Thread: Testing out the 168 ELD-Ms on my new build.

I was a little hesitant about using the 168 eld-match projectiles for hunting. I was a fan of SSTs but thought I’d have a go at testing some loads out for accuracy. My new rifle build loved them when I found the right load, so this weekend I went out for a look. First was a stag at 488 yards and dropped it on the spot with a high shoulder shot, no exit and no blood other than the entry point. I was impressed with its performance. My personal max distance for that 308 load I set to 500 yards. I’m getting 2575 from my 16” 1-8 proof barrel.





Next was a shot at maybe 80 yards front chest shot and again dropped on the spot. I recovered some of the projectile. It was very explosive at that range with several exit points low down. Overall, I am extremely happy with the results and can confidently say for me on reds out to my personal 500-yard limit, they do the job well.



Also, a shameless plug! Love my knives

They work really well. Have shot a few animals now with my Howa Superlights using them, first one was 14.75" and current one is 16" get 2630 from the factory Superformance Match ammunition, longest shot to date just under 500yds on a Bull Tahr and he was dead right there.

nice build rifle there.the 7/300wsm I got off you is going very good.its now a full carbon light weight rig in 6.5 prc also shooting the eldms killing real good.

Yup, go awesome in my father in-laws 308. Haven’t chronied yet but they’ll be plenty fast enough considering they work better going slower

What powder are you using?

Very impressive shooting...that's a fair old distance. What is the rifle you are using?

I have had good results with the 120gn ELD-M in my .260 Remington. I took some large red stags last summer. The furthest was 300yds and the closest was 187yds. The animals pretty much dropped on the spot. No bullets exited and I never recovered any projectiles. An awful lot of jelly in the chest cavity.

I originally loaded these projectiles for goat culling but bumped into a deer so gave then go.
I have a friend who is using these same projectiles in a 6.5 Grendel with great success.

Originally Posted by Kimber 84M

Very impressive shooting...that's a fair old distance. What is the rifle you are using?

I have had good results with the 120gn ELD-M in my .260 Remington. I took some large red stags last summer. The furthest was 300yds and the closest was 187yds. The animals pretty much dropped on the spot. No bullets exited and I never recovered any projectiles. An awful lot of jelly in the chest cavity.

I originally loaded these projectiles for goat culling but bumped into a deer so gave then go.
I have a friend who is using these same projectiles in a 6.5 Grendel with great success.

Hi mate, the rifle was built by Impact sports in Tauranga and his crew I highly recommend them if you want to get a build done, Stuart is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with, its a tikka T3X action that is coated and fluted with a proof research barrel, stock trigger as the tikka triggers a perfect for my needs, a HNT26 stock (folding) and a OCD titanium suppressor with a 2-12 vx6hd on top, it's a light weight compact 308 that has become my one gun, got rid of everything else.

Originally Posted by Lauries Hut

What powder are you using?

42.7 8208

Great to see you back on the hill mate. Good shooting. All the ELD-M and -X I've used in several calibres have been effective.

Originally Posted by Nga

Hi mate, the rifle was built by Impact sports in Tauranga and his crew I highly recommend them if you want to get a build done, Stuart is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with, its a tikka T3X action that is coated and fluted with a proof research barrel, stock trigger as the tikka triggers a perfect for my needs, a HNT26 stock (folding) and a OCD titanium suppressor with a 2-12 vx6hd on top, it's a light weight compact 308 that has become my one gun, got rid of everything else.

Looks a very impressive rig.

Originally Posted by Nga

Hi mate, the rifle was built by Impact sports in Tauranga and his crew I highly recommend them if you want to get a build done, Stuart is very knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with, its a tikka T3X action that is coated and fluted with a proof research barrel, stock trigger as the tikka triggers a perfect for my needs, a HNT26 stock (folding) and a OCD titanium suppressor with a 2-12 vx6hd on top, it's a light weight compact 308 that has become my one gun, got rid of everything else.

Any idea on weight as it sits? Cheers

no I don't? its pretty light, you do not really loose much weight with the barrel, the stock is next level, 26 once's but I also use two mags a steel 10 round for long range stuff and a flush mount 3 round for walking on the flats I can say it is an easy carry when you get used to the style of the setup.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

Great to see you back on the hill mate. Good shooting. All the ELD-M and -X I've used in several calibres have been effective.

Thanks mate, Im actually shooting from a track over to another track accessible by quad that the station owner kindly allowed me to borrow on this occasion and then only walking the flats, I unfortunately am not able to carry heavy loads out or walk the hard country I love to hunt now but still getting out is a massive win for me

Thanks for replying to my question. I am definitely going to check them out. I have never been too interested in the chassis/pistol grip thing but that is one sexy looking rifle.

Originally Posted by Kimber 84M

Thanks for replying to my question. I am definitely going to check them out. I have never been too interested in the chassis/pistol grip thing but that is one sexy looking rifle.

I never really liked them, I had one and sold it in a few months and went back to the tried and tested but when you get used to it, ( safety is a bit different due to angle of hand position when stalking ) it is actually really nice however its very expensive.