Hornady black ELD match for deer hunting?

[ErikS]

I have ton loaded up. It shoots well out of my 16 and my son's 20. So what says the 6.5G horde? Should we use them on deer inside of 120yards?

[JASmith]

There only two reasons to limit the range:

1) One’s confidence in hitting the vital zone under current wind, light, and physical status. (are you worn out or fresh?)

and:

2) The maximun range for reliable expansion of the bullet. That was rather far out for the AMAX. The sub question is “What is the minimum velocity for reliable expansion?”

[imaguy3]

2) The maximun range for reliable expansion of the bullet. That was rather far out for the AMAX. The sub question is “What is the minimum velocity for reliable expansion?”

To which if you ask Hornady now about their ELD match bullet... they will reply "this bullet is designed for target shooting and not reliable expansion"... and they won't give you a velocity. Here in lies the problem b/c we have to rely on anecdotal evidence from the internet.

[JASmith]

To which if you ask Hornady now about their ELD match bullet... they will reply "this bullet is designed for target shooting and not reliable expansion"... and they won't give you a velocity. Here in lies the problem b/c we have to rely on anecdotal evidence from the internet.

I tested the AMAX in water a few years back. The bullet expands nicely even below 1600 fps but I would suggest 1600 as the threshold.

The ELD match is very likely similar but, until I or someone else gets the time to do tests with the ELD match, we indeed have to rely on anecdotal evidence.

BTW threshold expansion velocities in water should be a few tens of fps higher than in ballistic gelatin. That is because it is lower in density and has even less strength than gelatin.

[Popeye212]

Local LGS said they work well at least on a high shoulder shot on a 200lb pig....

[A5BLASTER]

Local LGS said they work well at least on a high shoulder shot on a 200lb pig....

Yea bit not all LGS or created equal. Go into one where I live and tell them you need a rifle for deer and they will hand you a 300 win mag and 200 grain ammo.

[Popeye212]

Yea bit not all LGS or created equal. Go into one where I live and tell them you need a rifle for deer and they will hand you a 300 win mag and 200 grain ammo.

This one showed me the pic

[Mudder500]

I shot a deer with mine. Dropped it in tracks

[ScoutH57]

I'll add my 2 cents worth of anecdotel evidence.

I've shot quite a few hogs from 50 to 300 yards with 123 Amaxes from an 18 inch barre and they all died quickly most within a few yards if not drt. Various weight and size pigs I remember a couple of pretty large boars too.

I called and asked once about the ELD-Ms vs Amax and was told they were the same besides the plastic.

[Frontier Gear]

Just killed a 125 pound bear with the 123 ELD-M at 265 yards. One shot was all that was needed.

[Nodak]

They work good. Took two last year and both dropped where they stood.