300 Win Mag with RL-25 / 212 ELD-X

TackDriver284 · Apr 8, 2017

I could not find any info in the manuals for the RL 25 / 212 ELD-X for the .300 Win Mag so I did some searching and some number crunching and made seven 3 round groups of RL-25 from 73.5 to 75.9 grains. Shot over a chrono, and #3 group had good ES / SD ( 4 and 2 ) and .4MOA, and 75.9 ( group #7 )grains produced a velocity of 2,940 to 2,950 fps, some primer flattening from middle charges up to max. Groups #3 to #6 was under .5 MOA, its acceptable since its primarily used as a hunting rifle.
Is 2,950 fps with a ELD 212 grain bullet way too fast? I have a 26 inch barrel, and weighed H20 case capacity( 94.78 grains ) and data into Quickload and its a hair under the red line. I assume the 200 grain bullets are around 3,000 fps and 210 grains at 2,875 to 2,900?

Since groups #3 to #6 has under .5 MOA, which charge do I look for? The one with the best SD / ES and play with seating depth to tighten a bit more?

#4 to #6 has same POI by the way.

DrMike · Apr 8, 2017

Sounds like excellent results for you. I don't see your velocity as being too great. As long as velocity is below 3000 to 3100, a cup-and-core bullet should perform quite well. My practice has been to select the group with the best standard deviation (I like it to be below 1%) and play with seating depth. Standard deviation will not change dramatically as OAL is changed, yielding the greatest promise of accuracy.

.300winmag · Apr 8, 2017

2,950 for a 210-215gr bullet is normal for a .300 Win. Mag. I've shot a number of bullets in that weight range in mine and 2,950-3,000 is the norm.

I would caution you with that particular bullet in a .300 win mag, penetration was very poor, actually flat out awful, on elk we shot this past hunting season. I won't be using this bullet again until I see proof that Hornady has toughened it up. It shot well, but if you're going after elk, I'd look at using a different bullet.

TackDriver284 · Apr 8, 2017

.300winmag":2nta5lc7 said:
2,950 for a 210-215gr bullet is normal for a .300 Win. Mag. I've shot a number of bullets in that weight range in mine and 2,950-3,000 is the norm.

I would caution you with that particular bullet in a .300 win mag, penetration was very poor, actually flat out awful, on elk we shot this past hunting season. I won't be using this bullet again until I see proof that Hornady has toughened it up. It shot well, but if you're going after elk, I'd look at using a different bullet.

Thanks for the heads up, I have read somewhere on this site that the ELD X performed poorly on elk. Unfortunately I bought the 212's before I even knew about it. What bullet do you prefer? I am new with the .300 Win Mag. Planning to use it for deer sized game and tough hogs. I am sure 180 grains is plenty for deer sized game, I just like the high BC's of the heavy bullets. I have some 178 ELDX, 180 Accubonds, Ballistic Tips and 210 VLD Hunt.

.300winmag · Apr 8, 2017

For deer I do think the ELD's will work, but I also think they'll be messy. Personally I am a big fan of Berger's, I've used the 210 VLD and in the last few years I've switched to the 215gr Hybrid. I have been very pleased with the accuracy, precision external and terminal ballistics. I'd look at those if you're wanting a High BC bullet.

I have also been happy with the 180 and 200gr Accubonfs, they are a hell of a great hunting bullet, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them on any critter. The 210 ABLR also did a great job on elk, I was pleasantly surprised with its terminal performance. That is another option for a heavy high BC bullet, they were very temperamental as to getting them to shoot well, but once you find their sweet spot, they shot 1/2-3/4" in my rifle.

TackDriver284 · Apr 9, 2017

.300WinMag: I like the tangent and secant mix in the Hybrid, the secant bullets are fussy to make it shoot like the VLD. I just never used the Hybrids before. I have a 1:10 twist, will the 215 Hybrid stabilize? I checked the Berger website and it says it needs the 1:9 twist on the bullet selection chart and its borderline at 1.51 factor. There is also a 200 Hybrid that has a better factor of 1.73

Will the Hybrid jacket design hold together at shorter ranges of 100 yards since its a target bullet, or does the target bullets have a thicker jacket than the hunting versions and will it pencil through at longer ranges on deer? I don't think deer / hogs will need a heavy bullet like the 215 Hybrid to knock them down, 180 to 200 grains will suffice unless elk is on the menu but the 215 is sweet with the high BC

What pet loads are you using that you would like to share, PM me if you have any secrets. :mrgreen:

.300winmag · Apr 9, 2017

:mrgreen: I've used the 215 in two barrels on my personal .300 one in 1-10" and the other a 1-9" twist, I also have shot them out of several other .300 win mags (buddy's I've converted :mrgreen: ) who all have 1-10" twist barrels, you will not have a problem with bullet stability. They will shoot just as well from a 10 twist as they do a 9 twist barrel.

The 215 does have a thicker jacket than the 210VLD, but I can tell you it will not just pencil through at long ranges, it opened up on an antelope at 1,034 yards and left a large exit wound. I also used it on game from <100 yards and intermediate ranges, antelope, elk, coyotes and even a few prairie dogs. I can't seem to find it now but I cross sectioned a 210 Berger and a 215 Hybrid, and the empty nose cavity of the 215 was enormous compared to the 210. I've yet to see an animal go farther than 10-15 yards when hit with a 215, and if it'll open up on antelope at 1,000 yards and put down elk at 200-300 yards, it'll work on hog and deer.

My loads aren't a secret, I suggest you get a hold of a bunch of H1000, as it's worked in numerous rifles.

My personal load is:

215 Berger
77.0grs H1000
Nosler Brass
Fed 215M
0.015" Jump
Runs 2,991fps from my 28" Hart

I suggest you start at 74.0grs and work up, seat the bullet 0.015" off the rifling and go.
I've also used H4831SC because a buddy had a lot of it. Accuracy was great as well but velocity was slightly hindered.

Here's some pics of an elk wound and a link to the video and exit wound of the antelope at 1,034 yards.

https://vimeo.com/185703479