Thread: 7mm08 loads and a short barrel

ELD-M or ELD-X ? I know the ELD-X is a long range bullet, but I also used an ELD-X out of the .243 on a great big stag at close range and it went very well,

what is the construction of the ELD-M like?

I’m using the 162grain eldm at 2520 fps in a 20 inch 7-08 with 2209 and are having great results. Can push them faster but the groups start opening up. A bit of extra velocity would be nice, but the reality is the animal is no going to notice another 100fps and at extended range 400m+ the extra accuracy is more important. I have got a few 120grain ballistic tips loaded up that are doing 3070fps and very accurate to and am looking forward to seeing how they go.

Thats two votes for the 162 ELD-M. Will read up on them

ELD-M is soft but works brilliantly at 7mm08 velocity from point blank to way out. Do a quick Google, loads of threads on them.

They seem to be a contender - but they look long...I only have my Remington 700 DM - magazine length is 2.810. Still. I am no stranger to compressing powder

My life time experience with several Remingtons is that factory barrels tend to have long throats and often take 3+ grains over max to get top velocities.

I bet your projectiles are sitting off the lands and possible out of the case a fair way, both lowering pressure and velocity.

Personally I wouldn’t go below a 139/140 gn pill in a 7-08 or x57.

In a short tube I’d live with 2700 fps if needed.


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Hi Dicko, the situation with the detachable mag model of the Rem 700 version, is that I am limited by the magazine length, which stops me from seating bullets out much at all, I am stuck at 2.800 OAL, or they wont fit in. But which is also too short to reach the lands at all with anything. It also means with heavier bullets I am invading powder space too much, and I have to compress powder more than you normally would have to.

I think I can live with 2700fps and a 140 g bullet. I have a week trip coming up to the West coast shortly, so I will pick either the 139 grain or 140 grain BT at 2700 fps or thereabouts, till I have time to do more experimenting.

Originally Posted by John Duxbury

Hi Dicko, the situation with the detachable mag model of the Rem 700 version, is that I am limited by the magazine length, which stops me from seating bullets out much at all, I am stuck at 2.800 OAL, or they wont fit in. But which is also too short to reach the lands at all with anything. It also means with heavier bullets I am invading powder space too much, and I have to compress powder more than you normally would have to.

I think I can live with 2700fps and a 140 g bullet. I have a week trip coming up to the West coast shortly, so I will pick either the 139 grain or 140 grain BT at 2700 fps or thereabouts, till I have time to do more experimenting.

I have the same issue with my Model 88 in 284win. Heaviest projectile I've used is a 150gr flat base (can't recall brand off the top of my head, they came with the rifle). I suspect the 162gr EDLM will be sticking quite alot back in the case? Of course, you could always rechamber it to 284win, then you'd have plenty of spare case capacity...

Or you could load the 162gr with a longer COAL for single feeding, but I realise that might not be a viable option (e.g. the ADI load data for the 162gr in a 284win is for a COAL of 2.97")

I had a stainless synthetic version 700 mountain rifle in 7-08 and a wood blue in .280.

Both rifles had to be bedded and free floated to shoot consistently. Both required good technique and practice for consistent accuracy. Both were lively in the hands under recoil.
Made me appreciate a bit more steel in the barrel to make life easier.

Both nice to carry though.


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I used the 162gr eld-m on fallow, reds and goats from a 18inch 7mm08 for years. Took animals from 10 meters out to 602 meters, was only doing 2530fps with 41gr 2208 but it just worked.
The 162gr sst and eld-x also worked well

Originally Posted by lau lau

I used the 162gr eld-m on fallow, reds and goats from a 18inch 7mm08 for years. Took animals from 10 meters out to 602 meters, was only doing 2530fps with 41gr 2208 but it just worked.
The 162gr sst and eld-x also worked well

Just ordered some.

I have a 162gr ELDM load i use in my 14.5" 7-08. My brother also runs the 162gr ELDM in his 16" 7-08. Hodgdon Superformance is the ticket for getting some of the lost speed from the short barrel back.

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

I have a 162gr ELDM load i use in my 14.5" 7-08. My brother also runs the 162gr ELDM in his 16" 7-08. Hodgdon Superformance is the ticket for getting some of the lost speed from the short barrel back.

What velocities do you get in those short barrels with Superperformance?

Originally Posted by John Duxbury

What velocities do you get in those short barrels with Superperformance?

2500 with the 16". A little less with the 14.5". Hot load to do so. With a 19" barrel and quality brass you should be able to see around the 2600 mark staying within saami pressure limits, certainly more if your comfortable pushing the limits a bit.

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

2500 with the 16". A little less with the 14.5". Hot load to do so. With a 19" barrel and quality brass you should be able to see around the 2600 mark staying within saami pressure limits, certainly more if your comfortable pushing the limits a bit.

No need for Superformance. I load for my mate and he’s getting that with 2208 and the 162s