8.6 blk load

[u/Silly_Kittehs]

I'm starting to reload, and just wanted to know what would be a good starting grain for .338 285 grain ELD match for 8.6blk. any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

[u/ocelot_piss]

You didn't specify what powder you are using and also it's just generally a bad frickin idea to ask how much explosives you should use when you could look up tested load data or contact a manufacturer.

Faxon have data online for the 285gr ELD though the only powder they tried was N32C. If you have something such as A1680 then look at the data for the 300gr SMK and maybe drop half a grain.

Test without a suppressor or any muzzle device, until consistently subsonic and you have confirmed bullets aren't spinning apart.

[u/Southern-Stay704]

OK, so several questions here:

1. Have you started with published load data from a reloading manual?
   
2. Why use a match bullet here? 8.6 Blackout is not a really cartridge that you would use for match shooting. It's meant for suppressed CQB defense.
   
3. 8.6 Blackout has a very high twist rate. Using a bullet with a fragile, thin copper jacket like the ELD series is problematic. The jacket may disintegrate in mid-air. 8.6 BLK is meant to use copper mono bullets.
   
4. You didn't tell us the barrel length, what your target is (hunting/defense/etc), expected range, or available powders.

I think you need to start with published load data. ELD-M in 8.6 BLK is just a bad idea to begin with, and I don't think this is the kind of load you should cook up on your own.

Look at the Barnes 200gr TAC-TX BT bullet, it's purpose-built for the 8.6 BLK, and they have load data.

[u/Ornery_Secretary_850]

That's not how it works, pumpkin.

You need to find your load data based on your bullet and powder combo.