JP100
WKR
Hi guys
There seems to be alot of on going questions about the ELD X and Ms and how they perform on game
We got a 300wsm last year and have been running the 200gn ELD X, with great results
I am not a 'long range' guy as such, and tend to get close when I can, most of shooting is under 400 yards.
The biggest issue I see with typical 'long range' projectiles is their poor performance at 'close range', mainly over expansion and poor penetration.
We have these 200grainers doing around 2725 FPS from our 21" 300wsm, so not a fast.
This is my main client gun so is used generally for 'trophy' animals, mature Red Stag,Tahr and Chamois. A Stag is half way between a Mulie and an Elk I would say, and a mature stag is a fairly tough animal. Tahr are built like Mt Goats and very thick skinned and heavily muscled on the front end, Chamois are like a small pronghorn and generally die at the sound of the shot haha.
We have shot around 30 'big game' animals and a few smaller critters(wallabies and goats) with this bullet and the terminal performance seems very reliable and consistent. Generally we find the projectile on the far side in a nice solid mushroom, some do have core separation after the projectile is removed, they are not bonded but merely have an 'interlock' ring to help hold them together.
We have had impact velocities from 2700fps(muzzle) out to around 2100-2200 at 350-370 yards. Every bullet I have seen has performed the same. Very good deep penetration.
Heres a few pics
Recovered from 10 year old Bull Tahr at 350 yards, broke one shoulder one way in and under skin on far side of gut bag(quartering shot)
Frontal shot at 220 yards on mature bull, you can see thats a fair bit of penetration and bullet is still intact, Tahr didnt move...
Exit wound on Tahr necks, broke vertebrae and left an approx .45cal sized hole
Another frontal shot bull Tahr, 25-30 yards up hill. the bullet was laying as you can see just under the back strap after smashing through the sternum.
I think the ELD X is a very good option for a more all round bullet, alot of the 'long range' bullets people have been using(Bergers,A-Max, even Sierra MK) have a reputation of 'explosive' performance at closer ranges, I personally dont like it, and much prefer a deep penetration for quartering shots, and if your given a shot at 20 yards you better take it regardless of the rifle/bullet your using.
I think the ELD X gives alot more security to longer range set ups, I know guys here that run 2 loads in long range guns to avoid the blow up effect(generally a Barnes for under 300 yards and a Berger for past 300 yards). I think the ELD X does a pretty job of being an 'all rounder'
These are relativity low impact velocities and some guys with big magnums might still have these bullets shedding their jackets with impact velocities around 3000 fps I think, but I feel they are better option for normal shooting ranges than the Bergers.
I will be running these again this season and am just working up a new load and should be able to get them doing 2850+FPS and might stretch the legs on her for practice for an upcoming Ibex hunt.
For me Penetration is key, and you should be able hit the vitals on an animal from any angle, with this bullet I am pretty confident to take any shot presented and know I will reach the vitals.
Anyone been using these and found different results? I know some people seem un happy with them, but I am not sure why
There seems to be alot of on going questions about the ELD X and Ms and how they perform on game
We got a 300wsm last year and have been running the 200gn ELD X, with great results
I am not a 'long range' guy as such, and tend to get close when I can, most of shooting is under 400 yards.
The biggest issue I see with typical 'long range' projectiles is their poor performance at 'close range', mainly over expansion and poor penetration.
We have these 200grainers doing around 2725 FPS from our 21" 300wsm, so not a fast.
This is my main client gun so is used generally for 'trophy' animals, mature Red Stag,Tahr and Chamois. A Stag is half way between a Mulie and an Elk I would say, and a mature stag is a fairly tough animal. Tahr are built like Mt Goats and very thick skinned and heavily muscled on the front end, Chamois are like a small pronghorn and generally die at the sound of the shot haha.
We have shot around 30 'big game' animals and a few smaller critters(wallabies and goats) with this bullet and the terminal performance seems very reliable and consistent. Generally we find the projectile on the far side in a nice solid mushroom, some do have core separation after the projectile is removed, they are not bonded but merely have an 'interlock' ring to help hold them together.
We have had impact velocities from 2700fps(muzzle) out to around 2100-2200 at 350-370 yards. Every bullet I have seen has performed the same. Very good deep penetration.
Heres a few pics
Recovered from 10 year old Bull Tahr at 350 yards, broke one shoulder one way in and under skin on far side of gut bag(quartering shot)
Frontal shot at 220 yards on mature bull, you can see thats a fair bit of penetration and bullet is still intact, Tahr didnt move...
Exit wound on Tahr necks, broke vertebrae and left an approx .45cal sized hole
Another frontal shot bull Tahr, 25-30 yards up hill. the bullet was laying as you can see just under the back strap after smashing through the sternum.
I think the ELD X is a very good option for a more all round bullet, alot of the 'long range' bullets people have been using(Bergers,A-Max, even Sierra MK) have a reputation of 'explosive' performance at closer ranges, I personally dont like it, and much prefer a deep penetration for quartering shots, and if your given a shot at 20 yards you better take it regardless of the rifle/bullet your using.
I think the ELD X gives alot more security to longer range set ups, I know guys here that run 2 loads in long range guns to avoid the blow up effect(generally a Barnes for under 300 yards and a Berger for past 300 yards). I think the ELD X does a pretty job of being an 'all rounder'
These are relativity low impact velocities and some guys with big magnums might still have these bullets shedding their jackets with impact velocities around 3000 fps I think, but I feel they are better option for normal shooting ranges than the Bergers.
I will be running these again this season and am just working up a new load and should be able to get them doing 2850+FPS and might stretch the legs on her for practice for an upcoming Ibex hunt.
For me Penetration is key, and you should be able hit the vitals on an animal from any angle, with this bullet I am pretty confident to take any shot presented and know I will reach the vitals.
Anyone been using these and found different results? I know some people seem un happy with them, but I am not sure why
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