Thread: 223 ELDM powder choice

About to start loading for 1:8 howa mini action (20" barrel). Have some 75gr eldm to try. Have aftermarket bottom metal so can run 62.5 COAL.

Have 2206H and 2208 on hand, data suggests near identical velocities from both, anyone have any suggestions which to try first? Cheers

I use 2206 with 77 grn Tipped MK and @gimp uses 2208 with 80 ELDM. I can't talk for gimp but I'm sure his is super accurate as is mine.

I would load a few with each powder to try. Just go for the most accurate.

I also use 2206H with 55s to 75 eldms. It seems to give better velocities than 2208.

I spent a few hours yesterday shooting this exact projectile out of my Howa 1500 with 1/8 twist, can also load to max of 2.450 for mag feeding. My experience so far suggests that my rifle doesn't really like these bullets. They're a very aggressive VLD profile and very sensitive to seating depth(in my rifle!) - plenty others here have achieved great results with them.

I tried 2208 but didn't get as much velocity as @gimp has been getting. 2206H on the other hand is providing quite good speed and OK accuracy at the best seating depth I found yesterday. My inclination would be to try the 2206 first - it's possible you're less likely to run into major powder compression issues and there's a bit more of it available currently if you hit a good load with it.

I wanted to use these as they sing the sweet siren song of high BC. My experience with theses mirrors others - when they shoot well they're fantastic. If your rifle won't shoot them, try the more forgiving shape like the 69 or 77 grain TMKs. I picked an arbitrary overall length, loaded a sensible approaching max load of 2206 underneath the 69 grain and shot an enlarged one hole group. So I've bought some 77s to have a go with.

Good luck and let us know how you get on with your testing!

2208 is better with heavy bullets and long barrels, I use to shoot NRA full bore and F class with a 28'' barrelled .223 69-75 grain bullets with 2206H and 80 grain SMK's with 2208
got the highest velocity with 748 but not the accuracy

cheers guys

I have the exact same rifle and tried 2208, most accurate load was about half way between max and min and it gave me a mediocre 2550fps or there abouts. Still kills deer well but definitely too low velocity for me to be content so I'll try 2206H when I get around to it.
Post up how you get on, be interested to hear!

You should get 2800 with either of those powders. Easily with 2206H.

Cheers gentlemen, think I'll try the 2206H first and see how it goes.