Looking for some real world hunting experience that folks have had with 208 Amaxes, older Berger 210 LR BT's, and the Hornady 212 grain ELD-X in a 300 WM. Hoping for a dual purpose load that would be accurate on targets way out there, and also have good expansion and penetration on Deer and Elk. Thanks.
I've hunted extensively with the 208 Amax and Berger 215 Hybrid (I know you did not ask about the 215). 208 Amax: Possibly my favorite hunting bullet. Excellent performance, large wound channels. Expands/fragments well at extended ranges even without hitting heavy bone. 215 Hybrid: Great performance but it's a tougher bullet than the Amax. Works well for shoulder shots. Past 600 yds the wound channels are not spectacular like the 208 Amax. Check out reviews by Broz (username) on longrangehunting.com on the 215 Hybrid for elk.
What are you hunting that you are limiting yourself to just these two choices? What range? What velocity?
Been using the 212gr ELD-x for a couple of years now in a 30 Nosler. One of the best hunting bullets I have ever used. Have taken elk, mule deer and black bear with them with complete penetration on every animal. Three weeks ago I took a 400+ pound black bear at about 30 yds with excellent results. Bear took about 20 steps and piled up. The 212 ELD-x is my go to for North American game when using the 30 Nosler. Highly recommend them.
I use the ELD-X in 200 grain and love it. Switched from the Berger 190 because of very inconsistent performance on deer. The ELD-X has performed excellent from 100-550 yards. Pass thru shots, good blood trails,etc, very short tracking jobs if at all. I'm very pleased with them.
