Thread: 220 grain ELD-X in 308 win

Update, I've loaded enough to do a ladder test. Just working on getting some nicer weather and free time to match it.

Pull finger. What results . Getting older by the minute

Right, progress! I finally got out yesterday afternoon and shot the 220s. Target was at 100 yards and I only managed to chronograph 2 rounds in the ladder.

Started at 40 grains of 760 and went up in 0.5 increments to 44.0.
The first 5 went into the group to the right, shot 6 and 7 went over there chronic at 2150 fps and then 8 went slightly to the left and 9 jumped up quite a bit and is on its own there at the top. Black circle was my point of aim (where my 168 ELD-M load shoots) and is traced around a 50 cent piece.

Looks like they stabilised alright, shot them all without the suppressor just in case

The shots that went over the chronograph went into the dirt.

I also got to shoot the 175 tmks I had loaded up to try as well. No idea on velocity but these had the same point of impact as my 168 ELD-M load.

To save paper (and faffing around hanging targets), I used one dot for two loads and dialled up or down 2 moa. Again dots are traced around a 50 cent piece and cored in, shot at 100 yards and admittedly, under a little time pressure, I still had another load to test and another rifle to check zero on and it was already 6pm.
Load 6 had some very clear ejector marks so stopped there. Load 5 (42 grains of IMR 4064) will be my pick with this projectile for now.

Forgot to say, I had no pressure signs at 44 grains, all cases ejected easily and had no ejector swipe or anything strange going on. I have 6 220 ELD-X left and I'm unsure how best to test them. Load another ladder starting a 44 grains?

I'm pretty sure I could go further, maybe 3 loads at 44.5, 45 and 45.5 and try and get some velocity data?

I guess it all depemds on what you trying to achieve....
seeing how fast you can push them before getting pressure....definately load hotter
seeing how accurate they can be.....maybe,maybe not
I would be inclinded to see if you can hit side of barn at 150 with them and see how far they dont drop...
ASSUMBLY you decided to try them big heavy suckers as close range bush load??? you now duplicating early 30/06 loadings but with MUCH softer and sleaker projectiles
not a lot different from early sporting .303 brit loads either
big heavy and soft always kills well.....maybe not as fast and brutal as lighter load but they go deep and do damage.

Just really wanted to see what they could do out of a standard howa 308. Even at 2200fps they're still doing 1783 fps at 400 yards?! Over 1500 ftlbs of energy as well.

well if you happy with that and can dial it in...WHY THE HECK NOT...... the 200s could be better option...or not LOL.

Right?! I think I'll use the last 6 to see how far I can crank them up and maybe get a box of them at some point later down the track. It's good to know that this rifle will shoot just about anything reasonably well.

There is a few old threads on the US forums were the guys were using RE17 with great results in short barrels try searching 308 with 215 bergers ..they were get sim wind drift as the 6.5CM a lot more drop but hay if you spinning turrets .

If you are going to be shooting those 175tmks at distance I reckon you use group 4 over group 5. I would say it has better ES

Woody - That's a light load, I'm using 44g of AR2208, for the 178 eldx , Laupa brass, 22 inch barrel - Sako 85 with a 1/11 twist, speed 2570fps. Accuracy is very good. Primers starting to flatten, no ejector marks or bolt lift problems. Has become my only load, boring but it works.

Originally Posted by flock

Woody - That's a light load, I'm using 44g of AR2208, for the 178 eldx , Laupa brass, 22 inch barrel - Sako 85 with a 1/11 twist, speed 2570fps. Accuracy is very good. Primers starting to flatten, no ejector marks or bolt lift problems. Has become my only load, boring but it works.

My main load is 1.5gr less powder for 10fps less velocity.
Same powder, case and projectile, inch and a half more barrel, 1:12 twist

Should have mentioned the oal is 2.945, with 44g of 2208 for a 178 eldx, in 308 They just fit the mag of my Sako 85, 22 inch barrel, 1/11 twist, longer length reduces powder / capacity slightly, so less pressure. Happenes to be 10th off the lands in my rifle. Still a full pressure load at 2570fps ish can't push it much more, but happy as, with the accuracy / quarter inch consistently. Haven't knocked anything over with this load, but backing it, would love some feedback. Know the guys sending them at Mag speeds were not overly impressed.