338WM and the 230eldx

[Aussie Wanderer]

I have just zero locked the scopes on a couple of rifles which means I’ve stopped playing with them for the time being and the load development and experimenting is done. It also means they are essentially field ready. The 338wm has been firing 225grain accubonds very well, but they are expensive to practice with. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with the 230eldx both in terms of reloading and how they were for hunting. Is it a good bullet?

 

[SJB358]

No usage Aussie, but I’d bet they’re quite soft which may or may not be a bad thing depending on what you’re using them on.

 

[gerry]

That's what I heard too, pretty soft but that could be exactly what you would want at long range.

 

[Slimfinn]

Ive used the 143gr 6.5's in my 260 rem for deer, they work well but need to stay off heavier bone, i did have core jacket separation when i hit one in the spine. Not sure how the larger/heavy caliber are. Load development was easy and they are very accurate, both in the 260, and daughter's 2506.

 

[Blkram]

While not having a 338 Win Mag anymore, I have not tried them, in either handloads or factory form. And I have not tried them in my 338-06.

I have found the ELD-X to be an accurate bullet in cartridges I have tried them in, but are fairly frangible.
For target practice and lighter big game, in smaller calibers, work fine...but I feel like there are better bullets for larger calibers for hunting larger big-game (moose, elk, bison), such as Partitions, AccuBonds, A-Frames, etc. where I am looking for better controlled expansion and penetration.
But this is just my opinion, based on limited experience with this bullet to date. So take it for what it's worth...just about 2 cents!

 

[JD338]

I've used the 270 gr ELDX out of the 338 RUM on a couple crop damage deer. It was indeed soft leaving first size exits through the slats.

JD338