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Hornady 105gr BTHP vs. 108gr ELD Match

J0HN_R1

Howdy y'all ! This is my 1st thread here, so please take it easy on me ! ;) I just finished building a .243win "precision" rifle.

After Hornady discontinued the 6mm 105gr Amax, there was a gap between them disappearing from shelves & the new ELD's showing up. Atleast in Canada there was.

I started reloading the 105gr BTHP Match instead, because of the similarities to the Amax. Then I got a new custom barrel, and just finished working up a load for it (under 100 rds so far) with the BTHP's.

Now, ~3 months later, the ELD's show up. And I've found a spot where I save $15/box vs. Cabelas... I bought a box of the 108gr ELD Match, I couldn't resist.

I've loaded up 25 rds to start, but haven't had a chance to shoot them yet (too cold or snowing too much, typical Canadian weather 'eh ! LoL).


The $64,000 question is, has anyone here loaded both projectiles and what are your thoughts/conclusions in hindsight ? Is one better than the other ?

I'm wondering if it's worth it to switch to the 108gr ELD, when the 105gr BTHP is almost ballistically identical and it's not shooting too bad (see below) from my new barrel ?

o_O

4qMlbPP.jpg
 
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I've shot a bunch of BTHP in 6 Dasher. Super accurate at 100 yards, but they got pushed around in the wind a lot more than Berger 105 hybrids. I was using a .246 G7 BC for the BTHP, which is pretty poor.
 
I have loaded the 105 BTHP in my .243 and they shoot great pushed by H4350 at 3070fps. Shot them in some matches out to longer ranges and the accuracy held tight. Farthest i shot a group was 700 and it was about 3". Can't complain about that.

I shoot the 108s in my 6 Creedmoor with factory ammo but haven't loaded them up yet for it. Both shoot great and have very similar ballistics. I would say try a box of the 108s and see how they work for you in your rifle. If the 105s work better then you are only out the cost of a box. Loads will be similar.
 
My 243 really likes the 105 bthp by Hornady as well as Berger 105 hybrids.105 Amax were OK but not quite the same. All with H4350. Am going to try RL17.
 
Rob01 said:
I have loaded the 105 BTHP in my .243 and they shoot great pushed by H4350 at 3070fps. Shot them in some matches out to longer ranges and the accuracy held tight. Farthest i shot a group was 700 and it was about 3". Can't complain about that.

I shoot the 108s in my 6 Creedmoor with factory ammo but haven't loaded them up yet for it. Both shoot great and have very similar ballistics. I would say try a box of the 108s and see how they work for you in your rifle. If the 105s work better then you are only out the cost of a box. Loads will be similar.
Click to expand...

What load were you using with H4350 & the 105 BTHP? Did the BC of the bullet in the real world match what Hornady has it listed as (.530)?

What load data should I use with the 108's? Should I use 107 gr SMK data as a start point?
 
LOBO2 said:
What load were you using with H4350 & the 105 BTHP? Did the BC of the bullet in the real world match what Hornady has it listed as (.530)?

What load data should I use with the 108's? Should I use 107 gr SMK data as a start point?
Click to expand...

I am using 41.6grns of H4350 at .020" off the lands. Yup the BC held true at longer ranges. I was very happy with their performance.

With the 108s the 107 data would be a good place to start if you can't find specific 108 data. You will be starting lower anyways so working up should be plenty safe.
 
Rob01 said:
I am using 41.6grns of H4350 at .020" off the lands. Yup the BC held true at longer ranges. I was very happy with their performance.

With the 108s the 107 data would be a good place to start if you can't find specific 108 data. You will be starting lower anyways so working up should be plenty safe.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the helpful info Rob. Have you tried the 110 gr SMK?
 
Rob01 said:
No problem. I haven't tried the 110s but a buddy did in his 6XC and found them very finicky and stopped using them. Tough to tune a load.
Click to expand...

I’ve heard the same thing. I wonder if the problem is twist rate related. If I were gonna shoot 110’s I would want a 7” twist.
 
I run the Hornaday 105 BTHP Match in my straight .243 with excellent accuracy and grouping out to 1000 yards. I've never shot the 108 ELD-M and doubt I ever will.

Don Dunlap
 
Rob01 said:
Standard .243 Win. I have never like fireforming. LOL
Click to expand...

Hey bro. I am currently doing some 243 stuff myself. I have a Bartlein 243 1-8 barrel in my AR10 and it shot so good I ordered one for my benchrest rifle. It shipped yesterday!!!

I really think you need to do an honest load workup at 100 first. I posted targets on my load workup for 223A in the 22 forum. Three shots each target. Take the book max load and add .3 grains to it. I would think you would want 40.8 as max with IMR 4350 and 108s. Now subtract .3 and work your way down until you have 8 charges.

40.8, 40.5, 40.2, 39.9, 39.6, 39.3, 39, 38.7 Seat your bullets to touching (like using a Sinclair tool or a split necked case) +.020. We will call this hard jamb.

Start at the bottom and shoot the three shot groups as best you can watching conditions. Do this twice. This is 16 targets total. If you hit pressure STOP. Pressure would be hard bolt lift or really flat primers. I doubt you will see much pressure with these loads. Look for the tight nodes and the scater nodes. You should find a tight node at 40-40.8. Once you know the nodes you can get very serious about choosing a load. Shooting over a chrony can be very educational at the same time.

If you already knew this stuff, please forgive me. I have to do the same thing myself.

Also, you could shoot a 500 yard ladder instead. That is a great way to find the sweet spot also. The loading would still be the same. One shot per charge. Watch for the bullets at the same vertical. Repeat three times.
 
urbanrifleman said:
Hey bro. I am currently doing some 243 stuff myself. I have a Bartlein 243 1-8 barrel in my AR10 and it shot so good I ordered one for my benchrest rifle. It shipped yesterday!!!

I really think you need to do an honest load workup at 100 first. I posted targets on my load workup for 223A in the 22 forum. Three shots each target. Take the book max load and add .3 grains to it. I would think you would want 40.8 as max with IMR 4350 and 108s. Now subtract .3 and work your way down until you have 8 charges.

40.8, 40.5, 40.2, 39.9, 39.6, 39.3, 39, 38.7 Seat your bullets to touching (like using a Sinclair tool or a split necked case) +.020. We will call this hard jamb.

Start at the bottom and shoot the three shot groups as best you can watching conditions. Do this twice. This is 16 targets total. If you hit pressure STOP. Pressure would be hard bolt lift or really flat primers. I doubt you will see much pressure with these loads. Look for the tight nodes and the scater nodes. You should find a tight node at 40-40.8. Once you know the nodes you can get very serious about choosing a load. Shooting over a chrony can be very educational at the same time.

If you already knew this stuff, please forgive me. I have to do the same thing myself.

Also, you could shoot a 500 yard ladder instead. That is a great way to find the sweet spot also. The loading would still be the same. One shot per charge. Watch for the bullets at the same vertical. Repeat three times.
Click to expand...

You sure you meant me? I have shot the .243 in matches since 2004 and know how to load just fine. Sure the info will help someone else though.
 
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