Thread: RL17 150gr ELD-X in 7mm08

Shot some test loads of 150gr ELD-X with RL17 powder at the weekend and was pleasantly surprised with the velocity (2820fps, 20" barrel) at Hornady book max of 47.5gr.

When I was loading I noticed I was starting to compress powder at about 46gr and 47.5 was a quite heavily compressed load. The 47.5gr load's primers were definitely flatter than lower loads but still had a okay radius. No other pressure indications.

Looking at data for other manufactures 150gr projectiles I notice that they all list a significantly lower max charge of RL17 than Hornady. Initially I thought that the ELD-X may have a smaller bearing surface but that max load is for all the Hornady 150-154gr projectiles so that theory doesn't fly.

Quick email to Hornady to check that the book load is correct and not a typo got a curt reply that 47.5gr RL17 was the correct max load for the 7mm08.

Anyone care to suggest why their load is so much higher than others? Would be interesting to see what Quickload predicted for the charge.

For what its worth. for 708.
Am running 47gr (which was the node in my Kimber with 18" barrel) RL17 with 140gr accubonds .
I took it up to 47.5 with no improvement in group size (I dont have a chrony so not sure of rpm) got flatish primers, no sticky bolt lift.
There is possibly another node higher up but am happy to leave it at 47.
Is noticably more compressed in the Lapua cases I am using now as opposed to Federal and Winchester cases.