nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
First of all I use the ELD-X bullet in multi rifles, I’m a fan of that bullet and Berger VLD hunters. They excel at long and medium range broadside shots. I’ve been witness to many a big game hunt come to a close with both of those bullets, they have their place.
Recently a good friend who lives in Nova Scotia went moose hunting, just got back on Saturday. It was a last minute guided hunt in eastern Canada. He asked me before his hunt what bullet I would use, I told him I’ve always used the partition on moose, a lot of these new Gucci bullets weren’t available when I hunted moose back in 96 and again in 2008. Today I would use partitions again, accubonds, Barnes, A frame and so on which is what I told him. He decided to use Hornady factory 175 grain ELD-X, I shared my thoughts that I thought it wasn’t the best choice for moose but it was his hunt and I respected his choice.
Long story short on the fourth day he got a chance at a young bull, that’s what he wanted, he wanted the meat. He shot the bull at 150, he felt like his hold was good and the guide reported an impact behind the shoulder. Bull ran off and was gone. They found a bit of blood but it dried up and they lost the trail, he’s the kind of guy that a wounded animal haunts him, he didn’t sleep well. The next day, to his relief, they found the bull again and he shot it three more times standing broadside at 150 or so yards. Bull kept taking the punishment but wasn’t dropping, fifth shot at the base of the neck got it done.
As they field dressed him they found the rib cage to be intact, none of the four bullets penetrated. They were able to find what was left of two bullets, pictured below, not much left. He was shooting a new 7PRC (175 grain @ 2967) and his shots were all in the vital zone off the shoulder bone. He was pretty discouraged… it wasn’t the rifle’s fault, wasn’t his fault. I gently reminded him I mentioned partitions, he wasn’t in the mood to hear it.
I saw this happen with a good sized elk, my cousin made a shot at 80 yards broadside, the elk flinched and stood there, second shot was at the base of the skull and it dropped, same thing, the bullet splashed on impact, didn’t penetrate the rib cage. He was shooting a 143 ELDX out of a 6.5-06 improved.
I’m not posting this to start a debate or to bash thin jacketed bullets. It’s more food for thought if you’re using them. Those bullets are amazing once you’re out there a bit and your velocities are slowing down. When those heavy constructed bullets are acting like a FMJ the ELDX and Berger will still expand and perform admirably. Just have to be aware of the close range possibilities if you’re using them. I’ll be using them both this fall helping others on hunts, they’ve been good to us in the past.
Recently a good friend who lives in Nova Scotia went moose hunting, just got back on Saturday. It was a last minute guided hunt in eastern Canada. He asked me before his hunt what bullet I would use, I told him I’ve always used the partition on moose, a lot of these new Gucci bullets weren’t available when I hunted moose back in 96 and again in 2008. Today I would use partitions again, accubonds, Barnes, A frame and so on which is what I told him. He decided to use Hornady factory 175 grain ELD-X, I shared my thoughts that I thought it wasn’t the best choice for moose but it was his hunt and I respected his choice.
Long story short on the fourth day he got a chance at a young bull, that’s what he wanted, he wanted the meat. He shot the bull at 150, he felt like his hold was good and the guide reported an impact behind the shoulder. Bull ran off and was gone. They found a bit of blood but it dried up and they lost the trail, he’s the kind of guy that a wounded animal haunts him, he didn’t sleep well. The next day, to his relief, they found the bull again and he shot it three more times standing broadside at 150 or so yards. Bull kept taking the punishment but wasn’t dropping, fifth shot at the base of the neck got it done.
As they field dressed him they found the rib cage to be intact, none of the four bullets penetrated. They were able to find what was left of two bullets, pictured below, not much left. He was shooting a new 7PRC (175 grain @ 2967) and his shots were all in the vital zone off the shoulder bone. He was pretty discouraged… it wasn’t the rifle’s fault, wasn’t his fault. I gently reminded him I mentioned partitions, he wasn’t in the mood to hear it.
I saw this happen with a good sized elk, my cousin made a shot at 80 yards broadside, the elk flinched and stood there, second shot was at the base of the skull and it dropped, same thing, the bullet splashed on impact, didn’t penetrate the rib cage. He was shooting a 143 ELDX out of a 6.5-06 improved.
I’m not posting this to start a debate or to bash thin jacketed bullets. It’s more food for thought if you’re using them. Those bullets are amazing once you’re out there a bit and your velocities are slowing down. When those heavy constructed bullets are acting like a FMJ the ELDX and Berger will still expand and perform admirably. Just have to be aware of the close range possibilities if you’re using them. I’ll be using them both this fall helping others on hunts, they’ve been good to us in the past.
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