I’ve fireformed some brass and ready to start loading some up. Looking at 150 or 162g bullets. I’ve been using ELDM and ELDX 162’s in my 280AI and very pleased. Eyeing the 150 ELDX or one of the ELDM’s or X if in 162.

Anyone have experience with the two bullet weights and have data suggestions on one over the other. Will be training out to 500 yards for now. That’s the limitation of the ranch where I will surely see some coyotes or hogs out that far.

For now, these will be for Texas game. But also wanting to load something for Elk, and wanting to make sure I have enough knock down, further down range. Elk hunt is a couple years away, But the 7-08AI will be my mountain gun for that trip I think.

I've ran 162 amax then eld m in my 7mm-08ai for several years. On texas deer and pigs it's been absolutely deadly. Running in the 2750 area in my setups.

Lighter = faster but less bc

Heavier = slower but more bc

A max range of 500 yards and you would have to run the numbers.

Ive considered having my standard 7mm08 reamed to AI to see how it runs the 175's but for the cost and time ill just be happy.

What about something like a higher end/long hunting specific bullet in the lower weight range?

Just looked online so something like a Barnes or Nosler Accubond in the 140gr or less. I've been considering this line of thinking when I found a 155gr vld shooting fantastically in tacticool 308. I've never tried any of the above but 155gr Barnes hunting bullet at 2900+ seems real interesting.

The overwhelming recommendation is going to be with the heavy high BC bullets. 162/150 are excellent options for that.

Last year I used 140 ballistic tip (The Nosler version not the Hornady version ) and they performed well with 1 deer not taking a step and the other two being within 50 yards. But while they make absolute soup out of the chest cavity I didn't get an exit on any of them and I much prefer a blood trail...so this year I'm working on a 120 ballistic tip load. Thus far, I've not found a load that shoots to my satisfaction but I've got time and after a powder change looks like it might be coming together.

140 is another consideration. I ran 139/140 in the 7-08 before I converted to an AI barrel, and it always did the trick!

I’m open to suggestions.

A lot depends on the goal for the rifle. if going long say beyond 350 or 400 yards go with the 160 class bullets of higher BC. If not then the 120 to 150s will server you fine.

162 ELD-X in 7mm-08 and 7mm-08 A.I. is like peanut butter and jelly. It just works.

Put lots of meat in the freezer with that combo, after the 162 A-Max was discontinued. The A-Max also, always did a great job for lots of shots.

I tried 150 gr ELD-X, just using them on the range. I worked up a load and shot with it. Obvious more wind drift, and they didn't seem to hit as hard, as expected on both counts.

I apologized to my 162's and vowed to never abandon them again.

I've heard the 120's are magical at killing.

Every deer I’ve shot with the 120NBT has surrendered without a fight. It’s like anything else, where you put it. I’m not going to shoot a whitetail over 300 anymore and I don’t have a fancy scope I need to dial on. Put a case full of Varget under it. Speed kills.

I ran 120 nosler for a little bit. They were pretty solid running 3200fps.

Non AI I’m going to load some 150g bonded poly tip spitzers this year. I say it that way, because I have no idea what they are, midway blems, I have 200 of them. They’re either the discontinued accubond, or Scirocco. I’m down to 400 162 Amax and since they’re not making any more I’m pulling them from hunting rotation.

I do have 154 SSTs, AND 155 SGK that fall into those weights.

I know, useless post to your question.

I would load 162 ELD-X and never second guess it if I didn’t have so many other 7mm bullets on hand.

My experience is that the eldm is an amax with a different color tip. They have preformed and shot identical in my stuff.

That’s good news, I hope to have time to shoot enough to find out.

Not sure Dee...I've seen a lot more ELD penciling than I ever saw with the amax.

BUT that might be the tips were already melted off the amax so they all opened

I load my Amax backwards so I don’t have the melty tip problem.

I've killed a lot with both and had extremely similar results.

Yup

Yall notice much or any difference in the ELDX's and ELDM's?

I've personally never ran an x. I have a friend that has but he's only shot coyotes or pigs and never looked or checked bullet performance.

I will add my experience is only pertaining to the 7mm 162 eld vs amax comparison. Only other elements I've killed with and can give positive feedback on is 75gr and 80gr eld m in 224 diameter.

So at what range does this 162 ELDX and it's high BC seem to have the advantage over a 140AB @ 2800fps?

Really? I think I found a good load for my 223 with the 75gr eld m and was totally wondering if it could be used as a hunting load too. I've never shot game with a tipped bullet intended for target shooting. Given how accurately I think I can develop this load into, it would be a huge advantage if i can reasonable hunt with it as well. Let's say easily under 200 yards.

Drift early on depending drop wise 400yds

I've used it on pigs and yotes with great luck and have friends running them on deer with solid performance. Now there's not always an exit but the ones that didn't a perfect mushroom was cut out of the opposite side.

I run the factory loaded 73gr ELDM in my 16" Noveske and it performs very well on whitetail. Like it was said above, not always an exit but the internal mess it makes does the job. At 200 yards last season I took my biggest whitetail to date and he went maybe 40 yards.