308 ELD-M Load Help

[Brux]

Does anybody want to share there 178ELD load? I have been working with some SMK's in 168 and 175 and have gotten decent results but not what I'm looking for. The barrel seems to be shooting a little fast. I shot 44 thru 44.6 grains of varget with a 168 SMK today and got good results but the chrono was at around 2830 FPS. No sticky bolt or ejector marks but the primers were a little to flat for me. So I had some Hornady precision hunter factory ammo with me with the 178 gr eld and I shot 2 groups with it and the rifle shot 1 ragged hole with each group. I have some 178's on my bench and thought I would give them a chance. The factory ammo say's 2600 FPS on the box but thru my gun they shot 2718

 

[JMGlasgow]

Interested as well. I shoot the 168 eld-m currently and would like to try the 178's.

 

[skyrep]

Try RL-15 - you will be surprised.

 

[padom]

IMR4064 try 41.2-42.2 gr

Was my go to, one ragged hole

 

[Juggerxxx]

Here is my Magnetospeed data with the 178gr ELDx, Varget, Lapua Brass and a 28” barrel. They were loaded with a long COAL.

 

[XLR308]

My go to load
308 Lapua Palma brass
CCI 450
40.7 grains AR-COMP
2.885 COAL at 2650fps
Mild and very accurate load in my rifle and can neck size with Lee collet die several times before resistance on bolt after firing.

 

[JMGlasgow]

I use 41.4gr AR Comp with the 168's. Fast and accurate. Though I'm considering switching to H4895 because I can get over 2800fps with that powder.

 

[AIAW6.5]

178 ELDM , RL15-43.7 , BTO- 2.230 , Lapua brass , MV-2753.

 

[Sierra770]

178 ELDM , RL15-43.7 , BTO- 2.230 , Lapua brass , MV-2753.

Barrel length?

 

[Brux]

I pulled one of the factory loads today. It had 42.5 gr's of powder and I would swear it was varget,but can't confirm that. I put there powder beside varget to compare.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Varget and H4895 are very similar in appearance. So is Benchmark.

 

[Brux]

Interested as well. I shoot the 168 eld-m currently and would like to try the 178's.

What loads are you using with the 168's?

 

[JMGlasgow]

Currently I'm using 41.4 of AR Comp in a Federal case and WLR primer seated to 2.82". Getting just under 2800fps in my factory Rem700 with a 24" barrel and 1-12 twist.

I'm experimenting with H4895 and found a flat spot in velocity at 42.3-42.6. Same case, primer, and overall length.

 

[AIAW6.5]

Barrel length?

26in. 12 twist

 

[just browsing]

CZ 557 Varmint, 26” heavy barrel
Federal Brass
Federal 210M
Hornady 178gr ELD-M
44.7gr Varget

AV: 2,760 FPS
SD: 3.7
ES: 8

NOTE: There is some very slight cratering on the primers with this load but they’re not overly flat. Bolt lift is normal.

I’ve seen some other guys using 44-45 gr of Varget with these 178s and I think where you run into pressure is largely dependent on which brass you’re using. 45.0 is just starting to compress powder with Federal cases loaded to mag length, but I’ve heard of some other guys being compressed with 1-2gr less powder depending on the brass they were using.

As always, start low and work up.

 

[Darkside-Six]

My load on my old barrel was 43.3 Varget in a 24” barrel with the 178 eldm

Just put a new proof carbon fiber barrel on and am in the early stage of load development but so far it looks like it will be very similar. Somewhere between 43-43.4 grains

I’ve heard a lot of shooters say the right around 43 grains of varget behind these 178’s is the sweet spot and my data was pretty similar. So I would look in that area.

 

[memilanuk]

My load on my old barrel was 43.3 Varget in a 24” barrel with the 178 eldm

Just put a new proof carbon fiber barrel on and am in the early stage of load development but so far it looks like it will be very similar. Somewhere between 43-43.4 grains

What sort of velocities are you seeing at those charge weights?

 

[Darkside-Six]

What sort of velocities are you seeing at those charge weights?

Sorry, forgot to put that. It was 2740ish low single digit SD and ES of about 12-13

 

[MK20]

I have been using 47.7 grains of Power Pro 2000 in a LC LR case with a S&B primer with the 178 bullets (ELD-M, ELD-X, and the HPBT are all the same bullet for reloading purposes) This has shot a 1.5 inch 5 round group at 700 yards for me, so the gun/load is capable, even if I am usually not.

this runs at 2650 out of my factory 20" RPR

 

[MK20]

BTW, for training rounds midsouth shooters supply has 1600 piece boxes of the 178 HPBT bullets for a really good price and they are all the same lot that way. They are very accurate bullets and I would venture to say that they don't give up much to the ELD M

 

[TSpork]

BTW, for training rounds midsouth shooters supply has 1600 piece boxes of the 178 HPBT bullets for a really good price and they are all the same lot that way. They are very accurate bullets and I would venture to say that they don't give up much to the ELD M

Right now the 100 pack of the ELD-Ms are also on sale for only 2 cents more per bullet than the 1600 pack of the HPBT.

 

[L8N137]

Can anyone shed some light on the 168 ELD-M's with varget? im running a R700 SPS varmint with 24" 1:12. so far, my best group at 100yds is 0.79moa with 35.4grains. don't have a chrono, but using hornady's app, im hitting approx. 2100-2150fps. I know I need to get up in the 40's, but all i've tried didn't group good at all.

 

[Brux]

Can anyone shed some light on the 168 ELD-M's with varget? im running a R700 SPS varmint with 24" 1:12. so far, my best group at 100yds is 0.79moa with 35.4grains. don't have a chrono, but using hornady's app, im hitting approx. 2100-2150fps. I know I need to get up in the 40's, but all i've tried didn't group good at all.

I would say your way under charged.

 

[L8N137]

I would say your way under charged.

I loaded up more and confirmed that tonight....had .55moa with 42.8gr Varget and .61moa with 43.0gr of Varget.

 

[Ol' RD]

47.5grs of 2000-MR gives me right at 2800fps out of a 24” Shilen #10 barrel

 

[Brux]

So I shot 42 thru 43.2 in .4GR increments today with varget and no good results at all. I did not have a chance to set up chrono.

 

[Billl223]

Shooting a 20" Remington LTR and doing a ladder test, ended up with 43.6 Varget going 2539 fps.

 

[MK20]

That is pretty slow. No offense, but for the OP I would recommend a faster load.

 

[Batemanb12]

In my AX308 with a 20. I have finally settled on RL-15 (44.0 to 45.5) with the 168 ELD-M, lapua, 210m,
OAL 2.242 with V=2751, ES 13 and SD 6
5 shot groups .443

Same load with the 178 ELD-M
2720
OAL 2.230
ES 11
SD 8.3
5 shot groups .625

 

[wapiti16b]

Batemab12, what is your twist rate and is your oal coal or cbto?, 2.242 seems short for coal! also what ambient temperatures have you shot at with these results.
Thanks!

 

[Batemanb12]

It is a Bartlein 5R 1 - 10
Temp from 40 to 70 dg so far.
I have tried a number of different powders (Varget, N540, 2000MR, 4064, R15)
Good groups with most of the powders but with R15 I get the best combination of velocity, low ES and SD with 1/2 minute groups.

 

[Brux]

I will work my loads up in charge from what I shot and try to chrono.

 

[wapiti16b]

Very interesting, those temps are within my use parameters and I will be giving R15 a try!
I'm currently using IMR 8208XBR and the accuracy is great but the velocity with 168s only yields 2680 fps at my altitude regardless of temperature 10 degrees to 95 degrees tested so far!
FN SPR 1n12 20" chrome lined barrel.
Thanks!

 

[kholland]

im using 43g of RL15 with the 178 ELD-M's. Federal 210 primers loaded to 2.800. didn't get a chance to chrono. Rifle is a 17.5" Remington 700

 

[Tomcat207]

It is a Bartlein 5R 1 - 10
Temp from 40 to 70 dg so far.
I have tried a number of different powders (Varget, N540, 2000MR, 4064, R15)
Good groups with most of the powders but with R15 I get the best combination of velocity, low ES and SD with 1/2 minute groups.
View attachment 7075988

I use n540 43.5 grains COL 2.803 out of a 22“ shilon barrel, v0 2673ft/sec Groups 0.51“ on 100 meter and 2.36“ on 300 meter. When I go up with speed group opens more with 168 ELD

 

[6MT]

Here's a load I developed for a shorter (24") barrel.

Caliber: .308win
Rifle brand: PGWdti
Rifle Model: Coyote
Barrel length and twist: 24" 1:10" Krieger
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady 178gr ELD-M
Powder brand and weight: Varget 43.0gr
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: No
Primers: CCI BR-2
Coal: N/A (too long to mag feed)
Ogive length (CBTO): 2.245"
Brass: Lapua
Brass trim length: 2.005"
Ogive distance to lands: .010"
Velocity (average): 2745fps S.D.=3.1 E.S.=11 (30 shot string)
Outside temperature: 24c/75f
Wind and direction: N/A
Barometric pressure and other relevant data: elevation is 792m/2598ft ASL, 101.0Kpa, 55% RH, .002" shoulder bump

It's a shame I won't be shooting this for long. It is a very accurate and consistent load for this rifle. But, I'll be re-barrelling the Coyote in the very near future and moving on to something different. According to iSnipe, this load transitions just under 1200m (a moderate load).

 

[BigBlastin300win]

Just worked up a load for my ar10 and I can't really tell if is it too hot or not. Virgin brass not many rounds down the tube like 87. The 168 eldm's shooting off a pretty shitty rest were under 1moa and the best being around 3/4" The hotter i got the better they were grouping like 2 touching and one "pulled" or just a touch off the group. My last 3 groups were 41.7, 41.9, 42.1. The 41.9 was the best group just not sure what to do first time loading for a gas gun. I was in the 2500-2530fps range.....ejector swipes on the brass....a couple hard to extract with the charging handle (adjusted block seemed to help).... bunch of sooted brass.

aero m5 308 20" tbac 7
starline lrp
imr 4064 (seemed really dirty)
fed 210m
168 eldm

Just bought a headspace gauge and the hornady brass to measure the chamber. If anyone has any help im all ears. Trying to figure out if the 168 is the ticket or if I need to jump to the 178.

 

[JMGlasgow]

Dirty brass is from the suppressor, if you're getting ejector marks maybe back the load off .5gr. I use 42gr of 4064 in my M1A with a 168 and I have no issues, even with LC or other NATO brass.

 

[BigBlastin300win]

Dirty brass is from the suppressor, if you're getting ejector marks maybe back the load off .5gr. I use 42gr of 4064 in my M1A with a 168 and I have no issues, even with LC or other NATO brass.

Thank you i will try to clean them up and get a good picture to post.

Tried to get enough light. From Left to right 39grs-42.1grains of imr 4064. They were also setting in the sun for most the ladder I moved them in the shade for the last 9 as the sun was beating down and probably 60F

 

[BigBlastin300win]

Thank you i will try to clean them up and get a good picture to post.

Tried to get enough light. From Left to right 39grs-42.1grains of imr 4064. They were also setting in the sun for most the ladder I moved them in the shade for the last 9 as the sun was beating down and probably 60F

 

[JMGlasgow]

All of your primers look fine. I would say adjust your gas system until it won't cycle and then back until it will and see what happens there.

 

[BigBlastin300win]

All of your primers look fine. I would say adjust your gas system until it won't cycle and then back until it will and see what happens there.

Yeah that is how i started off the batch and finally had it halfway open (6-7 clicks) half way through. I have a headspace comparator coming as well. that had me a little worried. My die is set at 2.800 but they were seating at like 2.805-2.810 or a little more. I was thinking about measuring the chamber to make sure im not in the lands.

 

[Baddog 0302]

Big Blaster, check to OAL of 10 or so of your bullets, I'll bwet that there is at lease 0.005 {2.810 - 2.805} difference in the OAL.