338 Edge 285 eld loads

[FrogFire7]

So I can't find much data for the 338 Edge with the 285 ELD-M's. I know the 300 SMK had traditionally been the popular choice; have any of you played with the hornadys?

I'm building an Edge currently and am looking for load data. Was planning to use the hornadys but maybe will try the SMK as well, mostly just steel banging but possibly hunting as well.

So: What velocities are you getting with the 285's? Using H1000 still?

 

[dkhunt14]

I think the 300 Berger is more popular. A lot are using RE33. Matt

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

So I can' find much data for the 338 Edge with the 285 ELD-M's. I know the 300 SMK had traditionally been the popular choice; have any of you played with the hornadys?

I'm building an Edge currently and am looking for load data. Was planning to use the hornadys but maybe will try the SMK as well, mostly just steel banging but possibly hunting as well.

So: What velocities are you getting with the 285's? Using H1000 still?

Shawn Carlock of Defensive Edge mentions a load of around 90 gr. of H-1000 with a 300 gr. SMK.
I'm sure that the leade/throating arrangement will have something to do with where the "sweet-spot" for accuracy is found.
I just ran some numbers on Quick-Load for the Hornady ELD-M 285 gr. bullet with a COAL of 3.600 (which is a Q/L default for this cartridge). 87.0 gr. of H-1000 with a 30" barrel shows a pressure of 59142 psi and a M.V of 2772 fps.
Now, if I move COAL to 3.850 (in Q/L program) using the same Hornady bullet & a 30" Bbl, I can raise powder charge to 90.5 gr. and I get 59104 psi pressure & 2795 fps M.V. -

My advice is to start out at around 85.0 gr. of H-1000 & work up in 1/2 grain increments closely monitoring pressure and look for the most accurate load. - Depending on what resources (tools & data collection devices) you have you should be able to find a decent load.

As dkhunt stated RE-33 & the 300 gr. Berger would also be a good load for this cartridge.
My recommendation is to start out at around 92.0 gr. of RE-33 and work up carefully.

Good Luck

 

[FrogFire7]

Thanks guys,

Just seems like the 285 might be a better option than the 300 due to the higher bc. (I see now that the berger 300gr OTM g7 might actually be a little bit higher than the hornady) Figured you might get a little velocity as well with a 285.

Is the berger that much better of a product? (Or is the hornady just new enough that it hasn't been used much [or some other reason?]). I typically run hornady in my other guns but am not dead set on them. I guess I'm just trying to see if anybody has experience with them, particularly with this cartridge.

Thanks for those quick-load #s, I appreciate you taking the time to run them! I will be using a 29-30" barrel as well, probably seating them long (not sure exactly where the throat will be, I'm going to try a prefit barrel). Also was planning to use the H1000 (just bc it's an extreme powder). Again, not set on it, I know RE33 gives some additional velocity.

Really appreciate the input, guys! I will try to upload some info after my gun is up and running as well. I have been scouring the web for a few months for info on this csrtridge/load, I think I have dug up just about everything on it. Seems like there is not a ton of info on the Edge with bullets other than the 250 or 300s.

 

[Beeman]

I’m going to try the 285’s once my EDGE is built. Also have 300 gr Bergers. Powders I will try are R33, N570 and maybe H1000.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Thanks guys,

Just seems like the 285 might be a better option than the 300 due to the higher bc. (I see now that the berger 300gr OTM g7 might actually be a little bit higher than the hornady) Figured you might get a little velocity as well with a 285.

Is the berger that much better of a product? (Or is the hornady just new enough that it hasn't been used much [or some other reason?]). I typically run hornady in my other guns but am not dead set on them. I guess I'm just trying to see if anybody has experience with them, particularly with this cartridge.

Thanks for those quick-load #s, I appreciate you taking the time to run them! I will be using a 29-30" barrel as well, probably seating them long (not sure exactly where the throat will be, I'm going to try a prefit barrel). Also was planning to use the H1000 (just bc it's an extreme powder). Again, not set on it, I know RE33 gives some additional velocity.

Really appreciate the input, guys! I will try to upload some info after my gun is up and running as well. I have been scouring the web for a few months for info on this csrtridge/load, I think I have dug up just about everything on it. Seems like there is not a ton of info on the Edge with bullets other than the 250 or 300s.

I haven't tried the Hornady bullets in 338 cal. - I do have some 285 match hollow points to try in both an Edge and a 338 Lapua Improved. - So far my experience with the 300 gr. Berger Hybrids have been Very positive from an accuracy standpoint and a few others are also reporting very good accuracy with the 300 gr. hunter version as well. - In every comparison I've done so far the Berger's have outshot the 300 gr. Sierra Match Kings. - I'm looking for the best accuracy & the Berger's have delivered. - I'm not looking for extreme velocity but I'm working on best accuracy.

Good Luck with your Edge, I'm sure you'll find a good load. It's an outstanding cartridge indeed.

Ron

 

[MTlager]

I've fooled around with the 285 Amax and ELD in my Edge and after 1000 yards they wouldn't shoot as good as the 300 Bergers. With my "slow lot" of H1000 I run Berger"s at 2880 in a 29 1/2 inch Krieger with a ES of 3 on a 3 shot string. The ELD shot best on paper at a 1000 with a 1/2 grain more powder with a lot more speed, 2922 and a good ES but I didn't see the difference in the B.C. Most of my shooting with the Edge is beyond a 1000 so I stick with the Bergers for the ELR. I would like to see how the ELD works for a hunting bullet under a 1000 if I got chance. Maybe one of these days I put them on the 1640 steel and see what they do, but haven't convinced me to switch yet!

Lonnie

 

[FrogFire7]

I’m going to try the 285’s once my EDGE is built. Also have 300 gr Bergers. Powders I will try are R33, N570 and maybe H1000.

Let me know how they work for you!!!

 

[FrogFire7]

I haven't tried the Hornady bullets in 338 cal. - I do have some 285 match hollow points to try in both an Edge and a 338 Lapua Improved. - So far my experience with the 300 gr. Berger Hybrids have been Very positive from an accuracy standpoint and a few others are also reporting very good accuracy with the 300 gr. hunter version as well. - In every comparison I've done so far the Berger's have outshot the 300 gr. Sierra Match Kings. - I'm looking for the best accuracy & the Berger's have delivered. - I'm not looking for extreme velocity but I'm working on best accuracy.

Good Luck with your Edge, I'm sure you'll find a good load. It's an outstanding cartridge indeed.

Ron

Thanks for the input Ron! I'm very excited for my rifle to be done. I will try to update as I do load development. If the hornadys don't work I will have to give the bergers a try!

 

[FrogFire7]

I've fooled around with the 285 Amax and ELD in my Edge and after 1000 yards they wouldn't shoot as good as the 300 Bergers. With my "slow lot" of H1000 I run Berger"s at 2880 in a 29 1/2 inch Krieger with a ES of 3 on a 3 shot string. The ELD shot best on paper at a 1000 with a 1/2 grain more powder with a lot more speed, 2922 and a good ES but I didn't see the difference in the B.C. Most of my shooting with the Edge is beyond a 1000 so I stick with the Bergers for the ELR. I would like to see how the ELD works for a hunting bullet under a 1000 if I got chance. Maybe one of these days I put them on the 1640 steel and see what they do, but haven't convinced me to switch yet!

Lonnie

That is awesome!! The farthest I have easy access to is about 1200. Thanks so much for the real world input, it's sounding more and more that the bergers are the way to go for ELR.

Also, that ES is nuts!! If I can get anywhere remotely close to that I will be thrilled

Thanks for taking the time to comment!