What's your favorite 178g ELDX ( .308 ) load ? and please include your barrel length and twist !
Thanks !
Thanks !
178g ELDX
- Thread starter wapiti16b
- Start date
During an OCW test recently, I found 43.0 gr. of Varget behind the 178 ELD M seated 2.82 overall - don't remember BTO gave me a single hole at 100 yds. DT 22" 1/11 twist. Also produced 2 +/- inch groups at 500 yds. I have yet to try the X but maybe gives you an idea. Might not be fast enough for some but with single digit SD's and that accuracy, I can live with it.
I have been shooting the 178ELD-X for about six months and they work great. They have proven to be very accurate 1/4 moa at 100 yards and at distance as they say if I do my part. I have shot them out over 1000 yards yard with good results.
Lapua Brass
CCI-BR2 primer
Varget 42.9 gr
C.O.A.L of 2.88
avg fps 2721
SD = 10
AI-AE, 26in barrel with 1-12 twist.
Lapua Brass
CCI-BR2 primer
Varget 42.9 gr
C.O.A.L of 2.88
avg fps 2721
SD = 10
AI-AE, 26in barrel with 1-12 twist.
Lapua Brass
43.8 gr H4895
178 ELDX at 2.87"--WS2 coated
2760 fps out of DT 22" 1:11 twist barrel.
SD: 4.5
Got an extractor swipe this weekend for the first time with this load but I was shooting in 90+ degrees in the middle of the day with suppressor. Going to back off a tenth or 2, as I have a huge node here.
43.8 gr H4895
178 ELDX at 2.87"--WS2 coated
2760 fps out of DT 22" 1:11 twist barrel.
SD: 4.5
Got an extractor swipe this weekend for the first time with this load but I was shooting in 90+ degrees in the middle of the day with suppressor. Going to back off a tenth or 2, as I have a huge node here.
Old post but,
What brass were you using? I have about 150 178 amax bullet left and guess I’m going to try these. Also what velocity? My rifle is a 5r Rem 700 as well and this will give me an idea.
MK20 I'm a 1n12 twist at 5000 feet, never tried power pro, what primer did you use? and what is your twist?
Thanks!
Thanks!
I’m new to reloading, but not completely clueless, only partly.
How much difference is there in the eld-m and eld-x. Meaning construction, performance and such???? I’m shooting Amax’s right now but want to head this direction, and see.
How much difference is there in the eld-m and eld-x. Meaning construction, performance and such???? I’m shooting Amax’s right now but want to head this direction, and see.
I tried real hard to make the 178ELDx work in my desert tech. Went through 200 rounds of load development chasing after them. I just couldn’t get them or the 168ELDm to work in the end. The only thing I didn’t try was a different powder. In my barrel they would print 1.0-1.25” 5 shot groups but not any better. Surprisingly; my barrel really likes the cheap Hornady 150gr FMJ but that is not a great performing bullet. Below is my Magnetospeed data using Lapua large primmer brass and Varget in. 28” barrel.
I had a hard time as well getting these t group. Seating them long and on the hotter side made things worse. Finally settled on a COAL of 2.805 and 43.3 gr of Varget. Not the most accurate .308 bullet on the market but a good compromise if you hunt. The SD you recorded at this powder charge may help explain my results:
Seems it was the best of all the loads you tested.
Seems it was the best of all the loads you tested.
I have actually worked up a load in my hunting rifle this season. They produced a .485 group at 200 yards with Varget powder, seated 0.013 off the lands. I cant remember the exact charge but I do have it written down in my reloading binder. I will put the actual charge that i used on here hen I get to the house later. I was very pleased with the precision of the groups but I wasn't too happy with the speeds I was getting. I was getting 2425 to 2440 fps. I do understand that the short barrel I have could be a big issue when it comes to get more speed to. I am shooting a rifle that my cousin put together, it has an 18" Criteron barrel with a Teludyne straight jacket and Teludyne muzzle break. I dont figure I will be getting great speed with that length of barrel but I am going to try as long as the accuracy doesn't drop. I was hoping I could work up a faster load. I plan to try different powders as soon as our season is over.
My ladder test with the 178ELDX
Rem 700 built by SAC
16.25" 1:10 bartlein
Magpul Pro 700
Thunder beast 338 ultra
RL15 loaded to mag length with FGMM primers
Nolser brass
MV is right at 2500 if I remember correctly, but I dont have my kestrel on hand.
I went with 41.7 and it has been great to 800
Rem 700 built by SAC
16.25" 1:10 bartlein
Magpul Pro 700
Thunder beast 338 ultra
RL15 loaded to mag length with FGMM primers
Nolser brass
MV is right at 2500 if I remember correctly, but I dont have my kestrel on hand.
I went with 41.7 and it has been great to 800
That is interesting similarities. I will have to look at the group for 43.3gr but I feel it was not great for me and the point of impact had shifted. I ended up settling on 44.0gr for the remaining bullets I still have.
Gotcha, I’m running win brass so just scratching my head on what might work. I might just shoot 175 smk’s as my range load since I’ve read several saying they mimic the 178amax load and keep what amax’s I have for hunting. Since I tried the 178 Amax on game I’ve never sent another round down the barrel. Anyone want to sale some Amax’s? Lol
Nah looks weird from that angle. He was quartering towards me and the shot went through the lungs and came out a little far back.
@wapiti16b sorry for the delay. I have been out of the loop for a while. My rifle is a 1/10 twist. The primer is a large rifle primer from Sellier and Bellot. They seem impossible to find now though for some reason. It is a shame because they are absolutely Fing awesome match grade primers for 25 bucks per thousand.
If anyone knows where to find S&B primers, please PM me.
If anyone knows where to find S&B primers, please PM me.
4064
43.7gr (43.1, 43.5, 43.7, and 44 all shot equally well)
Winchester brass
Fed 210m
2.925
1/4 moa groups at 100 yards
43.7gr (43.1, 43.5, 43.7, and 44 all shot equally well)
Winchester brass
Fed 210m
2.925
1/4 moa groups at 100 yards
what elevation are you shooting at?
Did you experience any pressure signs at 42+ ?
Thanks
69' of elevation
I pushed up to 42.3 and 42.6 if memory serves me right, but I had heavy bolt lift at 42.6 and the groups weren't heading towards another accuracy node. My buddy @Slowshot18 is running the same bullet, case and primers with 8208 and getting excellent velocity. If you are looking for juice I would look to 8208, I happened to have a ton of RL15 on hand.
