156 Berger 6.5 PRC load data

[NWMT_MountainBum]

Hey, guys!

I am running the Berger 156 EOL’s this year out of my Seekins Havak PH2 chambered in 6.5 PRC. I am in load development currently and had a few questions for anyone that might have answers.

I am using H1000, Hornady brass, Federal magnum primers, and the 156 Bergers at a COAL of 2.95” and seeing my best around 55.5grs so far, hovering right at 2900ish. I’d love to push up to 60gr and closer to 3000fps.

Out of hornady brass - what MIN/MAX are you seeing for H1000?

What speeds are you getting with those different H1000 charges?

Thanks!!

 

[ID_Matt]

3K with H1000 and hornady brass would be pushing it pretty hard from what I have seen. Extra 100 FPS isn't going to make any measurable difference anywhere except on your barrel and brass. Maybe with RL26 and Lapua/ADG. The facebook forum 6.5 PRC Shooters I believe it is called has quite a bit of info on guys using different combos. I would do a search there. Or even better, test for yourself. Load 1 up at each half grain increments until you hit pressure. Just my opinion!

 

[wind gypsy]

Another example to some recent tangents on book data being a joke -

Hodgdon says 2801 FPS is max for a 153 atip in 24" barrel behind H1000
Nosler says 3030 FPS is max for a 150 ABLR in a 26" barrel behind H1000

So nearly 200 FPS difference when corrected for barrel length.

My only personal experience is with a couple 25" bartlein 6.5 saum barrels - I found 3050-3080 was my happy place with h1000 and 140 class bullets. Would think that would put a 156 somewhere hovering around 3k or just under and IIRC a SAUM should have 30-50 FPS on a PRC with similar throats and pressure. I'd guess that 2900ish with a 156 from a 24" PRC is a pretty good place to be.

 

[Decker9]

May not be relevant to what you’re shooting.

I loaded 140gr AB’s in my 22” prc. From 59-60 grains of h1000 I only gained about 25 fps and was a pretty compressed hot load with ADG brass. 59 gr put me right at 3000 and 60 was 3025 +\-

I have a box of the 156’s I’d like to try out soon.

 

[Megalodon]

6.5 PRC - Berger 156 EOL - Seekins Havak Element

Didn't find a whole lot of info when I was deciding on a cartridge/gun for a lightweight hunting rig so figured I'd post up my results. I had really wanted to push the 156 as close to 3000 fps as possible and was worried about the 21" barrel on the Seekins. Environmentals: 85* 4700' 35%...

www.rokslide.com

I haven't shot anymore since the initial load development. Still might back it down a half grain or so.

 

[huntnidaho]

Hey, guys!

I am running the Berger 156 EOL’s this year out of my Seekins Havak PH2 chambered in 6.5 PRC. I am in load development currently and had a few questions for anyone that might have answers.

I am using H1000, Hornady brass, Federal magnum primers, and the 156 Bergers at a COAL of 2.95” and seeing my best around 55.5grs so far, hovering right at 2900ish. I’d love to push up to 60gr and closer to 3000fps.

Out of hornady brass - what MIN/MAX are you seeing for H1000?

What speeds are you getting with those different H1000 charges?

Thanks!!

I have the same rifle. My notes with H1000, virgin Hornady brass, F210M primers and the 156 EOL are:

Start
53.5g - 2729

End
57.5g - 2925 (this charge had bolt lift)

I was able to get some ADG brass so I don't shoot the Hornady stuff anymore. The same 57.5g of H1000 in my ADG brass had no bolt lift at 2937 but a slight ejector stamp. It shoots best around 56.5g though. Hope this helps.

 

[NWMT_MountainBum]

I have the same rifle. My notes with H1000, virgin Hornady brass, F210M primers and the 156 EOL are:

Start
53.5g - 2729

End
57.5g - 2925 (this charge had bolt lift)

I was able to get some ADG brass so I don't shoot the Hornady stuff anymore. The same 57.5g of H1000 in my ADG brass had no bolt lift at 2937 but a slight ejector stamp. It shoots best around 56.5g though. Hope this helps.

Great info, thank you! I’ve found my best is right at 55.5gr H1000 hovering around 2850 and grouping at .29” out of once-twice fired hornady. Really wish I could find ADG!

Going to send it this season but need to do some range validation. Love the rifle and feel these bergers are going to be absolute missiles on mulies.

 

[ID_Matt]

Great info, thank you! I’ve found my best is right at 55.5gr H1000 hovering around 2850 and grouping at .29” out of once-twice fired hornady. Really wish I could find ADG!

Going to send it this season but need to do some range validation. Love the rifle and feel these bergers are going to be absolute missiles on mulies.

I would be happy with that. My old self would have tried to squeeze every little FPS I could but my new self says barrel life and consistency trump speed.

 

[huntnidaho]

I would be happy with that. My old self would have tried to squeeze every little FPS I could but my new self says barrel life and consistency trump speed.

+1. My load chronos at ~2880fps and I am plenty happy with that at this point. With the expense and scarcity of some of these components there's no need, in my mind, to beat the crap out of my brass and waste time having to rework/troubleshoot loads that develop issues by running it too close to the edge. I wanted 3k fps with the 156 too at first and thought all 24" PRCs could do it after reading a bunch of combos online. No doubt some probably do.

 

[unclericco]

I’m getting excellent accuracy and 2960 fps out of these with 54 gr. RL-26 powder and ADG brass. 26” Proof CF barrel. I couldn’t be happier with the combo.

 

[TrueAt1stLight]

OST for work-up.

 

[cowboy300]

Seekins havak element 3.07 oal 156 Berger 1x fired ADG brass fed210m 57.2 H1000 2910fps out of the 21” barrel with 6” suppressor if that helps you any. Load is just below pressure signs in 95 degree weather and hot barrel

 

[NevadaMike]

Seekins havak element 3.07 oal 156 Berger 1x fired ADG brass fed210m 57.2 H1000 2910fps out of the 21” barrel with 6” suppressor if that helps you any. Load is just below pressure signs in 95 degree weather and hot barrel

Exactly what I need. Just picked up my Element Sunday.

 

[ahansel]

Late to the thread, but if helpful this is the load I'm using in my 6.5 PRC with the 156 Bergers. Barrel is 26" proof research. I'm getting 2,980 fps.

-ADG Brass
-58.6 grains of H1000
-COL is 2.953

 

[General RE LEE]

2900 is a fine velocity for such a high BC bullet and it won’t wreck your brass as quickly.

 

[Shortmag11]

.

 

[MTNHUNTER76]

Hey, guys!

I am running the Berger 156 EOL’s this year out of my Seekins Havak PH2 chambered in 6.5 PRC. I am in load development currently and had a few questions for anyone that might have answers.

I am using H1000, Hornady brass, Federal magnum primers, and the 156 Bergers at a COAL of 2.95” and seeing my best around 55.5grs so far, hovering right at 2900ish. I’d love to push up to 60gr and closer to 3000fps.

Out of hornady brass - what MIN/MAX are you seeing for H1000?

What speeds are you getting with those different H1000 charges?

Thanks!!

55-57gr of h-1000 is most likely where you want to be. 3k with that bullet and powder would be an extremely hot load in most rifles. Barrels are all different animals so it's possible but not the norm.

I run the 156's at 2930 fps with 56g h-1000. Kills everything really dead.

 

[Pharmseller]

Just saw this thread. I’m beginning load workup for my brother’s Tikka using the 156 EOL and R26. 24” barrel, Nosler brass.

Are you using magnum or standard primers? I have a supply of Winchesters in each flavor.




P

 

[Kimber7man]

Pharm I'm using Fed 210M's with the 156 and R26. Lapua brass.

 

[Pharmseller]

Pharm I'm using Fed 210M's with the 156 and R26. Lapua brass.

What’s you powder charge for the 156 and R26?