Loading ELD-X in Win .270 Problem

I don't load the ELD in 270 Win.....but I do load 130 gr Interlocks, using both RCBS and LEE dies, and can get either to seat bullet to 3.210 COAL and could go much further out. So something seems amiss. As long as instructions are followed for setting up the dies, I would think what you want to do is possible.

Not sure if this is the place for it, but beginning to suspect the COAL indicated in various load data is not to be taken lightly. Have never seen it mentioned as such, but suspect the performance of the published load is dependent in large part on seating depth.

Example: When loading for 308 Win, the Hornady load data is the only one that lists a COAL of 2.735 for a 150 gr Interlock.....but also tops out with a powder like Varget at 44.9 grains. All other load data sources go up to 47 to 48 gr Varget for the same load, but stretch seating depth to 2.810.....or max SAMMI specs. Percent case fill or amount of compression being essentially the same for both loads. But use 47 grains and seat to 2.735 and amount of compression goes way up. Go the other way and there is none.

Bottom line......seating depth may be a bigger player in what happens than we realize. The chain of events that sets off may be far more than just the amount of jump to the lands.

Thomasss said:

RCBS die was purchased in 1975

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Pretty sure 'Low drag' bullet profiles didn't exist back then. Perhaps the seater stem is making contact with the bullet tip instead of the bullet itself?

I'm also confused about likes seating Interlocks at 3.280, but the die won't allow me to get lower than 3.05.

Do you mean higher/longer than 3.05?

Skgreen said:

Pretty sure 'Low drag' bullet profiles didn't exist back then. Perhaps the seater stem is making contact with the bullet tip instead of the bullet itself?

I'm also confused about likes seating Interlocks at 3.280, but the die won't allow me to get lower than 3.05.

Do you mean higher/longer than 3.05?

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I was also curious.

Load one round as long as possible to fit the mag. Check to see if it chambers without hitting the lands. If it does not hit the lands load up a few at that length, then go to the range to see what happens. If it hits the lands seat bullet a little deeper until it does not, then load up a few at that length, go to the range and see what happens.

If you get the accuracy you seek, you're done. If not you can always seat the ones you have and the next batch a little deeper and try again. The OAL you use with one bullet doesn't mean anything with another. MOST rifles with MOST bullets shoot best as close to the lands as possible. By loading to fit the magazine you are as close as you can get unless you want a single shot.

All of the high BC bullets are going to be longer within the same bullet weight than traditional hunting bullets. The OAL can be a little longer and still be off the lands due to the shape of the bullet.

All my sources say Max length for SAMMI specs for 270 Win is 3.340. That should load in any rifle going, so if you are wanting to get closer to the lands, you could stop there. If your dies are seating your bullet deeper, you have gone past what you wanted to do. Or am I missing something?

Thomasss said:

I've loosened the crimp adj. all the way off

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RCBS Seat die.- Put a empty case in the shell holder. Raise ram. Turn seat die down till crimp ring lightly contacts case mouth. Back die out a tiny amount. Lock it. Adjust seating stem to wanted COL.

If no help................

Can always contact RCBS to see what they think? 800-533-5000 (Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time), or e-mail them your questions.

My Hornady #9 is a bit dated and does not list a 145 gr ELD-X. Otherwise, it indicates a COL of 3.210 for all it's 130, 140, and 150 gr projos. (GMX, Interbond, SST, Interlok SP, Interlock BTSP)

RE: I'll use a Hornady Comparator and check the bore with the new bullet.

Sounds like a solid plan.

Too bad ammo is in such short reply right now, or you may have otherwise been able to bring your calipers to a LGS and 'examine' a box of Hornady Precision Hunter.

Did a 'quick and dirty' web search.

Use at your own risk, THR not responsible, etc.

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/load-data-for-hornady-145-gr-eld-x-270-win.218759/

Post #2

270 WIN from Hornady 10th Edition:

H4350, start @ 47.4gr (2600); MAX LOAD 53.1gr (2900)
COAL: 3.330" 145 gr ELD-X

Thomasss said:

145 grain ELD-X in .270

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Add in the plastic tip length of .140" makes for a very long bullet. The seating stem may be contacting the nose, instead of the correct way, on the ogive?

http://www.jbmballistics.com/ballistics/lengths/lengths.shtml#Hornady

The ELD bullets are long and very streamlined to get the highest possible ballistic coefficient.Big BC numbers sell bullets.Big BC bullets seem to be harder to get to shoot good compared to more traditional designs,often needing to be seated to touch the lands,or you have to do a lot of shooting to find the sweet spot in the COAL.I'm only going by my own experience,but I haven't had any luck getting good accuracy out of any of the ELD's that I've tried.I've shot them in 30 caliber,7MM and 22 caliber with groups in the 2 inch range.The rifles I've shot them in aren't clunkers either,all bolt guns with very good barrels on them.The best thing about the ELD's is that they're available,and a lot of guys are trying them.My hat's off to Hornady for getting more bullets out there than any other company,and most of their bullets will get the job done.

WVRJ said:

The ELD bullets are long and very streamlined to get the highest possible ballistic coefficient.Big BC numbers sell bullets.Big BC bullets seem to be harder to get to shoot good compared to more traditional designs,often needing to be seated to touch the lands,or you have to do a lot of shooting to find the sweet spot in the COAL.I'm only going by my own experience,but I haven't had any luck getting good accuracy out of any of the ELD's that I've tried.I've shot them in 30 caliber,7MM and 22 caliber with groups in the 2 inch range.The rifles I've shot them in aren't clunkers either,all bolt guns with very good barrels on them.The best thing about the ELD's is that they're available,and a lot of guys are trying them.My hat's off to Hornady for getting more bullets out there than any other company,and most of their bullets will get the job done.

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I havent tested eld bullets but I shot my personal best group with a 6mm amax bullet. 5 shot group in .366 at 100. I shot the next group into .422 so yes it's my best but it was repeated. The next 3 groups were all less than .500 so that may be beyond some loaders or shooters. Some are much more capable but they probably dont shoot hornaday.

I believe part or all of the extra length comes from the plastic tip which does not deform like the lead tipped interlocks/interbonds. I have heard of people ordering different seating stems for the more pointed low drag bullets due to the difference in ogive over conventional bullets like the interlocks. I’ve shot and loaded for .270 for 46 years. I always loaded the 130 interlocks or 140 SSTs, with 150 being considered the heaviest bullet typically made for it due solely to SAAMI specs. Like when the cartridge was designed low drag bullets did not exist nor the idea of heavy for caliber bullets. Same story for reloading dies and hence the need for the different seating stems so they contact the ogive rather than the tip of the bullet so it holds the bullet straight, otherwise concentricity goes out the window. I don’t know if that’s your problem. You can determine this by pulling the stem out. Take a sharpie and paint the tip of the bullet, then insert the bullet and spin it a few times. You will see where the contact point is. The other way is measuring concentricity. If it sucks then the bullet is to pointy for the stem. You would then have to source one for the bullet you are using. If you want to maximize long range ballistics you need to be loading 150-170 grain bullets. For the longest bullets you will have to either seat deeper or throat the chamber so you can seat the bullet out further. Seems like you are confused about your numbers so I might be wrong about what your issue is. A 145gr bullet is not heavy for caliber, so this may not be an issue at all.

AJC1 said:

I havent tested eld bullets but I shot my personal best group with a 6mm amax bullet. 5 shot group in .366 at 100. I shot the next group into .422 so yes it's my best but it was repeated. The next 3 groups were all less than .500 so that may be beyond some loaders or shooters. Some are much more capable but they probably dont shoot hornaday.

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I shoot the 168 grain A-Max in one of my 308's and the 52 grain A-Max in my 22-250.They are great bullets,but they don't have as good BC numbers as the ELD's.They're a more conservative design and I think they are a lot easier to get to shoot well.