Bayourambler
Member
Loaded 1 bullet at a time and checked for pressure /speed. Got up to 2544 fps with no pressure signs. That's 42.5 grains of IMR 4064. Looks like a good place to start testing groups.
Why only you?
Hornady lists a max Varget charge for this bullet( along with every other bullet in this weight class regardless of construction) at 42.4gr
Hodgdon load data specifies 45gr Varget for a 175gr hpbt, and for a 180gr sp.
I would theorize that the Hornady max charges are probably somewhat limited by their inclusion of GMX all copper bullets into the same data as all of their cup and core bullets.
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.
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 just spoke with bud who'd been working with 178 gr ELD-X and finally found a recipe his 308 Savage likes. 41.5 gr Varget with BR-2 primers. He also seats real close to the lands.
Because I can accept the risk of shooting slightly over max loads for myself, I'd recommend that anyone else do their own load work up.
what kind of velocity were/are you getting with 44gr/varget?