Hornady 178 ELD-X load data for 308

[Bayourambler]

Im about to work up some hunting rounds for my brothers tikka 308. It seems to like the precision hunter Eldx rounds. I bought a box of bullets and we have some Imr 4064 and Winchester 748. Any luck with these combos? I can't seem to find load data on this.

 

[macgrumpy]

Hornady's newest reloading manual doesn't list IMR 4064 for the ELD bullets in the .308 but they do list powder charges for Win 748.

Win 748 Powder charges recommended by Hornady:
38.2gr to 45.7gr producing approx. 2100 fps to 2500 fps in a 22" barrel.

I just picked up some of the same bullets to test in my 30-06.

 

[jmr40]

I've been loading them with a near max charge of Varget. Max loads are running 2650 fps in my 22' Winchester EW. Dropping down 1/2 gr is giving me 2620 fps. I'm still tweaking things, but accuracy is near 1 MOA. Sometimes a touch over, sometimes a touch under.

I didn't find data specific to that bullet but used standard 180 gr load data, started low and worked up.

 

[macgrumpy]

That's too hot for my tastes. On a 22" barrel you're going to end up with compressed loads for those velocities and I don't like to use compressed loads.

 

[Bayourambler]

Thanks for the data. I found some Hornady data on the 30-06 and used it. I haven't messed with it much yet but looks promising. Loaded 10 rounds , 5 with 45 grains of Imr 4064 , and 5 with 47 grains . The 47 grain load shot 1.5" at 2450 fps. C.o.l was 3.25". I feel they will shoot good with some work. I had 3 pass through the same hole! Had to study the back of the paper to see it. I will load some more up and report.

 

[Bayourambler]

Here is the link for 30-06 http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/reloading-manual-data/30-06-178gr-ELD-X-Load-Data.pdf

 

[macgrumpy]

You used a cartridge length of 3.25" on a .308?

We posted at the same time so I see you were talking about a 30-06.

Wait, I'm still confused, did you use a cartridge length of 3.25" on a .308 cartridge?

 

[Bayourambler]

You used a cartridge length of 3.25" on a .308?

We posted at the same time so I see you were talking about a 30-06.

Wait, I'm still confused, did you use a cartridge length of 3.25" on a .308 cartridge?

No sir that's on the 30-06. I've yet to start for this 308.

 

[macgrumpy]

OK, that all makes sense now, I was confused since your title said that you were using a .308.

 

[macgrumpy]

I can tell you this much about using IMR4064 in the .308 under the 178gr ELD bullet, the load will start to be compressed at around 39 to 41 grains of powder, depending on the volume of the case. SAAMI max pressure will probably be around 42 grains (plus or minus a few tenths of a grain depending upon case volume) and corresponding velocities will be around 2600 fps out of a 22" barrel.

I'd estimate that the range of safe powder charge weights would be from 36.5 grains to 41.5 grains.

 

[dgod]

I have had very good luck with the ELD-X bullets in 308, 30-06, and 300 WinMag. You have to get the velocity up to the range that Hornady suggests. If that is done, I managed to get Sub-Moa groups at 100, the bullets fly very well, they are reliable out to and possibly beyond 600 yds. I have not shot the 178 Bullet, Mine has been mostly the 200's, and 220gr Bullets. I believe in them.

 

[Bart B.]

43 grains of IMR4064 under 180's and 173's was popular in the 308's heyday in rifle matches through 1000 yards. I think it'll do well with any 178 grain bullet.

Ball powders have never proved best when accuracy is the objective.

 

[Bayourambler]

Hornady's newest reloading manual doesn't list IMR 4064 for the ELD bullets in the .308 but they do list powder charges for Win 748.

Win 748 Powder charges recommended by Hornady:
38.2gr to 45.7gr producing approx. 2100 fps to 2500 fps in a 22" barrel.

I just picked up some of the same bullets to test in my 30-06.

Does the load for win 748 call for mag primers?

 

[macgrumpy]

Nope, they specified Federal 210 primers.

C.O.L. : 2.800"
Case Trim length: 2.005"

 

[Bayourambler]

I can tell you this much about using IMR4064 in the .308 under the 178gr ELD bullet, the load will start to be compressed at around 39 to 41 grains of powder, depending on the volume of the case. SAAMI max pressure will probably be around 42 grains (plus or minus a few tenths of a grain depending upon case volume) and corresponding velocities will be around 2600 fps out of a 22" barrel.

I'd estimate that the range of safe powder charge weights would be from 36.5 grains to 41.5 grains.

Yes sir I loaded one at 40 grains and it is compressed. I will shoot it through chrony and see what she says before I go any farther.

 

[macgrumpy]

Good idea. These ELD bullets have a long shank and it looks to me like they will have a lot of bullet inside the case. I'm surprised that they recommend a cartridge overall length of 3.220" for their 178gr ELD-X bullets in the 30-06, I expected something closer to the max length of 3.340". I'll start with a light powder charge using IMR 4064 but I'm wondering about bullet jump issues. I know I could seat my bullets out farther but I'll start with their recommendation.

 

[Bayourambler]

Yes setting them farther out would be nice. Those darn factory mags don't give us any room to mess with. I can't understand why they do this.

 

[Nature Boy]

I have not been able to find an accurate load yet for the 178 ELD-X in my .308

Everything I've tried so far has been really lousy

 

[Bart B.]

Yes setting them farther out would be nice. Those darn factory mags don't give us any room to mess with. I can't understand why they do this.

Ask them.

They may do it as a safety precaution if the ammo's ambient temperature is very hot, higher pressures in the dangerous range won't happen with bullets starting out too close to the rifling. They have no control over the environment and ammo used.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have not been able to find an accurate load yet for the 178 ELD-X in my .308

Everything I've tried so far has been really lousy

I may be wrong but isn't a 178gr bullet a bit heavy for the .308?

Maybe the weight along with added length is causing instability in the .308 barrel. (I'm just guessing)

 

[macgrumpy]

No

 

[Bart B.]

People have dropped elk and moose with 200 grain round nose bullets leaving 2400 fps from Winchester's first 22" 1:12 twist barrels. 180 through 250 grain match bullets shot from 308 cases have won long range matches.

Best long range match load for 7.62 NATO Garands' 1:12 twist barrels was Sierra 190's leaving about 2550 fps. Sub MOA in tests at 3600 feet down range.

I doubt bullets are ever unstable in barrels. They're confined very well and their spin axis is always dead center in the bore.

 

[macgrumpy]

The reason people don't like the heavier .308 bullets is a lot of people have a preoccupation with a long range shooting fantasy and they think that you need to keep the bullet supersonic in order to hit reliably at long range.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

People have dropped elk and moose with 200 grain round nose bullets leaving 2400 fps from Winchester's first 22" 1:12 twist barrels. 180 through 250 grain match bullets shot from 308 cases have won long range matches.

Best long range match load for 7.62 NATO Garands' 1:12 twist barrels was Sierra 190's leaving about 2550 fps. Sub MOA in tests at 3600 feet down range.

I doubt bullets are ever unstable in barrels. They're confined very well and their spin axis is always dead center in the bore.

I didn't literally mean in the barrel, I guess I should have said from the barrel.

Like I said above, I was only guessing about the bullet weights, I shoot and load for a 30-06.

 

[Bart B.]

The reason people like the heavier .308 bullets is a lot of people have a good understanding with a long range shooting pastime and skills and knowledge to do well. They know that you need to keep the bullet supersonic in order to hit reliably at long range. Lighter bullets need a much longer barrel to shoot them fast enough to stay supersonic.