73 ELD Match bullets

[308sako]

Ok, finally got to shoot the 73's I loaded. All I can say is wow! And not in a good way. Best group of the batch, 1.5 moa. Worst a hair over 3 moa. I used the same 22.9gr XBR that I load with 77gr SMK's. I switched the primer from a Remington BR to CCI450. The SMK load was a solid 3/4 moa load. Not sure what to make of it tbh. Still have some more to shoot so will have another go next weekend.

FWIW, my go to 77 SMK load is 23.25 grs of XBR, that said my 69 grain SMK load is 23.90 grs XBR, so maybe the 73 grain was off node for you, and a little more enthusiasm behind the lift off would be a benefit? Mostly I run the Fed 205 Standard primers now that my beloved Wolf supply has nearly come to an end. I have no doubt that you know what you are doing and you know your rifle, but perhaps trying a ladder in this barrel might be beneficial.

[markm]

I doubt we'll buy these bullets again. The instant gratification wasn't there like with the 30 cal ELDs.

[Vegas]

With the 7mm 162's, you could almost throw any charge in there with H1000 and they were sub minute so I was surprised to say the least. One thing I noticed was that they seem to seat deep into the case. I was loading at 2.255.

[Pappabear]

As ELD fanboys we failed the 73's. I'm sure with time and trial and error they could be good enough. But it's too easy with so many other loads.

I guess we will stick with 30 cal. 300 WM and 308 win. That with no effort were lights out.

PB

[mark5pt56]

FWIW, my go to 77 SMK load is 23.25 grs of XBR, that said my 69 grain SMK load is 23.90 grs XBR, so maybe the 73 grain was off node for you, and a little more enthusiasm behind the lift off would be a benefit? Mostly I run the Fed 205 Standard primers now that my beloved Wolf supply has nearly come to an end. I have no doubt that you know what you are doing and you know your rifle, but perhaps trying a ladder in this barrel might be beneficial.

Same here, at 23.2 with same combo. I tested the CCI BR4 and they are equal with the 205's. I also checked the 400's and they are maybe .2 off of the others. Around here, the BR4's are everywhere, no Federal's

[GMZ]

Ive got a ladder loaded up from 23.0-23.6 gr of XBR 8208 in .2 gr increments with the 73 gr ELD, plan to shoot them next week.

Ive seen a few people over on the Hide get these to shoot well at charges above 23 gr XBR 8208 so Im hopeful.

23.2 is a very popular charge for heavies with XBR.

[308sako]

Ive got a ladder loaded up from 23.0-23.6 gr of XBR 8208 in .2 gr increments with the 73 gr ELD, plan to shoot them next week.

Ive seen a few people over on the Hide get these to shoot well at charges above 23 gr XBR 8208 so Im hopeful.

23.2 is a very popular charge for heavies with XBR.

Please let us know your results.

[GMZ]

I did not have good luck with these either, shooting a 16" WOA SDM 1/7 bbl.

Ran 23.0-23.6 of XBR 8208 in .2 gr increments with CCI450 and prepped WIN brass COAL 2.250. Between 1.5-4 MOA for me as well @100. I was talking to a guy shooting next to me about my new WOA barrel and was embarrassed when we went downrange until he said he couldn't get his 6.5 140 ELDs to shoot out of a Proof Research barrel either. I really wanted these to shoot well since the 75 BTHP was getting me groups under 1" when I did an OCW last week with only a hundred rounds down this new barrel. I don't think I am going to mess with these anymore, at least not out of this barrel.

[Vegas]

I'll be shooting the rest of the batch out of my BCM SS410 16" this weekend. Maybe they will work in that.

[Vegas]

Nope! More 2-3 moa groups today. I actually chrono'd the loads and was getting between 2770 and 2800 with some swipes on the brass. I'll stick with 77 smk and the standard 75 Hornady match.