.270 Winchester loading ELD-X

[Thomasss]

Anyone loading ELD-X in .270 Win? My son had been shooting Winchester/Browning 130 grain SP until 2021 in his 10 year old Model 70 when he read an article on how great ELD-X was. I loaded up a box of 50 at Hornady's specs at 3.33 with 53 grains of 4451@2900fps and they shot like *hit. 2 to 3 inch groups at 100 yards.
Now his previous 130 grn. SP were loaded also with 53 grains 4451 at 3.240 (.03 more than Hornady's OAL) and he consistently shot MOA .5
His farthest deer shooting is 275 yards with most shots at 150 or less.
I am looking for some recommendations. I have magnum, match and standard LRP, powders available are Varget, IMR 4064 and IMR4350. in Winchester once fired cases. I think seating depth may be the key. I've tried siting in from 3.30 to 3.40 and nothing works. What's more, I noticed from his hunting, he is bending the tips even at 3.330 in his magazine. If this doesn't work, I was thinking SST or ? He has the hots for a plastic time bullet.

 

[Howa 9700]

Is a 270 Win with 1:10 twist going to stabilize an ELD-X?

I tried a number of different powders and loads, then one day shot this group........



That was either 54 or 55 grains IMR-4350 under 130 grain Hornady Interlock. Velocity was up around 3,150 fps. I concluded that round would knock over any deer that gun would face out to 250 yards, and quit on load development. My dad's old Rem 700 BDL.

I could look up seating depth, but it had nothing to do with lands. It was inside SAMMI max COAL.

 

[GooseGestapo]

What weight ELD-X bullet?

 

[Thomasss]

What weight ELD-X bullet?

140 grains....Isn't this the only one for .270 Win?

 

[Thomasss]

That was either 54 or 55 grains IMR-4350 under 130 grain Hornady Interlock. Velocity was up around 3,150 fps. I concluded that round would knock over any deer that gun would face out to 250 yards, and quit on load development. My dad's old Rem 700 BDL.

Yes, my son can do that too with same bullet and powder with his 130 grain Interlock too. BUT he is looking for a "magic bullet" since he gut shot a doe two years ago and spent 4 hours until her found her. And we all know it is the bullet's fault and not his. You see he read an article on THE MAGIC Bullet called an ELD-X.
I've been using Interlocks in 30.06 since I can't find Core-Lokt's to load anymore. And they have not disappointed me either. I'm am now thinking of doing a ladder test with his ELD-X, closer to his seating depth for Interlocks.

 

[jmr40]

I don't own a 270 but have gotten EXCELLENT results with 178 and 200 gr ELDX in 308, 30-06 and 300 WSM as well as 143 gr in a 6.5CM. They are one of the more accurate bullets for most shooters and are reasonably priced compared to many others. I've never heard of anyone not getting good accuracy with that bullet.

As a hunting bullet some think they are a little soft and expand more than they like. BUT.... they are only made in heavy for caliber weights, 178gr is the lightest 30 caliber they make. Even though they are a little soft, they still give adequate penetration due to the heavier weight.
.
A 270 shouldn't have any issues with a 140 gr bullet. It is only when you get above 150 gr that twist issues start to be a problem with some rifles.

I wouldn't have loaded all 50 at once. When trying something new I'd have loaded up about a dozen, with 3 each of different powder charges to see which shot best. Then go from there. Since I don't mess with 270 I can't help much with powder choices. But you have an accurate bullet, you just need to find the load your rifle likes.

 

[Thomasss]

When trying something new I'd have loaded up about a dozen, with 3 each of different powder charges to see which shot best.

I never really looked at it that way. I do have some extra bullets and could load a few with other powders. I used the 4451 just so all would be the same and he could practice with the same ones. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Hugger-4641]

There is only one weight for ELDx in .270, 145gr.
There are three weights to choose from in the SST, 130, 140, and 150gr.
.270 is one calibre I haven't tried the ELD-X in yet.
But I can say they are excellent in .243, 6.5cm, .308, 30-06, and 300wm.
I have loaded the 130 interlock with h4831-sc and was very happy with it. 59gr gave 2900+ fps and 1moa in my SIL's Axis II. I suspect the ELDx would do better, but can't prove it yet.

 

[GooseGestapo]

140 grains....Isn't this the only one for .270 Win?

Actually, 145gr. I suspect some stability issues with Your Rifle and THIS bullet.

I have a Remington Mod-7 in .260Rem. It has a published 1/10” rifling. By actually measuring, it’s 1-10.9” or call it 1/11”. With a 129gr Hornady SST it shoots 5-6” groups at 100yds. A 140gr SST won’t even hit the berm at 100yds 100% of the time. If it does hit paper, it’s sideways.

A 120gr PPU Match BTHPT shoots 5/8” 5-shot groups, even a 160gr Sierra RN-FB @2,400fps shoots under 1”. 123gr SST’s shoot ~1.25”.

I suggest it’s the bullets!

Try some conventional 130gr soft points over 54.0-55.5gr of IMR4350.
Never seen a good .270barrel shoot worse than 1.5” groups with these…
140gr Hornady PtSpt shoot under 1.5” from my 2-,270’s. Sierra’s shoot under 1”.
58.0gr of RL22 with 140gr Sierras I gave to a friend who lives/hunts Wyoming, have taken numerous mule deer and elk from his Sauer .270. No need for heavier than 140’s for a .270.
Need more bullet? Get a bigger gun!

 

[JmacD]

I have a relation that just put a fast twist(1:7) on a 270. It bugholes 145 eldx all day. I do know my dads 270 (it’s one of my favorite cartridges of the “old guard, and I don’t currently own one!! I must remedy that!) Luke’s the 140ssts. I have more load development to do. But we got it under an inch and called it good.

 

[Thomasss]

That was either 54 or 55 grains IMR-4350 under 130 grain Hornady Interlock. Velocity was up around 3,150 fps. I concluded that round would knock over any deer that gun would face out to 250 yards, and quit on load development. My dad's old Rem 700 BDL.

Like with many new bullet loads, I learned a few things. My son's .270 is closer to 1:10.5 twist. Hornady's 10th powder book says COL. is 3.210.
But info. from Hornady said to load his .270 145 grn. EXD-X at 3.330 and that was a big mistake. I just finished loading them closer to what I do for an 130grn. Interlock for him at 3.240 over 52.5 grains of IMR 4350 (53.0 Max) with Fed. Match LRP and he shot 1MOA at 100 yards and he's happy. He did get two touching and two more drifted a little on a windy day. I think he can do better, but he said leave it for now. I did find out that in the 6.5 Creedmoor throat is a lot tighter than older guns and that was made to handle the newer high BC. bullets, so they say.