Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm STW 162 gr ELD-X: The Ultimate Ammunition for Ethical Long-Range Hunting

For discerning hunters who demand unparalleled accuracy, devastating terminal performance, and consistent results across a wide range of distances, the Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm STW 162 gr Extremely Low Drag-eXpanding (ELD-X) ammunition stands as a pinnacle of modern ballistic engineering. This meticulously crafted cartridge is designed to solve the critical challenges faced by hunters in diverse environments, from dense woodlands to expansive plains where long-range shots are often necessary. It ensures ethical and humane harvests by delivering precise impacts and reliable bullet expansion, regardless of impact velocity.

What sets the Hornady Precision Hunter apart for serious sportsmen and women? It's the sophisticated combination of cutting-edge bullet design, premium components, and Hornady's legendary manufacturing precision. This ammunition is not just another box of cartridges; it's a commitment to performance, providing the confidence needed when that once-in-a-lifetime shot presents itself. Available at trusted retailers like DEGuns, this ammunition is engineered to elevate your hunting experience.

Unpacking the ELD-X Bullet Technology: The Core of Precision Hunter Performance

The heart of the Hornady Precision Hunter line is the revolutionary ELD-X (Extremely Low Drag-eXpanding) bullet. This isn't just a generic hunting bullet; it's a testament to decades of ballistic research and development. The ELD-X design incorporates several key features that contribute to its exceptional downrange capabilities and terminal performance.

The Heat Shield Tip: Aerodynamic Dominance and Reliable Expansion

One of the most innovative aspects of the ELD-X bullet is its proprietary Heat Shield tip. Unlike traditional polymer tips that can melt or deform due to the extreme heat generated by aerodynamic friction during flight, the Heat Shield tip is engineered to resist these effects. Why is this crucial?

• Maintains Ballistic Coefficient (BC): A stable, undeformed tip ensures that the bullet's ballistic coefficient remains consistently high throughout its entire trajectory. This translates to less drag, flatter trajectories, and more energy retention downrange, which is vital for long-range accuracy.
• Initiates Expansion at Low Velocities: The Heat Shield tip isn't just for aerodynamics; it's integral to the bullet's terminal performance. Upon low-velocity impacts—typically those encountered at extended ranges beyond 400 yards—the robust Heat Shield tip is designed to drive backward into the bullet's core. This action precisely initiates expansion, ensuring reliable mushrooming even when the bullet has slowed considerably. This addresses a common limitation of many hunting bullets that fail to expand consistently at lower impact velocities.

Aerodynamic Efficiency: Streamlined Secant Ogive and Optimum Boattail Design

Beyond the tip, the overall bullet shape is optimized for superior flight characteristics. The streamlined secant ogive is a sophisticated nose profile that minimizes drag, allowing the bullet to cut through the air with remarkable efficiency. Paired with an optimum boattail design, which reduces base drag, the ELD-X bullet achieves radically superior aerodynamic efficiency. This design combination contributes to:

• Flatter Trajectories: Less air resistance means the bullet drops less over distance, simplifying holdovers for hunters.
• Reduced Wind Drift: A high BC bullet is less susceptible to crosswinds, improving accuracy in challenging conditions.
• Higher Retained Velocity and Energy: More energy downrange translates to more effective and humane kills, even at extended ranges.

AMP Bullet Jackets: Unrivaled Concentricity and Consistency

The Advanced Manufacturing Process (AMP) bullet jackets are another cornerstone of the ELD-X's precision. These jackets are produced with virtually zero wall thickness variation, resulting in:

• Unmatched Concentricity: The bullet's core and jacket are perfectly aligned, ensuring exceptional balance and rotational stability in flight.
• Superior Accuracy: This consistent jacket construction is critical for extreme precision, shot after shot, providing hunters with repeatable performance.

Terminal Performance: Delivering Ethical Kills Across All Ranges

The true measure of a hunting bullet lies in its terminal performance—how it behaves upon impact with game. The Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm STW 162 gr ELD-X bullet is engineered to deliver reliable, devastating results across the entire spectrum of hunting distances, from close encounters to extreme long shots.

High Velocity Impact (0-400 Yards): Controlled Expansion and Deep Penetration

When the 162-grain ELD-X bullet impacts game at high velocities, typical of shots within approximately 0 to 400 yards, its design ensures controlled yet profound expansion. The bullet continuously expands throughout its penetration path, creating a wide wound channel for maximum tissue damage. The thick shank of the jacket and the robust InterLock ring work in concert to:

• Maintain Core and Jacket Integrity: The InterLock ring mechanically locks the core to the jacket, preventing core-jacket separation even during violent impacts. This ensures the bullet maintains its mass and drives deep.
• Consistent Weight Retention: At these higher velocities, the ELD-X is designed to retain 50-60% of its original weight. This balance of expansion and weight retention ensures the bullet penetrates deeply enough to reach vital organs, even on large, tough-skinned game. The result is a substantial internal cavity and often a rapid, humane lights-out effect.

Low Velocity Impact (400+ Yards): Initiated Expansion and High Weight Retention

The genius of the ELD-X truly shines at extended ranges, where many other hunting bullets fail to perform reliably. For impacts beyond 400 yards, where velocity has significantly decreased, the Heat Shield tip plays a vital role. As mentioned, it drives backward into the bullet to initiate expansion, ensuring that the bullet doesn't just pencil through.

• Controlled Expansion at Low Velocity: Even with reduced energy, the bullet exhibits controlled expansion, forming a large, lethal mushroom.
• High Retained Weight: At these lower velocities, the ELD-X boasts an impressive 85-90% retained weight. This high weight retention means the bullet continues to penetrate deeply, channeling its remaining energy into creating a devastating wound channel, leading to quick and ethical harvests of game.

This dual-performance capability makes the Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm STW 162 gr ELD-X an incredibly versatile choice for hunters pursuing medium-sized game, such as deer, elk, mule deer, antelope, and even some bear species, across varied terrains and distances.

The Power of 7mm STW Paired with ELD-X

The 7mm STW (Shooting Times Western) cartridge itself is a testament to high-velocity, flat-shooting performance. Originating as a wildcat cartridge based on a necked-down 8mm Remington Magnum case, it gained popularity for its impressive ballistic capabilities. When paired with the 162-grain ELD-X bullet, the 7mm STW cartridge achieves its full potential as a premier long-range hunting round.

• Muzzle Velocity: With a stated muzzle velocity of 3050 feet per second (fps), the 7mm STW propels the 162-grain ELD-X with incredible speed, contributing to a flat trajectory and less time for environmental factors like wind to affect the bullet.
• Muzzle Energy: Delivering 3346 foot-pounds (ft lbs) of muzzle energy, this cartridge provides more than enough power for effective and humane kills on medium game at extended distances. The efficient transfer of this energy into the target, thanks to the ELD-X's superior terminal performance, is what truly matters.
• Ideal Pairing: The inherently flat-shooting nature of the 7mm STW cartridge perfectly complements the high Ballistic Coefficient (BC) and consistent expansion capabilities of the ELD-X bullet. This synergy means hunters can rely on pinpoint accuracy and ethical performance, whether the shot is 100 yards or 600 yards.

Why Choose Hornady Precision Hunter for Your Next Hunt?

When considering ammunition for your next hunting expedition, especially if long-range opportunities are a possibility, the Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm STW 162 gr ELD-X offers compelling advantages:

• Unwavering Accuracy: Thanks to Hornady's AMP jackets, stringent quality control, and the inherently stable ELD-X bullet design, you can expect sub-MOA (minute of angle) accuracy from a capable rifle, building immense confidence in your shot placement.
• Ethical Hunting Performance: The bullet's ability to expand reliably and retain weight across a wide range of impact velocities ensures deep penetration and devastating wound channels, leading to quick and humane harvests. This minimizes tracking and maximizes ethical treatment of game.
• Versatility Across Ranges: Whether you're hunting in dense brush at 50 yards or across an open field at 500 yards, the ELD-X bullet is engineered to perform consistently, eliminating the need for different ammunition types for varying distances.
• Trusted Hornady Quality: Hornady has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality, innovative ammunition that hunters and shooters trust worldwide. Their commitment to precision and performance is evident in every box of Precision Hunter ammunition.
• Optimized for Magnum Cartridges: The ELD-X bullet's design is particularly well-suited for high-velocity magnum cartridges like the 7mm STW, maximizing the cartridge's downrange potential without compromising terminal effectiveness.

In summary, for hunters seeking the pinnacle of performance in their 7mm STW rifle, the Hornady Precision Hunter 162 gr ELD-X ammunition provides the ultimate solution. It combines aerodynamic superiority with groundbreaking terminal performance characteristics, ensuring ethical kills and unparalleled confidence from muzzle to target. This ammunition is a clear choice for anyone asking:

• "What is the best long-range hunting ammunition for 7mm STW?"
• "How can I ensure reliable bullet expansion at extended ranges?"
• "Which ammunition offers consistent accuracy for ethical medium game hunting?"

Discover the difference Hornady Precision Hunter can make in your success and enjoyment in the field. This premium ammunition, ideal for medium game hunting and long-range applications, is readily available at DEGuns.

Product Specifications Overview

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	Precision Hunter
Caliber	7mm STW
Bullet Type	Extremely Low Drag-eXpanding (ELD-X)
Bullet Weight	162 gr
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	10
Casing Material	Brass
Muzzle Velocity	3050 fps
Muzzle Energy	3346 ft lbs
Game Type	Medium
Application	Hunting
UPC	090255808513
SKU	107625
MPN	80851