Hornady's low drag, expanding bullet 'delivers accuracy both at the bench and in the hunting fields.'Posted on 04/19/2021 6:09:31 AM PDT by w1n1
Hornady's low drag, expanding bullet 'delivers accuracy both at the bench and in the hunting fields.'
The rain had just subsided, though the streams were too swollen to cross. In spite of the fact that temperatures had risen significantly – the previous morning was in the low single digits – the runoff created a natural barrier between us and the mule deer buck we had just glassed on the hillside at over 1,000 yards.
So, with Plan A foiled, we regrouped and planted the seeds of what would become Plan B: glass the innumerable coulees, gullies and canyons in a frantic manner until we found a buck. Well-armed with both superior firepower and a positive mental attitude, we sallied forth, in spite of wet feet and rumbling bellies indicating the proximity to lunchtime.
My hunting partner Mike Mattly and I were discussing the finer points of magnum cartridges and domestic beer as we approached the first canyon we were to glass, when a pair of mule deer bucks – who obviously disagreed with my take on Coors Light – jumped out of their beds to find better conversation.
"On the left, he’s the one you want," Mattly curtly stated. The rifle came quickly to shoulder, but a running mule deer will bounce more than run, so the shot wasn't exactly a slam-dunk. Even through the recoil I could hear the bullet strike flesh, and Mattly’s congratulations assured the buck had gone down.
Mule deer bucks can be tough, but the 143-grain Hornady ELD-X bullet was tougher and, in spite of having almost 200 yards to slow down, worked perfectly. It was my first mule deer, and my first time in the field with the ELD-X, though it wouldn’t be the last for either one.
ELD-X IS AN acronym for the "Extremely Low Drag – eXpanding" bullet. The ELD-X is, to the eye, just another polymer-tipped boattail bullet. But once you pop the hood, there is a bit more going on, including some points that make it a great choice for the hunter. The 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition – from Black Hills Ammunition – we had on that mule deer hunt shot very well, and on the South Dakota prairie it made a great choice to deal with the definite possibility of a longer shot or a shot in a very windy condition, or worse: both.
A Little History - Hornady, which is one of America's most cherished bullet companies and has its roots in the post-World War II component bullet industry, is no stranger to bullet development. With founder Joyce Hornady pairing with Vernon Speer to use spent .22 Long Rifle cases to make bullet jackets – commodities, you see, were a rarity and handloaders didn't have a lot to choose from – the company has a long history of interesting, effective and innovative designs.
IN SPITE OF Hornady offering a wide selection of hunting bullets of all sorts of designs, from the toughest to the most frangible, they chose the traditional cup-and-core design for the ELD-X bullet, presumably to mirror the construction of the ELD Match. But where the ELD Match has only to reach the target in a consistent manner, with no care as to what happens once the steel is rung or the paper is punched, the ELD-X has the responsibility of destroying enough vital tissue to result in a clean, ethical kill. Quite possibly as much a result of the desire to attain the most advantageous BC values as.. Read the rest of Hornady ELD-X.
Suitable design for the intended range usage.
Although, IMHO, what will be more needed, as a possible solution for a future possible problem metastasizing, are full wadcutters at “Jack Ruby range:.
Hornady is a very innovative manufacturer.
My favorite of their bullets is 30 caliber 150 grain SP (Spire Point) Interlock bullet. The accuracy and the way it controls the expansion of the bullet is amazing. I load it for a number of 30 caliber rifles.
I also use their 200 grain FTX bullets for my Winchester 71 .348 rifle. (they have discontinued making that caliber, but I have a supply) Again, very accurate and effective bullet.
Their FTX bullets have an excellent reputation for improving the ballistics of the 30-30 lever rifles. I still shoot cast lead in my 30-30’s, only because I can reload them very cheaply and locally most whitetail deer are killed at fairly close range.
Hornady has been leading the charge on the 6mm and 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, bullets and reloading practices. Their reloading dies are made very accurate and adapted to precision reloading especially with their bullets.
https://www.hornady.com/6.5creedmoor#!/
I’ll stick with Nosler Ballistic tips for longer ranges and varmints, Accubond for closer in. They fly the same so my loads don’t differ.
Have you looked at the price of .30-30 ammo lately? Online it is going for $3-$7.50 per round.
I can reload it for $.25 per round using cast lead bullets. (have supply of components)
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