ELD-M for 300 PRC

[chromatica]

I am doing load development for my Bighorn 300 PRC and I'm liking the 208 grain weights. I found a good node with the 208 BTHP bullets (SD=5). However the Hornady BTHP bullets don't have a great BC and I want a load that works for F-class Long Range. I am now trying 208 ELD-Ms but I cant seem to find a good load. Sd's are 12-15. I know the A-tips are known to be very sensitive to seating depth, but I don't know if this is true for the ELD-Ms.

When bullets are said to be sensitive to seating depth, does the spread show up in muzzle velocity as well as group size? (So if I did a ladder test with graduated seating depths, could I expect to find a sweet spot in MV SD?)

 

[FeMan]

I cant see where the ogive design would have any correlation to the consistency of your MV.

I think you will do better if you set the chronograph aside and do your load development at longer ranges- tuning seating depth and powder charge to get you groups, particularly vertical to a minimum. Those are often independent of ES/SD. My F-Class 284 will hold X-ring vertical and the it has an ES/SD of 45/15. The loads that have low ES/SD group poorly, especially at distance.

Also, if F-Class if your intended discipline I would recommend you stay away from Hornady bullets. They shoot very well but their jackets are too thin and you will find yourself blowing up bullets near the end of your strings of fire.