Thread: 180ELDMs in 284 and RL26

Decided a while back to play around with 180 ELDMs and RL26 in my Tikka 284 22in bbl. Already had some great loads developed with 162 AMAX and TMKs but based on some data provided by @GWH I thought I’d have a tinker. So with lockdown why not make good use of time. Few shots on paper to re-zero scope then ran 3 loads 55gn, 55.3 and 55.7 gn. Pretty windy day but could set up so the wind was up me date. All Grouped pretty well but got tighter as loads went up. The 55.7gn was 3 in same ragged hole. Speed at 55.7 was 2675fps - lower than I was hoping but would still be plenty for 8-900 yards.

Anywhere in the eye will do then

Nice

55.7 be the best group I have seen on here with a hunting rifle (any rifle). Reloading and shooting to aspire to. Those 180gn ELDMs are a fine looking bullet, I must try them more in 280AI also with RE26.

@chainsaw Nice! That 55.7gr group is insane.

Ive just looked back at my data to check velocity. My ladder was from 56gr up to 58.5gr (I was running a pretty long COAL thou) 58.5gr was the first sign of excess pressure, getting a click at the top of bolt lift and a pretty flat primer (I normally don't worry about flat primers on their own too much) That gave a velocity of 2,906 fps

I found a sweet spot in my rifle around 57.0gr to 57.5gr. 57.5gr gave 2,859 fps. I ended up setting on 57gr at an average of 2,841 fps.

22" factory M595 barrel (rechambered 7mm08)

Yep, I was running them with COL of 3.225 which is about 20thou jump. Truflite bbl, 22in and 1:8.5 twist. I had tried a ladder first up and seemed to hit pressure at 56-57gn, bolt lift a bit tight (but I tend to FL size for a firm bolt close) but primer pockets were getting loose on hotter loads. Realistically would not push the 284 much beyond 800 yd anyways.