Hunting & Fishing Berger 156gr EOL Elite Hunter Opinions

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Has anyone tried hunting with the new(ish) Berger 156 gr bullets, especially in 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Remington? I’m interested in hearing about any game hunted at any range. I don’t currently handload, but I see Copper Creek offers them.

I was wondering if these would be too long to load for an AR-10 magazine without intruding drastically on powder. Copper Creek is claiming 2660 fps out of a 24” barrel loaded to a COAL of 2.80 for 6.5 Creedmoor and 2690 fps loaded to a COAL of 2.82. For comparison, they’re loading 140 gr ELD-M at 2810 fps at 2.80.

In the Creedmoor, the 140gr and 156gr are putting out similar amounts of muzzle energy, but I’m interested in the 156gr for the greater sectional density. I know that the ELD-M is a match cartridge, but 140 grains seems to be a pretty popular weight for these chamberings, so I thought I would use it as a benchmark.

Thanks in advance for sharing any experience you have with this bullet.

 

[264win]

I like them in my PRC. They have performed great on deer, elk and black bear.

Personally I would stick with 135-140 grain bulls with the 260 and 6.5 CM

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Thanks @264win for the insight. I’m not sold on them yet, just curious if they could be effective. I’m glad to hear they work well with a little more powder behind them.

 

[stello1001]

Don't disregard the 156 as not being the best in a 6.5CM. While i do agree you can push them faster out of a magnum or PRC, I know someone pushing 153 a tips in the 2800s FPS and reaching out to 2k + yards. Just need to use rl26 and a longer tube...

 

[kgoltz]

Run the 156 in my 6.5x284 and had great luck with them this fall on deer and antelope, typical Berger performance!!

 

[BigTex]

I'm going to order some to try in my 6.5x284, I'll stick to the 140s in my CM.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I have a box that I was planning on using in my 6.5 saum but now I'm thinking I'll stick with partitions and monos for hunting.
Whatever you do don't hit shoulder with the Berger's, I saw some disasters this year on elk with the 215 and 300 grainers.
If anyone wants my 156's I'll sell them for $45 shipped

 

[Graywolf.260]

I got 2775 fps with the 156 EOL in my Tikka 6.5x55 22" using 51 gr RL26. Checks out to 500 m really well with a .3550 G7 BC. Theres some elk harvest reports at https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/6-5-156-eol.222920/page-20

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I got 2775 fps with the 156 EOL in my Tikka 6.5x55 22" using 51 gr RL26. Checks out to 500 m really well with a .3550 G7 BC. Theres some elk harvest reports at https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/6-5-156-eol.222920/page-20

I read that one
Be careful with how you interpret that info.
It's easy to get a thin jacketed bullet to blow apart for a quick kill on a perfectly placed shot, which in turn becomes a total failure on a not so perfect shot

 

[BigTex]

There are always 2 camps in these threads, those that kill a lot of game with Bergers, and those that don't like the concept. I happen to be in the former, Bergers just plain kill. There's no accounting for poor shot placement regardless of bullet.

 

[clark33]

I believe he said this was a 500 yard shot with a 6.5PRC

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

From what I’ve seen on Berger’s website, the bullets are designed to open up and shed weight with the purpose of dumping energy into the animal and destroying organs, which is perfect if you’re going to thread it through a couple ribs on a broadside shot. I think if you want to go for a leg/shoulder shot to anchor an animal, you probably want something more like an Accubond or a TTSX.

Maybe you could do something like dangerous game hunters do with a soft bullet followed by a solid for a follow up. Load the rifle with Accubonds, Partitions, etc., but use a Lehigh Controlled Chaos or a Berger as the first shot. If it only takes one, you’re fine, and if the animal runs, you’ve got a better bullet for that scenario.

 

[BigTex]

Berger's BC is always less with a heavier bullet. i.e 195 EOL vs. 180 ELDM, 230 vs 225 ELDM, and now 156 vs 147 ELDM.
Just stating a fact here Brosif, and I'm disappointed that after all these years developing the 156 Berger could't get the BC up a little more..
This is just my observation, sorry if you don't appreciate it.

Why are you copy and pasting irrelevant posts from longrangehunting.com?
@lowlight @Tucker301

 

[BCX]

Frontal heart shot on whitetail at 140-150 yards in the woods. Drt never moved. 100% energy transfer but would use a tougher bullet on larger game.

 

[BigTex]

From what I’ve seen on Berger’s website, the bullets are designed to open up and shed weight with the purpose of dumping energy into the animal and destroying organs, which is perfect if you’re going to thread it through a couple ribs on a broadside shot. I think if you want to go for a leg/shoulder shot to anchor an animal, you probably want something more like an Accubond or a TTSX.

Maybe you could do something like dangerous game hunters do with a soft bullet followed by a solid for a follow up. Load the rifle with Accubonds, Partitions, etc., but use a Lehigh Controlled Chaos or a Berger as the first shot. If it only takes one, you’re fine, and if the animal runs, you’ve got a better bullet for that scenario.

Just trust the Bergers, once you start using them you'll see that there is a lot of internet myths about them. Last year I killed my bull elk @ 472 yards with a 140gr Berger from my 6.5x284. The bullet went through the shoulder blade. destroyed the lungs and major blood vessels in the chest cavity, and broke the offside shoulder. Bull didn't take a step. The same week my buddy that I reload for killed a nice 5x5 @352yds with a 130gr Berger from a .270win. Same thing, shoulder shot, bull dropped and rolled down the hill.

Funny thing is the other guys in camp were giving us a hard time for not shooting .30 mags and using Berger bullets. We were the only 2 of the 7 that had 1 shot kills. One guy shot at his elk 6 time and hit him 4 with a 300short mag and 180gr Partitions, granted shot placement was bad on the first few, but that just furthers my previous point. His first shot hit the onside shoulder at a shallow angle, broke it but did not penetrate but knocked him down, Second through the right ham from 6 o'clock, knocked down again, 3rd shot missed, 4th shot went through the middle of both back straps broadside, 5th shot missed, 6th shot went into the back of the skull and exited between the eyes. There was not much edible meat left after this jackass was done. The only other guy that got a shot off blew a chunk of leg bone out with a 7mm mag Corelokt, no recovery.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

@clark33 @BCX In both of those cases, it looked like the bullet did exactly what it was supposed to do.

@HuntDWind I see that the numbers on Hornady’s website show better BC’s for their 147 ELD-M and 143 ELD-X than what Berger lists for their 156 EOL, but it’s not such a drastic difference that I would avoid the Bergers. If the Bergers are great, that’s ok with me. If they’re crap, that’s ok with me, too. I’m just curious to hear about peoples’ experiences with them.

 

[clark33]

I've only used a Berger bullet hunting once, 185vld out of a 300wsm. Shot 2 mule deer that year, one at 510 complete pass thru, buck ran about 10 years and piled up. Second buck was at 260, hit shoulder, bullet went in and caused massive damage and the copper jacket was stuck in the off side hide. I had no complaints.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Thanks for sharing, @Travclem . It sounds like the bullets work great if you’re a disciplined hunter/shooter. I’m glad to hear they planted the elk and dispatched him quickly. What was your opinion on the amount of bloodshot meat? I know there’s plenty of meat to get off of an elk, and I’d certainly prefer an animal that drops in place vs. one that runs another 50-100 yards. I’m just trying to learn about the bullet.

It sounds like the guy with the 300 short mag had no business taking shots at game. Was there a guide present? If so, I would be surprised they didn’t step in and put that elk down.

 

[BigTex]

Thanks for sharing, @Travclem . It sounds like the bullets work great if you’re a disciplined hunter/shooter. I’m glad to hear they planted the elk and dispatched him quickly. What was your opinion on the amount of bloodshot meat? I know there’s plenty of meat to get off of an elk, and I’d certainly prefer an animal that drops in place vs. one that runs another 50-100 yards. I’m just trying to learn about the bullet.

It sounds like the guy with the 300 short mag had no business taking shots at game. Was there a guide present? If so, I would be surprised they didn’t step in and put that elk down.

The blood shot meat on our elk was minimal about a quarter sized spot around the entrance, no exit on either.

He did not have any business out there. He was one of those loud mouth jackasses who had "been there and done that". There were guides present, they weren't carrying guns. Of course he had plenty of excuses for why it went down the way it did, none of them were his fault.

 

[stello1001]

Just trust the Bergers, once you start using them you'll see that there is a lot of internet myths about them. Last year I killed my bull elk @ 472 yards with a 140gr Berger from my 6.5x284. The bullet went through the shoulder blade. destroyed the lungs and major blood vessels in the chest cavity, and broke the offside shoulder. Bull didn't take a step. The same week my buddy that I reload for killed a nice 5x5 @352yds with a 130gr Berger from a .270win. Same thing, shoulder shot, bull dropped and rolled down the hill.

Funny thing is the other guys in camp were giving us a hard time for not shooting .30 mags and using Berger bullets. We were the only 2 of the 7 that had 1 shot kills. One guy shot at his elk 6 time and hit him 4 with a 300short mag and 180gr Partitions, granted shot placement was bad on the first few, but that just furthers my previous point. His first shot hit the onside shoulder at a shallow angle, broke it but did not penetrate but knocked him down, Second through the right ham from 6 o'clock, knocked down again, 3rd shot missed, 4th shot went through the middle of both back straps broadside, 5th shot missed, 6th shot went into the back of the skull and exited between the eyes. There was not much edible meat left after this jackass was done. The only other guy that got a shot off blew a chunk of leg bone out with a 7mm mag Corelokt, no recovery.

I always hear people say how great Bergers are for hunting and I believe them. I just don't know which specific bullet they are talking about. I know they make hunting VLD and just VLD. Or at least that's what the internet had led me to believe. I decided to order 200 rounds of factory Berger ammo for my 6.5CM with their 140 grain target bullet. I really really wanted to order the load using their 135 classic hunter bullet but at the end I went with their non hunting 140g. I hope these will work great for me as I intend to take down whitetail with them.

 

[BigTex]

I use the 140gr VLD Hunting bullet, I've killed several whitetail with them, they perform well. The target bullets have thicker jackets on them. I have no experience with the elite hunters.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Ok I'll be the party spoiler and share my recent experiences with Bergers.
First I'll start by sharing that I've killed three bulls with 147 ELDM's from 300 to 940 yards, and I've been a big Berger fan for a decade.
Not anymore... I'm done with all thin jacketed LR bullets for elk.

I shot my bull this season at 680 with a 215 Berger, first shot was quartering away and the bullet blew apart on impact with the ribs.
The bull started moving off and I sent a quick shot through the center of his neck, which pencilled through.
Third shot was center lung and performed well.

Another guy I met shot a bull in the shoulder (while I was there) with a 300 Berger from his 338 LM improved at 775 yards.
It blew up on impact and he tracked him for two days before getting him.

A few weeks ago my buddy put a 225 eldm dead center on an elk shoulder at 700 yards, completely splattered.

These hits should have been lethal
Im not sharing this to bash Berger's or elds, I just want people to know what will happen when these bullets hit bone, or fail to expand from a closed tip.


Here's a few pics

225 eldm failure.


215 Berger exit wound non expansion

 

[BigTex]

For the Record, the 215gr Berger Hybrid Target is not one of their hunting bullets, neither are the ELD-M from Hornady.

What was your impact velocity?

 

[BCX]

I was happy w the performance from the 156 in my situation. Not a bullet for Texas heart shots tho ?

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Yes that's a really good point about them not being the hunting line, I used the 215 because pretty much everyone recommended it.

I was aware that the elds were explosive at high velocity but I figured for sure a 225 would blow through a shoulder at 700 yards (impact velocity was 2060).

I was even more disturbed to see a 300 Berger blow apart on a shoulder at 775 yards, I think the guys velocity was 2950 at the muzzle.
My 215's we're 2130 at impact

 

[db2000]

Christiansen Arms MPR 6.5 PRC 24” carbon barrel 1-8” SilencerCo ASR Flash Hider
Magento v3

53F 44% 30.23mmHg
Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
H4831 54.5
Hornady brass x 6
Fed 210M
COL 2.035
COAL 2.940
2823, 2830, 2852, 2849, 2848
2849, 2833, 2856, 2843, 2845 SD 10.6
2”

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
H4831 54.8
Hornady brass x 6
Fed 210M
COL 2.035
COAL 2.940
2852, 2866, 2852, 2870, 2859
2865, 2875, 2877, 2868, 2877 SD 7.5
2”

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 26 55.0
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2893, 2883, 2886, 2887, 2881
2882, 2897, 2901, 2882, 2908 SD 9.3
1.5”

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 26 55.3
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2914, 2894 SD 14.1
1”

48F 86% 30.08mmHg
Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 23 52.0
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2805, 2823, 2839, 2827, 2842 SD 14.7
2” cold clean barrel

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 23 52.5
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2851, 2851, 2845, 2869, 2853 SD 9.0
1.25” slight pressure circle

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 23 52.8
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2871, 2872, 2888, 2896, 2866 SD 12.7
1.25” mod pressure circle

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 26 55.5
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2896, 2940, 2950, 2920, 2927
2907 SD 20.1
1.5” high pressure

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 26 56.0
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2949, 2962, 2956, 2947, 2955
2951 SD 5.4
1” mod pressure on bolt on a few rds

 

[Jabot]

I've used the Berger hunting vld
Otm tactical
target hybrids
Elite hunter

All kill animals excellent, they do what Berger says th ed y do penetration with bullet shedding energy inside animal
Kill a fair amount of deer, bear with them
And tons of pigs.
The otm 130 out of a 6.5 is awesome on pigs

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

Christiansen Arms MPR 6.5 PRC 24” carbon barrel 1-8” SilencerCo ASR Flash Hider
Magento v3

53F 44% 30.23mmHg
Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
H4831 54.5
Hornady brass x 6
Fed 210M
COL 2.035
COAL 2.940
2823, 2830, 2852, 2849, 2848
2849, 2833, 2856, 2843, 2845 SD 10.6
2”

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
H4831 54.8
Hornady brass x 6
Fed 210M
COL 2.035
COAL 2.940
2852, 2866, 2852, 2870, 2859
2865, 2875, 2877, 2868, 2877 SD 7.5
2”

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 26 55.0
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2893, 2883, 2886, 2887, 2881
2882, 2897, 2901, 2882, 2908 SD 9.3
1.5”

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 26 55.3
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2914, 2894 SD 14.1
1”

48F 86% 30.08mmHg
Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 23 52.0
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2805, 2823, 2839, 2827, 2842 SD 14.7
2” cold clean barrel

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 23 52.5
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2851, 2851, 2845, 2869, 2853 SD 9.0
1.25” slight pressure circle

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 23 52.8
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2871, 2872, 2888, 2896, 2866 SD 12.7
1.25” mod pressure circle

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 26 55.5
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2896, 2940, 2950, 2920, 2927
2907 SD 20.1
1.5” high pressure

Berger 156 gr Elite Hunter HPBT
Rx 26 56.0
Hornady brass x 1
Fed 210M
COL 2.030
COAL 2.940
2949, 2962, 2956, 2947, 2955
2951 SD 5.4
1” mod pressure on bolt on a few rds

Thanks @db2000 for all of the great load data.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

I've used the Berger hunting vld
Otm tactical
target hybrids
Elite hunter

All kill animals excellent, they do what Berger says th ed y do penetration with bullet shedding energy inside animal
Kill a fair amount of deer, bear with them
And tons of pigs.
The otm 130 out of a 6.5 is awesome on pigs

Not that I’ll have an opportunity to hunt bear any time soon, but how did it do on the bear(s)? Do they drive in far enough before they open up?

 

[Jabot]

Not that I’ll have an opportunity to hunt bear any time soon, but how did it do on the bear(s)? Do they drive in far enough before they open up?

308 at 150 looking straight at me .I hit in middle of chest he drop immediately. Massive lung damage bullet didn't make it to stomach or intestines but was 7-9 inches inside animal. I no it's only 150 yards but that's all I got on bear

 

[lancetkenyon]

I personally think a 6.5CM or .260 Rem is more suited to a 130-140ish bullet weight class.

My daughter shoots a 6.5SLR (similar to a .260 Rem case with neck/shoulder of a 6.5x47L) w. 130 Berger OTM (or AR Hyb) @ 2900 from a 22" Proof. Last year, she took a pronghorn broadside in his bed at 391, DRT. Then a big mule deer buck hard quartering away and downhill at 454, again, DRT without even an ear twitch.

Didn't recover the pronghorn bullet. But got the mule deer bullet back. Entered back of the ribs, top of both lungs, and stopped in the neck under the skin.

 

[jaywhite97]

Well guys thanks for posting the information. Going to see if a PRC likes these bullets

 

[GMZ]

I just got some 156’s to to try out in my 6.5 SAUM and some AR Hybrids for my 6.5 CM. OTM has the best prices on Berger’s that I’ve seen.

 

[brado16]

I just got some 156’s to to try out in my 6.5 SAUM and some AR Hybrids for my 6.5 CM. OTM has the best prices on Berger’s that I’ve seen.

The 156s in my 6.5 Saum like 0.050'' Jump. So far the 156 is showing better accuracy thus far than the Berger 144s, but I need to do more testing on both before I can make a conclusion.

 

[Coffee_and_Pipes]

I personally think a 6.5CM or .260 Rem is more suited to a 130-140ish bullet weight class.

My daughter shoots a 6.5SLR (similar to a .260 Rem case with neck/shoulder of a 6.5x47L) w. 130 Berger OTM (or AR Hyb) @ 2900 from a 22" Proof. Last year, she took a pronghorn broadside in his bed at 391, DRT. Then a big mule deer buck hard quartering away and downhill at 454, again, DRT without even an ear twitch.

Didn't recover the pronghorn bullet. But got the mule deer bullet back. Entered back of the ribs, top of both lungs, and stopped in the neck under the skin.

View attachment 7292953
View attachment 7292938
View attachment 7292939
View attachment 7292940
View attachment 7292941
View attachment 7292942
View attachment 7292943
View attachment 7292944

That’s a great looking buck! Congratulations to your daughter on a clean kill. You certainly taught her well.

Thanks for the great detail shots on what the bullet did. This was really informative. It seems like that OTM opened up really nicely.

 

[idahoorion]

I personally think a 6.5CM or .260 Rem is more suited to a 130-140ish bullet weight class.

My daughter shoots a 6.5SLR (similar to a .260 Rem case with neck/shoulder of a 6.5x47L) w. 130 Berger OTM (or AR Hyb) @ 2900 from a 22" Proof. Last year, she took a pronghorn broadside in his bed at 391, DRT. Then a big mule deer buck hard quartering away and downhill at 454, again, DRT without even an ear twitch.

Didn't recover the pronghorn bullet. But got the mule deer bullet back. Entered back of the ribs, top of both lungs, and stopped in the neck under the skin.

View attachment 7292953
View attachment 7292938
View attachment 7292939
View attachment 7292940
View attachment 7292941
View attachment 7292942
View attachment 7292943
View attachment 7292944

Dang nice buck and a special lady shootin . but you knew that. I too have used the otm 130 for lots of speed goats and 1 elk at 404 all from my 260. no complaints.
Idahoorion

 

[Tremor3Guy]

Has anyone tried hunting with the new(ish) Berger 156 gr bullets, especially in 6.5 Creedmoor or .260 Remington? I’m interested in hearing about any game hunted at any range. I don’t currently handload, but I see Copper Creek offers them.

I was wondering if these would be too long to load for an AR-10 magazine without intruding drastically on powder. Copper Creek is claiming 2660 fps out of a 24” barrel loaded to a COAL of 2.80 for 6.5 Creedmoor and 2690 fps loaded to a COAL of 2.82. For comparison, they’re loading 140 gr ELD-M at 2810 fps at 2.80.

In the Creedmoor, the 140gr and 156gr are putting out similar amounts of muzzle energy, but I’m interested in the 156gr for the greater sectional density. I know that the ELD-M is a match cartridge, but 140 grains seems to be a pretty popular weight for these chamberings, so I thought I would use it as a benchmark.

Thanks in advance for sharing any experience you have with this bullet.

So I’ve loaded them in two different 260 remingtons. One is a zermatt origin with 27” Christensen arms carbon barrel. They are mag length without binder plate so about 2.95 which gives me .020 from lands. Both h4350 and h4831sc gave me similar velocities but h4831sc had single digit sd. I’m cooking at 2860 with zero pressure.(weirdly fast barrel imo).
The second is factory tikka ctr 20” Barrel (I think) and have only tried h4350 and she’s going barely 2600 FPS but es I have only been able to get high 20s with sdof about 16. The throat on that one is looong. Mag length of 2.97 is about .080 from the lands and I loaded em all the way to .250 off the lands with good grouping up until the last load of .250. In a creed you might be able to load to mag length ok but chances are in a 260 without a wierdly chambered rifle, you will have less luck With seating depth not to mention with case capacity Being reduced you’ll miss out on benefits of 260 vs creed.

 

[Davehc130]

here is my experience with the Hornaday 147M...bullet need to get to the target at least...never had a berger not put a round hole through the target...this must be special option for the Hornadys I didn't know about...6.5 PRC @2800 FPS 1-7.5 twist...

Ok I'll be the party spoiler and share my recent experiences with Bergers.
First I'll start by sharing that I've killed three bulls with 147 ELDM's from 300 to 940 yards, and I've been a big Berger fan for a decade.
Not anymore... I'm done with all thin jacketed LR bullets for elk.

I shot my bull this season at 680 with a 215 Berger, first shot was quartering away and the bullet blew apart on impact with the ribs.
The bull started moving off and I sent a quick shot through the center of his neck, which pencilled through.
Third shot was center lung and performed well.

Another guy I met shot a bull in the shoulder (while I was there) with a 300 Berger from his 338 LM improved at 775 yards.
It blew up on impact and he tracked him for two days before getting him.

A few weeks ago my buddy put a 225 eldm dead center on an elk shoulder at 700 yards, completely splattered.

These hits should have been lethal
Im not sharing this to bash Berger's or elds, I just want people to know what will happen when these bullets hit bone, or fail to expand from a closed tip.


Here's a few pics
View attachment 7197174
225 eldm failure.


215 Berger exit wound non expansion
View attachment 7197177

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Holy crap!
I've never seen that happen

 

[406hunter]

This was my last Whitetail buck I got at 272 yards with a 26 inch 6.5 creedmoor with the 156 elite hunter. Was going 2625 at the muzzle and had complete confidence out to 400 yards with it for elk or bear. Maybe a little less. But double lunged him and this was the result, didn’t take a step.