123gr Scenar

[Heffo]

So I’ve been binge listening ‘The Everyday Sniper’ podcast from the beginning and have taken note of Frank talking about going lighter and getting more speed out of my 6.5 creedmoor. I revisited the 123gr scenar today. A few random loads 80 thou jump. 43.3, 43.6 and 43.9gr AR2209 (H4350). SD’s 6-8. First two loads under .2” (best I’ve ever shot I think). 3075-3100fps with no pressure signs out of my 1:8 26” barrel. My 140ELDM load is 41.9gr at 2850fps. At 800metres my elevation is half a mil less with the lighter bullet. These 123s are at 6CM speeds. I shoot at 600 metres above sea level. Wondering if I’m in the ball park of what others are getting? And like to know your thoughts. Cheers Luke.

 

[Doug k 042414]

I started doing the same for a .260 rem about a year ago. Some of the guys at JP recommended this. Their belief is that speed will counteract the bc. Worked pretty good for me. Farthest hits were at 1025yds in comp. I don’t get near your speed since I only have a 20” barrel. I also run RL 16 for powder

 

[jakelly]

Time of flight, projectile velocity window, hydrostatic shock, and higher rpm for penetration stability, there are several benefits to lighter projectiles at higher velocity.

 

[sheepdog697]

Yep, ive got 1k of 123gr smk to do this exact thing.

 

[wil_pt]

My shooting buddy is using 123 eldm in his 6.5 creedmoor at 2900+fps for comp with great results.

 

[Hondo64d]

So I’ve been binge listening ‘The Everyday Sniper’ podcast from the beginning and have taken note of Frank talking about going lighter and getting more speed out of my 6.5 creedmoor. I revisited the 123gr scenar today. A few random loads 80 thou jump. 43.3, 43.6 and 43.9gr AR2209 (H4350). SD’s 6-8. First two loads under .2” (best I’ve ever shot I think). 3075-3100fps with no pressure signs out of my 1:8 26” barrel. My 140ELDM load is 41.9gr at 2850fps. At 800metres my elevation is half a mil less with the lighter bullet. These 123s are at 6CM speeds. I shoot at 600 metres above sea level. Wondering if I’m in the ball park of what others are getting? And like to know your thoughts. Cheers Luke.

Been listening to Frank talk about this as well. Have always enjoyed great results from 130gr AR Hybrids, but have a couple of boxes of 123gr Scenars coming to test now.

John

 

[st1650]

Big fan of the Scenar 123 in the 6.5 CM with Varget. Lower SD/ES than H4350. Less recoil than the 140s. Super jump tolerant. 3/8 moa or better groups. Cheaper and easier to find here than Berger and Hornady.
Gets me 3000 FPS and apparently they're decent on game.
Great for < 600 yards.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I was thinking about trying them in a 6.5x47. I can actually get them locally and really don’t have much information on them.

 

[st1650]

Also, I can get as much varget as I want, but H4350 is a little harder to find and I’m pretty much limited to 1 lbs every 2 weeks now. So those 123s are the perfect match for varget.

 

[spife7980]

Also, I can get as much varget as I want,

Ahem. I’m gonna need you to cough up those details please sir.

 

[st1650]

Ahem. I’m gonna need you to cough up those details please sir.

I live in Canada and I guess I know the right dude. Also I can find CCI 450 at my local Canadiantire (ie walmart equivalent) for cheaper than 2020 price ...

 

[spife7980]

 

[briang7511]

one of the best combos i have found was 123 lapua with 40.4g of varget in a .260. 2990 fps and single digit es sd.

 

[Dogtown]

I was thinking about trying them in a 6.5x47. I can actually get them locally and really don’t have much information on them.

I’ve got 3 different 6.5x47L barrels and the 20” particularly likes these and the 120 Scenar-L with either RL17 or N540. The main difference I’ve noticed between both is that even though the 123s have a better BC, the 120s are a bit more consistent.

 

[ReaperDriver]

I sorta have had the opposite experience. I bought 1K of the 123 scenars recently and worked up a load in my .260 JP gas gun. I couldn't get them fast enough before hitting pressure to have an advantage over the 130 Berger AR Hybrids that the gun likes using H4350 or IMR 4451. I have not tried Varget however. I'm shooting my 130s @ 2790 fps and the best I could get out of the 123s was 2850 before hitting pressure signs. And at range (800+) the 130s seemed way more consistent out to 1300.

I might try some Varget to see if I can get them moving faster, but I suspect my gas gun itself will be more of the limiting factor since I can't push the loads anywhere near the speeds I can with my .260 Rem Bolt gun. I've got plenty of Varget and IMR 4166 to try, so it would be interesting to see how they do.

 

[Hondo64d]

Worked up a load with Varget and 123gr Scenars. Velocity trues out at 2940. My current 140 load is the Hornady BTHP at 2685. I could push it harder but that is where the best groups are. With the 123gr Scenars my best load is at 2940. When compared to my 140gr BTHP load at 1000 yards with a full value 10mph wind, the 123gr Scenar has a .1 mil wind advantage but it has a whoppin’ 1.5 mil advantage in trajectory.

Here’s a 5 shot group at 900 yards. Can’t account for the flyer. Was it me? Don’t know but I do know I’m going to give the 123gr Scenars a try.

John

 

[ReaperDriver]

Worked up a load with Varget and 123gr Scenars. Velocity trues out at 2940. My current 140 load is the Hornady BTHP at 2685. I could push it harder but that is where the best groups are. With the 123gr Scenars my best load is at 2940. When compared to my 140gr BTHP load at 1000 yards with a full value 10mph wind, the 123gr Scenar has a .1 mil wind advantage but it has a whoppin’ 1.5 mil advantage in trajectory.

Here’s a 5 shot group at 900 yards. Can’t account for the flyer. Was it me? Don’t know but I do know I’m going to give the 123gr Scenars a try.

John
View attachment 7680025

Nice! What charge weight of Varget? What Caliber - 6.5CM? What rifle & barrel length? What brass?

 

[Snuby642]

Anyone use the 123 scenars in a 6.5g ?

 

[beetroot]

I too have been looking at running the 123gr Scenars or the 130gr SMKs rather than 140 or 147 ELD-Ms with 2209.
Running the numbers it looks like the 123s give the same wind drift as the 147s (at 2600fps) an considerably less drop.

Unfortunately I have plenty of 2209 but zero Scenars, goodness knows when they'll be available again.

 

[Hondo64d]

Nice! What charge weight of Varget? What Caliber - 6.5CM? What rifle & barrel length? What brass?

Disclaimer: This load is safe in my rifle but might atomize someone else’s so use at your own risk.

Barrel - 24” Bartlein 5R 8” twist.
6.5 Creedmoor
Brass - Alpha “6.5 Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself”
Powder - 40gr Varget
Primer - CCI BR2

John

 

[Snuby642]

I too have been looking at running the 123gr Scenars or the 130gr SMKs rather than 140 or 147 ELD-Ms with 2209.
Running the numbers it looks like the 123s give the same wind drift as the 147s (at 2600fps) an considerably less drop.

Unfortunately I have plenty of 2209 but zero Scenars, goodness knows when they'll be available again.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1270175131

There you go

 

[Slides]

I might have to try some when I get my bench set up.

 

[beetroot]

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1270175131

There you go

Wrong country unfortunately and Midway don't ship internationally.

We plebs not in the US don't have the steady trickle of components you do.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Disclaimer: This load is safe in my rifle but might atomize someone else’s so use at your own risk.

Barrel - 24” Bartlein 5R 8” twist.
6.5 Creedmoor
Brass - Alpha “6.5 Epstein Didn’t Kill Himself”
Powder - 40gr Varget
Primer - CCI BR2

John

Thank you! Of course I'll work up appropriately. Just was interested in knowing about where a good load is to works towards.

 

[st1650]

I was running 40.5 varget, cci 450, scenar 123 at 2.795" and was drilling holes at 100F with no pressure signs last week. 3070FPS on the MS3 chrono, DTA 26" factory barrel.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I just grabbed 1000 123 scenars, cant wait to run em in the 6.5x47

 

[clinto]

Has any of you 6.5x47 shooters used h4895 with the 123’s ?

 

[Dogtown]

I did a long time ago. It's a tad bit on the fast side; according to my notes I was seeing pressure around 38gr. RL17 and N550 were better choices at the time.

 

[CavReconScout]

39grs of H4895 is Sierra’s 6.5 Creedmoor accuracy load with their 123 SMK as per their reloading app. 34.4 is listed as max for the 6.5x47 Lapua. YMMV always work your loads up.

 

[Heffo]

I too have been looking at running the 123gr Scenars or the 130gr SMKs rather than 140 or 147 ELD-Ms with 2209.
Running the numbers it looks like the 123s give the same wind drift as the 147s (at 2600fps) an considerably less drop.

Unfortunately I have plenty of 2209 but zero Scenars, goodness knows when they'll be available again.

Yeah pretty scarce over here hey? Can get 123 ELDMs or SMKs mate!