Hornady 80552 Precision Hunter 7mm WSM 162 gr Extremely Low Drag-eXpanding 20 Bx/ 10 Cs

Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm WSM 162 gr ELD-X Ammunition: The Definitive Guide for Serious Hunters

For the discerning hunter who demands uncompromised accuracy and devastating terminal performance across all ranges, the Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm WSM 162 gr Extremely Low Drag-eXpanding (ELD-X) ammunition stands as a pinnacle of modern ballistic engineering. This meticulously crafted cartridge, identified by its SKU 80552, is designed to solve the critical challenges of ethical hunting: achieving precise shot placement and ensuring rapid, humane game retrieval, whether your target is at 50 yards or beyond 500 yards.

Are you looking for the best hunting ammunition that delivers consistent results in diverse field conditions? Do you often question which bullet type provides reliable expansion at both high and low velocities? The Hornady Precision Hunter line, featuring the revolutionary ELD-X bullet, addresses these exact concerns, offering a single solution for a wide spectrum of hunting scenarios.

Understanding the Power of the ELD-X Bullet Technology

At the heart of the Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) cartridge is the innovative 162 grain ELD-X bullet. This projectile is not just another hunting bullet; it's a meticulously engineered tool built for maximum ballistic efficiency and controlled expansion.

What makes the ELD-X truly exceptional? It's the combination of several patented technologies working in harmony:

• The Heat Shield® Tip: This is arguably the most groundbreaking feature. Unlike traditional polymer tips that can melt or deform due to aerodynamic heating during flight, especially at high velocities over long distances, the Heat Shield® tip is made from a heat-resistant polymer. This patented material maintains its shape and integrity, ensuring the bullet's ballistic coefficient (BC) remains consistently high from muzzle to target. Why is this crucial for hunters? A stable BC means a flatter trajectory, less wind drift, and predictable bullet flight, translating directly to improved accuracy at extended ranges. When a shot at a trophy animal hinges on every millisecond of flight, maintaining superior aerodynamic efficiency is paramount.
• Streamlined Secant Ogive and Optimum Boattail Design: These design elements are crucial for minimizing drag and maximizing aerodynamic efficiency. The secant ogive profile is an optimized curve that reduces air resistance, while the boattail design further streamlines the bullet, contributing to its high ballistic coefficient and stability in flight. This combination allows the 162 grain ELD-X bullet to cut through the air with minimal resistance, retaining more velocity and energy downrange.
• AMP® Bullet Jackets (Advanced Manufacturing Process): Hornady's AMP jackets are produced with virtually zero variation in wall thickness. This concentricity is vital for bullet balance and uniformity, which directly translates to superior accuracy. A perfectly concentric jacket ensures the bullet spins true and flies straight, reducing wobbles or inconsistencies that can throw off a shot.
• InterLock® Ring and Thick Shank Jacket: While the Heat Shield tip ensures external ballistic excellence, the InterLock® ring and thick shank jacket are responsible for the bullet's remarkable terminal performance. The InterLock® ring mechanically locks the core and jacket together, preventing separation upon impact. The robust jacket shank provides structural integrity, ensuring that the bullet maintains sufficient mass for deep penetration, even through heavy bone.

Terminal Performance: Optimized for Every Hunting Scenario

One of the most common dilemmas for hunters is choosing a bullet that performs reliably whether the game is close or far. The Hornady ELD-X bullet resolves this by offering dual performance optimized for both high and low velocity impacts. This is where the "eXpanding" part of its name truly shines, ensuring ethical kills regardless of range.

High Velocity Impact Performance (0-400 Yards)

Within typical hunting ranges, generally considered 0 to 400 yards, the ELD-X bullet is engineered for aggressive, controlled expansion.

• Upon high-velocity impact, the Heat Shield® tip drives backward into the bullet's core, initiating rapid and wide expansion.
• The bullet continually expands throughout its penetration path, creating a devastating wound channel.
• The thick shank of the jacket, combined with the high InterLock® ring, works to keep the core and jacket together, providing impressive weight retention of 50-60%. This controlled expansion and significant retained weight ensure deep penetration and extensive tissue damage, leading to quick, humane kills on medium to large game animals. This means less tracking and more confidence in your shot.

Low Velocity Impact Performance (400+ Yards)

For those challenging long-range shots, where bullet velocity has significantly decreased, the ELD-X bullet's design truly differentiates it.

• At lower velocities (typical beyond 400 yards), the Heat Shield® tip still performs its crucial role, driving backward to initiate expansion.
• The bullet exhibits controlled expansion, forming a large, mushroom-shaped projectile.
• Critically, it achieves 85-90% retained weight. This high weight retention, even at reduced speeds, guarantees deep penetration and wide wound cavities. This characteristic is vital for reaching vital organs on larger animals at extended distances, ensuring that your long-range shot is as effective and ethical as a close-range one.

This dual-performance capability eliminates the need to choose between a bullet that performs well up close versus one that excels at distance. The Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm WSM 162 gr ELD-X offers consistent, reliable expansion across the entire spectrum of practical hunting distances.

The 7mm WSM Caliber: A Hunter's Favorite

The 7mm Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) is a potent, flat-shooting cartridge renowned for its excellent balance of power, trajectory, and manageable recoil. It's a fantastic choice for a variety of hunting applications, particularly when paired with a high-performance bullet like the ELD-X.

• Ballistic Prowess: The 7mm WSM offers impressive muzzle velocities, with the Hornady 162 gr ELD-X achieving 3000 feet per second (fps). This translates to a flat trajectory, minimizing the need for excessive holdover, especially at longer ranges.
• Energy Delivery: With a muzzle energy of 3237 ft-lbs, the 7mm WSM delivers ample knockdown power for medium to large game. This energy retention downrange, augmented by the ELD-X's high BC, ensures that the bullet arrives at the target with sufficient force for effective expansion and deep penetration.
• Versatility: The 7mm WSM is a highly versatile cartridge, suitable for a wide range of North American and international plains game. Its inherent accuracy and power make it a top contender for ethical hunting.

Applications in the Field: What Can You Hunt with Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm WSM?

The Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm WSM 162 gr ELD-X is specifically engineered for hunters targeting medium to large game. Its capabilities make it an ideal choice for:

• Deer Hunting: Whether you're pursuing Whitetail, Mule Deer, or Blacktail, the 7mm WSM with the ELD-X bullet ensures a decisive, clean kill. The bullet's ability to expand reliably at various velocities is a huge asset when deer may appear at unpredictable ranges in dense cover or open fields.
• Elk Hunting: Elk are robust animals requiring substantial energy and penetration. The 162 gr ELD-X's high retained weight and deep penetration at both high and low velocities make it an excellent choice for elk, especially considering that elk hunting often involves shots at varying and sometimes extended distances in rugged terrain.
• Pronghorn and Sheep: For animals often encountered at longer ranges in open country, the flat trajectory and wind-defying characteristics of the ELD-X bullet are invaluable.
• Black Bear and Brown Bear (Smaller Species): While not typically a "big bear" round, the 7mm WSM with the ELD-X can be effective on black bears and smaller brown bears due to its penetration capabilities and energy delivery. Always confirm local regulations and ethical considerations for larger bear species.
• African Plains Game: The 7mm WSM is a popular choice for many African plains game species like Kudu, Gemsbok, and Wildebeest, where shots can often be long and precise bullet performance is critical.

This ammunition provides the confidence needed to make that crucial shot, ensuring ethical hunting practices by maximizing the chances of a clean, humane harvest.

Why Choose Hornady Precision Hunter for Your Next Hunt?

When the success of your hunt, and more importantly, the ethical taking of an animal, relies on your equipment, choosing Hornady Precision Hunter ammunition offers distinct advantages:

• Match-Grade Accuracy: Every round is loaded to uniform specifications, ensuring consistent muzzle velocities and superior accuracy. This "match-accurate" performance means your hunting ammunition performs with the precision typically reserved for competitive shooting.
• Unrivaled Terminal Performance: The ELD-X bullet's ability to provide devastating expansion and deep penetration across a wide velocity spectrum is unmatched. You no longer need to compromise between close-range stopping power and long-range effectiveness.
• Consistency and Reliability: From the clean-burning propellants to the meticulously crafted bullets and brass casings, every component is chosen and assembled to deliver consistent shot-to-shot performance, critical for building confidence in the field.
• Trusted Brand: Hornady has a long-standing reputation for innovation and quality in the ammunition industry. Hunters worldwide trust Hornady for their most important shots.

Imagine tracking a magnificent bull elk across a vast, open basin. The shot is long, perhaps 450 yards. With Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm WSM 162 gr ELD-X, you're not wondering if your bullet will perform; you know it will. The Heat Shield® tip ensures your trajectory is true, and the ELD-X's unique design guarantees optimal expansion and penetration, delivering the critical energy needed for an ethical harvest, even at extended distances. This is the peace of mind and performance that top-tier hunters seek.

This product is available in convenient 20-round boxes, with 10 boxes per case, providing ample supply for sighting in and multiple hunting expeditions. For hunters serious about maximizing their success and upholding the highest ethical standards in the field, the Hornady Precision Hunter 7mm WSM 162 gr ELD-X is an indispensable asset. You can find this top-tier hunting ammunition and other essential gear at DEGuns, a reputable source for all your shooting sports needs.

Hornady Precision Hunter Ammunition Specifications

The Hornady 80552 Precision Hunter 7mm WSM 162 gr ELD-X ammunition is meticulously engineered to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability for hunters. The following table provides a comprehensive overview of its key specifications, allowing for clear comparison and understanding of its capabilities.