178 ELD-X and 300 WSM load data?

Barrelnut

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Finally got around to getting some 178 ELD-X and want to try them in the 300 WSM for spring bear. Hornady has long since removed the load data from their website as it is now in their new edition reloading guide. Grumble, grumble, grumble....

Anyone have a copy of the PDF file for the 178 from the Hornady site before it was pulled?

Also would love to hear what loads others are using for the 178 in 300 WSM. I am interested in H4350, Superformance, RL-22, and RL-17 for powders.

Did a site search here, but most load data is for the 200 Gr. plus bullets. Seems to be what everyone was working with when they first came out. Could not find any loads for the 178 and 300 WSM.

Thanks!
 
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I actually did load work up today with the 178gr ELD-X. 64.5gr of RL-17 was a clover leaf. My go to load is 65.5gr of HV100, and it didn't disappoint me.........one ragged hole. I haven't done the chronograph work yet, but it will be over 3000 fps for sure.
Seating depth is the biggest issue with this bullet. My usual COAL is 2.860'' but the ELD-X like to be seated deeper (2.830").
Good luck
 
Finally got around to getting some 178 ELD-X and want to try them in the 300 WSM for spring bear. Hornady has long since removed the load data from their website as it is now in their new edition reloading guide. Grumble, grumble, grumble....

Anyone have a copy of the PDF file for the 178 from the Hornady site before it was pulled?

Also would love to hear what loads others are using for the 178 in 300 WSM. I am interested in H4350, Superformance, RL-22, and RL-17 for powders.

Did a site search here, but most load data is for the 200 Gr. plus bullets. Seems to be what everyone was working with when they first came out. Could not find any loads for the 178 and 300 WSM.

Thanks!

You might give H4831 and RL19 a try.
 
barrelnut

I've got the 178 and 200 grain ELD-Xs working in my Savage 300 WSM and also my 30-06. In the 300 WSM with the 178 grain I'm using 67.0 grains of RL-26 with Fed 215s. Bullet averages 2,965 fps out of the 26" tube. It has shot several groups (all at 200 yards) just over 0.5 MOA. Jump was 0.017". 200 grainers are averaging 2,975 fps with 68 grains of RL-26. Yeah I know, they are running faster than the 178s but that is the velocity where they shot good - 0.75 MOA at 200 yards. Jump for those was the same. Kind of looks like there is a node right around 2,970 fps. Talked to my nephew today. He and his buddy using ELD-Xs shot 8 whitetail/pronghorn last season. Six of those with a 260 Rem and 2 with a 300 WSM. Ranges from 30 yards to 700 yards. He said the ELD-Xs performed flawlessly. DRT, golf ball size exits and some minimal meat damage. He was very impressed with these bullets. Good to know.
 
igs, sorry, no. Stuck with the 180 BT and AB for this year. Just a lack of time. One reason I like the BT and AB is they shoot virtually to the same POI.

Couple good starting points with RL17 and RL26 above though. They look very promising. Those have become popular powders for pushing the 300 WSM fast. I find the HV100 load above interesting too. It seems that powder is almost always on the shelf around here...

Good Luck.
 
I know this is an older post but after doing some research I decided to try the RL17 with the ELD-X 178 in my Browning A bolt stainless stalker in 300 WSM. I couldn't find any recommended loads so going by what I found on Alliants site I started at 63 grains and worked up from there. The 63 grain load produced an average of 2966 MV and shot .5MOA groups. I made it up to 65.5 grains at 3130 MV with no pressure signs but the groups after 63 grains opened up to 1" - 1 1/2". I was wanting a load around 3000 fps so I am happy with 2966 fps with .5MOA groups. So far I am happy with the results I am seeing. I have read that this powder can be temp sensitive so that will be my next test for it.

My current load is 64.5 grains of IMR 4350 with the 180 grain Speer boat tail but I was only getting 2800 fps and I couldn't go any higher with 4350 due to pressures.
 
I actually did load work up today with the 178gr ELD-X. 64.5gr of RL-17 was a clover leaf. My go to load is 65.5gr of HV100, and it didn't disappoint me.........one ragged hole. I haven't done the chronograph work yet, but it will be over 3000 fps for sure.
Seating depth is the biggest issue with this bullet. My usual COAL is 2.860'' but the ELD-X like to be seated deeper (2.830").
Good luck
HV100 is Hybrid V 100?
 
178gr ELD-X
63.1gr H4350
Norma 300WSM Brass
Win Mag primer
COAL 2.840
MV 2992
Edited to add: Yields .30 groups at 100 yards with a new Proof Research Sendro barrel.
 

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