Hornady 200 Gr ELD-X

[bearcatrp]

When the ELD's came out, I ordered the 178 ELD-X, 200 ELD-X, and the 208 ELD-M bullets. Did load development on the 178 and 208's. Was pondering just selling the 200's. Anyone shot these and like them better than the others? I currently have 43.9 gr of varget @2720 fps for the 178's and 39.6 gr of varget @2380 fps for the 208's. Could just let them sit and do load development later when time permits too. I see there is a 220 ELD-X monster. Anyone try these yet?

[Londerko]

I tried the 200s in my 300 win mag, they shot ok, but I tried the 212s and they shot much better for me. Haven't tried the 220s yet and probably won't because they have a lower BC than the 212. You have to load the 212s and 208s long because of the ogive, the 200s and 220s are meant to be loaded at the shorter saami spec lengths. Not sure if that helps, but that's my experiences with the ELDS.

[bearcatrp]

Thanks for replying. Good food for though. I have my target shooting the 208's further down this forum. Don't think I will go any higher than the 208's.

[Zero333]

I developed loads for my brothers 10 fcp-k and also got 2,720 fps with 178's with 44gr of Varget.

208's node was at 2,455 fps with 41.6 gr of Varget.

Those are 2 good loads for mid to long range and no need to try anything else.

If you want to try a different bullet I suggest the 185 Bergers (either hybrid, vld or Jaggernaut). If the Hornady's shoot small groups for you already I would not bother because the Bergers are not going make your groups any smaller. Unless the Hornady's leave much precision to be desired.

Measuring 178 eld-M and 208 eld-m, They measure withing a few thousands of their amax forefathers. Base to ogive and AOL.

Anyone who already has a 178amax or 208amax load worked up, you can just load the eld-m counterparts same way and nothing should change. Treat them no different than loading the same bullet from a new lot.

[bearcatrp]

Was trying to get the jaggernaut before the ELD's were released but they were always out of stock. Happy with the 178 ELD-X performance. Zero, what size barrel did you shoot those 208's? I got up to 40.0 grains of varget with no pressure signs but thought I was pushing it hard anyways and settled with 39.6 which gave me my best groups. Might have to try again a bit higher. I emailed Hornady when I picked up the ELD-X bullets about load development. Was told to load these like the A-MAX. Was also told the ELD will replace the A-MAX.

[Zero333]

Was trying to get the jaggernaut before the ELD's were released but they were always out of stock. Happy with the 178 ELD-X performance. Zero, what size barrel did you shoot those 208's? I got up to 40.0 grains of varget with no pressure signs but thought I was pushing it hard anyways and settled with 39.6 which gave me my best groups. Might have to try again a bit higher. I emailed Hornady when I picked up the ELD-X bullets about load development. Was told to load these like the A-MAX. Was also told the ELD will replace the A-MAX.

24" factory barrel. Seems to make the same fps grain to grain with the same bullets as your barrel. The 208gr load uses Lapua brass, and can't remember between BR-2 or 210-M primers. Tested up to 41.9gr Varget and 41.3gr 41.6gr and 41.9gr have the same POI from 100meters to 300 meters.

[bearcatrp]

Thanks. My target is posted on page 2 with my chrono data. 41.0 got me 2483 fps with best grouping but the 39.6 was second. I use lapua brass when load development but then use Hornady brass when I make a batch I want. With you going higher, will stretch to 42.0 and see how it goes.