Hornady ELD-Match 140gr

[Mad Charlie]

Thank you for the update. I probably would have called the first photo the max load, maybe a bit over max. The second one is definitely over pressure, not good, as you know. Well, at least you know that combo isn't going to do what you want. I don't really have any suggestions. Good luck, keep us posted, and be careful.

Really good pictures.

[Second]

Thank you for the update. I probably would have called the first photo the max load, maybe a bit over max. The second one is definitely over pressure, not good, as you know. Well, at least you know that combo isn't going to do what you want. I don't really have any suggestions. Good luck, keep us posted, and be careful.

Really good pictures.

[Second]

After som rework on the barrel, I needed to test this bullet and the N140 powder again.

Here at 100meters, prone.
IMG_3486.JPG

And here is the same load, and bullet but at 600 meters (656 yrd)
5 shots, prone.
IMG_3443.JPG

Think that this bullet and load will be my choice for a match in June at 600 meters.

[Mad Charlie]

Much better, Good luck with your match.

[Second]

IMG_3679.JPG

This is 10 rounds.
Have marked the holes with a red dot for visibility.
Dropped 2 rounds low and felt them right away as low hits.
The ring for 9 points is 20cm (~7,87")
The ring for 10 points is 10cm (~3,94")

So for 10 rounds, 92 points of total 100.

Will test this bullet and load again tomorrow at 600m.
Will be more wind tomorrow so will see what happens

Either way.
Shot this match last year with a custom 6,5x55 and best result for 10 rounds was 86 points.
Hopefully will I do better this time.

[Second]

Will wake this thread up again now.

The match in June went very well. Considering that my small Grendel was up against much bigger guns and cartridges.
A bit windy, but I'm satisfied with the result.

After the match the Grendel was put aside as a shooting rifle and another was used instead, but with the 140gr ELD-M bullet also.

I've now in the beginning of fitting a "new" barrel in the Grendel so I will go back to this bullet and try to find a good load.
Will keep the thread posted with my findings.

[Second]

Have the "new" barrel fitted into the Rem 700 and this weekend I could begin the loading for the 140gr ELD-M.
The barrel have a bit longer throat so that I can make the cartridges longer and fit more powder in the small Grendel case.

Compared to the previous COAL with this bullet, I now got 2,5mm (0,09") longer COAL.
The max COAL now with the 140gr ELD-M is 63,7mm (2,508").
My initial load will be with 0,3mm (0,0118") of jump.
Here it is after seating:
IMG_4719.JPG

I also have changed the primers into the CCI 450 SR Magnum.

The powder for my test will be the Vihtavouri N540. This is a high energy powder that I hope can give this bullet al little more speed.

Made a string with loads from 25,6gr up til 29,0gr in 0,2gr increments.
IMG_4717.JPG
IMG_4718.JPG

Will be back with the result.

[JCSC]

Second

Trying to wrap my head around this. If you measure from the case base to the Ogive, why would it matter what happened in between those two points? Am I way off base?

If you just check overall only, you could have a difference in jump from the shoulder datum to the Ogive.

Never thought about this before, so thinking out loud.

[Second]

Second

Trying to wrap my head around this. If you measure from the case base to the Ogive, why would it matter what happened in between those two points? Am I way off base?

If you just check overall only, you could have a difference in jump from the shoulder datum to the Ogive.

Never thought about this before, so thinking out loud.

Any difference in measurement form the base to the ogive gives me information how much jump I have on the bullet before it touch the lands.
Any difference in these measurements give me different jump.

Not really sure how you ment, but difference in measurements from the shoulder datum to the ogive?
I always use the base of the case as reference and then check against the ogive for jump.

The shoulder datum line is kept the same for all cases after calibration. And the case I have for measuring the headspace is my reference for measuring the MAX COAL before any reloading is done on a new bullet.

I always measure the length of the cartridge with the measurements from the case base to the ogive.
I have a Sinclair insert for the 6,5mm bullets. But I have found out that if I state the base to ogive measurement that I got, that can be totally different for other reloaders.
So the max length that I got with the bullet touching the lands, that can be a hard jammed bullet for some one else. We might have different inserts or gadgets for measuring the ogive.

Therfore, the measurements I try to show is the COAL. Base of the case to the tip of the bullet. Most reloaders can measure this with the calipers, without any ogive gadgets.
Yes, the tip of the bullets can also have variables. The COAL is the measurements that is found on official load data, not the ogive measurement.

Not sure if I gave any clarity to this...

[Second]

Were on the range yesterday to test the first string with the Kreiger barrel.

Bullet: Hornady 140gr ELD-M.
Powder: VV N540
Case: Lapua
Primer: CCI 450 SRM
Muzzle velocity measured with Magnestospeed Sporter.

Temperature about -1C

Started with 2 shots of the lowest load to check if all worked and as cold bore shots.
Lowest/start load at 25,6gr and highest load 29,0gr. Increased load with 0,2gr increments.
All cases checked before and after firing for pressure signs.

Here is the result in a graph:
GR-KR 140gr ELD-M N540_1.JPG

The speed increased quite nice without any surprises.
I have previous had really big craters on the primers with other powder and loads when the pressure have gone up. But now, it looked much better.
Yes, I could see indications for cratering. but not as near as before.And I also know that a "sloppy" firing pin will also be a factor for the cratering. But in this load string, there is no cratering on the lowest load, but the higher the load got, the craters were bigger.
No ejector marks or chafing on the case bottom. No sticky bolt or other pressure signs. Looked very good imo.
Here is some pictures of the case and primer from the highest load 29,0gr:
GR-KR 140gr ELD-M 29,0gr N530_2.JPGGR-KR 140gr ELD-M 29,0gr N530_3.JPGGR-KR 140gr ELD-M 29,0gr N530_4.JPG

I also like that I got 744 m/s (~2441 fps) on the load 29,0gr and that there is still room in the case for more powder. Have not started to use the droptube either. And no significant pressure signs that I feel stops me for testing a bit higher loads.
Have got this speed before but with the VV N530 and 27,2gr. But I blew the primer with that load and powder. So I will continue to test the VV N540.

[Sticks]

Tiny bit of flattening, but still nice and round...run it! That is factory 123 ELD velocity in my family of Howa bolt guns.

[Second]

Tiny bit of flattening, but still nice and round...run it! That is factory 123 ELD velocity in my family of Howa bolt guns.

Have planned to try a new string with higher loads this weekend and see if I can find the very max or if it is casevolyme that stops me.

Regarding the primer. It looks that the CCI450 Magnum primers are thicker in the metal than the Federal 205 that I have used previous to this test.
Maybe that also is a factor in the way the primer looks this time.

[Kswhitetails]

Second, I agree with your assessment of the CCI vs Federal primer. I've found the Federal to show signs earlier and seem thinner. I wonder if this is because of a softer metal rather than actually being thinner? That's my bet, either way. You're on the right path IMO. Not that my opinion should provide you with any comfort...

I'm impressed! Room for more, excitement begins. Just proceed cautiously. If you had access to Defiance, Impact, or other custom actions I'd be less worried. I know the 700 is strong, probably plenty strong for the Grendel sized case volume, but I'd be more comfortable with an aftermarket action. Especially an Impact 737R.

It looks like you're getting great results. Did you fire anything for groups yet? See anything during your test that leads you to believe in an accuracy node? Your graph looks good. I see a slight spike at 28.6, but it follows the pattern of obvious increases prior to it. You may be there, you may just be in the middle floors. Be careful.

I like it.

[Second]

Second, I agree with your assessment of the CCI vs Federal primer. I've found the Federal to show signs earlier and seem thinner. I wonder if this is because of a softer metal rather than actually being thinner? That's my bet, either way. You're on the right path IMO. Not that my opinion should provide you with any comfort...

I'm impressed! Room for more, excitement begins. Just proceed cautiously. If you had access to Defiance, Impact, or other custom actions I'd be less worried. I know the 700 is strong, probably plenty strong for the Grendel sized case volume, but I'd be more comfortable with an aftermarket action. Especially an Impact 737R.

It looks like you're getting great results. Did you fire anything for groups yet? See anything during your test that leads you to believe in an accuracy node? Your graph looks good. I see a slight spike at 28.6, but it follows the pattern of obvious increases prior to it. You may be there, you may just be in the middle floors. Be careful.

I like it.

If the money was there, then I might go and get a custom action.
Maybe in the future. I however are a bit quick to change my mind and if I go with a custom action, I need to be sure that I will use it enough to pay the money. A custom action i Sweden is very, very expensive. But I really apprecuate all the comments, and will proceed with caution with the higher loads.

No group firing yet. I have only fired 21 rounds yet and all of them in the first test with the chrono.
When I get to testing a particular load for SD/ES I will also gake it on paper. Or at least, thats the plan. In this initial test, there is not really a clear speed plateau. Yes, 26,0gr seems to be a node, but I am looking for more speed. The speed increased steady all the time. Maybe a node around 29,0gr but more test is needed.

Loaded up the next string last night.
Will go from 28,6gr and work my way up with 0,2gr increments. And I will stop directly when I get any signs of pressure that feels enough. Have loaded up to 31,0gr but that does not mean that I will shoot them. If not shot, the bullet will be pulled. Hopefully this second test will be done this weekend.

[Second]

A quick trip to the range yesterday to test the higher loads.
Started at 28,6 gr with to shots and then continued to increade the loads in 0,2gr increments. The last shot was back again at 28,6gr just to confirm and the speed for the 28,6gr is the average of the three.

I did a fine polish of the bottom of the case and painted them with a black marker pen.
This helps when inspecting for pressure signs.
Here is the updated graph after the second test:
GR-KR 140gr ELD-M N540_2.JPG

I used all loads up to the highest at 31,0gr.
When I load them I was pleased that no droptube was needed and after I had seat the bullet I could still hear the powder when shaking the round. So no compressed load.

All rounds was inspected before and after the shot. Really tried to feel for any change when firing and opening the bolt. When the higher loads was fired, I think I could feel a slightly heavy bolt lift. But nothing excessive.
This is the highest 31,0gr case:
GR-KR 140gr ELD-M 31,0gr_1.JPGGR-KR 140gr ELD-M 31,0gr_2.JPG
The paint from the marker pen have been shaved off a little and in the "LAPUA"-letters a small mark from the ejector. But the paint have been shaved off in the same manner on all cases from 29,2gr and up to 31,0gr.
The primer is a little flatter than on lower loads, and the cratering is a little bigger.
Still, the pressuremarks on this high load is much smaller than on the load I have used before as a standard load with the N140 and the shorter Jury-barrel.
Here is the same case after cleaning off the paint. A ejector mark on the right between the letters is from the previous loads with the N140. A slight mark in the "LAPUA"-letters can be seen and this is from this last test.
GR-KR 140gr ELD-M 31,0gr_3.JPG

So.
I am satisfied with the test and the result. But the speed. Over 800 m/s is fast. Highest speed is 803 m/s (2634 fps).
The temperature of the rounds and the gun was higher on this test that the first one, so that can be a factor. But hopefully I can use the graph and test more on some speed nodes.
Maybe around 30,5gr will be a plateau. But it looked as a spike in the 30,4gr. Lower down at 30,0-30,2gr also looks interesting. Maybe this is the better one. Or maybe I will test them both in next test.
There is still room for more powder and have still not used a droptube. But I am not really sure if I would try any higher. I think that I should stop here and focus on find a solid load and go on paper.