Hornady Precision Hunter: A Review of 300 Win Mag 200gr ELd-X 20 Rounds
Overview
As an avid hunter and shooter, I’ve always been on the lookout for ammunition that meets my high standards. When I came across the Hornady Precision Hunter 300 Win Mag 200gr ELd-X 20 Rounds, I was eager to put it through its paces. In this review, I’ll share my experience with this product, highlighting its pros and cons.
Unboxing and Handling
Upon unboxing the Hornady Precision Hunter, I was immediately impressed with the presentation. The packaging was neat and secure, with a clear label indicating the contents. Handling the ammunition itself, I noticed a smooth finish and even, consistent weights. The 20-round package arrived with no damage or defects.
Performance in the Field
I put the Hornady Precision Hunter through a series of tests, including both long-range and close-quarters shooting, to assess its performance. Here are my key observations:
- Accuracy: The Hornady Precision Hunter consistently delivered sub-MOA (inches-per-mile) accuracy at 100 yards, with several shots grouping tightly around 1 MOA.
- Expansion and Penetration: The ELd-X (Extreme Low-Drag eXpanding) lead core and polymer-tipped bullet design did an excellent job of expanding and fragmenting, consistently achieving impressive wound channels and reliable penetration on paper and concrete targets.
- Expansion and Fragmentation: When shooting at soft targets such as water jugs and sandbags, the resulting wound channels showed copious, irregular fragments and moderate to severe expansion, making it challenging for the targets to withstand multiple hits.
- Expansion and Fragmentation at Game-Thin Targets: At 50 yards and closer, the ELd-X shows its strength, with impressive expansion and fragmentation on game-thin targets like newspapers and thin cardboard backing.
Pros and Cons
Here’s a summary of my experience with the Hornady Precision Hunter:
Pros:
- High accuracy potential (sub-MOA at 100 yards)
- Effective expansion and penetration on paper and concrete targets
- Adaptability to various target materials (water jugs, sandbags, and game-thin targets)
- Consistent weights and performance
Wide availability and popularity among hunters and shooters
- Less expensive than some other premium hunting rounds
- Available in a range of calibers, including 300 Win Mag
Cons:
- Slightly less expansion at extreme ranges (100+ yards) when compared to some other premium hunting rounds
- Not as aggressive or extreme in its expansion at long ranges as some other premium hunting rounds
- Some shooters may find the ELd-X bullet design and weight not as effective on heavy-bodied game (e.g., elk or moose)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Hornady Precision Hunter 300 Win Mag 200gr ELd-X 20 Rounds has earned a spot in my gear arsenal. With its impressive accuracy, effective expansion, and penetration, this ammunition has proven itself reliable and deadly for a range of targets. While there are some limitations, such as slightly reduced expansion at extreme ranges, these are minor trade-offs for the overall performance and value this product delivers.
For those seeking a reliable, high-performance hunting round, I strongly recommend considering the Hornady Precision Hunter in 300 Win Mag. Its accuracy, expansion, and penetration make it an excellent choice for bringing down a variety of game species, from deer to larger animals.
Overall, this product has won me over, and I’ll continue to use and recommend it to fellow shooters and hunters.