Your load development with the 178 is NOT a lost cause, and you can always go back to it when you can get more bullets. All we are saying is to have an alternative load while waiting. That's the beauty of reloading; you have options. What you do with options and we have recommended is entirely up to you. We can only advise but the ultimate decision is yours.Thanks for the suggestion! I am trying to avoid attempting to develop a load for yet another bullet, given that all the usual suspects that typically work awesome in 308 have not worked in this barrel.