ELD Match 75gr in AR mag- no go?

I'm pretty sure I figured out the answer to this myself, but has anyone gotten a 75gr Hornady ELD Match to magazine length? They're so long there's a gap between the case mouth and the ogive... and still 10 thousandths over what will fit in the mag, let alone any wiggle room for function. My cases are set back 10 thousandths and trimmed to 1.765".
I bought 200 of these and I'm kinda pissed that the description doesn't warn you they're not gonna fit. 77gr Matchkings work just fine.

 

You are correct. Hornady states a length much longer than will fit in a magazine. You can still single load them in an AR. Seating them that deep will most likely have a drastic effect on pressure. May I ask how far you are shooting?

 

Realistically, up to 350 yards on balloons that I hang on brush. I've rung my 10" steel at 500. These were gonna be reach-out loads, so I might load them for single feed, but $50 worth of bullets is an investment for me. (I also don't have a case length gauge to do it right). I'd rather have 77smk's that feed for shooting at crows and such.

 

Searching "75gr Hornady ELD Match handload", I noticed hits on loading for .22-250 bolt actions and the Tikka a bolt action rifle in .223. Most AR intended bullets have a stubby nose that looks like the original 55gr bullet profile. The ELD has a long slender nose for better aerodynamics.
Hornady ammo website shows 75gr BTHP in .223 and 5.56 ammo but not the 75gr ELD Match.

I have loaded ammo that won't fit the magazine for single shot use in a magazine fed rifle, but usually prefer to load rounds that will magazine feed. Shooting single shot does lead to economical shooting sessions.

 

Nope. Guys really need to remember to check their manuals before buying components. Seating length for the 75 ELD is the same as it was for the 75 A-max, 2.390" if I recall correctly - way too long for mag length. This long body has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with being an ELD, it's the same bullet as the A-max always has been, just with a heat tolerant tip instead of the former A-max tip.

The 73 ELD is made to load in AR mags - assuming you use the right mags.

 

Single load is also not compatible with a brass catcher, which I use to keep from losing my brass in the hayfield. Lesson learned I guess. I like a 69gr Matchking over 24.6gr of Varget. Just thought I'd experiment- but like I said, I don't have a lot of money. Hornady and Midway should make this known.

 

Maybe you could work up a trade with another member...just swap. Sorry...I cannot help...my AR wouldn't like them.

Mark

 

What happens when you remove the polymer tip? Seems I may have read where that permitted loading in mags. I have a box of the same so curious what you end up doing...

 

You can post a review of these bullets at Midway's website to warn people that they are too long to fit in an AR magazine if you feel its not been made clear in the description or specifications.

 

Hornady did make it known. The COAL for this bullet and its precursor, the 75 A max, is listed in every edition of their reloading manual which has included them. 2.390", aka, too long for AR mags.

The burden of research falls on us reloaders.

 

I have done that with Hornady FTX bullets for my Desert Eagle. I cut them off. I think it would work for some yardage, but I wish good luck getting them out without worse damage to the aerodynamic properties than an extra wide meplat. It may work well for crows but could be a full metal jacket equivalent in anything much larger. Try to trade. Just my thoughts.

 

Why would it make sense to blunt the tip of an aerodynamic bullet like the ELD? In doing so, it's no better than a 55JHP for ballistics, so what's the point? And of course - what will the resulting expansion performance be like without the polymer tip? On one bullet, you might trim exactly enough to make it run like an FMJ, on another, you might have enough plastic tip left to drive expansion as it should...

A guy would be better off reselling what he has, or single loading them.

@Enkiduthewildman How many did you buy? Rather with how many are you now stuck?

 

I bought 200. I went ahead and loaded 100 (minus some test rounds). I'll shoot them single shot. I'll send the other box back and get matchkings.

I left a review on Midway- and read the same review other people left too.

 

I recently loaded some 75gr ELD in some Speer 5.56 cases COL 2.260
24grains of CFE 223
Federal match primers
I trimmed the cases 1.740 and crimped them
Recently tested them at 100 yards they all fed reliable and were very accurate 1/4” groups
No signs of over pressure.
I have an adjustable gas block and threw it down to the lowest setting.
Even though I went against the load data for COL

Barnes match burners 85 grain have a COL at 2.260
And have a similar B.C. To the ELD just 10 grain difference.

So I took a chance and it turned out great for me.

 

Those bullets are for bolt action rifles, or AR's of the .224 Valkyrie. With the 224V the case is shorter to allow for the extra length and still fit the 2.260" max magazine length. I have some loaded ready to test.

 

Are you talking about the 75ELD or the 85 match burners?
Barnes makes some factory ammo 85 grain seated to 2.260 for AR feeding 5.56 nato
http://www.selwayarmory.com/barnes-precision-match-5-56x45mm-nato-85-gr-open-tip-match-otm-box-of-20.html

I’m pretty sure they are using the match burners?

 

75 gr ELD's was what I was referring too.

 

Ah, how did yours turn out?

 

Mine are loaded waiting for me to shoot, setting on my bench. I haven't had time to shoot them yet, other projects in the way. They are at the top of my things to do, plus some 6.5CM loads to test. All at 300 yrds.