225 ELDM TESTED 30/375 S.I.

[elkaholic]

In your testing, was it ELD-X bullets that performed same as Berger's?
What about ELD M?

Sorry if I missed something

Ray

I don't think either performs the same as the Bergers but they are more similar to each other. I like the fact that the eldm has lead to the tip with no void but the eldx has a SLIGHT advantage with the tiny little crimp in the jacket. I don't think it will make any difference at longer ranges where it really counts though. (the crimp) I also like the higher b.c. and weight of the ELDM, so over all, I am leaning MATCH....Rich

 

[elkaholic]

I ran a ladder today with N570 and the 225's. Load was 82.5 to 85 in 1/2 gr. increments (6 loads) velocity was from just under 3000 to over 3100'. The wind was really swirled as I was on the lee side of a ride top with the wind coming over the top. The good news about the ladder was everything printed fairly close, so it's kind of a "pick your velocity" and try some more with seating changes at more distance. If it wasn't for one stray to the left, could have been the wind swirling, the other 11 shots were all in about 3".

 

[SHRTSHTR]

I think your shooting at 8 yards!

Nice Rich! Your rigs flat shoot!

Ray

 

[Pdvdh]

Nice accuracy across the loads, indeed. Speaks "all systems are go" for bullets, loads, rifle, and shooter.
How far from the lands are these bullets seated?
Federal 215s?
Did your 85.0 gr load show any indication of pressure?

Thanks for testing and sharing!

 

[elkaholic]

Nice accuracy across the loads, indeed. Speaks "all systems are go" for bullets, loads, rifle, and shooter.
How far from the lands are these bullets seated?
Federal 215s?
Did your 85.0 gr load show any indication of pressure?

Thanks for testing and sharing!

86 grs. showed a slight x mark at 3129'. I would probably use 85 as max but I will likely shoot 83-84. I was using WW mag primers. The bullets were seated about .010" off the lands. I noticed today that the 208's, and 225's have different tips. The 208's measure about .110" wide and the 225's about .135". This alllows the bullet to be a little shorter with the wider tip because the lead has a wider diameter in the jacket. It also means a little easier expanding......Rich

 

[Pdvdh]

Thanks Rich. Just in time. My 225's arrive today. Will start my ladder around 82.0gr and increase maybe 0.7 grains increments. Will start 0.010" off, as you did. Then I need a break from the rain so I can chrono and fire the initial ladder test. I think my 30/375 S.I. pressures out a little sooner than yours.

 

[elkaholic]

You should be good with that plan. Keep me informed. I am really liking that 225 so far.......Rich

 

[Pdvdh]

Rich, I should have been clear - that my ladder will be using RL33. I currently load 85.8gr RL33 with the 215 Hybrid.

 

[elkaholic]

Rich, I should have been clear - that my ladder will be using RL33. I currently load 85.8gr RL33 with the 215 Hybrid.

I shot 87.5 in mine behind the 225 for 3050 in my 28" barrel. I was able to fire 90 before it was too hot!......Rich

 

[elkaholic]

Idaho Trecker and I went out doing some long range work on the Palouse today and I finally got to stretch the legs on the 225's. To say they are impressive is an understatement; on rocks at least! Our first stop was along a garbanzo bean field with a 6 foot rock about 5 degrees up a slope at 1604 yards. We had a pretty good wind from about 4:00 and we guessed we needed about 6 moa. The first shot was dead on vertical at 44 moa but drifted 2 moa left. I dialed 8 moa and sent another one downrange to VERY near the aim point which was about a 3" dark spot (probably lichens). We took turns from there and put numerous kill shots around the spot with Ryan finishing up with a HEART SHOT! We then moved to 1450 and 1100 with similar results. I used the average moa based on hornadys 3 tier system, (.372) and it was VERY close.
Oh ya; the load was 83 grains N570 at 3050' which still has nearly 1000 ft/lbs. at that distance with retained velocity of 1460'. This is enough to expand these 225's based on earlier tests.......Rich

 

[Pdvdh]

So you going to run 0.372 G7?

 

[elkaholic]

So you going to run 0.372 G7?

I will test it again but at this point, I think it is the way to go if you are shooting at those distances. When I shot earlier at 880, .391 worked fine.......Rich

 

[Idaho Trecker]

Definitely was a heck of a fun morning! If I didn't already have a 300 Dakota I'd be making this cartridge. We also launched some 170 Berger from my 270 Sherman, more 225 eld in my 300ss, and some 165 matrix from my 270ss which made a very productive morning. I won't forget the look on the farmers face when we told him where we were shooting

 

[elkaholic]

Definitely was a heck of a fun morning! If I didn't already have a 300 Dakota I'd be making this cartridge. We also launched some 170 Berger from my 270 Sherman, more 225 eld in my 300ss, and some 165 matrix from my 270ss which made a very productive morning. I won't forget the look on the farmers face when we told him where we were shooting

You're shooting up there! haha