Favorite 168 ELDM + H4895 / Varget loads for 308 Win

[SuperBruce]

I just got some 168 ELDM's and am hoping for some tips for what is working for others with this bullet. I've seen a number of posts that say H4895 works great but few specifics outside of a 44gr recommendation which is a bit higher than I want to go. I'm going to do a ladder regardless but am curious what others have found to work. If it matters I'll be using lapua brass and either CCI 200 or F210M primers, and looking to be close to normal pressures.

I'm also curious if people using the 168 eldm have had luck with the 178 eldm. I tried the 178's with H4895 and the results were not great. I have a ladder of Varget to test next but we'll see. I started with H4895 because I have an unopened keg of the stuff, so I'm really hoping these 168 eldm's are the ticket.

 

[918v]

Yeah, 44 grains of H4895 in a Lapua case is way too hot.

 

[Earnhardt]

.308?
I assume

 

[SuperBruce]

Yeah, 44 grains of H4895 in a Lapua case is way too hot.

To be fair, they didn't specify the case but to me it seemed like quite the hot load regardless of case.

.308?
I assume

Yes. Sorry, I'm new here.

 

[Earnhardt]

Quickloads says in a .308
168 grain bullet with 44 grains of H4895 58,800 psi
178 grain bullet with 44 grains of H4895 61,600 psi

Max psi for the .308 SAAMI is 62,000psi

You're pushing it from the get go.

 

[SuperBruce]

Quickloads says in a .308
168 grain bullet with 44 grains of H4895 58,800 psi
178 grain bullet with 44 grains of H4895 61,600 psi

Max psi for the .308 SAAMI is 62,000psi

You're pushing it from the get go.

To be honest, that's a lot lower than I'd assumed. Hornady and Hodgdon data max out at 43.3 and 43.5 of H4895, respectively. Considering the Lapua brass I figured I'd already be a bit over pressure at 43.4gr, the max I'd planned to take the first ladder.

 

[918v]

Hodgdon’s data is based on Winchester brass which has 2grs more water capacity than Lapua. you should back off at least a grain off their data.

 

[Winningdog]

I've had some luck with LC. Brass, 41.9 gn imr 4895, shot out of AR 10 B. 2.281 coal, shot .5 @ 100 yd.