88g eldm in an AR15

[graham184]

Howdy Folks,

Got a weird hankerin' the other day and decided to try and fit some 88g eldm's in an AR. Found an old metal mag laying around, cut the front center section completely out to about half way down. The bullet tips now run against the inside of the mag well, which is acting as the magazine front. I Am able to load them up to 2.335 oal. The ogive just barely hangs out of the neck (trimmed a bit short though to make it work). It'll hold 10rds without issue.

Managed to squeeze enough powder of various assortments under them to cycle the action no problem every time. Velocity was way low though, averaging 2300 fps. No pressure signs of any kind. I'm planning to continue this experiment in a week or two. I think I can get to 2500 with the right powder.

Anyone else ever played with these in a semi?

 

[huntsman22]

Can't think of a single reason to......

 

[HandgunHTR]

I had that similar bug a few years back and decided that rather than try to stuff a big .22 cal bullet into that set-up, I would go with a medium-weight 6mm bullet instead. Built myself a 6X45 and with the mags windowed like you did, I can get an 85-grain Sierra HPGK to leave the 20" barrel at 2625. It will hammer a coyote or a whitetail.

 

[graham184]

Can't think of a single reason to......

Can't think of a single reason to......

Who needs a reason? Good wholesome Americans do things whimsically, not logically...

 

[graham184]

I had that similar bug a few years back and decided that rather than try to stuff a big .22 cal bullet into that set-up, I would go with a medium-weight 6mm bullet instead. Built myself a 6X45 and with the mags windowed like you did, I can get an 85-grain Sierra HPGK to leave the 20" barrel at 2625. It will hammer a coyote or a whitetail.

Yea these even at 2300 fps are supersonic to 900yds. Should be a fun little missile to send now and then.

 

[xsn10s]

I'd try them on a chuck, badger, or yote. I dumped a badger last weekend using a 75gr ELDM out of my AR15. DRT.

 

[graham184]

I'd try them on a chuck, badger, or yote. I dumped a badger last weekend using a 75gr ELDM out of my AR15. DRT.

I'm thinking they should hammer pretty good for a lil bullet.

 

[xsn10s]

I'm thinking they should hammer pretty good for a lil bullet.

I used TAC for my 75gr ELDM load so I kept it on the lower node at 2700 FPS. At 54 yards it didn't exit the badger on a head on shot. Bigger female, DRT.

 

[del2les]

While we have never tried with the 88 ELD's, we've been doing this with the 75-80's for a very long time.

 

[xsn10s]

Over on SH they had one guy single feed them. Another guy on YT nevada desert rat something or other single feeds them also out to 1200 yards.

 

[bultinkle]

What's the advantage over a 73 eldm or 77tmk going faster?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

That sounds janky AF and that magazine is definitely not going to run reliably long term. Instead of half assing it just get a 224 Valkyrie or 22ARC barrel that has a shorter case to run those bullets at mag length and do it right.

 

[xsn10s]

I do the same with a 20 round stainless steel mags, Works just fine with 75gr ELDM loaded to 2.360" COL.

 

[graham184]

Not sure what advantage there might be for doing this. Quite frankly there may be none at all. Bragging about having bigger bullets makes my testicles feel better though! I wanted to see if it could be done is all. I had the 88's laying around, didn't have a bolt gun to run them in, and if I can mag feed them, then I can use em'. They seem to stabilize just dandy in the 7 twist 18" DD barrel. With a bc of .545, the idea of that coming out of my favorite ar, just kinda draws me in. A 1000 (supersonic) yard capable mag fed 223, plus it's just an experiment.

Varget gave me a .8" group, and an SD of 4. But it was too compressed to get enough velocity (2290fps)

SW Precision seems like a candidate, but I need to up in charge weight. Again compressed, but less so. (Loaded at 90g data, 2280fps)

ACC 2460 gave me a group in the 2.5 inch range, but was at 2315fps. This had plenty of room left in the case, and has potential.

I intend to try ACC 2230, SW tac rifle, and maybe H 414 on the next go round.