I grabbed a 100 of these in 140 grain for my 260 yesterday. Not in my manual I bought last year and can't find Hornady info on line. I use H 414 strictly in my 260 loads. Maybe not best but it's been great for me. Hodgdon shows only a Accubond in all 140 grain loads. Wondering if the bullet construction is close enough to use the Nosler load data. Anyone have a newer addition manual that shows the eld
Hornady ELD load help needed
- Thread starter Wendyj
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I think you can request from Horandy, 2016 manual supposedly to have data
On the other hand, considering that their manual will show upwards of 6 bullets all of different shapes and weights of 5 grs up or down using the same range of powder, I would think you are very safe at mid range start and work up per usually for high vel load (which is what I do anyway)
just paper punching these days I start at the bottom and work up and look for the first accurate node.
I can't vouch for the accuracy of the following , found this for the 300 wm, cross checked to the Hornady book (not all powders listed are same mfg other than R22) and my book list 190 and 208 for 300 wm loads, so a 200 is split but lows are close and approach the highs with caution. Not me or my data, found from someone else.
On the other hand, considering that their manual will show upwards of 6 bullets all of different shapes and weights of 5 grs up or down using the same range of powder, I would think you are very safe at mid range start and work up per usually for high vel load (which is what I do anyway)
just paper punching these days I start at the bottom and work up and look for the first accurate node.
I can't vouch for the accuracy of the following , found this for the 300 wm, cross checked to the Hornady book (not all powders listed are same mfg other than R22) and my book list 190 and 208 for 300 wm loads, so a 200 is split but lows are close and approach the highs with caution. Not me or my data, found from someone else.
I've got to find something else for these. Factory Federal match gave me sub moa today and my go to load of 41 grains of h414 put me in 2 inch range with eld. Didn't have much brass so I'm going to ladder some in .5 grains from 40 to 42 and try the same with some imr 4350. I run Sierra mk gk Nosler bt and Speer all in 140 grain before with half inch or better all using 41 gr of h414. These don't work that way. Emailed Hornady a week ago asking for load info for the 260 since these are new but they haven't responded.
Call Hornady. I don't have any of those bullets, but the pictures make them appear to be long for their weight, and if they stick down into the case far enough, they may have separate data for it. Can't hurt to ask. Also, because of the length, ask them for a minimum recommended barrel twist to make sure yours is fast enough to stabilize it properly. I believe your 260 is a 9" twist, where the 6.5×55 has an 8" twist, and that could be why groups are opening up.
Another factor may be seating depth. The high BC likely comes from a secant ogive and you may find the same issue Berger did with their secant ogive VLD bullets, and that is the need to tune the seating depth as well as the load, as Berger describes in their Tech Talk article on the subject.
Another factor may be seating depth. The high BC likely comes from a secant ogive and you may find the same issue Berger did with their secant ogive VLD bullets, and that is the need to tune the seating depth as well as the load, as Berger describes in their Tech Talk article on the subject.
Mine is an 8 twist. It won't come close to shooting a 120. 140 and 143 is all t will feed. They are long compared to others I've used. Best overall length of any bullet I've ever had. Seated trimmed case at 2.80 and they never went off hardly any. At most ever by .001. Wish I could make these match shoot. I would love to try the hunting bullet.
Like mentioned your probably gong to have to tweak your seating depth a touch to find the sweet spot. It is something I usually do anyway but with those long sweeping ogives they won't be quite the same as most other bullets.
I have two boxes of the hunting versions so will be watching to see what works for you. Unfortunately, I do not know when I will have my rifle in hand, it is still at the Smith's being built. I went with a Broughton 5c SS barrel in 1-8, so I am hopeful that you have good results. Worst case I have a 1K count box of Rem CL's I picked up for hunting with my daughters 6.5x55 that could easily do double duty.
Good luck and please post back up with your results.
I have two boxes of the hunting versions so will be watching to see what works for you. Unfortunately, I do not know when I will have my rifle in hand, it is still at the Smith's being built. I went with a Broughton 5c SS barrel in 1-8, so I am hopeful that you have good results. Worst case I have a 1K count box of Rem CL's I picked up for hunting with my daughters 6.5x55 that could easily do double duty.
Good luck and please post back up with your results.
Hornady responded today that they haven't tested it yet in a 260 but to try the load data for the Amax. Seems like seating depth is a little off. Hodgdon Manual shows 2.820 and Hornady manual shows 2.80. Hodgdon on line shows 2.780. I've switched over to H4831sc and H4350 and have loads laddered in 1 grain increments from min to max in each load. Loaded the H4350 at max coal just to try. If I can get to the range this weekend and find one close I'll go back into .3 grain increments. Going to be through more than a hundred doing ladder loads.
I won't be using the ELDX.
So I have been shooting nosler accubonds for about 7 years now. have loved them but I got caught up in the "the tips are melting" hype.
I had my reloader throw together some 200 grn ELDX rounds in front of 67 grns 4831sc and I can say I was WAAAY less than impressed.
They shot so poorly that I have asked him to disassemble 80 of the 100 he loaded and put noslers in them!!!
I shot 20 rounds at 100 yards and got a pattern more like a 12 guage than a built hunting rifle!! no kidding the first 2 rounds were 12 inches apart and none of the 20 were close to each other.
Now before you criticize the loading you should understand this guy is a machinist by trade and mostly does gun work. He has built numerous competition guns and worked ammo for said guns. I've seen some of his paper with 3 shots in the same hole at 100. cover up 3 shots at 500 with a dime...his ability was not in question.
We discussed seating depth and ladder loads to find a good one but I decide I just want to enjoy shooting and since the accubond has been good to me i'll stick with it. I think hornady should release some media stating that they are depth sensitive, load data etc. Berger at least supported their product.
Maybe my gun doesn't like the ELDX. maybe it was seating depth or powder...blah blahblah... But I will never find out after the first 20!!
So I have been shooting nosler accubonds for about 7 years now. have loved them but I got caught up in the "the tips are melting" hype.
I had my reloader throw together some 200 grn ELDX rounds in front of 67 grns 4831sc and I can say I was WAAAY less than impressed.
They shot so poorly that I have asked him to disassemble 80 of the 100 he loaded and put noslers in them!!!
I shot 20 rounds at 100 yards and got a pattern more like a 12 guage than a built hunting rifle!! no kidding the first 2 rounds were 12 inches apart and none of the 20 were close to each other.
Now before you criticize the loading you should understand this guy is a machinist by trade and mostly does gun work. He has built numerous competition guns and worked ammo for said guns. I've seen some of his paper with 3 shots in the same hole at 100. cover up 3 shots at 500 with a dime...his ability was not in question.
We discussed seating depth and ladder loads to find a good one but I decide I just want to enjoy shooting and since the accubond has been good to me i'll stick with it. I think hornady should release some media stating that they are depth sensitive, load data etc. Berger at least supported their product.
Maybe my gun doesn't like the ELDX. maybe it was seating depth or powder...blah blahblah... But I will never find out after the first 20!!
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One good thing about Hornady ELD-X bullet is you can buy them and they are little slow on getting data.
I've been shooting 200gr ELD-X bullet in 30-338mag and I had some data on another brand 200gr bullet and used that and worked up and got pretty good accuracy. That 200gr is pretty long bullet and long bearing surface unlike the Berger's that are shorter.
I started about 50 thous off the lands and adjusted that once settled on load @ 300yds mid 2900fps. I may hunt with that load this year
I've been shooting 200gr ELD-X bullet in 30-338mag and I had some data on another brand 200gr bullet and used that and worked up and got pretty good accuracy. That 200gr is pretty long bullet and long bearing surface unlike the Berger's that are shorter.
I started about 50 thous off the lands and adjusted that once settled on load @ 300yds mid 2900fps. I may hunt with that load this year
Old Roper you are right. They are on every shelf in the stores I've been in. I'm not concerned if the heat shield tip is on it or not. I would have bought Sierra or Nosler if anyone local carried them. I knew they all had Hornady and went to get the Amax. Very few left and none in 6.5. I hope to get to the firing range tomorrow to see how my new loads are going to work out. Maybe by the time I get these hundred through here I'll have by barrel broke in. I've only got 40 rounds through it so far.
Well let me know how things go, even if you want to just shoot me a PM.
The smith called me and my rifle is ready, I just have to find the time to be able to go and pick it up. It will probably be next weekend before I even get that chance. I have 200 new Lapua brass waiting on me to get started with not to mention a big ol bucket of other donor cases I thought about using just to do a mild break in. I'll have to look and see what it was I sent with the parts since he said it has a tight enough chamber those wouldn't let the bolt close on them. It has a.296 neck diameter in the chamber and those cases were right at that. Been so long since I sent it over I don't remember.
If this one shoots as well as the last one he built for me I'll be one happy, albeit wet, camper. Now if it will slow down on the rain over here long enough for the ground to soak up whats standing on top of it, I might get some shooting done.
I'm looking forward to seeing how yours does with some of those bullets. I'll be sure to shoot you my results as well.
Take care.
The smith called me and my rifle is ready, I just have to find the time to be able to go and pick it up. It will probably be next weekend before I even get that chance. I have 200 new Lapua brass waiting on me to get started with not to mention a big ol bucket of other donor cases I thought about using just to do a mild break in. I'll have to look and see what it was I sent with the parts since he said it has a tight enough chamber those wouldn't let the bolt close on them. It has a.296 neck diameter in the chamber and those cases were right at that. Been so long since I sent it over I don't remember.
If this one shoots as well as the last one he built for me I'll be one happy, albeit wet, camper. Now if it will slow down on the rain over here long enough for the ground to soak up whats standing on top of it, I might get some shooting done.
I'm looking forward to seeing how yours does with some of those bullets. I'll be sure to shoot you my results as well.
Take care.
supercub99
New member
I have been playing with the Eld-x in 178 and 200 gr .30 cal. The bullets are showing up here a couple boxes at a time and are hard to get. I had one box of 178's I worked up a couple loads for my 1903 sporterized Springfield, 30-06. They were shooting less than 3/4" at 100 but I ran out as I was loading for 3 different guns. I finally got hold of a couple boxes of the 200's and worked up a load for them in the two 30-06's I use for hunting. One is the Springfield, the other a newer Rem. 700 LR. 55 gr H4831, cci 200 primers, RP cases. Loads for both guns were set at .02 off the lands for best results. 53-54 grs didn't hold as tight as the 55 gr and I haven't gone above that. 5/8 in groups in both guns with the same load but different seating depth. The Springfield has a short throat, the 700's have loooooooooooong ones.
I think the Eld-x's are as good or better than the Amax and probably a lot better if you are driving them at the higher velocities. I keep mine under 2700, usually 2400 to 2600 and under 200 yards.
I will be working up a load for a Ruger Precision in .308 soon but will have to snag some more 178's first. I have had them on back order at Cabela's for 2 1/2 months.
As far as load data, you can go to the Hornady sight and they have all the loads for the Eld-x's listed that they have tried. Just do a google on Eld-x load data and go to that site. There isn't a lot yet but they do have the 30-06, 300 win mag and others. I have also been informed to use A max data in Lou of. Expect to buy some new powders as there aren't a lot of data on the older standbys. I think the RL's are covered along with some of the newer ones.
Good luck
I think the Eld-x's are as good or better than the Amax and probably a lot better if you are driving them at the higher velocities. I keep mine under 2700, usually 2400 to 2600 and under 200 yards.
I will be working up a load for a Ruger Precision in .308 soon but will have to snag some more 178's first. I have had them on back order at Cabela's for 2 1/2 months.
As far as load data, you can go to the Hornady sight and they have all the loads for the Eld-x's listed that they have tried. Just do a google on Eld-x load data and go to that site. There isn't a lot yet but they do have the 30-06, 300 win mag and others. I have also been informed to use A max data in Lou of. Expect to buy some new powders as there aren't a lot of data on the older standbys. I think the RL's are covered along with some of the newer ones.
Good luck
Our area has been opposite as the Amax is coming of the shelves and the Eld is taking its place. I had contacted Hornady and they had not done any tests in the 260 and was advised to use Amax load data. With the slower h4831 mine liked a little jump and the h4350 a tad closer to the lands. Haven't heard any reports on the hunting bullet yet so still waiting before I go there.
supercub99
New member
We are seeing some of the .30 cal 208 gr eld's here but that's it on a regular basis. this is not unusual for us up here in the north, we'll get all the left overs and be the last to get the newer stuff. On line ordering is a good option but I would challenge anyone to find a 178 gr. eld-x in .30 cal anywhere on line.
Interesting you find the H4831 likes the set back in your use, I have always found just the opposite in my 7mm and 30-06's. I've used that powder as my mainstay for 40 some years and it keeps on giving........
Interesting you find the H4831 likes the set back in your use, I have always found just the opposite in my 7mm and 30-06's. I've used that powder as my mainstay for 40 some years and it keeps on giving........
I am trying to figure out why my loaded eldX's were soooo bad. I was off the 18 inch target with 3 of the shots! I honestly had 18 inches between the two worst hits.
This was in the eldX bullet 200grn .308 in front of 67.0 grns 4831sc from a well built rem 721 300 H&H 10:1 twist 22 inch crowned barrel.
the same gun and load with the nosler AB is sub MOA.
????
This was in the eldX bullet 200grn .308 in front of 67.0 grns 4831sc from a well built rem 721 300 H&H 10:1 twist 22 inch crowned barrel.
the same gun and load with the nosler AB is sub MOA.
????
The eld made me have to start all over again. My Tikka has put ever bullet I have ever loaded set at 2.80 oal and using 41 grains of h414 into ragged one hole and clover leaf groups. The eld was all over the place like yours. Changed powder and dropped oal to 2.75 and gave them a little jump and it's doing as good as anything I've shot. I had ran Nosler, Sierra, Barnes , in hunting bullets and the Amax and Sierra matching in bench bullets and all loaded just the same. I bought them because a hundred were really inexpensive and the Amax was gone to just plink with. It took 3 powders and 100 bullets to get it right. I'm not going to buy anymore if I can find the Amax again. What I did like is they were super consistent in weight and rarely .001 off in length. Easiest bullet to seat consistent I've ever used. Good luck with them. There is a load somewhere you will find but it may take some work. They drove me bat s,,,,t crazy