First Look: Hornady Bore Driver ELD-X Muzzleloader Bullet

by
posted on January 24, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Hornady Bore Driver ELD X Lead

New for 2023, Hornady announces its .50-caliber Bore Driver ELD-X bullet, taking muzzleloading rifles to new heights. Using a bullet diameter of 0.499 inches, the Bore Driver ELD-X features a large polymer tip and a polymer base of bore diameter which seals the burning gasses behind the bullet. The Bore Driver ELD-X weighs in at 340 grains, has a G1 ballistic coefficient (BC) of .315, and a sectional density (SD) of .194.

Compare these features to the FTX variant of the Bore Driver, which weighs in at 290 grains, has a BC of .135 and a SD of .166, you can see where the ELD-X version has a definite advantage in a muzzleloader capable of taking shots at longer ranges, like the Traditions NitroFire. The additional weight of the ELD-X variant makes it a better choice for larger game species like elk, moose and bear.

Hornady Bore Driver ELD-X muzzleloader bullet.

The Bore Driver ELD-X uses an internal InterLock groove to lock the jacket and core together, to slow expansion while maintaining the bullet’s integrity. The polymer base locks into the boat tail base of the bullet, eliminating the need for a sabot and reducing the force needed to load the bullet, and Hornady offers special brass ramrod tips which match the profile of the Bore Driver ELD-X, to minimize chances of damaging the projectile as you load the rifle. A concentric, drawn-copper jacket helps enhance accuracy, and this bullet has given up to 21 inches of penetration of ballistic gel under laboratory tests. Give these a try in your favorite muzzleloader. Sold in 12-count boxes.

For more information, visit hornady.com.

Latest

LEDE HNT 26
LEDE HNT 26

#SundayGunday: MDT HNT26

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re taking a look at a unique chassis system from MDT, the HNT26. Designed for hunters looking for the ultimate lightweight setup, the HNT26 is just as perfect for packing on the miles as it is for making a precision shot at last light.

Hunting Elk with the 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak

Jay Grazio takes Federal’s new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak round into the woods … for elk.

When to Sit All Day for Bucks

There are two precise times in the whitetail rut when the all-day sit is worth the time....

Why You Should Have A Bear Tag In Your Pocket

If you’re hunting deer or elk in the West this fall, consider getting a bear tag. Many states offer over-the-counter bear tags, some you can even purchase after the season has begun.

Hardware Review: Dead Air Nomad Ti OTB

Check out Frank Melloni's in-depth review on the Dead Air Nomad Ti OTB.

Shane Mahoney Receives AFWA Lifetime Achievement Award for Conservation Leadership

Shane Mahoney, president and CEO of Conservation Visions Inc., received the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies’ (AFWA) 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award at a September ceremony in Lancaster, Pa.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.