Wanted to do a load development for match shooting for my new 308 Crusader GAP. Loaded up 36 rounds total and split between two powders. Using the Hornady ELD Match 178 grain. I loaded up 3 round groups of 18 for the Varget and another 18 for the IMR 4064, both in .4 increments. I rarely load Hornady bullets, and ELD is my first time. Tried them out at the range. Wind was blowing from 5 o clock position at around 12 mph and I am amazed at the tiny groups. 3 shots into one hole for both powders. Will redo testing with two 5 shot groups ( 10 each ) from each powder soon.

Cant ask for better than that! What FPS you getting?

Took the Oeheler 35 but it was cloudy, so it won't work. Need to go again on a sunny day. Should be 2600 + with 26 inch barrel.

Did you have the sky screens on? If it's a cloudy day, the clouds act as the sky screens and it should work just fine without the plastic sky screens.

Nice work. I'm getting right at 2600 fps with the 178 eld-x out of s suppressed 20" barrel in 308 with 43.8 gr varget in new Lapua brass

Yes, had the orange skyscreens on. Would not work.

Yes. Next time it's cloudy, take them off, and they should pick up your bullet just fine.

fwiw - 0.4 gr is a big step in increments. For a 308 sized case, I usually work up in 0.2 gr for the last two grains to max.

for big mags, 0.3 grains for the last two grains to max.

Thanks, I'll do that next time out.

True, I usually do .3, but did not have enough primers to use .2 to .3

Nice! Looks like you are there. Do you know how far off the rifling you are seating?

I've just started doing load development for the 178 ELD-X with IMR 4064 in my 308win. I did .5gr increments up to 43.5gr but 43 seemed to work best so far...with my 43gr results looking like your 42.4...but at 200 yards. I tried .010" and .020" off the lands which resulted in similar group sizes but I still need to put a few more down range.

It's .007 off the lands. What is your velocity?

I shot groups at .005 off the lands from 42-44.4 then shot groups playing with seating depth in .010 increments from .010-.090. My liked 0.030 the best.

I haven't checked for velocity yet, but I should have some data to post soon.

I cant do .030 off :-( Due to the rather tight chamber on my Savage 10 I'll get compressed loads. I did try it but the grouping went downhill and the recoil was rather strong. Inspection of the cases showed pressure at the primer. At the Hornady recommended COAL of 2.800" the ogive of the bullet is already at the lands.

To eliminate compressed loads, have you used a drop tube?

My jam measurement with the Hornady Lock N Load is 2.837" , so my COAL is 2.830, fits the magazine as well. Seems the ELD ogive is higher on the bullet than the Bergers and SMK.

Redsnake where did you get your targets?

Had a bunch of sheets of left over Avery name badge stickers at the office. Drew some + on PowerPoint and printed them up.

cool stickies