Hornady 143g ELD-X First ImpressionsB

[kyreloader]

I received my 143g ELD-X bullets awhile back, but have not had much time to load or see how they shoot. I had a few minutes today, so I measured a box of 100 for weights and base to ogive measurements (Sinclair Bullet Stand).

Regarding base to ogive measurements, I set up the stand on the first bullet to measure zero on my tool/gauge, then checked the rest of the bullets in the box. Here are the results:

0.000" - 7
0.001" - 34
0.002" - 35
0.003" - 23
0.004" - 1

Next was weights of the bullets using my Sartorius Entris which measures to 0.02g. Here are the results:

0.000" - mean-143.09g, ES-0.22g, SD-0.08
0.001" - mean-143.16g, ES-0.32g, SD-0.07
0.002" - mean-143.12g, ES-0.44g, SD-0.109
0.003" - mean-143.16g, ES-0.34g, SD-0.09

Extreme spread for the box regarding weights was 142.88-143.32g or 0.44g. There were four bullets that weighed less than 143g and four bullets that weighted over 143.28g. This was better than most bullets I have measured.

This was for my own satisfaction and academic only. I am not arguing that they will shoot well for me because of the work that I did today or am I arguing that the these measurements are needed. I had time today and was not is a position to load or go to the range today and my curiosity got the best of me.

I plan to try these bullets in a new 6.5x55 BJAI barrel that I have chambered for my Fclass action to maybe try MR matches with and also in my hunting rifle chambered with the same reamer.

Thanks for reading.

 

[cjames]

I have a Model 7 with a 21" #3 Shilen 8 twist in 6.5 Creedmoor. Here is 2 groups with H4350 and 143 ELDX with COAL 2.810". So far they have grouped nice, but I haven't taken any game with them yet. I hope they do as good on game as they have done so far on paper. Time will tell.

 

[86alaskan]

I can vouch for the 143 in the 260 as well. I've run them over h4350 and h4831sc and have gotten very similar results. I see a little better accuracy with the h4831 but better velocity with the h4350. when i say better accuracy, i mean maybe 1/3" better. They shoot great from my savage 260rem with criterion 1-8" heavy varmint barrel. they're looking pretty good so far.

 

[Luke79]

The ELDs should be great bullets for sure they have a really good bc. I'm running the 140gr hornady bthp with a BC of .580 and they hold very tight groups in my 6.5x55 I'm getting 2840 fps out of my 26" criterion with 44gr of h4350. I actually broke well into 2900 fps but my accuracy suffered some I love the ol swede it's tough to beat. I plan on running mine out to 1000yrds soon this load should get it done. But thought I'd give ya a heads up on this bullet because they do hold nice sub .25" groups and there only $27 on sale at midway right now and the ELDs seem hard to get.​

 

[wildcat284]

Running the 143gr ELD-X through a custom 6.5mm SAUM (also with a Criterion barrel, which is simply outstanding). 4 patches to clean the barrel completely and very little copper fouling.

Doing ladder testing currently, but have a couple of 0.5 MOA groups. Getting 3050fps with around 62.5 grs H1000 out of a 24 inch barrel.