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178 ELDX in 308? #6829633 07/21/17 04:03 AM
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Big Daddy K Offline OP
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Tonight I've been reading on other forms about guys going as high as 45 grains of Varget in 308. I'm loading max at around 42 with no danger sign but I am wanting more FPS than the book says I'm getting. (2300-2400)
Opinions about stepping it up to say 43, 43.5 etc..
Run out of room quick with that long bullet.
I would be happy with 2700 or better out of my 20" 1/10 barrel.


It ain't easy being me.

Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6829644 07/21/17 04:27 AM
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jeffbird Offline
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Each barrel has its own unique properties.

Some R700 factory barrels are very generous in the size of the chamber and bore, so may take a higher load. Also lots of powder vary. Work up a load specific to your setup and watch for pressure signs.

What kind of rifle do you have?

How long is the barrel, and what brand?

What brand of brass do you use?

How much neck tension?

Do you have a chronograph?

2600 fps from a 24" barrel is pretty standard for a 175/178 grain bullet. All of my 308's, max out at 43.5 - 44.0 with Win/Black Hills brass and 0.5 grain less with Lapua brass.

2600 - 2650 out of a 24" barrel really is the upper end of the comfort zone. Velocity with Varget and that weight bullet will vary about 25 - 30 fps per inch of barrel +/- from that benchmark. For more speed than that move to a 300 WM rather than pushing the envelop on the 308, or move to the 155 Palma bullets.




Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6829705 07/21/17 11:03 AM
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Good info. Thanks.
Savage rifle.
20" 1:10 twist.
No chrono.
Hornady brass..
155 Palma? Will investigate those.
Getting a Chono soon but 2400-2500 is about all I can expect or need from that barrel and load?


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Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6829727 07/21/17 11:51 AM
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With a 20" barrel, 2500 fps will be about the top end with that bullet.

Should have asked, what is the primary goal, hunting or target shooting?

You're welcome.

Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6829781 07/21/17 12:58 PM
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.308 Win
H-Varget
44.0 to 45.0 gr
178 gr bullet

It is known.


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Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6829818 07/21/17 01:35 PM
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I just recently did some load development with my 308 using the 178 ELD-X bullets. With my rifle ( Savage model 10FCP, 24", 11.25 twist, 5R rifling) I'm getting about 2660fps with 42.8gr of IMR 4064. Seems like a heavy charge for that bullet, but no obvious pressure signs so far. My soft Federal brass probably wont last long though.

Last edited by 7six2; 07/21/17 01:37 PM.
Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: 7six2] #6829821 07/21/17 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted By: 7six2
I just recently did some load development with my 308 using the 178 ELD-X bullets. With my rifle ( Savage model 10FCP, 24", 11.25 twist, 5R rifling) I'm getting about 2660fps with 42.8gr of IMR 4064. Seems a little fast to me. No obvious pressure signs but my soft Federal brass probably wont last long.


Same barrel length, I made a 178 come out at 2700 MV, with H-Varget.

Little flow back around the primer strike, that was it.


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Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: J.G.] #6829828 07/21/17 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: 7six2
I just recently did some load development with my 308 using the 178 ELD-X bullets. With my rifle ( Savage model 10FCP, 24", 11.25 twist, 5R rifling) I'm getting about 2660fps with 42.8gr of IMR 4064. Seems a little fast to me. No obvious pressure signs but my soft Federal brass probably wont last long.


Same barrel length, I made a 178 come out at 2700 MV, with H-Varget.

Little flow back around the primer strike, that was it.


Wow thats moving! Are you finding that the 178 ELD-X likes to be seated really close to the rifling? I haven't reached a conclusion yet but .008-.010 off is working well.

Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6829919 07/21/17 03:11 PM
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According to my notes from when I last shot the 178 grain ELD-X and ELD-M out of the .308, I was pushing them along around 2,655 - 2,670 fps ( 26 inch barrel 11:25 twist ) with Varget and BR-2 primers and Lapua brass. Powder charge is 43.1 gr. for the X and 42.8 gr. for the M. I did not seek maximum speed, just the accuracy. That was in the spring with 65 - 70 degree temps, but for the summer velocity may increase a tad but not much.

Last edited by TackDriver; 07/21/17 03:12 PM.
Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6829925 07/21/17 03:17 PM
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Remember when comparing velocities between different rifles of the same chambering it can vary quite a bit. I have seen up to 200fps with factory loads between 2 factory rifles with factory ammo and reloads.


lf the saying "Liar, Liar your pants on fire" were true
Mainstream news might be fun to watch
Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6829934 07/21/17 03:33 PM
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Out of my 24" Savage FCP-SR 1/10 with FC brass, Federal 210's, and Varget I was getting pressure signs above 44gr, it was a hot day though. I was seating them at .020 off the lands. Accuracy was good, but I want to shoot 43-44gr seated at .030 off the lands. I don't have a chrono so I can't give any velocity data.


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Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6830065 07/21/17 05:40 PM
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I have never shot the 178. I shoot the 185 OTM I use 45.5 RL 15. This Is the load I have used in Texas and Raton for years

Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: 7six2] #6830077 07/21/17 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted By: 7six2
Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: 7six2
I just recently did some load development with my 308 using the 178 ELD-X bullets. With my rifle ( Savage model 10FCP, 24", 11.25 twist, 5R rifling) I'm getting about 2660fps with 42.8gr of IMR 4064. Seems a little fast to me. No obvious pressure signs but my soft Federal brass probably wont last long.


Same barrel length, I made a 178 come out at 2700 MV, with H-Varget.

Little flow back around the primer strike, that was it.


Wow thats moving! Are you finding that the 178 ELD-X likes to be seated really close to the rifling? I haven't reached a conclusion yet but .008-.010 off is working well.


The only bullet I've used that likes to be super close to rifling is the Berger VLD. Historically Hornady A-Max, and now ELD line are less picky about where they sit in relation to the rifling.

As far as yours goes, if it's working, don't mess with it.


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Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: J.G.] #6830120 07/21/17 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Originally Posted By: 7six2
I just recently did some load development with my 308 using the 178 ELD-X bullets. With my rifle ( Savage model 10FCP, 24", 11.25 twist, 5R rifling) I'm getting about 2660fps with 42.8gr of IMR 4064. Seems a little fast to me. No obvious pressure signs but my soft Federal brass probably wont last long.


Same barrel length, I made a 178 come out at 2700 MV, with H-Varget.

Little flow back around the primer strike, that was it.


The velocity and primer flow are both objective metrics of pressure in excess of the normal limits. Is it going to blow up the rifle? Unlikely, but the risk of a primer giving way and releasing gas back toward the eyes is the real risk. Saw it happen first hand several years ago with a guy next to me at the range pushing 175 SMK's just over 2700. Thankfully he had safety glasses on, but he had powder residue on his face and said it stung him pretty good. The rifle was a custom 308 built on a R700. His brass had several loadings on it, which was another risk factor.
For those that wear prescription eyeglasses, ask the optometrist about impact resistant lens. I have them in both my clear and sunglasses for not too much of an upcharge.

Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: jeffbird] #6830158 07/21/17 07:35 PM
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I'm not doubting your story.

I went through about 1500 rounds on that load, with no trouble. I was NOT using Federal brass, and my charge was 44.2 gr if memory serves.


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Re: 178 ELDX in 308? [Re: Big Daddy K] #6830220 07/21/17 09:10 PM
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I typically dont shoot 175 out of my 308 and haven't tried the ELD in my 308. I understand every gun is different but 42gr seems little light... Maybe not though. My 168gr VLD load is 44.5gr Varget at 2690fps .003 off the lands. My 175gr SMK load is 44.2 at 2600fps .006 off the lands.
I started playing with the 208gr ELD-X for my 300 win, but finally found a stash of 215 hybrids and haven't looked back.


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