7mm 162 ELD-X in 7mm-08

[Newtosavage]

So far in my Tikka, this is looking like a pretty good long range solution.

I've tried it over RL-17, H4350, IMR4350 and H4895. Best groups have been with a moderate charge of RL-17 (2610 fps) and a stiff charge of H4350 (2675 fps), both giving me 0.60" at 100 yards.

If you believe the listed BC on this bullet, 2675 MV will still have over 2K fps at 500 yards, delivering nearly 1500 ft. lbs. of energy.

That's pretty darn impressive from a 7mm-08.

 

[Newtosavage]

This from an early morning session today - 19 degrees on the range!

I knew 43.5 grains of RL-17 and 46 grains of H4350 were going to be pretty good, but I did not expect that group from 47 grains of H4350. I am very pleasantly surprised.

These 162 ELD-X have 1:9.5" twist recommended on the box, which is what my Tikka barrel has. If you have that twist, you may want to give these a try.

 

[LoonWulf]

looks good. That H4350 looks like a keeper.
Those new 162s offer a slightly higher BC than the Amax i used to shoot in my 7mag exclusively. They should be excellent at that velocity.

 

[old heeler]

What the bullet drop @ 500yds

 

[Newtosavage]

heeler,

According to the Hornady ballistics calculator, the drop at 500 yards is 54" if you zero at 100, and 44" zeroed at 200 yards.

I will zero this load at 200 and it should match my LR reticle pretty well out to 500.

 

[Newtosavage]

looks good. That H4350 looks like a keeper.
Those new 162s offer a slightly higher BC than the Amax i used to shoot in my 7mag exclusively. They should be excellent at that velocity.

If you overlaid the six shots with 47 grains of H4350 on top of one another, you would have a 0.75" group fired over two sessions, three days apart, in temps ranging from 62 to 19 degrees. That is the kind of consistency I'm looking for. Really tough to beat from a sub-7 lb. rifle.

The ELD-X are a long, skinny bullet alright. I went with the 162's for the added sectional density. I figure at 7mm-08 speeds, this bullet should hold up well at close range, but still expand well at 400 and 500 yards.

The accuracy is certainly not in question. That much I do know.

 

[LoonWulf]

Well if its any tougher than an Amax id say your fine. I drove those at 3050 from my 7mag, and had no issues.

 

[Newtosavage]

Well if its any tougher than an Amax id say your fine. I drove those at 3050 from my 7mag, and had no issues.

It's supposed to be tougher, but at the lower velocities I'm not sure I want a really hard bullet anyway.

 

[jmr40]

The ELD-X bullets are gaining a reputation for being very similar to old school cup and core bullets as far as expansion and penetration is concerned. Pretty much right down the middle, not too soft, but not a hard bullet either. I wouldn't want to shoot them in light for caliber bullet weights at very high velocity, unless I intended them only for long range use. But they only make them in heavy for caliber bullet weights so that shouldn't be a problem.

I've not taken any game with them, but load 143's in my 6.5 Creed, 178's in my 308 and 30-06. I have a few 200 gr bullets that I loaded in a 300 WSM that I no longer own; all with excellent results. Experimented a little with the 200's in 308 and 30-06, but haven't found a load I like with either yet.

I'm seeing excellent reports from other hunters however on game up to elk and at some pretty extreme ranges. Even with the 6.5 Creed. I'm betting the 162 works great for you in 7-08.