Alright guys, is anyone out there shooting Hornady 208 ELD-M out of their 300 win mag? I recently purchased a 300WM and am new to this caliber. I am curious to hear what people are experiencing with this round. I have had great luck with the ELD-M in other calibers, but no knowledge of 30 calibers. Thanks
300 Win Mag Hornady 208 ELD-M
- Thread starter RPR 6.5 slave
- Start date
I am !! The 208 eld-m and rl-23 is working great in my 300 WM. Tiny groups at 100 yds and holding 1/2 moa at 700 yds (farthest i've taken it) when i do my part.
Curious how the 208 eld-m is performing on game ? I've only used it on paper and steel and i really like it !!
What powder are you using? I am thinking of 2 different powders as of now. RL-26 and H4831sc. By all that I have seen, heavier bullets are running h4831sc or h4831. I tried to run on Quickloads, both powders and not seeing the MV that I would like. I have had great results with RL26 in several different cartridges. It's stable at fluctuating temps. My load development at this time of year is @ very low temps. Are you using BR primers? What brass? I have Hornady brass and some Remington brass that is fire formed. At this point in time I can use any available info to help guide me in the right direction. I appreciate any info I can get. My goal is to achieve 2500 yards. But being new to this caliber (except .308) I am a newbie. But I have run my 6.5 as far as I can with what I have. Now I want to run a bigger dog. Thanks for the input.
You should have good luck with them in your 300 win mag as well. I run 2 bullets in my 300 Win Mags now, the 208 ELDM and the 215 Berger. Also run 2 powders now, H1000 and RL26, but also have data for RL33 and H4831SC.
Looking to try IMR8133 and maybe N570 at some point.
I have 4 300 win mags I load for. All are 1:10 twist.
A Sendero SF2 with a 26" barrel.
A 700 long range Custom with a 27" Bartlien 5R stainless barrel.
A Christensen Arms Ridgeline with a 26" carbon fiber barrel.
A Fierce CT Edge with 24" carbon fiber barrel.
I used to start my loading at .010" off the lands, but have changed it to starting at mag length. (3.680")
The exception to that is the 700 LR Custom, because the lands are closer in that rifle and won't allow a mag length COAL. That one I run at .010" off .My BTL measurement is 2.855, so BTO is 2.845" on my loaded rounds.
I Also noticed when I run them up to 3000 FPS or faster, in the Sendero, I start getting more copper fouling in the barrel, and groups open up to about an inch.
Once I slowed them down to 2950 or less, it goes away, and groups shrink.
Best accuracy, ES and SD in my rifles seem to be between 2910-2980 FPS depending on which rifle.
2980 for the LR Custom
2930-2960 in the Sendero and Christensen
2911 in the Fierce (still a new barrel @75 rounds)
Powder charges all seem to be on the low end, around 72- 74 for both powders with the lots I now have.
For cases, I've run ADG, Winchester, Remington and believe it or not, Federal. I also have some PPU.
By far, the ADG cases are best. The Winchester cases are not of the quality I would expect, and the Federals are more consistent dimensionally than the Winchester, but also softer. Remington is fine, and PPU really isn't worth the effort. Once all the other cases are shot out, ill use all ADG In their place.
Primers are Federal 215M and Federal GM215M, but I have also used CCI 250.
The H4831SC used to be my go to powder for the 300 win mag. I ran around 72 gr with my lot of powder with the 200 gr ELDX.
I don't know what you are doing with Quick load, but all of the powders I mentioned will get you to 3000+FPS.
The way I use Quickload is load up a ladder for my rifle in .5 gr increments, fire over chronometer, (in my case, Magnetospeed) until I see pressure signs, record velocities.
Then go to quick load, input all rifle, cartridge, load data, accurately, and then manipulate quick load powder data until the velocities match that of my rifle. I've found its pretty accurate at predicting velocities for the powder charges in that lot of powder after that.
If you are looking to run them fast, the ADG, Winchester, Remington cases will probably serve you best. Your not going to get much case life however.
So what rifle did you go with?
Looking to try IMR8133 and maybe N570 at some point.
I have 4 300 win mags I load for. All are 1:10 twist.
A Sendero SF2 with a 26" barrel.
A 700 long range Custom with a 27" Bartlien 5R stainless barrel.
A Christensen Arms Ridgeline with a 26" carbon fiber barrel.
A Fierce CT Edge with 24" carbon fiber barrel.
I used to start my loading at .010" off the lands, but have changed it to starting at mag length. (3.680")
The exception to that is the 700 LR Custom, because the lands are closer in that rifle and won't allow a mag length COAL. That one I run at .010" off .My BTL measurement is 2.855, so BTO is 2.845" on my loaded rounds.
I Also noticed when I run them up to 3000 FPS or faster, in the Sendero, I start getting more copper fouling in the barrel, and groups open up to about an inch.
Once I slowed them down to 2950 or less, it goes away, and groups shrink.
Best accuracy, ES and SD in my rifles seem to be between 2910-2980 FPS depending on which rifle.
2980 for the LR Custom
2930-2960 in the Sendero and Christensen
2911 in the Fierce (still a new barrel @75 rounds)
Powder charges all seem to be on the low end, around 72- 74 for both powders with the lots I now have.
For cases, I've run ADG, Winchester, Remington and believe it or not, Federal. I also have some PPU.
By far, the ADG cases are best. The Winchester cases are not of the quality I would expect, and the Federals are more consistent dimensionally than the Winchester, but also softer. Remington is fine, and PPU really isn't worth the effort. Once all the other cases are shot out, ill use all ADG In their place.
Primers are Federal 215M and Federal GM215M, but I have also used CCI 250.
The H4831SC used to be my go to powder for the 300 win mag. I ran around 72 gr with my lot of powder with the 200 gr ELDX.
I don't know what you are doing with Quick load, but all of the powders I mentioned will get you to 3000+FPS.
The way I use Quickload is load up a ladder for my rifle in .5 gr increments, fire over chronometer, (in my case, Magnetospeed) until I see pressure signs, record velocities.
Then go to quick load, input all rifle, cartridge, load data, accurately, and then manipulate quick load powder data until the velocities match that of my rifle. I've found its pretty accurate at predicting velocities for the powder charges in that lot of powder after that.
If you are looking to run them fast, the ADG, Winchester, Remington cases will probably serve you best. Your not going to get much case life however.
So what rifle did you go with?
I went with the Ruger RPR. 26" barrel. I have not measured the throat yet and have not done any of the regular measurements yet. I have 30 caliber bullets...many. But all are for the .308. I really wanted some input before I made the financial commitment. I have no problem spending monies for somethings that I am gonna see returns on. My goal is to see 1/2 MOA or less. I wanted to run a high BC bullet to maximize shot distance. I have read a few post on guys running heavier bullets. They seem to be using more for hunting. I don't plan on hunting with this gun. I want to push this factory gun as far as I can. Its kinda like a race car driver....he has a 10 second car and wants a 9 second car. What is it gonna take to make it faster. Is the money I spend gonna make a difference?
Its more about getting the most out of what I have than spending the most of what I have. I LOVE the challenge of pushing the limits.
Knowledge is power and tapping into the infinite wisdom of other shooters is priceless.
Have you run any Hornady brass? Did you have any problems with federal brass overall? As far as case life, this is relative to how hard you push them. I learned this in my 6mm Creedmoor. 6.5 Creedmoor was a whole bunch more forgiving. I could lean on them a bunch more and still have great brass life.
I have a magnetospeed crono also. I use the same approach. I push the powder in .3 grain increments though. Then I run it till I find pressure then play with seating depth. This is my first run at a Magnum caliber and I am in the learning curve. So I am trying to educate myself by asking other experienced shooters what they have seen and experienced. Then I can start making loads to maximize brass life and overall cost. Time is a huge factor too. But I am driven to produce with this caliber as well as all I shoot. Thanks again for your time and experience.
When I get home I'll check my notes. But going of off memory...
79 gr RETUMBO
208 ELD-M
215m primer.
2,975 +/-5 fps, 26" bbl
This load is right at MAX so be careful.
I worked up the load with cci250 and average velocity with the CCI primer was right at 3,000 fps.
Once I had the powder charge weight figured, I tried215m primers and groups shrank in half !!! At the expense of 25 fps.
79 gr RETUMBO
208 ELD-M
215m primer.
2,975 +/-5 fps, 26" bbl
This load is right at MAX so be careful.
I worked up the load with cci250 and average velocity with the CCI primer was right at 3,000 fps.
Once I had the powder charge weight figured, I tried215m primers and groups shrank in half !!! At the expense of 25 fps.
Thank you for the info. I will look into this.
Nice choice for what you want to do! 3.850" magazine means you can seat bullets long if you have the throat for it, (keep the bullet out of powder space) and that's a 9 twist, so you'll have good stabilization for the heavy 200's. I'd buy a box of 208 ELDM and a box of 215 Bergers and find out which one it shoots best.
There's no reason you shouldn't be able to get 1/2 MOA out of that rifle and hand loads unless that hammer forged 5R barrel is a lemon. (Not likely)
Heavies are great for hunting, but there's allot of offerings in heavies that have really good BC numbers to get you out there at long range. You'll find a bullet that works for you if the 208 doesn't.
2500 yards is a pretty long poke.
You may be looking at something in the 230gr range and slower powders like RL33 or N570.
I think I know where you're at.
"Only accurate guns are interesting, but fast accurate guns are more interesting."
I've run Hornady brass in my 300 WM's, was pushing them hard and getting about 3 reloads out of them. Running Hornady brass in my Lapuas and surprisingly no problems yet, but still intend to switch to ADG Brass in those rifles as well.
The federal brass I have for the 300's I bought as loaded rounds. Blue box, and they are pretty consistent dimensionally but soft.
For the 300 WM I think you'll find your load a little quicker with .5 gr powder steps. Larger case volume than your Creedmoor, so more forgiving. But do it however you like.
Anyway, good luck man!
I am open to any type of loading. I have used .5 increments before. It has worked well also. I just have found in smaller calibers that I tend to find the sweet spot quicker. I have thought about Berger 215's and even 230's. I am a first time 300wm user. I have no experience in this round. I would like to push the limits of the gun. I did this on my 6.5 rpr and it was AWESOME. I know that I can get an accurate load produced. I have great patience and persistence when it comes to final results. I just don't want to be spinning my wheels when there are so many educated large bore shooters out there that have so much knowledge. Why not tap this knowledge? I seem to take on challenges that most would not attempt. I really appreciate the information and the time you took to respond. Thanks again.
That must be a REALLY compressed load. By the numbers according to Quickload....that is 110 % fill. Getting a little crunchy? I am not showing the speed either. Are you hanging the bullets way out?
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