Range Report 130 or 140 gr VLD for 8.5 twist Creedmoor?

[earthquake]

Gonna pick up some bullets to start reloading. Anyone have an idea of what might work best in an 8.5 twist barrel on a 6.5 Creedmoor? I'm looking at 130 or 140 gr Berger VLD. Or is this just splitting hairs and either should work or I couldn't shoot the difference?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Aimsmall55]

I've got an 8.5 on my Crusader and it shoots the 140's better than any load I've ever come up with. Also likes to jump them 100/1000's

 

[Pusher591]

Mine shoots both equally well. If going with a shorter barrel (20" and below) I would stick with 130's. I'm sure 140's would still do in the shorter barrel but depending on altitude, humidity, or density you could have issues.

 

[earthquake]

I've got an 8.5 on my Crusader and it shoots the 140's better than any load I've ever come up with. Also likes to jump them 100/1000's

Thanks for the reply. I had to act quick, so I went with the 130 VLD and got some 140 Amax blems to try out.

BTW, if anyone needs some, Midway got in some 130 and 140 gr Berger VLD's last night. Good luck!

*Edit to add: I'm shooting these from a 25" Bartlein.

 

[Garvey]

My 1:8.5" twist .260 Rem shot 130 VLDs at 2950 fps, and it was bad to the bone! To preserve barrel life I worked up a load with 140 VLDs and 140 A-maxes simultaneously. My rifle shot the A-Maxes well inside the VLDs and I quit adding powder when it shot .2 MOA, 500 yards, and 2800 fps.

 

[earthquake]

Would like to try the hybrids too. Anyone know who has them? I've not been able to find them yet.

 

[KevinU]

Would like to try the hybrids too. Anyone know who has them? I've not been able to find them yet.

Hey CoFox,

140 Hybrids available locally. Alex and Grant are good guys to deal with, Bought lots of Bergers from them.

https://1shotgear.com/

 

[bodywerks]

I have decided to stick with 140 amax on my 8.5 twist Krieger. After reading Litz's book and his bullet stability chart. It shows the bergers being somewhat marginal in 'average' conditions (around 2000 foot density altitude and 2800fps).
I'm not saying they won't work, but the Hornady 140s had the best stability in the slower twist barrels, and within about a hundredth in g7 BC compared to the Berger 140(if memory serves).

 

[stingrayguy]

I have a 8.5 twist 6.5, Ive used the 123s and the 130s... loves them both so far. I will be picking up some 140s to try soon.