The ELD-X is a little more expensive than the ELD-M. In 178gr. .308 it is about $3 per box (43 vs. 40). The BCs are similar. Curious why they are more expensive. Same difference for a 6.5 (although the bullet weights are a little different - 143 for the ELD-X vs. 147 for the ELD-M).
ELD-X vs ELD-M
- Thread starter MMH
- Start date
My best guess is that Hornady sells the ELD-X as a hunting round and they figure hunters will be willing to pay a few bucks extra. The ELD-X does have a thicker jacket so that might be a reason as well.
The X is intended to expand. The regular matches aren’t.
Notice the jacket thickness and the interlock ring if you zoom in.
Notice the jacket thickness and the interlock ring if you zoom in.
Yes, I knew that the X was a hunting round , designed to expand, etc. Just did not understand why it was more expensive. I guess they charge more because they can and hunters are willing to pay more. I do appreciate the construction differences details though!
For PRS shooting, there is no downside in shooting the -x is there? Other than wasting money, right?
For PRS shooting, there is no downside in shooting the -x is there? Other than wasting money, right?
The taper in the jacket requires more steps in the manufacturing process. More dies to be made to draw the tapered jacket. Add the interlocking rings again adds a step. That adds to the cost. There's more copper jacket material too, but the labor and added perception of a "hunting bullet" is what adds to the cost. Just my 2 cents worth.
With that said I sell 6.5 CM 143gr ELDX ammo all the time to my local hunters. One hunter took a huge ram, big buck, and a nice cow elk this year while hunting. I've seen a few decent bulls fall to that round too. I haven't got to hunt with ELDM's on big game yet but that's what I'll use in my 260 AI, 7-08, and 7mm RM. I've dumps a few big badgers with a 75gr ELDM in my AR. A couple of yotes fell to that combo also. I'd just keep the impacts on big game under 2600 fps and above 1800 fps with the ELDM's for the most reliable performance. I'd also stay off the front shoulder and go for the crease.
You can shoot whatever you want. If you’re just trying to show up and participate, then go for it.
If you’re trying to be competitive, then it’s not what I would use.
It’s not the most forgiving bullet to load, and the factory ammo is factory ammo.
There’s better options, and I mean that in a few different ways.
How much is taper and how much is uneven, unequal grinding? (in the photo)
My hunting rifle is a Tikka action with a Proof 22" 6.5 Creedmoor prefit, and I shoot 143 gr ELD-Xs with H4350 and Lapua in it. Velocity averages around 2715-2730 fps depending on the weather. I've shot steel out to 1000 yards with it, and it works great for that (as well as on the whitetail I took a couple weeks ago). If I was competing at the highest level of PRS, I'd probably shoot a Berger or an A-Tip, but as a hobby level shooter if I was going to shoot at a local PRS match I wouldn't hesitate to grab my stash of ELD-Xs and go.
Just google 6.5 143gr ELDX cross section and you'll get a bunch of photos. Nosler Ballistic Tips is an even greater example of drawing tapered copper jackets. https://panhandleprecision.com/hornady-143-grain-eld-x-review-hunting-performance-test/
Wow, of course believe you its just that I never had one blow up on me. But the only 6.5 ELD-X I shoot is factory ammo and I only use it for crop damage hunting. Actually, never had a 140/147 ELD-M or a Berger Hybrid blow up on me.
I generally shoot .308 during hunting season and do also shoot ELD-X...again, factory. Not had one of those blow up either.
Do you push them particularly hot?
lol...didn't actually follow the link...just googled it and looked at images. haha
Cheers
So again the added taper requires more steps to the manufacturing process. The last manufacturer I worked at even started using EDM to speed up the manufacturing of dies. Then each die has to be hand polished and tested. Then the jackets and cores need to be QC'ed at each step. It all adds to the cost of the finish product.
If you want a consistent exit on game, go with a more stout bullet with a bonded core and jacket or a monolithic of some sort.
I'll stick with the "splody bullets" that rarely exit- tracking is for archery season IMO.
But seriously, muzzle velocity for lighter to medium gr. weight bullets that have a light jacket, with too fast of a twist rate (designed for heavier weight bullets) can make them perform poorly.
I had a 143gr ELDX @ 2,960fps MV fail to open and pencil hole straight through at 350 yards on a whitetail this year. Zero copper in the carcass.
I have also seen the cores separate like you are talking about, however. 143gr ELDX @ 100yds, left (unsurprising to me) and 200gr ELDX @ 785yds, right:
They are different price because they are different bullet and different manufacturing specs and processes. One is more complex with more copper and it costs more. Nothing with trying to dupe hunters out of their money like you insinuate. They are a different product plain and simple.
precisely why I stopped shooting whitetail with 175gr SMKs
You could easily pass a grapefruit through some of the exit wounds & would still have to worry about jacket fragments
But they aren’t like insinuated in the post I quoted. That post made it sound shady and it’s not. Just different pricing for different products.
No. I am saying the reason for the difference is due to the construction and materials and not to make more from hunters. That is what was insinuated in this statement:
“I guess they charge more because they can and hunters are willing to pay more.”
And yes I think that marking something up because it is for hunters is shady but this is not that case and I am trying to clarify that to anyone reading this post.
