ELD's- jump or jam?

[wolfman]

I'm contemplating a 7rsaum hunting build. I plan on mag feeding from 3rd accurate magazines, which allow roughly 2.955" coal. I already have a reamer, which would allow me to get to the lands with the 162 eld, and the older amax, but the 175 and 180 would be jumping a bit. I would prefer to jump buillets a bit in a hunting rifle, but I also want the very best accuracy I can get. Obviously I'll be giving up a bit of capacity by seating deep, but there are always tradeoffs.

 

[284winner]

I just shot some 162s and jumped the well over .100. Accuracy was very good. I think the jump was around .140. My reamer allowed for a freebore of .90. I planned on only using 160-168 bullets in this short action rifle. I used a uni throater and took more out than needed. Wound up with much more freebore than I would have needed with a 180 bullet. I was very concerned the accuracy would be terrible with that much jump. To my surprise, it's outstanding..for a hunting rig.

 

[benchrest]

ive shot thousands of the 162 amax. they always liked a .030 jump for me.
same thing for the 180eld, that's where I started jumping them and that's where I will stay.

you might consider the 150eldx for hunting with a 7saum. (Ive been debating a 7saum light rifle vs 6.5saum and the 150eldx looked like a decent compromise.)




my 7saum with .188 freebore for reference
162gr amax 2.915" OAL
168 berger 2.960" OAL
180eld 2.917" OAL

 

[Rob01]

Have loaded all my ELDs at .020-030" off the lands. Never jammed them as I don't like jamming into lands. They also shoot great at factory lengths so they can jump a good ways too.

 

[Zero333]

I agree with the others.. I've always ended up jumping them 30 thou.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I am also building a 7 saum for a carry rifle in a 2.950 oal. I have a short fb reamer, and am going to throat to suit. I want to be able to at least try some 180s. I will most likely throat to suit the bullet with longest nose (shortest freebore) so I can get to the lands with them all. I am mainly looking at 162s and 168s though. If your using a neck bushing theres almost no issues related to seating bullets into the case, that gets so blown out of proportion. I have not shot many elds yet but 140 amaxs loved .015" off