6.5. With a 156 grain Berger

WesternHntr

Lil-Rokslider
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Jan 14, 2017
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Idaho
What barrel twist will best launch the 156 gr 6.5?
I talked with the Berger techs about that the other day.
At saum or PRC velocities above 2000' they told me an 8 twist is plenty but a 7.75 would be ideal.
However there are a lot of variables, I'd give them a call they can run the calculations for you
 

WesternHntr

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 14, 2017
Messages
119
Location
Idaho
What barrel twist will best launch the 156 gr 6.5?
I talked with the Berger techs about that the other day.
At saum or PRC velocities above 2000' they told me an 8 twist is plenty but a 7.75 would be ideal.
However there are a lot of variables, I'd give them a call they can run the calculations for you
 

Sportsman

Lil-Rokslider
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Dec 8, 2018
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192
Location
AZ
The main issue you have is that most companies 6.5 cal bullets in the 120 to 130 weight class. Other than Matrix I don't know of any other company producing bullets in that weight class. Sierra has a 150 grain but that's about it. Let me correct myself, Hornady makes the 160 Interlock but I personally won't use their products I just don't think the quality is there, especially their brass.

You can get Nosler Accubond or Partition in 140. With the 6.5 PRC gaining in popularity, I bet you'll find heavier options soon. You have rifles starting to make 6.5 CM in faster twist for heavier bullets as well.
 
Joined
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Front Range, Colorado
The main issue you have is that most companies 6.5 cal bullets in the 120 to 130 weight class. Other than Matrix I don't know of any other company producing bullets in that weight class. Sierra has a 150 grain but that's about it. Let me correct myself, Hornady makes the 160 Interlock but I personally won't use their products I just don't think the quality is there, especially their brass.
You're right about their poor brass quality. Totally wrong about bullet availability. 147 ELD M, 153 A Tip, now the 156 Berger. Hornady's ELD line is a top notch bullet, both in terms of accuracy and terminal performance.

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Northwest Arkansas
Great info here on the heavier 6.5 bullets - thank you! Does anyone here have results to share with Nosler’s ABLR 142gr? Curious about its comparison with the ELD-X.


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brockel

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Feb 8, 2017
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Baker,mt
Eastern Montana has one little district that you can use your general elk tag in because there isn’t enough public land to actually do a draw for. Today while deer hunting some state land I got lucky and stumbled on to a bull at 52 yards. First shot with the 156 grain berger out of 6.5-06 hit him behind the shoulder. He turned quartering away and I hit him again and he flipped over backwards dead. Made it about 10 yards total from first shot. Berger made soup out of the lungs and peppered the offside rib cage. When I was removing rib meat the lungs were pouring through the rib holes. If he had slid 10 yards the other direction he would have ended up in a sink hole I couldn’t see the bottom in.
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Sabinal, TX
Plate was at 100 yards, same as the paper target.

Not sure on the steel hardness as I get these at not cost from my dozer operator and they come from various places.
Bring them to the house and shoot them,

This load averaged 2990 fps. N565. I have room to go faster but calling the game right here.
I don't have enough RL 26 on hand to work up something with it.

I had good luck with 150 SMK's last year so these should work well. I will be finding out.

Ein, good to hear a success story on these.

What's your barrel length and your COAL, if you don't mind me asking? I'm planning a new rifle build and I'm considering the 6.5PRC. I'm a 6.5 fanboy and I'd really like to shoot those Berger 156gr but I've been concerned that they'll end up producing a COAL that won't fit in an Accurate Mag magazine. Kinda thought they'd be better suited to a long action 6.5 variant like a 6.5x284 or a 26 Nosler. I'd be pretty stoked to get them to work in a SA!
 
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Sodbuster

Sodbuster

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Sodbuster

Sodbuster

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Missouri
Slight angle. Broke the top of the shoulder and fractured ribs on the way out. Corkscrewed her I yobtge ground,
e387096c5c5d987a0fb09aab4b411e9e.jpg



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Sodbuster

Sodbuster

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Missouri
156 grain Berger in a PRC.
This is the second due with these bullets. First was a fast ten yard facial
Dead but not much of a test.
Sausage meat is secure so now can stretch her out.
I will take any shoulder shot on a big buck with this bullet.


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Sako76

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Jul 6, 2017
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New Jersey
I shot two bull elk (Wyoming and Colorado) this year wit my 6.5 GAP and 156 Berger EOL at 2850 fps, absolutely flattened both elk. The Wyoming elk was standing at 250 yards with a high shoulder shot, complete pass thru. The Colorado bull was flat out running at 150 yards and he turned towards me where I hit him above the right shoulder low in the neck. Wrecked the lungs, shrapnel hole in liver, rode the spine down to where it meets the pelvis, DRT. The bullet traveled 3 feet, I'm sold!
 

Sako76

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New Jersey
I killed two 5x5 bull elk this year with a 6.5 GAP shooting 156 Bergers at 2850, absolutely flattened both elk. The Wyoming elk was shot at 250 yards standing (high shoulder) and the Colorado elk was shot at 150 yards on the dead run. I hit the Colorado elk almost head on, bullet hit above the right shoulder and rode the spine down to where it meets the pelvis, the bullet traveled about 3 ft.
 

gbflyer

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Feb 20, 2017
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Don’t have a GAP but I’ve found the 160gr Woodleigh Weldcore to be very accurate. Not really a LR design, however.
 

30338

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Jun 2, 2013
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56 grains of H1000 in my 6.5-284 today. I'll use these on something next fall is the plan. Loved the 140 vld, but this may be very nice.

Edit, 6,000 foot elevation at range and 8 twist. Hunting from 4500 to 12000 so guessing I'll be fine with it.
 
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