70 -4.19 0.00 0.153 2
200 2652 2031 -2.55 -7.70 0.00 0.208 5
250 2525 1840 -5.64 -12.45 0.00 0.266 9
300 2400 1663 -10.10 -18.57 0.00 0.327 13
350 2279 1500 -16.07 -26.19 0.00 0.391 17
400 2158 1344 -24.01 -35.84 0.00 0.462 23
450 2044 1206 -33.59 -47.07 0.00 0.533 29
500 1934 1080 -45.26 -60.38 0.00 0.609 35

TTSX 168 grain

0 2730 2780 -1.50 0.00 0 0.000 0
50 2636 2592 -0.19 -0.60 0.00 0.058 1
100 2541 2408 -0.13 -2.44 0.00 0.116 1
150 2448 2235 -1.42 -5.64 0.00 0.176 4
200 2356 2071 -4.17 -10.29 0.00 0.239 8
250 2267 1917 -8.49 -16.51 0.00 0.304 13
300 2179 1772 -14.50 -24.42 0.00 0.371 18
350 2094 1635 -22.35 -34.16 0.00 0.442 24
400 2010 1507 -32.18 -45.89 0.00 0.515 31
450 1929 1387 -44.17 -59.77 0.00 0.591 37
500 1846 1272 -59.03 -76.58 0.00

 

[txhoghunter73]

I finally received today a supply of Hornady .308 178 grain ELD-X bullets. The purpose for this testing is to show long distance performance of three different slugs. Hornady ELD-X .308 178 grain, Hornady .308 168 grain AMAX, Nosler .308 165 grain (Hunting) BTs. All were shot using IMR 4895. Only one was shot at full power @ 42.5 grains @ 2647 FPS. Other three were @ 30 grains @ 1800-2000 FPS simulating a long distance shot at 300-400 yards. This testing DID reveal a few surprises.
AMAX copper did fly apart but lead held together and penetrated into 8th. JUG. Deepest of all.
ELD-X @ full power penetrated the least @ 5 jugs. Although it did make the absolute biggest upset of the first 4 jugs. Awesome wound channel.
ELD-X @ slow power did hold together and penetrated 7 jugs.
Ballistic Tip @ slow power did give SAME results as ELD-X. This was the biggest surprise. Be aware that this particular comparison does not say that the BT will outperform the higher BC - ELD-X at 500-600 yards. But at 300-400 yards the BT is comparable to ELD-X mushroom.

I added this photo to show my particular gun shoots the best with IMR-4320 with the 168 gr. AMAX. I have not grouped the new ELD-X 178 grain with 4320. I will put these two slugs head to head in the coming weeks. If you look real close the ELD-X and AMAX look almost the same but the AMAX has a smaller plastic tip and smaller hollow point it fits in.

That doesn't look too good to me....