Need help with Hornady 178 ELD-M for 308.

[SIRGARRETH]

Hi Guys,
I need help trying to find a load for Hornady 178Gr ELD-M bullets.
I can't these things to shoot at all.
Rifle:
Big Horn Origin Action
Criterion 24" heavy barrel
KRG Bravo Chassis
Using a Magnetospeed (Yes, Labradar is on its way even though the Magnetospeed has worked fine)
What I have tried: (5 shots groups)
All rounds were COAL of 2.805 (Mag fed) using LC 1x fired brass with CCI LRP
IMR4064: 42.0 - AVG: 2696 - Grp: 2.25" SD: 37, ES 53
IMR4064: 42.3 - AVG: 2685 - Grp: 1.75" (Slower??) SD: 7, ES 17
Shooters World Precision: 41.8 - AVG: 2608 - Grp: 1.937", SD: 9, ES 21
Shooters World Precision: 42.0 - AVG: 2632 - Grp: 2.0", SD: 21, ES 45
Shooters World Precision: 42.2 - AVG: 2638 - Grp: 1.0", SD: 17, ES 47
Shooters World Precision: 42.4 - AVG: 2662 - Grp: 1.25", SD: 7, ES 18
Varget: 41.8 - AVG: 2670 - Grp: 1.5", SD: 29, ES 72
Varget: 42.0 - AVG: 2660 - Grp: 1.75", SD: 17, ES 46
Varget: 42.2 - AVG: 2676 - Grp: 2.0", SD: 13, ES 35
Varget: 42.4 - AVG: 2693 - Grp: 1.75", SD: 14, ES 33

All rounds seem to have the SD and ES all over the place.

Just as an FYI. After all the rounds (50 Total), not being happy, I decided to take a few shots with my other known good round.
175SMK with 44.1 gr of Shooters World Precision @2.80"
5 shot average of 2758fps with SD 7 and ES 17 group of 0.7". Previous week was probably a 0.4" group but I did not out there checking. Just shooting for fun. I was out there trying to find a load for my Creedmoor. Actually using 147 ELD-M. Much better in that rifle. Groups of 0.4".
Anyway, I then took 3 shots at a 300 yard gong. all 3 in the center with an average of 2750fps SD 3, ES 7.

The rifle can shoot. Just for some reason it seems the rifle does not like the 178 ELD-M. Will be trying Bergers next or probably just stick with the 175 SMKs.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[wvbearhunter]

I used N-550 for these as, like you, I could not get them to shoot well. I was .02 off the lands but they shot well back to .04

I will say though that this powder is a bit corrosive on barrels.

 

[xsn10s]

What's the barrel twist?

 

[Eric H]

Let me guess; it's a 10 twist.

 

[Tiny Tim]

178 ELDX is a long bullet. Are your certain your twist will stabilize it? Have you tried a seating depth test?

 

[Eric H]

That bullet needs a 12 twist.

 

[Rick Richard]

Hi Guys,
I need help trying to find a load for Hornady 178Gr ELD-M bullets.
I can't these things to shoot at all.
Rifle:
Big Horn Origin Action
Criterion 24" heavy barrel
KRG Bravo Chassis
Using a Magnetospeed (Yes, Labradar is on its way even though the Magnetospeed has worked fine)
What I have tried: (5 shots groups)
All rounds were COAL of 2.805 (Mag fed) using LC 1x fired brass with CCI LRP
IMR4064: 42.0 - AVG: 2696 - Grp: 2.25" SD: 37, ES 53
IMR4064: 42.3 - AVG: 2685 - Grp: 1.75" (Slower??) SD: 7, ES 17
Shooters World Precision: 41.8 - AVG: 2608 - Grp: 1.937", SD: 9, ES 21
Shooters World Precision: 42.0 - AVG: 2632 - Grp: 2.0", SD: 21, ES 45
Shooters World Precision: 42.2 - AVG: 2638 - Grp: 1.0", SD: 17, ES 47
Shooters World Precision: 42.4 - AVG: 2662 - Grp: 1.25", SD: 7, ES 18
Varget: 41.8 - AVG: 2670 - Grp: 1.5", SD: 29, ES 72
Varget: 42.0 - AVG: 2660 - Grp: 1.75", SD: 17, ES 46
Varget: 42.2 - AVG: 2676 - Grp: 2.0", SD: 13, ES 35
Varget: 42.4 - AVG: 2693 - Grp: 1.75", SD: 14, ES 33

All rounds seem to have the SD and ES all over the place.

Just as an FYI. After all the rounds (50 Total), not being happy, I decided to take a few shots with my other known good round.
175SMK with 44.1 gr of Shooters World Precision @2.80"
5 shot average of 2758fps with SD 7 and ES 17 group of 0.7". Previous week was probably a 0.4" group but I did not out there checking. Just shooting for fun. I was out there trying to find a load for my Creedmoor. Actually using 147 ELD-M. Much better in that rifle. Groups of 0.4".
Anyway, I then took 3 shots at a 300 yard gong. all 3 in the center with an average of 2750fps SD 3, ES 7.

The rifle can shoot. Just for some reason it seems the rifle does not like the 178 ELD-M. Will be trying Bergers next or probably just stick with the 175 SMKs.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

My best load for 308 was with 168 AMAX over 44.0 4064. In other words, that barrel may not like the 178 and you might need to try something different.

 

[PApa Black]

Hi Guys,
I need help trying to find a load for Hornady 178Gr ELD-M bullets.
I can't these things to shoot at all.
Rifle:
Big Horn Origin Action
Criterion 24" heavy barrel
KRG Bravo Chassis
Using a Magnetospeed (Yes, Labradar is on its way even though the Magnetospeed has worked fine)
What I have tried: (5 shots groups)
All rounds were COAL of 2.805 (Mag fed) using LC 1x fired brass with CCI LRP
IMR4064: 42.0 - AVG: 2696 - Grp: 2.25" SD: 37, ES 53
IMR4064: 42.3 - AVG: 2685 - Grp: 1.75" (Slower??) SD: 7, ES 17
Shooters World Precision: 41.8 - AVG: 2608 - Grp: 1.937", SD: 9, ES 21
Shooters World Precision: 42.0 - AVG: 2632 - Grp: 2.0", SD: 21, ES 45
Shooters World Precision: 42.2 - AVG: 2638 - Grp: 1.0", SD: 17, ES 47
Shooters World Precision: 42.4 - AVG: 2662 - Grp: 1.25", SD: 7, ES 18
Varget: 41.8 - AVG: 2670 - Grp: 1.5", SD: 29, ES 72
Varget: 42.0 - AVG: 2660 - Grp: 1.75", SD: 17, ES 46
Varget: 42.2 - AVG: 2676 - Grp: 2.0", SD: 13, ES 35
Varget: 42.4 - AVG: 2693 - Grp: 1.75", SD: 14, ES 33

All rounds seem to have the SD and ES all over the place.

Just as an FYI. After all the rounds (50 Total), not being happy, I decided to take a few shots with my other known good round.
175SMK with 44.1 gr of Shooters World Precision @2.80"
5 shot average of 2758fps with SD 7 and ES 17 group of 0.7". Previous week was probably a 0.4" group but I did not out there checking. Just shooting for fun. I was out there trying to find a load for my Creedmoor. Actually using 147 ELD-M. Much better in that rifle. Groups of 0.4".
Anyway, I then took 3 shots at a 300 yard gong. all 3 in the center with an average of 2750fps SD 3, ES 7.

The rifle can shoot. Just for some reason it seems the rifle does not like the 178 ELD-M. Will be trying Bergers next or probably just stick with the 175 SMKs.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!!!

I had the same problem with a 30-06 ( Tikka T3, 1:11T, 22") with the same 2 bullets and almost identical results as yours!!!!! ! After 11 loads a primer change solved the problem. Looks like the 11T is too slow.

I haven't tried those 2 bullets in my 308. I use the 168 & 210 VLDs in it. Good luck!

 

[JAYgs8163]

44-45 grains of Varget, CCI LRP, 2.80. I run this load in multiple 308s with 10 twist barrels and shoots sub MOA all day long. Make sure you're starting with a clean barrel and not something fouled from another bullet manufacturer. Different copper alloys can cause accuracy issues when switching. The 178 ELD-M and the 178 AMax have always been very easy for me to load and get accurate quick.

 

[stovepipe]

I agree WITH JAYGS8136

 

[Bigwilly556]

I shoot these in my 308 with great success. Proof 16.5 10 twist. 43.2-43.5 of varget is where I've found my node and 20 thou off. I didn't find them to be very picky and can usually get 1/2 min with every charge and seating depth I've tested. I've settled on 43.3 varget, 20 tho off, cci 200 and Lapua brass. Nets me 2494 SD 8. Shoots .3-.4s all day. Barrel only has 72 rounds in it so hopefully it will speed up some.

 

[dragon798]

That bullet needs a 12 twist.

What is this based on? I would say it needs a minimum of 12 twist, but don't think it's best. In fact it is on the slow side. I shoot it in 11.25 and 10 twist equally well.

 

[Eric H]

What is this based on? I would say it needs a minimum of 12 twist, but don't think it's best. In fact it is on the slow side. I shoot it in 11.25 and 10 twist equally well.

I've used Bison Ballistics Gyroscopic Stability Calculator whereas all data about the bullet weight, caliber, length, twist of barrel you intend to use along with the speed I intend to obtain and it gives me the Sg. I normally go with 1.3 to 1.49 where it shows the best accuracy. Hasn't failed me yet. Used it to get me out to 1 mile with a 6.5x47 at Black Bear shooting complex. But that's me. Just giving my HO.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Hornady states minimum 12 twist