Thread: .284 ELD-X Close Range Blow Up

Keen to hear some thoughts on this situation. Built a new .284 using a tikka running standard 22 inch barrel length. Running 150gn ELD-X MV of 2,930 got it shooting sub .4 moa groups. Built this to be my one gun for everything and typically I am shooting most of my game +200 yards down here in the south island, but on occasions will be close range, like a few weekends ago where I shot a large bodied red hind at 50 yards middle of the shoulder. The round exploded under the near side skin with obvious over expansion. Did not touch any of the vitals required follow up neck shot. I have successfully used ELD-X close range before in another .284 18 inch barrel but only doing around 2,750 no problem. Has anyone struck similar issues. According to chat GPT I am shooting the ELD-X above its optimal expansion range for close up shots.

I really don't want to have to develop 2 loads so any thoughts would be appreciated. I might dial the speed back to 2,850 which will still give me good velocity/terminal performance at 600 yards my maximum range.

Cheers Team.