Hornady ELD-X 30 Caliber .308 212 Grain Bullet: Precision Performance for Ethical Big Game Hunting

For discerning hunters and precision reloaders who demand uncompromising accuracy and reliable terminal performance across all practical hunting distances, the Hornady ELD-X 30 Caliber .308 212 Grain bullet stands as a pinnacle of modern ballistic engineering. This projectile is not merely a component; it's a meticulously crafted instrument designed to ensure ethical harvests of medium to large game, even at extended ranges where traditional hunting bullets often fall short.

Why Choose the Hornady ELD-X 212 Grain? Addressing Common Hunter Needs

Hunters frequently ask, "What is the best bullet for long-range big game hunting that still performs reliably up close?" or "How can I ensure my bullet expands consistently regardless of the shot distance?" The Hornady ELD-X 212 Grain answers these crucial questions by integrating revolutionary design elements that address the challenges of diverse hunting scenarios.

Many hunters experience frustration with bullets that either expand too rapidly at close range, causing excessive meat damage, or fail to expand adequately at long distances, leading to wounded game. The ELD-X eliminates this dilemma. Its design ensures controlled expansion, retaining vital momentum and energy whether your target is at 50 yards or 500 yards. This adaptability makes it an ideal choice for varied terrain and shot opportunities, from dense timber to open plains.

Unpacking the Advanced Technology: The ELD-X Advantage

The exceptional performance of the ELD-X is rooted in Hornady's commitment to innovation and precision manufacturing. Key technological features set this bullet apart:

The Heat Shield Tip: Ballistic Integrity Beyond Compare

One of the most groundbreaking features of the ELD-X is its patented Heat Shield tip. Traditional polymer tips, while beneficial for improving ballistic coefficients (BC), can deform due to aerodynamic heating during flight, especially at high velocities over long distances. This deformation negatively impacts the bullet's flight path and reduces its BC, leading to decreased accuracy and energy retention.

The Heat Shield tip is engineered from a proprietary polymer that is immune to the effects of aerodynamic heating. This means it maintains its perfect meplat (bullet tip) shape and dimensions from the moment it leaves the muzzle until it impacts the target. The result? The highest-in-class BC is maintained throughout its entire trajectory, ensuring flatter trajectories, less wind drift, and superior energy delivery precisely where it's needed. For hunters calculating precise shot solutions, knowing their bullet’s BC remains constant is an invaluable asset, contributing to greater confidence in critical moments.

Streamlined Secant Ogive and Optimum Boattail Design

The ELD-X boasts a streamlined secant ogive, an aerodynamic profile that minimizes drag and maximizes efficiency. This design works in conjunction with an optimum boattail, which further reduces drag by allowing air to flow more smoothly around the rear of the bullet. The combination of these two elements contributes significantly to the bullet's exceptional ballistic coefficient of .663, making it incredibly efficient at cutting through the air. This superior aerodynamics translates directly into:

• Flatter Trajectories: Less bullet drop over distance, simplifying range estimation.
• Reduced Wind Drift: Greater resistance to crosswinds, improving accuracy in challenging conditions.
• Increased Downrange Energy: More energy delivered to the target, ensuring clean, ethical kills.

Highly Concentric AMP Bullet Jackets: Unrivaled Precision

At the heart of every ELD-X bullet is the Advanced Manufacturing Process (AMP) bullet jacket. Hornady's AMP jackets are renowned for their near-perfect concentricity and uniform wall thickness. Why is this critical? Inconsistent jacket thickness can lead to imbalances in the bullet, causing it to wobble or yaw slightly in flight, which severely degrades accuracy. The AMP jacket eliminates these imperfections, ensuring every ELD-X bullet is incredibly balanced and flies true. This meticulous manufacturing process results in:

• Match-Grade Accuracy: Hunters and shooters can expect sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) groups when paired with a capable rifle and load, crucial for precise shot placement on vital organs.
• Consistent Performance: Each shot will replicate the last, building confidence in the bullet's capabilities.

InterLock Ring and Thick Shank: Controlled Expansion and High Weight Retention

Terminal performance is paramount for a hunting bullet. The ELD-X features a robust design that ensures optimal expansion and penetration. The thick shank of the jacket, combined with a Hornady-exclusive InterLock ring, mechanically locks the core and jacket together. This innovative design prevents core-jacket separation, even during high-velocity impacts or encounters with heavy bone.

The benefit to the hunter is twofold:

• Controlled Expansion: The bullet expands reliably into a large mushroom, creating a wide wound channel for rapid energy transfer and hydrostatic shock.
• High Weight Retention (50-60%): By retaining most of its original weight, the bullet maintains momentum for deep penetration, ensuring it reaches vital organs, even on large, resilient game. This combination of expansion and penetration leads to quick, humane kills.

Ideal Applications and Performance Metrics

The Hornady ELD-X 30 Caliber .308 212 Grain bullet is specifically designed for medium to large game. This includes, but is not limited to, elk, moose, large deer species (like mule deer and whitetail), bear, and other robust animals. Its ability to perform across a wide spectrum of velocities makes it suitable for various .30 caliber cartridges, including:

• .30-06 Springfield
• .300 Winchester Magnum
• .300 Weatherby Magnum
• .300 RUM (Remington Ultra Magnum)
• .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge)
• .308 Winchester (though careful consideration of twist rate and powder capacity is needed to stabilize this heavy bullet)

For shooters who engage in long-range precision hunting, understanding the bullet's specifications is key to successful reloading and shooting:

• Caliber: 30 Cal / .308
• Weight: 212 Grains
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): .663 – This is an exceptional BC for a hunting bullet, signifying its aerodynamic efficiency.
• Sectional Density: .319 – A high sectional density indicates good penetration potential.
• Bullet Type: Extremely Low Drag - eXpanding (ELD-X)
• Bullet Tip Material: Polymer (Heat Shield Tip)
• Core Material: Lead
• Jacket Material: Brass
• Bullet Coating: Copper

These specifications collectively describe a bullet engineered for maximum efficiency, accuracy, and terminal performance on game animals. The .319 sectional density combined with the controlled expansion ensures deep, straight-line penetration through tough hide and bone, while the high BC minimizes drop and drift, making those ethical long-range shots a reality.

Reloading Considerations for Optimal Performance

Reloaders will find the Hornady ELD-X 212 Grain bullet a rewarding component to work with. Due to its length and heavy-for-caliber weight, it often performs best in rifles with faster twist rates (e.g., 1:10" or faster, sometimes even 1:9" or 1:8" for optimal stabilization in some .300 magnums). Consulting a reliable reloading manual, such as the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, is essential for safe and effective load development. Pay close attention to:

• Seating Depth: Proper seating depth is crucial for accuracy and pressure.
• Powder Selection: Slower-burning powders often yield the best results with heavy bullets in magnum cartridges.
• Primer Choice: Consistent ignition is vital for accuracy.

When developing loads, focus on achieving sufficient velocity to ensure the bullet's controlled expansion properties are fully realized at your anticipated hunting ranges. While designed for broad velocity windows, optimal performance on game comes from matching the bullet's design parameters with appropriate muzzle velocity for your chosen cartridge and rifle.

The Hornady Legacy: A Foundation of Trust

Hornady has been a trusted name in ammunition and bullet manufacturing for decades, synonymous with innovation, quality, and precision. Their commitment to research and development has consistently pushed the boundaries of ballistic performance. Choosing Hornady ELD-X bullets means you're investing in a product backed by rigorous testing, advanced manufacturing processes, and a deep understanding of what hunters need to succeed in the field. This commitment to excellence ensures that when you pull the trigger, you have the utmost confidence in your ammunition's ability to perform.

Whether you're planning a challenging backcountry elk hunt, pursuing a trophy moose, or simply seeking the utmost precision for your .30 caliber rifle, the Hornady ELD-X 30 Caliber .308 212 Grain bullet provides a definitive answer to the call for reliable, accurate, and ethically performing hunting ammunition. Its blend of high ballistic coefficient, consistent expansion across all ranges, and unparalleled manufacturing precision makes it a superior choice for serious hunters and reloaders. This exceptional bullet, designed for the modern hunter, is available at DEGuns, your reliable source for premium shooting components.

Product Specifications Overview

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	ELD-X
Caliber	30 Cal
Bullet Diameter	.308
Weight	212 gr
Bullet Type	Extremely Low Drag-eXpanding
Tip Material	Polymer
Core Material	Lead
Jacket Material	Brass
Application	Medium-Large Game
Coefficient (G1)	.663
Sectional Density	.319
Cannelure	No
Rounds Per Box	100
SKU	3077
UPC	090255230772