Quick range trip: ELDX vs Barnes vs core lokt vs Fed pre

Took a quick trip to the range afterwork. They close at 7 and they want you out before then so not much time to shoot.

Temp 86-87
humidity 67%
pressure 30.03
wind: swirling 10 mph gusts to 14
100 yards

Sako 85 Black Bear w 3-9 X40 Trijicon 30/06
AR6.8 Blackstone upper 1-6 Strike Eagle

top left 178GR ELDX 3 shots
top right 168 Gr Hog Hammer 3 shots
bottom left 150 GR Federal Premium 3 shots
bottom right 150 Gr Core lokt 3 shots
middle 120 Gr Hornday sst 14 shots




Looks like the ELDX just barely outshoots the other 3

I like the looks of the Barnes group better than the ELDX

This is more of a manufacturer powder charge than it is a bullet test. You could hand load all of those bullets and make them shoot much tighter than that.

Did you pull the shot with the 178gr ELDX? Looks like you had a sub 1" group going...

I'm assuming those Hornady's are the Precision Hunter factory loads? I've seen very favorable results from them in several different cartridges-- .270, .280ai, .308, .300wm

your good with any of them.

GREAT RIFLE and it will shoot better than this. Lighten the trigger and get a more magnification. I realize this is probably your "deer" gun and shots will not be long, so I say you're GTG.

trade the 6.8 and the Trijicon for a new scope, some great deals out there now. Just my opinion. I own an AR but not a fan.

this rig Will Kill

My 6.8 AR loves factory loaded 120 SSTs. First group on the right, overshot my adjustments a little and shot the group on the left.

Im just not that good and the bench that I have to shoot off of sux! I did shoot the first 2 next to each other and the last one was a litle low on the ELDX. I did have a good group started for sure.

I'd definitely give those ELDX another try and see if they will group up for you!

The rifle shoots much better than this. The spread is just me and my shakes and heartbeat.

I think that is good advice to get a better scope. Such a nice rifle should have the best optics (and it will). I would really like a swaro 2-12 or a NF compact 2.5-10 but not sure I can afford them for awhile.

But no way would I sell my AR68. I hunt the SHNF and taking several shots and quick shots are a must so the AR is a much better tool for that type of spot and stalk hunting through the dense canopy. No magnification is needed in the jungle I hunt so having a scope without a 1X magnification would suck.

The ELDX is going to be my muledeer or longer distance round for sure.


Sorry boys I dont see what the fun is of reloading. Doesnt interest me in the least bit but shooting well and getting better and improving my shooting skills does interest me.

So I will take any advice given.

Good shooting scott. I need to try another bullet in my AR other than the SST. I am very happy with its performance but maybe I was thinking of a 95 gr barnes for some speed.