If you’re looking for Hornady ELD load data, you should be able to use the AMAX data. The bullets are extremely similar in most specifications. I think the primary difference is that the ELD uses a new material for the polymer tip. Hornady realized that the polymer used in the older AMAX was melting and deforming during supersonic flight, which caused the BC to lower over distance. The Polymer used in the ELD supposedly addresses this problem.

SNIP

I generally found that my best groups were in the 2500-2600 FPS range for 168gr loads. More specifically somewhere around 2550 or a tad above that. Of course your mileage may vary bc you’re using a different gun, but I did notice that a lot of the Remington guys with 20” barrels were also getting good results around that same velocity.

Thanks!  I was able to find load data on the ELD.  I think that head is last on my list of trials, but definitely looking forward to trying those.  Seems like their heads are highly regarded for 6.5 CM, which is next on my interest list. 

Will definitely start in the lower range and work up.  I have never chrono'ed my barrel, so I don't have a baseline.  I've read of many Savage barrels that are "fast barrels" that regularly get to the high range of FPS almost a full grain below the load data. 

I was reading more about 168 SMK and trans-sonic performance, particularly for the 1000 yard range.  Interesting that the 175 gr SMK apparently has better performance in that regard.  Will try a bunch of different heads eventually, but shooting out to 1000 is definitely in the mix.  I recall my buddy having better results at 1000 with his handloads than FGMM 168 gr, and his handloads were in the 150ish gr range.  But he also has a different barrel contour and twist.  I think he was shooting a 1:12 twist. 

I was reading more about 168 SMK and trans-sonic performance, particularly for the 1000 yard range.  Interesting that the 175 gr SMK apparently has better performance in that regard.  Will try a bunch of different heads eventually, but shooting out to 1000 is definitely in the mix.  I recall my buddy having better results at 1000 with his handloads than FGMM 168 gr, and his handloads were in the 150ish gr range.  But he also has a different barrel contour and twist.  I think he was shooting a 1:12 twist.

I read the same things.  People were saying that the 168gr projectiles would only maintain supersonic out to maybe 800 yards-ish depending on muzzle velocity and environmental conditions.  i also know that people were able to maintain supersonic flight out to 1000 yards with 155gr Lapua Scenars, 190gr HPBT match, and other higher BC bullets.

i wish i could get a chance to shoot out to 1000.  the farthest i've ever shot was just over 500 yards in a hunt earlier this year.  I had to dial 3.6 milrads and held for wind.

just an fyi, but i heard that Nosler's custom competition 168gr is almost identical to the 168gr SMK.  i'm not sure what the difference in performance is, but it seems to be a decent trainer (and at a much lower cost).

I read the same things.  People were saying that the 168gr projectiles would only maintain supersonic out to maybe 800 yards-ish depending on muzzle velocity and environmental conditions.  i also know that people were able to maintain supersonic flight out to 1000 yards with 155gr Lapua Scenars, 190gr HPBT match, and other higher BC bullets.

i wish i could get a chance to shoot out to 1000.  the farthest i've ever shot was just over 500 yards in a hunt earlier this year.  I had to dial 3.6 milrads and held for wind.

just an fyi, but i heard that Nosler's custom competition 168gr is almost identical to the 168gr SMK.  i'm not sure what the difference in performance is, but it seems to be a decent trainer (and at a much lower cost).

About the Nosler, I read good things.  Overall, I just was looking for a variety of heads to try as well as what was in stock.  I was thinking of adding Nosler in to the mix, but will run with what I've got.  At least for now. 

I've shot my current setup with FGMM and Remington MatchKing with 168 gr and 175 gr.  Mostly at 100 yards for groups and when KHSC used to have steel.  Have had chances to shoot it again recently in the 300 -1000+ distances in the last couple of months, so super excited about that.  Just wish there were more opportunities for that. 

Man this stuff is addicting. . .

Picked up another can of Varget.  Since limit one per person, I stopped by when I was in the area for something else.  Checked and the jars appeared to be from the same batch.  I don't particularly care at this point, but something I did notice. 

Not sure yet, but thinking I'll start with Varget first.  Then likely 4064.  Both with SMK 168 gr to compare with some FGMM I have on hand. 

Ordered the Lyman manual as well.  Should arrive end of the week, which is good timing. 

I'm using my buddy's reloading equipment and shop, so helping him by supplementing with some other equipment.  Stuff like gauges that he didn't use or upgraded ones.  I also have a couple of powders that he's been wanting to try with his recipes, so will have lots to test. 

Aloha drck1000

Saw in your post you plan to use fgmm brass. That brass is soft Send me a pm with your shipping info ill send you some lapua brass brother 🤙

Aloha

Aloha drck1000

Saw in your post you plan to use fgmm brass. That brass is soft Send me a pm with your shipping info ill send you some lapua brass brother 🤙

Aloha

That’s a VERY nice offer!!!

This $hit is getting serious now... I haven’t done this amount of studying since my licensing exam.

This $hit is getting serious now... I haven’t done this amount of studying since my licensing exam.

HEADS

Getting ready to start loading up my first batches of .308.  Thank you to some VERY helpful and generous forum members!  Greatly appreciated! 

What is your preferred method of working up a load for a new gun? 

Do you start with the min loading and then go up in increments?  If increments, what increments do you use for the initial round of testing? 

Like anything, there seem to be many preferred methods.  Also depending on intended end result.  One shooting buddy is doing this mainly for hunting, whereas another is going for a more pure precision application.  I was doing a lot of online research (forums and videos).  The methods run the range from starting at min published data from either the buller or powder mfr and going 0.2 gr increments, where they chrono the loads (not really watching the groups) and then target areas where the SD are lower over a charge range.  I've seen some target say 2700 fps, but start maybe 1.0 gr below that target FPS in the published data.  Then others who start at the min and go up in 0.5-0.6 increments and then try to find a range to to further testing in smaller increments. 

All very interesting.  Also of course dependent on range availability and amount of time one can spend at the range.  This one YouTuber does the min to max in 0.2 gr increments in one day on the range. 

good read: https://precisionrifleblog.com/2012/07/13/creighton-audette-ladder-testing/

I refer to manufacturers data and start at 10% BELOW their charges and work my way up. being careful in watching for pressure signs etc. paying attention to groups if they open up or tighten

good read: https://precisionrifleblog.com/2012/07/13/creighton-audette-ladder-testing/

I refer to manufacturers data and start at 10% BELOW their charges and work my way up. being careful in watching for pressure signs etc. paying attention to groups if they open up or tighten

That ladder test was what I was referring to.  I've been reading a lot of that site's blogs and will be sure to look that one up. 

I have a chrono inbound, so that will help with my testing, as well as one of my buddies.  The pressure signs was another that I was looking up more as well. 

How many test loads do you typically plan to run in any given range session? 

I started out chrono-ing  a factory load same weight as my reloads (i.e. 168 gr SMK) to get a base line fps and zero then shot  and chrono'd  5 reloads all with recipe #1 (Case, primer, powder and bullet, OACL and BTO), then repeat with recipe (#2)  having  2gr increase of same powder and so forth.
Then repeat with another powder.
Of course, you want to let the barrel cool off a bit between shots.
Different powders may/will have different fps with same amount of grain even if all else is same (Case, primer, and bullet, OACL and BTO).

Just looking for grouping and the recipe's with the best grouping USUALLY had the same fps, even with different powders.
Our "Sweet Spot" on the 24" 5-R  11.25 twist was 2470 fps avg  for 100-400 yds and started "loosening up"  at 2570+
Research I've found shows the same round in a 1.10 twist preferred 2700fps.
Enjoy ! 

I started out chrono-ing  a factory load same weight as my reloads (i.e. 168 gr SMK) to get a base line fps and zero then shot  and chrono'd  5 reloads all with recipe #1 (Case, primer, powder and bullet, OACL and BTO), then repeat with recipe (#2)  having  2gr increase of same powder and so forth.
Then repeat with another powder.
Of course, you want to let the barrel cool off a bit between shots.
Different powders may/will have different fps with same amount of grain even if all else is same (Case, primer, and bullet, OACL and BTO).

Just looking for grouping and the recipe's with the best grouping USUALLY had the same fps, even with different powders.
Our "Sweet Spot" on the 24" 5-R  11.25 twist was 2470 fps avg  for 100-400 yds and started "loosening up"  at 2570+
Research I've found shows the same round in a 1.10 twist preferred 2700fps.
Enjoy ! 

Did you mean 0.2 gr?  or 2.0 gr? 

For now (could change), plan is to start with 168 gr SMK and either Varget or 4064.  Likely Varget though.  I have a bunch of CCi LRP, so will likely start with that.  I bought a bunch of different boolits and powder, and had that stash supplemented by some friends, so lots of choices.  I want to start off with less variables and see how it goes, but I envision wanting to try other powders and boolits soon after. 

I read about some folks having quite a bit of variation in velocities with different primers, so am planning on playing it safe. 

Overall, I envision range time being key on how I game plan load development and testing.  I envision shooting three (5) round groups comfortably in each relay.  Will have to see what my attention span is for shooting these days, but I envision shooting around 4 relays, but as much as say 6 relays.  In the past, 40 rounds with my Rem 700 was a full day on the range and expect about that. 

Did you mean 0.2 gr?  or 2.0 gr? 

For now (could change), plan is to start with 168 gr SMK and either Varget or 4064.  Likely Varget though.  I have a bunch of CCi LRP, so will likely start with that.  I bought a bunch of different boolits and powder, and had that stash supplemented by some friends, so lots of choices.  I want to start off with less variables and see how it goes, but I envision wanting to try other powders and boolits soon after. 

I read about some folks having quite a bit of variation in velocities with different primers, so am planning on playing it safe. 

Overall, I envision range time being key on how I game plan load development and testing.  I envision shooting three (5) round groups comfortably in each relay.  Will have to see what my attention span is for shooting these days, but I envision shooting around 4 relays, but as much as say 6 relays.  In the past, 40 rounds with my Rem 700 was a full day on the range and expect about that.

rocky no focus

Did you mean 0.2 gr?  or 2.0 gr? 

0.2 gr

"loosening up"  at 2570+ , =
2642 fps was 1" off
2800 2" off

rocky no focus

My missing a period is not as bad as her missing a period. 

0.2 gr
My missing a period is not as bad as her missing a period. 

heads

I haven’t done any work up load development in a while, but I recall that the Scott Satterlee method seemed to work well for me.

I was actually doing something similar to the OCW (optimal charge weight) method, but I also kept the chrono data. When I graphed out the data, it seemed to follow the same idea as Satterlee’s method, which led me to believe that he’s actually onto something.

0.2 gr

"loosening up"  at 2570+ , =
2642 fps was 1" off
2800 2" offMy missing a period is not as bad as her missing a period. 

Two point zero vs zero point two
Tomayto vs Tomahto

 

 

I haven’t done any work up load development in a while, but I recall that the Scott Satterlee method seemed to work well for me.

I was actually doing something similar to the OCW (optimal charge weight) method, but I also kept the chrono data. When I graphed out the data, it seemed to follow the same idea as Satterlee’s method, which led me to believe that he’s actually onto something.

On average, how many test loads did you shoot in any given range day?  Number in your test groups?  3 or 5?  Other?

Two of my buddies who I will be testing with, one is the 3 round group "good nuff" and the other is "I need 5 round groups".  I'll eventually decide on my own method, as well as I am sure it will change, but interesting on what other people's methods are and reasonings why they follow that method.