168 grain Hornady ELD-M Short Barrel Application

[stokesrj]

(Cartridge) 308 Winchester

(Brand of bullet) Hornady Extremely Low Drag Match (ELD-M)

(Weight of bullet) 168 grains

(Brand of brass) Hornady

(Type of powder) Hodgdon CFE 223

(Grains of powder) 48.5 grains

(Brand, and type of primer) Federal GM210M

(COAL) 2.800"

(CBTO) 2.175"

(FPS/MPS) 2668

(Rifle) Blaser R8

(Barrel Length) 16.5" Suppressed

(Scope) Swarovski Z8i rail mount 1.7-13.3X42

(Weather conditions & temp) 70 degrees F, calm 30% RH, 30.04" HG Rising

(Accuracy @ 100 yards/meters) One hole

(Notes) Neck sized with LE Wilson hand die, fully prepped, flash hole debur, primer pocket uniformer, trimmed to 2.080" and VLD bevel and chamfer.

[7x57]

Excellent group Bob and a testimont to the time and effort spent in development. The ELD-Ms are wonderfully accurate projectiles as I have found in the 6.5x47 (123gr)

[9.3x64]

Gee that's impressive Bob...wow!

[9.3x64]

It's amazing to think that with all the new trends and high tech cartridge designs like, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x47, 6XC, etc, you can shoot a group like that from a 308 Winchester, out of a standard unmodified "hunting " rifle.
Says a lot for your loading skills, the Blaser R8 platform, and the 308 Winchester.

[stokesrj]

I know this kind of accuracy is not needed for general big game hunting but I enjoy the challenge of figuring out the path to get there. It is also a high confidence builder when you can shoot nice round 3” group at 800 yards well centered. It takes a lot of the guess work out of doping the wind and makes a 300 yard shot on a deer seem like a chip shot.
As an added bonus this bullet was one of the very best performing bullets I tested at long range, low velocity impact. There are clearly better bullets for close up but when the range is 500-800 yards this one did the best. And it will provide clean kills up close if you choose your shot placement accordingly.

[9.3x64]

Mmm interesting Bob, I was going to use Berger 105 hunting in my 6XC...
But I notice Hornady make a 103 ELD X in 6mm, which is in stock at my local gunshop.
The Bergers are very hard to get.

[dchamp]

All I can say is WOW. The only thing that could make that any better is if that was a clean bore cold bore group. Then you would have the Holy Grail of grouping IMO.