Hornady ELD-X Official Thread

[jensenj71]

220gr ELD-X in 300 Win with RL-26

I just got back from the range. I used Hornady's recommended load data for 220 ELD-X with RL-26. The 74.0 grains was max load for me at 2860fps versus what Hornady shows as 74.4gr at 2850fps. Best accuracy seemed to be at 73.0gr at 2830fps. I am 0.083" off lands to get a round that will cycle in my Ruger M77. I also loaded 3 rounds at 0.026" off lands (single feed only), 73.0gr and 2865fps. This delivered a 0.75 MOA group. I used CCI 250 magnum primers and Winchester brass. I was surprised to see the increase in velocity between 0.083" and 0.026" at 73.0gr without seeing the flatten primers of the 74.0gr load yet exceeding the velocities.

I am going to spend some more time with loads around 73.0gr with various seating depths.

My preferred load has been 180gr Hornady BTSP at 3080fps with RL-19. The bullet drop of the 180 BTSP and 220 ELD are nearly identical out to 1000yds, however the ELD has 25% more energy at 500yds and 50% more energy at 1000yds! Estimated drift of 10mph cross wind is 1/3 less with the 220.

 

[WildRose]

Re: 220gr ELD-X in 300 Win with RL-26

I just got back from the range. I used Hornady's recommended load data for 220 ELD-X with RL-26. The 74.0 grains was max load for me at 2860fps versus what Hornady shows as 74.4gr at 2850fps. Best accuracy seemed to be at 73.0gr at 2830fps. I am 0.083" off lands to get a round that will cycle in my Ruger M77. I also loaded 3 rounds at 0.026" off lands (single feed only), 73.0gr and 2865fps. This delivered a 0.75 MOA group. I used CCI 250 magnum primers and Winchester brass. I was surprised to see the increase in velocity between 0.083" and 0.026" at 73.0gr without seeing the flatten primers of the 74.0gr load yet exceeding the velocities.

I am going to spend some more time with loads around 73.0gr with various seating depths.

My preferred load has been 180gr Hornady BTSP at 3080fps with RL-19. The bullet drop of the 180 BTSP and 220 ELD are nearly identical out to 1000yds, however the ELD has 25% more energy at 500yds and 50% more energy at 1000yds! Estimated drift of 10mph cross wind is 1/3 less with the 220.

Sounds promising. Not surprising though on the velocity increase. The closer you get to the lands the higher the chamber pressure is going to be due to less gas escaping ahead of the bullet before it gets to them.

Keep in mind, this is also why you have to be very careful about jamming them into the lands because the pressure can spike dramatically very quickly.

I'm going to give the 220gr a ride in the 300 Rum's and probably stick with the 200gr for the .300wm's.

 

[c-ne-elk]

I have been trying the 6.5 ELD X in my 26 Nosler and have had no luck. The bullets are tumbling. Getting a very definitive key hole and they go all over the place. Cannot even keep a 6" group at 50 yards.

The rifle has a 1 in 8 twist and shoots 140g Accubonds 1/2 MOA all day long.

Any ideas? Closer to lands, jump more? Have tried several loads.

 

[Barrelnut]

I have been trying the 6.5 ELD X in my 26 Nosler and have had no luck. The bullets are tumbling. Getting a very definitive key hole and they go all over the place. Cannot even keep a 6" group at 50 yards.

The rifle has a 1 in 8 twist and shoots 140g Accubonds 1/2 MOA all day long.

Any ideas? Closer to lands, jump more? Have tried several loads.

What speed are you running them at?

 

[c-ne-elk]

Have not chro'ed them yet but per the book should be between 2900 to 3200 fps. Have tried several loads from low to high end. All seem to tumble.

 

[parshal]

Have not chro'ed them yet but per the book should be between 2900 to 3050 fps. Have tried several loads from low to high end. All seem to tumble.

Different caliber but I'm shooting those at 3200 out of my 6.5 WSM with a 1-8 twist with great accuracy. They shoot well between .005 -.020" off the lands.

How far are yours off the lands? What powder? Not that the powder should make a difference. I'm real curious to see what you figure out.

 

[elkaholic]

I have been trying the 6.5 ELD X in my 26 Nosler and have had no luck. The bullets are tumbling. Getting a very definitive key hole and they go all over the place. Cannot even keep a 6" group at 50 yards.

The rifle has a 1 in 8 twist and shoots 140g Accubonds 1/2 MOA all day long.

Any ideas? Closer to lands, jump more? Have tried several loads.

I can shoot them up to 3300' with my 8 twist SS. They are VERY accurate below 3250'. If you are key holing, I don't think a different load or seating depth will help. There must be something else going on? What barrel and land configuration do you have? What elevation do you shoot at?

 

[c-ne-elk]

Fixed a typo in my original post, up to 3200. Have tried fast and slow.

Mainly using US 869 for a powder right now. Have never seen a rifle/load key hole this bad before. I know it is usually caused by not having a quick enough twist but this should not be the problem here.

The rifle also shoots Berger's very well, not sure what is causing this.

 

[WildRose]

I have been trying the 6.5 ELD X in my 26 Nosler and have had no luck. The bullets are tumbling. Getting a very definitive key hole and they go all over the place. Cannot even keep a 6" group at 50 yards.

The rifle has a 1 in 8 twist and shoots 140g Accubonds 1/2 MOA all day long.

Any ideas? Closer to lands, jump more? Have tried several loads.

This makes no sense at all, something is really screwed up somewhere.

Are you/have you been shooting other bullets in the same weight class? If so, what were the results?

If you have shot others that performed well in the pas in the same weight class and it stabilized those OK something is just terribly wrong.

 

[WildRose]

Having read more, I've got to ask... . Is there any possibility at all that your bullets are striking something between you and the target? Even a few blades of grass at the muzzle can make bullets do crazy things in flight.

 

[mdk777]

So, this leads to another question:
I really like the reviews of this muzzle brake:
EFAB Hybrid Muzzle Brake - Precision ArmamentPrecision Armament

It seems the very best balance between reduced recoil, NOT increased concussive blast, and flash reduction.

Does anyone have any experience with how such a brake affects accuracy?

Wouldn't want to spend the money only to find that it is causing accuracy akin to tumbling bullets at 50 yards described above.

 

[elkaholic]

Something like that would be more likely. It DOESN'T make much sense.

 

[c-ne-elk]

100% sure bullet is not striking anything. I did read last night to where another member was having a bad problem by the 8th shot using ELD X copper fouling his barrel so bad that his accuracy was gone. Could be the same issue. Going to try some Berger's that I know shoot good right behind some tumbling ELD X's. If they shoot good may have some ELD X's for sale...Not sure why I am even fooling with the ELD's in the first place. Have never had a problem with the Bergers, has always been bang/flop.

And I agree, it does NOT make sense. I have been reloading for over 30 years, shoot over 2,000 center fire rounds per year, have owned 25 plus caliber rifles of all types, custom and factory and have NEVER seen anything like this.

 

[elkaholic]

I was going to suggest that you try another brand and see what happens. Just in case something has gone bad in the barrel. It is a strange case for sure.....Rich