195gr 30cal eldm for 300 blackout

[Zezeroni]

Hey all I’m pretty new to reloading and picked up some 195gr eldms for 300 blackout. Hornady doesn’t have anything for this load and I’m debating if I can even load it for 300 blackout. Any help would be greatly appreciated for this round. I also have some 180gr Barnes tsx bt I was thinking of trying but also again don’t wanna mess up my barrel/gun and reloading something not safe.

 

[NighthawkCG]

Yes, it can be done. 300 BO is a very versatile round. You won't get much more help unless you post some more info such as desired use, rifle data, speeds desired, etc.

 

[FCS]

What he said. ^^^^^^^^

Bolt action or gas gun?
Super or sub?
What powders do you have currently?

 

[Zezeroni]

Yes, it can be done. 300 BO is a very versatile round. You won't get much more help unless you post some more info such as desired use, rifle data, speeds desired, etc.

Ok so i have a 9.5in barrel on my ar speeds desired doesn't really matter to me just ammo id like to use to be able to shoot it for smaller hunting and plinking and this is what ive got I also have 30cal 165gr sst's which i can understand those fine.

What he said. ^^^^^^^^

Bolt action or gas gun?
Super or sub?

gas and im open to sub or super like i said im new to reloading in general and only have a slight grasp on reloading my 6mm creedmoor so far so not much knowledge on my 300 blackout

 

[FCS]

Ok so i have a 9.5in barrel on my ar speeds desired doesn't really matter to me just ammo id like to use to be able to shoot it for smaller hunting and plinking and this is what ive got I also have 30cal 165gr sst's which i can understand those fine.

gas and im open to sub or super like i said im new to reloading in general and only have a slight grasp on reloading my 6mm creedmoor so far so not much knowledge on my 300 blackout

9.5” bbl, AR - decent start on needed information.
What powders, if any, do you currently have on hand?

 

[Zezeroni]

9.5” bbl, AR - decent start on needed information.
What powders, if any, do you currently have on hand?

I am using lil gun and i have cci br-4 primers

 

[FCS]

I am using lil gun and i have cci br-4 primers

That’ll work for supersonics, doubt it’ll cycle subsonic load.

 

[Zezeroni]

That’ll work for supersonics, doubt it’ll cycle subsonic load.

I have access to other powders such as h4350 h4895 and win 231 im not too butt hurt if it wont do subs but whats a recommended setup for subs or at least best to try for supers for the 195gr eldms or the 180gr tsxbt

 

[NighthawkCG]

1) Check out 300blktalk.com - a lot of knowledge over there. A relatively quick search can get you in the ballpark with similar weight bullets (194 gr) and powders you are considering (lil gun). Take care not to decrease your case capacity if using different bullets. You need to compare COAL and both bullets OAL and ensure the bullet is not set deeper in the case. COAL = Case length + Bullet length - seating depth.

2) If you can't find specifics, you may want to consider looking into something like quick load. It may or may not be spot on depending on your attention to detail, but will likely be able to give you a general idea on if loads you want to try are safe, their ballpark velocity, and the port pressure (to cycle action). QL gets a wonky at the lower speeds but should at least give you a decent check to see if you are risking blowing your face off.

Lil gun has been used in subs and supers. 195 gr is kind of in the middle between the subs and supers, but you may be able to make it work. If is supersonic, it probably won't be all that fast. Other options you may want to look into more ar A1680 (the unicorn of the last shortage), which may be dirty, but can run a wide variety of bullet weights in semis.

Do a lot of research and work the loads up or down carefully.

 

[culater]

What's your twist rate? Hopefully is a 1-7.

 

[Zezeroni]

What's your twist rate? Hopefully is a 1-7.

Yes it is a 1-7

 

[db2000]

Different powder but similar. 190+ is too much for super. 165 would work. 125 or so is optimal.
Seekins 8.5” suppressed adjustable gas block

68F 60% 29.75mmHg
Nosler 190 HPBT
A1680
Fed 205M
COL 2.158
COAL 2.250
Magnetospeed V3
12.3 1310, (opened gas block all the way) 1092, 1103 fps
12.4 1081, 1094, 1093, 1111, 1094 fps
12.5 1105, 1096, 1095, 1076, 1168 fps
12.6 1139, 1139, 1107, 1104 fps

12.4 gr seemed to be perfect for subsonic
approximately 1050 fps

 

[db2000]

Also, the 195 ELDM may be too long for the mag once loaded. That’s my suspicion. I loaded 178 ELDM and they barely fit

 

[FCS]

Different powder but similar. 190+ is too much for super. 165 would work. 125 or so is optimal.
Seekins 8.5” suppressed adjustable gas block

68F 60% 29.75mmHg
Nosler 190 HPBT
A1680
Fed 205M
COL 2.158
COAL 2.250
Magnetospeed V3
12.3 1310, (opened gas block all the way) 1092, 1103 fps
12.4 1081, 1094, 1093, 1111, 1094 fps
12.5 1105, 1096, 1095, 1076, 1168 fps
12.6 1139, 1139, 1107, 1104 fps

12.4 gr seemed to be perfect for subsonic
approximately 1050 fps

Also, the 195 ELDM may be too long for the mag once loaded. That’s my suspicion. I loaded 178 ELDM and they barely fit

Wow!
There is a whole lotta wrong in those two messages.
12.4 is much closer to 1100 than 1050 and most probably has a sonic crack on greater than 50% of the rounds.

178 works just fine as a supersonic bullet and 195 work fine as subsonic bullets.

 

[db2000]

Wow!
There is a whole lotta wrong in those two messages.
12.4 is much closer to 1100 than 1050 and most probably has a sonic crack on greater than 50% of the rounds.

178 works just fine as a supersonic bullet and 195 work fine as subsonic bullets.

12.4 is what I get consistently at 1050ish. Rare crack but it works in my gun. Haven’t tried 178 super and it did fit in the mag looking back but crunch the tip in as I don’t think I used then proper seating stem. That was just my thoughts. Easily fixed I suppose. 195 is compared to my 190’s. Hornady 190 Sub-X no cracks. Thanks for your opinion. These are verified for past 8 years or more at the range with Caldwell and then later Magnetospeed chronos. I have a shit load of data recorded so thanks for playing.

 

[db2000]

Hornady 190 Sub-X
AA1680
Fed 205M
COL 1.345
COAL 2.140
BTO 1.625
12.4 gr M25 1094, 1083, 1064, 1057, 1063
12.5 gr M26 1119, 1115, 1096, 1106, 1086 SD 13.5
12.6 gr M27 1106, 1116, 1132, 1107


Hornady 225 ELDM
AA 1680 10.9 and 11.6 gr
Fed 205M
COL 2.158
COAL 2.340
1063, 1060, 1062 and 1117, 1123, 1111 respectively

 

[FCS]

I see math isn’t your strong suit.

I also see zero reason to till an infertile field.

Thanks for playing.

 

[culater]

Also, the 195 ELDM may be too long for the mag once loaded. That’s my suspicion. I loaded 178 ELDM and they barely fit

I've used it 225 ELD with no issues in my AR platform

 

[db2000]

I've used it 225 ELD with no issues in my AR platform

No problem in mag. I never tested the 178’s though looking back. Just 208 and 225 AMAX and ELDM subsonic.
Here’s a couple bags of what was left over. No need to justify, just sharing some data for someone looking for starting points.

 

[FCS]

Lil’ Gun w/195s, highest probability is a subsonic load will not cycle AR unless suppressor is attached.

Running suppressed? If no suppressor, just run the 195s supersonic.

178s run about 1700-1750, depending on bbl.
195s will be 1500ish, depending on your barrel.
Lil’ Gun w/195s, depending on brass used, how deep you need to seat bullet to work with magazines used, etc is going to be upper 12 to mid 13 gr charge weight.
I’ve used Lil’ Gun w/208 Amax, getting 1300 (+/-) fps from 11.5” bbl.

Start 10.5-11 gr and work up w/195s & Lil’ Gun.
Pressure changes quicker in 300 BO than larger case capacity cartridges: smaller initial combustion chamber and faster burn rate powders. I’d recommend using one brand of brass to help limit variables until you can vet load in different brands of brass.

1680 data is useless until you actually have some in hand.

 

[Zezeroni]

Lil’ Gun w/195s, highest probability is a subsonic load will not cycle AR unless suppressor is attached.

Running suppressed? If no suppressor, just run the 195s supersonic.

178s run about 1700-1750, depending on bbl.
195s will be 1500ish, depending on your barrel.
Lil’ Gun w/195s, depending on brass used, how deep you need to seat bullet to work with magazines used, etc is going to be upper 12 to mid 13 gr charge weight.
I’ve used Lil’ Gun w/208 Amax, getting 1300 (+/-) fps from 11.5” bbl.

Start 10.5-11 gr and work up w/195s & Lil’ Gun.
Pressure changes quicker in 300 BO than larger case capacity cartridges: smaller initial combustion chamber and faster burn rate powders. I’d recommend using one brand of brass to help limit variables until you can vet load in different brands of brass.

1680 data is useless until you actually have some in hand.

I will more than likely be picking up some 1680 tomorrow as I know a local reloading store with lots of powders in stock and I'm sure they have some but thank you to everyone for the help this is incredible love this community since I just started my reloading journey

 

[db2000]

I will more than likely be picking up some 1680 tomorrow as I know a local reloading store with lots of powders in stock and I'm sure they have some but thank you to everyone for the help this is incredible love this community since I just started my reloading journey

I like it because it shoots super and subs both well out of my gun with the 8.5” barrel.

 

[FCS]

I will more than likely be picking up some 1680 tomorrow as I know a local reloading store with lots of powders in stock and I'm sure they have some but thank you to everyone for the help this is incredible love this community since I just started my reloading journey

Score any 1680?
If no 1680, able to get any alternate powder for the 300 BO?

 

[Zezeroni]

Score any 1680?
If no 1680, able to get any alternate powder for the 300 BO?

I did score 1 pound of 1680 and today I ordered 8 more pounds of it since they only had 8 pounders in precision reloading