208 ELDM and 212 ELDX in 30-06 questions!

[Marv_2101]

So I attempted to work up a load in my 30-06 with a 212 eldx bullet and didn’t have great luck. I seated the bullet 20 thousands off the lands to start with like always and had powder crunch when seating bullets and pretty noticeable seater marks on the bullet. Specs as follows.

CBTO 2.613
Norma brass (new)
Cci 200 LRP
212 grain eldx
51.5 grains of h4350
Worked up to 52.5 and got slight ejector marks so called it a day. Book max is 53.3
Barrel is 26” long and was getting 2600fps

I have some 208eldms I could try but would expect similar results.

Just out of curiosity I loaded up some nosler 180 grain at the same seating depth with 54 grains of h4350 and it shot a .2” group with a muzzle velocity of 2750 no seater marks and no powder crunch when seating. I understand the 212 eldx is a long bullet but how in the world are people getting 2800 fps out of it or the 208 ELDMS (I haven’t tried these yet).

 

[Kickin45]

Try Lapua brass.
I’ve seen 308 w/215 Bergers get 2750 with no pressure signs.

 

[Marv_2101]

What powder? I’m going to try the 208 ELDMS in the morning and see what happens. I thought Norma brass was pretty solid from the research I’ve done.

 

[Gtscotty]

Hodgdon shows 52.4gr of H4350 as max for the 208gr ELDm, so it sounds about right being maxed out around there with the 212gr. I'd go for a slower powder to get more velocity with the heavies, in particular Staball 6.5. Book max shows 54.2gr as max, at a velocity 160fps higher than the H4350 book max velocity.

I use Staball 6.5 under 190gr ABLRs in my 18.5" .30-06 for right around 2,600 fps, it also does really well in similar cartridges like 300 WSM and .280 AI.