123 gr ELD M for hunting

[GunGuy85]

Anyone have any experience using the Hornady 123 gr ELD M for hunting? Hornady doesn’t make a lower weight ELD X in 6.5. This is for a Grendel. Have read multiple places that the 123 is basically an AMAX and this is the only weight Hornady did this with. Picture for attention.


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[Wes Sage]

Most people go with the 123gr SST. We sell a ton of them every year.
Great performance, and expansion.
The ELD-M is a match bullet with a thin jacket at the front, and tends to come apart

[CritterGitter]

Anyone have any experience using the Hornady 123 gr ELD M for hunting? Hornady doesn’t make a lower weight ELD X in 6.5. This is for a Grendel. Have read multiple places that the 123 is basically an AMAX and this is the only weight Hornady did this with. Picture for attention.


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I shoot them in my 260 for coyotes. I hit one at 630 yards (my longest kill shot yet). There was no visible exit and until I skinned him, I didn't know where I'd even hit him at until I skinned him. He was bedded down and looking back at me when I shot him. The bullet hit just behind his shoulder and came out just beside his asshole. The entry didn't look bad, but his whole leg and rump was hamburger. I was surprised to find that the bullet did exit, at least there was a thumbnail sized hole in the hide, but no blood at all left the carcass. I've shot several coyotes ranging in weight from 20-50 lbs with the 123 grain ELD-M and it has killed every one that I've hit very quickly. Usually I have an exit about the size of a golf ball and lots of blood. Don't know if this helps you at all, but here's my experience with the bullet. Shoot straight and have fun bud.

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[petey308]

The ELDM is constructed exactly like an AMAX. The jackets are the same thickness and the cores are the same. The only real difference is that some ELDMs have a longer ogive to boost BCs and all the ELDMs have the new acetyl resin tip. That’s it. As far as terminal performance, they are the same bullet.

A heavier version will work better at close range/high impact velocities. When shooting frangible style bullets at close range, where impact velocity is high, you want a good amount of sectional density so that the bullet will still penetrate deep enough before the bullet begins expanding rapidly. Too light for caliber at high impact velocities with a frangible bullet will result in shallow penetration and the bullet can blow up on the surface. You either need a heavy for caliber version, or a lower muzzle velocity for close range work with frangible bullets.

Just thought I’d share a few pointers. I much prefer frangible bullets for hunting, and after gaining all the knowledge and experience I have with them now, I always have the absolute best luck using them over tough constructed bullets.


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