Bullet ??'s and Concerns

[jrebel]

I have some concerns about the terminal performance of the Hornady ELD-X so am looking at a different bullet.  I will preface this by saying the ELD-X is crazy accurate and has killed for me.....BUT....pretty sure my bullets are exploding on contact when hitting bone.  I picked this bullet for longer range shots but in in all reality the furthest I would shoot on game is 600 yards. 

Does anyone hunt with the sierra gameking bullets and what has your experience been?   My all time favorite bullet has been the partition but not sure I want to push the partition to longer ranges.  I also have had exceptional performance out of the accubonds but this rifle will not shoot them.....trust me I have tried and tried and I cannot get this rifle to group well with them (I plan on trying one more time...LOL) 

So would you push the gameking to 600 yards?  Does it retain weight and will it be a bone buster?  Accuracy, in your experience?? 

Gun is a Christiansen Arms 300 win mag.  26" barrel 1:10 twist.  Current load is sub 1/2 moa all day long pushing the 212 ELD-X. 

Thinking of trying the 200 grain gameking. 

Any thoughts?? 

[BULLBLASTER]

215 berger

[jrebel]

215 berger

I load the berger vld hunting in my .270 and they shoot well.  I am a little worried about the weight retention with bergers based on the reviews.  People either love or hate them and the hate crowd is almost 100% hate due to weight retention and dynamiting bullets.  With all respect to the berger....I have never shot game with them so I have no personal experience. 

Also have considered a monolithic bullet but my understanding is I would need to load light for caliber....maybe a 180 grain for this rifle.  I primarily use this rifle for moose and bear so I really like heavies. 

[BULLBLASTER]

Why not try some 215s and form your very own opinion on their performance instead of online reviews?
 Ive used them to kill animals from well within 100 yards to outside of 700 yards and i believe they are the best all around short range to long range 30 cal hunting bullet.

[jrebel]

Why not try some 215s and form your very own opinion on their performance instead of online reviews?
 Ive used them to kill animals from well within 100 yards to outside of 700 yards and i believe they are the best all around short range to long range 30 cal hunting bullet.

Not against trying them.  Like I said, I loaded them in my .270 and one day will have a personal opinion.  One good thing about the internet is it offers real life testimonies from people who have tried them and had positive or negative outcomes.  Take all testimonies with a grain of salt but it at least gives a person a starting point.  I loved the ELD-X and have killed two moose and a bear with them.  I have had mixed experiences which appear to match what most on the internet are saying.  I have yet to recover a bullet in a moose because the ones that hit bone explode.  The ones that don't hit bone pass through.  My takeaway is don't hit big bone with the ELD-X.  When I bear hunt I want to hit shoulder and take away the bears wheels......the ELD-X is not the bullet to have in my opinion.

[Mtnwalker]

196 Hammer hunter 

The LRX might be another good choice for you if you’re looking for less fragmentation. If your max range is around 600 then you don’t really need a high bc bullet 

[jrebel]

196 Hammer hunter 

The LRX might be another good choice for you if you’re looking for less fragmentation. If your max range is around 600 then you don’t really need a high bc bullet 

The Hammer bullet is high on the list to try.  I tried to get the 214 and 227 to shoot well and couldn't....that was due to my ignorance with monolithic bullet.  I should try the 196 or possibly the 181 to see how they shoot.  Lots of positive feedback on the hammers.  As much as I like heavies, if I go monolithic I think I will have to look at the 180-190 class bullets.   

[Jolten]

York sent one of my gamekings through a bullet trap at high velocity and I'd say it held together pretty well

300 Win Mag
- 165 Sierra Game King HPBT
- Muzzle velocity 2945 fps

Impact velocity is approximately 2745 fps with a retained weight of 102.1gr from the one bullet recovered and the second one completely fragmented after 1.5" of penetration. I'm going to test these at a lower velocity as well out of either a 30-06 or 308, curiosity just got the best of me and I wanted to see how it would do under a high velocity impact. Sorry Jolten I think they held up pretty well though considering the impact velocity.

[SHED REAPER]

I run the Berger 210 VLD out of my Christensen 300 RUM, crazy accurate and haven't had to track an animal yet.

[Mtnwalker]

196 Hammer hunter 

The LRX might be another good choice for you if you’re looking for less fragmentation. If your max range is around 600 then you don’t really need a high bc bullet 

The Hammer bullet is high on the list to try.  I tried to get the 214 and 227 to shoot well and couldn't....that was due to my ignorance with monolithic bullet.  I should try the 196 or possibly the 181 to see how they shoot.  Lots of positive feedback on the hammers.  As much as I like heavies, if I go monolithic I think I will have to look at the 180-190 class bullets.   

When I spoke to Steve he was pretty adamant that the twist rates he gives are bare minimum and not to go any slower. I would think the extra speed should more than make up for the weight at the ranges you’re talking about

[Jonathan_S]

Another vote for the 215 Berger. Golf ball hole going in and out. From 60 - 700 yards

ELD-X seemed to be sketchy hunting bullets in my experience which was limited to a few deer and a bear and a truckload of coyotes. Most hunting bullet evidence is anecdotal though and I've seen enough

[kentrek]

196 Hammer hunter 

The LRX might be another good choice for you if you’re looking for less fragmentation. If your max range is around 600 then you don’t really need a high bc bullet 

The Hammer bullet is high on the list to try.  I tried to get the 214 and 227 to shoot well and couldn't....that was due to my ignorance with monolithic bullet.  I should try the 196 or possibly the 181 to see how they shoot.  Lots of positive feedback on the hammers.  As much as I like heavies, if I go monolithic I think I will have to look at the 180-190 class bullets.   

When I spoke to Steve he was pretty adamant that the twist rates he gives are bare minimum and not to go any slower. I would think the extra speed should more than make up for the weight at the ranges you’re talking about

One thing to consider with the hammers is even tho it's a lighter bullet the volume of the bullet is still pretty much the same as the bigger lead bullets....and at the end of the day I think that could be a part of the equation in killing stuff....more volume..more displacement...more velocity...more displacement

But what the heck do i know...just food for thought

[92xj]

196 Hammer hunter 

The LRX might be another good choice for you if you’re looking for less fragmentation. If your max range is around 600 then you don’t really need a high bc bullet 

The Hammer bullet is high on the list to try.  I tried to get the 214 and 227 to shoot well and couldn't....that was due to my ignorance with monolithic bullet.  I should try the 196 or possibly the 181 to see how they shoot.  Lots of positive feedback on the hammers.  As much as I like heavies, if I go monolithic I think I will have to look at the 180-190 class bullets.   

I got great groups with the 196 and 181.  I ended up settling on the 181s @3090fps pushed by rl23.

[birddogdad]

Bergers have never done me wrong. if you truly shoot sub .5moa, 600yds should  be a chip shot and terminal performance should not be much of an issue for you. As with any shot, shot placement is key, bad hits will most always result in questioning performance of what you are running.

[jrebel]

Bergers have never done me wrong. if you truly shoot sub .5moa, 600yds should  be a chip shot and terminal performance should not be much of an issue for you. As with any shot, shot placement is key, bad hits will most always result in questioning performance of what you are running.

I 100% agree with your statement above.  I am 100% sure the ELD-X if put behind the shoulder would get the job done on a big bruin but I like shooting bear in the shoulder.  I am 100% positive the ELD-X is not the bullet for shoulder shots.

Are the Bergers gonna hold up to a shoulder hit on a bear, elk or moose sized game?  I am confident in my ability to shoot.....I just like shoulder shots on bear.  I have a 6.5 creed that shoots 140 grain accubonds and have seen the devastation of that bullet on bone....much the same as the partitions.  If I could get the accubonds to shoot well, I would without a doubt use them and have all the confidence in the world on breaking a bear down.  I have no confidence in the ELD-X on bone given my kills with it and others reviews.  I want bone crushing, weight retaining, mass.......to kill big animals.  I have never been a speed guy.

All of my rifles shoot accubonds or partitions.   Going to the ELD-X for this rifle was out of necessity of accuracy, I could not get the accubonds to shoot at all.  I guess I have some more playing around to do before fall bear. 

[huntnphool]

 I’ve never had a issue using Partitions, never needed more than a single bullet to do the job.

[jrebel]

I’ve never had a issue using Partitions, never needed more than a single bullet to do the job.

I 100% agree.  Only reason I use the accubonds in a couple rifles is for the better BC and longer range shooting.  I have three rifles that shoot non-partition bullets.  All the rest shoot the good old fashion partitions with great results. 

Anyone ever pushed a partition to 600 yards?   Maybe I should see what accuracy does with the partitions.  I have a few laying on the shelf...

[huntnphool]

I’ve never had a issue using Partitions, never needed more than a single bullet to do the job.

I 100% agree.  Only reason I use the accubonds in a couple rifles is for the better BC and longer range shooting.  I have three rifles that shoot non-partition bullets.  All the rest shoot the good old fashion partitions with great results. 

Anyone ever pushed a partition to 600 yards?   Maybe I should see what accuracy does with the partitions.  I have a few laying on the shelf...

 Long range is cool and all, but what are you hunting that you need to shoot out passed 500 yards? Just curious.

 Been hunting a long time, have more than a couple better than average critters, and have never needed to take a shot that far away.

[jrebel]

I’ve never had a issue using Partitions, never needed more than a single bullet to do the job.

I 100% agree.  Only reason I use the accubonds in a couple rifles is for the better BC and longer range shooting.  I have three rifles that shoot non-partition bullets.  All the rest shoot the good old fashion partitions with great results. 

Anyone ever pushed a partition to 600 yards?   Maybe I should see what accuracy does with the partitions.  I have a few laying on the shelf...

 Long range is cool and all, but what are you hunting that you need to shoot out passed 500 yards? Just curious.

 Been hunting a long time, have more than a couple better than average critters, and have never needed to take a shot that far away.

I have set my max range on animals as 600 yards if conditions are right.  I shoot out to 800 on the regular and have shot 1000 when available on steel.  I use to have a max range of 300 yards and even that made me very nervous.  When I got a good set up and started shooting long(er) ranges, it really simplified the 300-400 yard shots.   Now to shoot 500 is a chip shot in reasonable conditions.  I hunt a lot of open country and often have to shoot across valleys.  I will say that the majority of my shots have been 300 or less and even if I see something at 500, I will try and get closer.  In those instances where I cannot, if given the time to set up and get a good rest.....I will take the shot with 100% confidence.   

I was set up to shoot longer ranges in Idaho a couple years ago.  I ended up shooting my two deer at less than 100 yards.  First one was maybe 30 yards.      10 years ago, I would have looked down on people shooting much over 300 yards.....Now that I have the experience, optics, rifle and handloads, it really isn't rocket science.   

[Bill W]

Unless Sierra bullets have changed since I formed my opinion in the 70's they are too soft for serious hunting and shed jackets.  They are accurate but soft bullets.  We'd hunt thru game and fine cores and jackets separate.

[huntnphool]

I’ve never had a issue using Partitions, never needed more than a single bullet to do the job.

I 100% agree.  Only reason I use the accubonds in a couple rifles is for the better BC and longer range shooting.  I have three rifles that shoot non-partition bullets.  All the rest shoot the good old fashion partitions with great results. 

Anyone ever pushed a partition to 600 yards?   Maybe I should see what accuracy does with the partitions.  I have a few laying on the shelf...

 Long range is cool and all, but what are you hunting that you need to shoot out passed 500 yards? Just curious.

 Been hunting a long time, have more than a couple better than average critters, and have never needed to take a shot that far away.

I have set my max range on animals as 600 yards if conditions are right.  I shoot out to 800 on the regular and have shot 1000 when available on steel.  I use to have a max range of 300 yards and even that made me very nervous.  When I got a good set up and started shooting long(er) ranges, it really simplified the 300-400 yard shots.   Now to shoot 500 is a chip shot in reasonable conditions.  I hunt a lot of open country and often have to shoot across valleys.  I will say that the majority of my shots have been 300 or less and even if I see something at 500, I will try and get closer.  In those instances where I cannot, if given the time to set up and get a good rest.....I will take the shot with 100% confidence.   

I was set up to shoot longer ranges in Idaho a couple years ago.  I ended up shooting my two deer at less than 100 yards.  First one was maybe 30 yards.      10 years ago, I would have looked down on people shooting much over 300 yards.....Now that I have the experience, optics, rifle and handloads, it really isn't rocket science.

 Perfect!

 I’d imagine you won’t have a problem shooting Partitions then.

[jasnt]

210 vlds or cutting edge lazers.    Drt

[Caseknife]

175 LRX would check all the boxes.

[Magnum_Willys]

Not sure how they will work on game but tried some factory 215 Bergers yesterday in
 my 40 year old Vanguard 300 wm. Jump with these is .100     Paint is worn off the stock, bluing worn off half the barrel.  Trigger is super stiff,  a little pitting in muzzle end of barrel, no bedding.   No brake so it hops off the rest by 6” when you shoot unless you death grip it .

500 yards. 

[Karl Blanchard]

Anything 30 cal that I own is gonna shoot 215 bergers if they can stabilize them.

[jrebel]

After a little research, I think I may try the ELD-M before making major changes.  If the M's shoot the same as the X's then the change will be very easy.  Most are saying the M's are a better bullet for hunting anyway.  Hopefully I can whack a fall bear with the M to report back.  I will see how they shoot first.   

[Jonathan_S]

Don't the ELD-Ms have a thinner jacket through the boattail and no interlock ring?

[wooltie]

Used 180g Sierra game Kings last year at 2700 FPS.

Shot a black bear broadside, through both shoulder blades last year at 240 yards. Bullet left a clean exit hole I could push my index finger though.