  We explore the reach of low-background experiments made of small quantities
of heavy nuclear isotopes in probing the parameter space of inelastic dark
matter that is kinematically inaccessible to classic direct detection
experiments. Through inelastic scattering with target nuclei, dark matter can
yield a signal either via nuclear recoil or nuclear excitation. We present new
results based on this approach, using data from low-energy gamma quanta
searches in low-background experiments with Hf and Os metal samples, and
measurements with CaWO$_4$ and PbWO$_4$ crystals as scintillating bolometers.
We place novel bounds on WIMPy inelastic dark matter up to mass splittings of
about 640 keV, and provide forecasts for the reach of future experiments.
