Hornady ELD-X

[BeaverScout]

Hello.


I have a unaltered M70 Classic Sporter. 30/06. This particular rifle has a factory detectable magazine.

My plans for this rifle are to rebarrel,and ditch the factory stock for a Mcmillan or Manners.


I hunt Whitetail deer, and Elk.


The shooting range here at home is 720 meters long. So no experience shooting past that distance.


The Hornady ELD-X 147 grain 6.5 bullet, and ELD-X 178 grain,or 212 grain .30 caliber bullets have my interest.

With that in mind. Should I rebarrel to the 6.5x284 Norma cartridge or stay with the 30/06...? What is the reasoning behind your choice..??


I'm not interested in any other cartridges.

 

[BeaverScout]

I would also like to ask if there are any other Slick 6.5 or .30 caliber heavys you would suggest for the two cartridges I'm interested in,the 6.5x284 or the 30/06.

 

[elkaholic]

I would also like to ask if there are any other Slick 6.5 or .30 caliber heavys you would suggest for the two cartridges I'm interested in,the 6.5x284 or the 30/06.

The 150 Matrix is a good bullet.......Rich

 

[Greyfox]

Hello.


I have a unaltered M70 Classic Sporter. 30/06. This particular rifle has a factory detectable magazine.

My plans for this rifle are to rebarrel,and ditch the factory stock for a Mcmillan or Manners.


I hunt Whitetail deer, and Elk.


The shooting range here at home is 720 meters long. So no experience shooting past that distance.


The Hornady ELD-X 147 grain 6.5 bullet, and ELD-X 178 grain,or 212 grain .30 caliber bullets have my interest.

With that in mind. Should I rebarrel to the 6.5x284 Norma cartridge or stay with the 30/06...? What is the reasoning behind your choice..??


I'm not interested in any other cartridges.

I went through the same decision process several years ago, switching to a 6.5x284 for my LR hunting. My hunting rifles for decades were 30-06, 270, and 300WM rifles which have since been dust collectors. Using the excellent VLD bullets in the 140gr range, my 6.5x284's have accounted for dozens of game along with countless coyotes taken to 1000+ yards. Accuracy and ballistic performance is excellent, solid terminal performance of 1000 foot/pounds of energy at 1000 yards. Low recoil makes spotting hits easy. Largely a reputation that originated with the F-class/competition shooters, I have found the commonly claimed barrel life issue of the 6.5x284 to be overstated and consistent with many other cartridges capable of quickly dispatching game at long range.
A recent build off a 70's vintage Remington 700 in 30-06.

 

[Canhunter35]

I recently shot a moose with a 212 eldx out of a 300wby, results were fantastic. Moose took five steps and laid down. I hit him mid way on shoulder at about 200 yds.
A buddy used the 178 eldx out of a 308, accuracy was phenomenal out of that particular gun and it worked very well on a moose.
I'm a fan of the eldx...if they ever make a heavy for my 257 wby I'll be switching to it. Lol
Oh the 147 gr is an eldm
The 143 gr is the eldx for 6.5.

I would compare the 6.5 ballistics to the 30-06 with the 212s and see if trajectory is suitable. You definitely will decrease recoil by going 6.5 but the 212 will have more down range energy.

 

[BeaverScout]

I went through the same decision process several years ago, switching to a 6.5x284 for my LR hunting. My hunting rifles for decades were 30-06, 270, and 300WM rifles which have since been dust collectors. Using the excellent VLD bullets in the 140gr range, my 6.5x284's have accounted for dozens of game along with countless coyotes taken to 1000+ yards. Accuracy and ballistic performance is excellent, solid terminal performance of 1000 foot/pounds of energy at 1000 yards. Low recoil makes spotting hits easy. Largely a reputation that originated with the F-class/competition shooters, I have found the commonly claimed barrel life issue of the 6.5x284 to be overstated and consistent with many other cartridges capable of quickly dispatching game at long range.
A recent build off a 70's vintage Remington 700 in 30-06.
View attachment 81795 View attachment 81796

Greyfox, I appreciate your reply,with such sound thinking.
You mentioned having experience with larger cartridges. Have you ever been in a hunting situation holding a 6.5x284.....and wishing you had a larger rifle cartridge?

 

[BeaverScout]

Oh the 147 gr is an eldm

First, Thank you for the correction.

 

[BeaverScout]

Second, I think I might have to eat crow. After reading some more....I think (?) the .284 winchester might be another cartridge to consider.

I do plan on using at least a 28" barrel.....

 

[Greyfox]

Greyfox, I appreciate your reply,with such sound thinking.
You mentioned having experience with larger cartridges. Have you ever been in a hunting situation holding a 6.5x284.....and wishing you had a larger rifle cartridge?

I have for most of my life been a dedicated whitetail hunter but will acquire tags for mule deer or antelope when possible. Given these species, I have not found myself wanting for a larger cartridge, having developed very high confidence with my 6.5x284's capabilities out to my self imposed max of 1000 Yards with the mature bucks, 100-200 Yards further for antelope and smaller deer. While I wouldn't have an issue shooting elk at more moderate ranges with the 6.5x284, I would probably use my 300WM were I to specifically hunt Elk or other larger game at LR.

 

[Bowfishn]

I have been using RL26 a lot for my 6.5 Creedmoor and I have run the numbers on RL26 and heavy bullets in the 30-06.
I will tell you I am liking the possibilities.
COAL 3.380"
212 ELD-X HBN Coated
24" barrel 2704 fps, 26" barrel 2748 fps, 28" barrel 2788 fps @ 58705 psi
212 ELD-X Non Coated
24" barrel 2696 fps, 26" barrel 2740 fps, 28" barrel 2779 fps @ 59823 psi

@ 2700 fps it takes 28.3 moa to get to a 1000 yards and retains 1071 ft lbs of energy.
@ 2780 fps it takes 26.4 moa to get to a 1000 yards and retains 1157 ft lbs of energy.

Yes there are better long range hunting cartridges out there but that is not bad for a cartridge over 110 years old.

 

[Canhunter35]

Second, I think I might have to eat crow. After reading some more....I think (?) the .284 winchester might be another cartridge to consider.

I do plan on using at least a 28" barrel.....

Lol, it can be hard to pick. 7mm does offer a compromise between the 6.5 and 30 cal and u get some awesome bullet choices in the 7mm