A max vs eldx seating depth comparison

[crabcreekhunter]

Used to shoot a lot of 162 gr amaxs out of my .280 AI and switching over to the eldx for hunting, have had mediocre results with same powder seating depth just curious if anyone has worked up a load and has an educated opinion on if the eldx like to be seated further out in their rifle than the amax.  Just being a little lazy and seeing if i cant get a lucky nudge in the right direction before doing all the normal tests.  I think the eldxs have a little longer bearing surface which hints to me seat them out a little further?

[CaNINE]

I've been doing a lot of load testing with ELD-X in the 280AI with 162 grain and H4831SC. I did a seating depth study starting at 0.010 jump and working up to 0.110 jump. The more jump the better for group size and ES. I loaded more tests at 0.130 and 0.140. They shot even better. I settled on the 0.140 load using 57.5 grains of powder which shot 1.25" at 200 yards with a ES of 8. This is out of a kimber Montana with a toothpick barrel. Velocity is about perfect for close to mid range work, right at 2750 fps

[CaNINE]

I've also been working with the 220 grain in my RUM, 143 grain in my 264WM and the 200 grain in my WSM. They all shoot best between 0.050 and 0.090 with the exception of the 280AI which likes even more jump. I hope to put one of these bullets in a deer and a elk in a few weeks.

[BULLBLASTER]

I am getting great accuracy in my 6.5-284 with 0.01 ish jump. 1/2-3/4 mos is the norm for 220 yards off the bench.

[carpsniperg2]

I have burned a lot of them in my wildcat breaking it in and have also shot a few animals with them. Im seeing great results on paper/steel/critter. Im holding 1/2 to 1 moa to 800 with this rifle. My loads are at max mag length and about 10 thousands off my lands. They definitely in my rifle shoot best closer to the lands. I tried some 30 40 thousands off and they were wild. I have only shot coyotes with a aframe but i can say the killing power on the eldx should be much better.

[CaNINE]

sounds like we're all getting different results when it comes to seating depth.  Looks like your going to have to experiment with your rifle to see what shoots best.

[crabcreekhunter]

Thanks for the educated responses everyone, i know the 168 bergers i have to have them slightly on the lands to shoot in my rifle which is why i dont use them to hunt with, would hate to pull a bullet several miles in.  Ill start loading them at my lands and start working my way back, thanks again.

[rudysts]

I tried the 162ELDX in 280AI and 284 Shehane I was hoping they would shoot at least half minute the best was 1 minute @ 200 yards and really horrible past 200. seating depth was from at the lands to .060 off. the amaxes shot way better for me. I also had a hard time maintaining consistent seating depths I had to back my micrometer seating die off .010 thou then measure and and adjust accordingly for the desired seating depth.

[hogslayer]

I gave the eld x a hell of a try in my 7mm and couldn't get any decent groups.  Switched to 168 bergers and got to 5/8 group pretty fast.  Did the Berger seating depth ladder and shot best .80 off the lands. Maybe try it with the eld-x. Start at the lands and back up to .20,.40,.60,.80,.120 off lands.  The rest shot like garbage.  I hit .80 off the lands and couldn't believe it. Made one big hole on the target

[crabcreekhunter]

Thanks for the replies everyone loaded up a "berger" ladder test today before work so will go give it a try in the morning, hopefully with some good results! 

[MtnMuley]

I hope you get those results with the ELD-X. I wanted to in the worst way with the 28 Nos, and couldn't come close. Berger EOL hybrids for me.

[CaNINE]

I hope you get those results with the ELD-X. I wanted to in the worst way with the 28 Nos, and couldn't come close. Berger EOL hybrids for me.

My buddy has a load with 175 ELD-X and his 28 Nosler built on a 26" Krieger barrel.  I know he's getting 3040 fps and about half minute.  I believe he's using an Alliant powder but not sure which one.  Let me know if you want the data and I'll get in touch with him.

[savagehunter]

6.5x284 on the lands eldx with 4831sc out shot the berger 140 gr just barely . Since they are cheaper I'm going with them.

[MtnMuley]

I hope you get those results with the ELD-X. I wanted to in the worst way with the 28 Nos, and couldn't come close. Berger EOL hybrids for me.

My buddy has a load with 175 ELD-X and his 28 Nosler built on a 26" Krieger barrel.  I know he's getting 3040 fps and about half minute.  I believe he's using an Alliant powder but not sure which one.  Let me know if you want the data and I'll get in touch with him.

Absolutely. Thank you. The 175's were the bullet I wanted. .5 works for me. My only question would be the temperature stability of the Alliant.

[rudysts]

Thanks for the replies everyone loaded up a "berger" ladder test today before work so will go give it a try in the morning, hopefully with some good results!
[/quote

180 Berger VLD with H4831 was the ticket for me in my 280AI 2840 fps. if your barrel twist will allow you to shoot the 180s it might be worth it I found it more accurate in my rifle over the 168s.

[rudysts]

I hope you get those results with the ELD-X. I wanted to in the worst way with the 28 Nos, and couldn't come close. Berger EOL hybrids for me.

My buddy has a load with 175 ELD-X and his 28 Nosler built on a 26" Krieger barrel.  I know he's getting 3040 fps and about half minute.  I believe he's using an Alliant powder but not sure which one.  Let me know if you want the data and I'll get in touch with him.

Absolutely. Thank you. The 175's were the bullet I wanted. .5 works for me. My only question would be the temperature stability of the Alliant.

RL33 for the 28 Nosler RL33 I believe is a double base powder so more velocity less pressure but if it is anything like RL17 it will be temp sensitive. I would prefer Retumbo. here is thread from another site for 28 Nosler

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/28-nolser-195-berger-powder.3910022/

[MtnMuley]

I hope you get those results with the ELD-X. I wanted to in the worst way with the 28 Nos, and couldn't come close. Berger EOL hybrids for me.

My buddy has a load with 175 ELD-X and his 28 Nosler built on a 26" Krieger barrel.  I know he's getting 3040 fps and about half minute.  I believe he's using an Alliant powder but not sure which one.  Let me know if you want the data and I'll get in touch with him.

Absolutely. Thank you. The 175's were the bullet I wanted. .5 works for me. My only question would be the temperature stability of the Alliant.

RL33 for the 28 Nosler RL33 I believe is a double base powder so more velocity less pressure but if it is anything like RL17 it will be temp sensitive. I would prefer Retumbo. here is thread from another site for 28 Nosler

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/28-nolser-195-berger-powder.3910022/

Thanks. Retumbo is basically all we try because of that reason.

Sorry to sidetrack crabck.

[CaNINE]

I hope you get those results with the ELD-X. I wanted to in the worst way with the 28 Nos, and couldn't come close. Berger EOL hybrids for me.

My buddy has a load with 175 ELD-X and his 28 Nosler built on a 26" Krieger barrel.  I know he's getting 3040 fps and about half minute.  I believe he's using an Alliant powder but not sure which one.  Let me know if you want the data and I'll get in touch with him.

Absolutely. Thank you. The 175's were the bullet I wanted. .5 works for me. My only question would be the temperature stability of the Alliant.

MtnMuley - I sent you a PM with 28 Nosler load data

[hogslayer]

I have a 28 nosler being built right now by Michael at Hells canyon armory.  I got some 180 hybrids and either retumbo or VV N570 is what I am going to run with. I have read a lot of stuff with great results and Reloader 33.  But that comes with a range of temp between 90 degrees and freezing of 128 fps!  I would rather give up 75 fps to get a es of 12 or under with retumbo or N570

[rudysts]

I have a 28 nosler being built right now by Michael at Hells canyon armory.  I got some 180 hybrids and either retumbo or VV N570 is what I am going to run with. I have read a lot of stuff with great results and Reloader 33.  But that comes with a range of temp between 90 degrees and freezing of 128 fps!  I would rather give up 75 fps to get a es of 12 or under with retumbo or N570

Why not have it throated for the 195gr EOL Elite Hunter Bullets. that bullet flying over 3000 fps will do some serious damage on elk at extended range. what action are you going with on your new build I have been wanting to have one built on a Stiller or Borden Timberline action.

[MtnMuley]

I have a 28 nosler being built right now by Michael at Hells canyon armory.  I got some 180 hybrids and either retumbo or VV N570 is what I am going to run with. I have read a lot of stuff with great results and Reloader 33.  But that comes with a range of temp between 90 degrees and freezing of 128 fps!  I would rather give up 75 fps to get a es of 12 or under with retumbo or N570

Why not have it throated for the 195gr EOL Elite Hunter Bullets. that bullet flying over 3000 fps will do some serious damage on elk at extended range. what action are you going with on your new build I have been wanting to have one built on a Stiller or Borden Timberline action.

That's what I ended up doing. I wanted to get away from the Bergers because of the "after the impact issues", and go with the ELD-X. When they were a fit, I remained a Berger guy.

[Mxracer532]

I had my Sendero in 7mm sent off to Straight Shooter Supply in Oregon and had him do a break and bed the action a few months back. I was shooting 168gn Bergers with groups in the mid .6's with Retumbo prior to sending it off. I got it back and the same load was about 1.2. I tried a few different loads with minimal results. About that time I got lucky and found a box of ELDX's 162s and loaded some up using the Berger method for seating depth and went out and shot starting at a .10 jam and worked my way back. I got to I think .60 jump and was getting just a hair over .5 groups. My 3rd shot was always just off the first 2. First shot was always dead center bulls eye. Long story short there was a tractor disc hanging on a fence post at 850 yards and my dad says dial that sucker up and see if you can hit that thing. (Vortex Viper PST 6.5-24x50) I told him well hang on I need to figure out how to operate this scope. Mils and never dialed up mils so I punched in some guesses on velocity (3000fps) scope height and all that in my ballistic app calculated it and made the correction and touched her off and drilled it the very first shot. Shot it 4 out of 5 times with 2 different seating depths. When we went and checked out the disc 2 were touching just off the left hand side of center and the other was dead center, about 5in group. 4th shot we were not sure where it hit.  Needless to say I settled on that load. I was a big Berger guy as I have shot the crap out of them in my 22-250 and my .243 but I can honestly say I have had issues more then once on game. (or I should say my sisters have) Close range high velocity isnt good. Watch my sister shoot a buck at 90-100 yards one yr and it literally just took it and walked off, not a drop of blood. But also watched her shoot a buck at 520 that destroyed the offside shoulder (perfect half dollar size hole through the heart) The Bergers still get shot from my .243 for coyotes but if she decides to use my gun for deer again it will be the 7mag and the ELDX's and hope for better results.

[crabcreekhunter]

Well the load that worked the best was 59 grains of 4831sc just barely off the lands and opened up from there on back so sticking with that.  About half moa and for my hunting purposes will do just fine.  Hogslayer the rifle im using was put together by mike also, im sure you will be happy with your 28 nosler.  Have a couple rifles from him and they seem to shoot well.  What barrel is going on it?  Mtnmuley if you have some of the eldxs laying around dont be afraid to send them my way lol and those late night hunting pics at work got me all fired up for next weekend haha

[hogslayer]

I am going with a carbon fiber barrel which is a rock creek blank, brake, lone peak titanium action, mcmillian game scout stock timney trigger NF 5.5-22x56 . dipped in Verde camo

[CaNINE]

now you guys have me second guessing that I missed something by not seating my ELD-X close to the lands.  They shot like crap at 0.010 off so I never explored going closer.  I'll try some a couple thou off and see what happens.

On one of the long range forums people are starting to post up field reports on terminal performance.  Looks like the ELD-X are performing well at various ranges just as advertised.  If you run velocities at approx 3000 fps+ they are doing meat damage at close range so bullet placement is obviously still key.

Let's keep this post going to share results with these bullets.  I'm interested in learning more from what you all are doing and how the bullets perform for you this year on game.

[hogslayer]

I have 2 boxes of 162 in 284 I'll get rid of for cheap if anyone wants them

[hogslayer]

I have a 28 nosler being built right now by Michael at Hells canyon armory.  I got some 180 hybrids and either retumbo or VV N570 is what I am going to run with. I have read a lot of stuff with great results and Reloader 33.  But that comes with a range of temp between 90 degrees and freezing of 128 fps!  I would rather give up 75 fps to get a es of 12 or under with retumbo or N570

Why not have it throated for the 195gr EOL Elite Hunter Bullets. that bullet flying over 3000 fps will do some serious damage on elk at extended range. what action are you going with on your new build I have been wanting to have one built on a Stiller or Borden Timberline action.

I originally thought the same thing with the 195s. I talked to Michael and Travis of rbros and both said that with that bullet things become a lot more critical and harder to group.  The higher fps of the 180 hybrid makes the difference in bc minimal. I took the gamble on a newer company called lone peak arms action.  It's a titanium action on the same level as defiance.  I will be at or slightly below 10 with optics and bipod.

[crabcreekhunter]

I am going with a carbon fiber barrel which is a rock creek blank, brake, lone peak titanium action, mcmillian game scout stock timney trigger NF 5.5-22x56 . dipped in Verde camo

I think you will like the carbon barrel, had my .280 AI built on a rem 700 action with a manners eh1 stock barreled with a HCA carbon barrel but it was a Bartlein, before he hooked up with rock creek.  I was a little uncertain at first but have grown to love it as ive gotten to know the gun.  I wouldnt recommend it but ran a 18 shot string without cooling whatsoever and even with the barrel that hot my group stayed under an inch and a half. 

[rudysts]

I know you are gonna be happy with that setup. lone peak titanium action was one of my choices on my last build but I went with a Borden Timberline and a Brux barrel also check out the new Timney 2 stage trigger I am pretty happy with mine and now I want to change out all my other triggers.

[crabcreekhunter]

Well finished checking my dope chart, was 15-25 mph gusty winds so pretty happy with the load even though not the best groups, went two shot groups at 300-800 (100 yard increments) checking my elevation not worried about windage while testing.. 400 and 800 yard shown

[crabcreekhunter]

Only got to pull the trigger once this year using the eld-x on a cow elk, look like the bullet penciled in nice and expanded hard as it did not exit the far side.  Severely hemoragged the far side under the skin.  Shot was broadside at 440 with a 162 from 280AI.  Did not gut the elk just deboned gutless method, so didnt see the internal damage but after hit lurched forward and stayed up for 10 seconds and tipped over.

[CaNINE]

What muzzle velocity are you running with the 162 out of your 280AI?

[crabcreekhunter]

2950, with no pressure signs.. can run them up over 3k pretty easy but not a whole lot of benefit in a few more fps besides using more powder and shorter brass life.

[BULLBLASTER]

2950, with no pressure signs.. can run them up over 3k pretty easy but not a whole lot of benefit in a few more fps besides using more powder and shorter brass life.

What's your barrel length?
I bought some 162s to try in my 7 Rem mag and am hoping for 3000 from 26 inches

[crabcreekhunter]

Id guess you wouldnt have a problem getting 3000, I have a 25" bartlein carbon wrapped 1-9 twist, the 7mm should push them 50-75 fps faster without a problem.

[CaNINE]

2950, with no pressure signs.. can run them up over 3k pretty easy but not a whole lot of benefit in a few more fps besides using more powder and shorter brass life.

Wow I'm surprised you don't have any pressure signs at that velocity..that's great. I'm using H4831SC in my Kimber Montana. I hit a sweet spot at 2750 so stopped there. Of course that gun is not a long range rig. Hornady says I'm about at MAX with that particular powder.