178 gr vs 200 gr eld-x for 300 wm

[opherman47]

I have several hundred rounds of the 178... And I have the option to pick up a couple hundred factory rounds of the factory 200gr ELDX for a pretty good price... How much of a difference would I see performance wise? How/when would you choose one over the other? Thx, trying to learn here.

 

[Jack's Dad]

For.308? Win mag? Prc?

 

[opherman47]

300 win mag. Sorry that was a crucial piece of information. And it's for hunting.

 

[Jack's Dad]

Go heavy. I like the 212gr

 

[Jack's Dad]

More mass/energy on target.

 

[supercorndogs]

Depends on how fast they are going. The 200ELD is pretty easy to get to 3000fps, so I would think 3200 would be easy with the 178. Either one would destroy quite a bit of meat.

 

[opherman47]

@supercorndogs So if I already have plenty of 178's... Don't bother with the 200s?

 

[supercorndogs]

Your choice. There are not many animals I would not trust the 178 a max on. They will kick a little less if that matters. How far you shooting? The speed may make more difference than BC out to 600 or so.

 

[opherman47]

Your choice. There are not many animals I would not trust the 178 a max on. They will kick a little less if that matters. How far you shooting? The speed may make more difference than BC out to 600 or so.

I will be shooting under 800m. I live in Utah but Will be hunting a variety of things with my buddies who are stationed at fort Greeley in Alaska.. and with some friends in Idaho and Oregon.

 

[supercorndogs]

Moose and grizzly are big. That said most of the kids I had from Alaska owned the regular suspects for hunting. 30/06, 270, 308, 243, 223.

If it were me personally, I would choose a heavier bullet going slower for less meat damage, but I am sure that 200ELD at 2800 would kill just fine also. The 200ELD shot really well in my 300wm at both 3000 and 2800.

 

[XLR308]

The 180 class of bullets either bonded of conventional lead core like ballistic tips shot best in my 300wm.
The 200gr accubond and 208amax were a close second but not by much.
The 200AB is great performer on heavy bone and tissue but has a long bearing surface and i didnt try and push them as hard but at 2860fps from a 24" barrel was more than adequate.
The pick is a 200AB recoverd from just under the hide on the opposite impact side after going throgh both shoulder blades and heart on a big Schimitar Oryx at 100 yards.

 

[opherman47]

The 180 class of bullets either bonded of conventional lead core like ballistic tips shot best in my 300wm.
The 200gr accubond and 208amax were a close second but not by much.
The 200AB is great performer on heavy bone and tissue but has a long bearing surface and i didnt try and push them as hard but at 2860fps from a 24" barrel was more than adequate.
The pick is a 200AB recoverd from just under the hide on the opposite impact side after going throgh both shoulder blades and heart on a big Schimitar Oryx at 100 yards.View attachment 8113255

So if I already have several hundred 178s in factory ammo should I even bother with the 200s for hunting?

 

[XLR308]

So if I already have several hundred 178s in factory ammo should I even bother with the 200s for hunting?

At the 300wm velocities the 178 AMAX is going to be explosive and cuase alot of meat damage unless making head and neck shots.
I had very good results with them at 308win velocities though.
The Wichester 180gr ballistic silver tips were really good for light thin skinned animals like Texas hill country deer for me but were pretty destructive also if a shoulder blade was the impact area.
I think @supercorndogs was spot on with the slower heavier bullet recommendation and you wouldnt be hindered in any way just not as flat shooting.
At typical hunting distances you wont be able to tell the difference just a little more recoil.

 

[opherman47]

At the 300wm velocities the 178 AMAX is going to be explosive and cuase alot of meat damage unless making head and neck shots.
I had very good results with them at 308win velocities though.
The Wichester 180gr ballistic silver tips were really good for light thin skinned animals like Texas hill country deer for me but were pretty destructive also if a shoulder blade was the impact area.
I think @supercorndogs was spot on with the slower heavier bullet recommendation and you wouldnt be hindered in any way just not as flat shooting.
At typical hunting distances you wont be able to tell the difference just a little more recoil.

So comparing factory hornady hunter eld-x the 200 is going to be slower? What kind of game is the 178 designed for?

 

[XLR308]

So comparing factory hornady hunter eld-x the 200 is going to be slower? What kind of game is the 178 designed for?

If your referring to the 178amax its a thin match jacket and not really meant to shoot game with, if its the 178eldx that would be a better coice.
Like i said the 178amax performed well for me at 308win velocities but many would still recommend agqinst it due to the thin AMP jacket.

 

[opherman47]

If your referring to the 178amax its a thin match jacket and not really meant to shoot game with, if its the 178eldx that would be a better coice.
Like i said the 178amax performed well for me at 308win velocities but many would still recommend agqinst it due to the thin AMP jacket.

Yes, per my original post I have several hundred rounds of 178 eld-x factory pro hunter rounds and the opportunity to buy a couple hundred rounds of the same but 200 ELDX at an ok but not great price $3.00 a round... Is it worth it? Or staying with what I got is fine?

 

[XLR308]

Yes, per my original post I have several hundred rounds of 178 eld-x factory pro hunter rounds and the opportunity to buy a couple hundred rounds of the same but 200 ELDX at an ok but not great price $3.00 a round... Is it worth it? Or staying with what I got is fine?

The 178eldx should be a performer but may still be a bit destructive at closer ranges around 300wm velocities.
Dont rush your shots and stay off the shoulder blade and you should be fine.
It still wouldnt be a bad idea to pick up a couple boxes of the 200's, but thats just my opinion.

 

[opherman47]

The 178eldx should be a performer but may still be a bit destructive at closer ranges around 300wm velocities.
Dont rush your shots and stay off the shoulder blade and you should be fine.
It still wouldnt be a bad idea to pick up a couple boxes of the 200's, but thats just my opinion.

How would you decide to use which one when and for which game?

 

[XLR308]

How would you decide to use which one when and for which game?

I havent personally used the 178eldx but from what i read in the past it is intended for longer range and slower impact velocities and even then it may have a tendency to spit the core out of the jacket since it is not a bonded design.
If it shoots to an accuracy level you are happy with roll with it but like i mentioned stay of the shoulder blade and go for double lung shots.