Hornady-30713 30 Cal .308 178 gr ELD® Match qty:100

Product Description

The Hornady 30713 is a 30 Cal .308 178 grain ELD Match bullet sold in boxes of 100. ELD Match bullets use a Heat Shield tip that resists aerodynamic heating, maintaining consistent ballistic coefficient across the flight path. Long-range precision shooters and competitive marksmen rely on this design when group size and vertical dispersion matter.

The ELD Match series combines a secant ogive profile with a boat tail base. This shape reduces drag and helps the bullet retain velocity downrange. Match-grade components mean tighter tolerances from one bullet to the next, which translates to smaller groups on target when the shooter and rifle do their part.

The 178 grain weight sits in the middle of common .308 match bullet offerings. It balances wind drift performance with recoil management in both bolt-action and semi-automatic rifles chambered in .308 Winchester, 7.62×51 NATO, and similar cartridges. Reloaders typically pair this weight with medium to slower burn-rate powders.

Key Facts

• Product Name: Hornady-30713 30 Cal .308 178 gr ELD Match
• Caliber: .30 Cal
• Bullet Weight: 178 grain
• Quantity: 100 bullets per box
• SKU: hornady-30713

What ELD Match Bullets Do Differently

Traditional polymer-tipped match bullets can experience tip deformation during flight due to aerodynamic heating. The tip changes shape, the drag coefficient shifts, and the bullet drops more or less than expected at extended distances. Hornady developed the Heat Shield tip material to stay dimensionally stable in flight, which keeps the ballistic coefficient consistent from muzzle to target.

Consistency matters most when you dial elevation and windage for targets beyond 600 yards. A bullet that maintains its advertised BC lets you trust your ballistics calculator. The secant ogive profile on the ELD Match line further reduces drag compared to tangent ogive designs, helping the bullet carry velocity and energy downrange.

Reloading the 178 Grain .308 ELD Match

The 178 grain ELD Match fits standard .308 Winchester cases and magazines. Overall loaded length will depend on your chamber dimensions, throat length, and how close you seat to the lands. Many bolt-gun shooters seat these bullets long to maximize case capacity and minimize bullet intrusion into the powder column. Semi-automatic rifles often require shorter overall lengths to feed reliably from box magazines.

Start with published load data from Hornady or your powder manufacturer. Work up in small increments while watching for pressure signs. The 178 grain weight typically performs well with powders in the Varget, IMR 4064, and Reloder 15 burn-rate range, though slower powders can also deliver excellent results in longer barrels.

Pay attention to neck tension and seating depth consistency. Match bullets reward careful reloading technique. Use a quality seating die with a sliding sleeve or micrometer adjustment to seat bullets square to the case neck. Run a concentricity gauge on finished rounds if your rifle and shooting style demand the tightest groups.

Buying from Western Sport in Roanoke, TX

Western Sport is a licensed FFL/SOT dealer serving North Texas and the DFW area since 2007. Owner and gunsmith Lance Rankin provides gunsmithing services, transfers, and product expertise on site. Call 817-393-4000 for questions on reloading components, special orders, or anything else we can help with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What rifles can I load the Hornady 178 grain ELD Match for?

A: You can load the 178 grain ELD Match in any rifle chambered for .308 Winchester, 7.62×51 NATO, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Magnum, and other cartridges that use .308 diameter bullets. Confirm your chamber dimensions and magazine length constraints before selecting an overall cartridge length, especially in semi-automatic rifles.

Q: How does the 178 grain ELD Match compare to the 168 grain version?

A: The 178 grain ELD Match has a higher ballistic coefficient than the 168 grain, so it resists wind drift better and retains velocity longer at extended range. The 168 grain produces less recoil and may shoot faster in shorter barrels. Many competitive shooters choose 178 grain for matches beyond 600 yards and 168 grain for closer work.

Q: Is the Hornady 30713 suitable for hunting or just target shooting?

A: ELD Match bullets are designed for target shooting and competition where accuracy is the priority. They are not controlled-expansion hunting bullets. Hornady produces the ELD-X line for hunters who want similar aerodynamic performance with terminal performance optimized for game animals.

Q: Can I use this bullet in a 1:12 twist barrel?

A: Twist rate requirements depend on bullet length and velocity. Many .308 barrels come with 1:10 or 1:11 twist. Call 817-393-4000 to confirm whether your specific barrel twist will stabilize the 178 grain ELD Match at your expected muzzle velocity.

Q: Do these bullets require special reloading dies?

A: No, you can seat and crimp the 178 grain ELD Match with standard .308 reloading dies. A micrometer seating die or a die with a sliding bullet sleeve will help you achieve consistent seating depth and concentricity, which improves accuracy with match-grade bullets.

Q: How do I order from Western Sport if I am not local to Roanoke?

A: Browse our full product catalog at westernsport.com/shop or call 817-393-4000 to place an order. We ship reloading components directly to your door where regulations allow. Our team can answer questions about compatibility, shipping restrictions, and special orders.

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