New Berger 6.5 bullet

[aone]

They need to stop this. As soon as I can get a recipe worked up their last-new bullet, they release another. Terrible problem to have...

New 6.5 mm 153.5 Grain Long Range Hybrid Target bullets

The 6.5mm 153.5 Grain LRHT boasts a high BC, jump-tolerant hybrid ogive profile that is Doppler Radar verified with less than 1% BC variation.

bergerbullets.com

 

[jaywhite97]

same here man

 

[Kadams1563]

153 is too large of a bullet for 6.5 creed IMO. That’s suited for a 6.5x284 or a 6.5 SAUM.

I don’t know what your shooting but the majority of people are shooting a creed and they need to stick with 140’s.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Didnt Berger get the memo? They need to do 40rd groups for statistical accuracy. Those numbers mean nothing.

 

[jaywhite97]

but what about prc?

 

[aone]

153 is too large of a bullet for 6.5 creed IMO. That’s suited for a 6.5x284 or a 6.5 SAUM.

I don’t know what your shooting but the majority of people are shooting a creed and they need to stick with 140’s.

Good point, although Berger does claim it to be 'suited' for creedmoor. May be getting on the long side as well? I'd want to look at the bto/length numbers to get a ballpark on how long these would load in 6.5cm.

 

[GMZ]

I think these would be ok in a Creedmoor over some RL26 but will shine in a SAUM/PRC. hopefully Berger will put this in their loaded ammunition.

 

[BLKWLFK9]

They've got arguably the best 2 6mm bullets on the market with the 105Hy and the 109Hy, they definitely have the best 6.5mm bullets suited for the CM and x47L with the 140Hy and even 130Hy, the best 6.5mm heavy with the 156, why not venture into the .257 fast twist bullets to give us more options there?? Quit beating a dead horse with the 6.5mm's. They have like, 12 different .264 bullets, damn.. try something new. Maybe even a really high BC .270. I'd rather see the .257 in the 125-135gr range.

 

[tho98027]

Would prefer if they would make lighter LRH 6.5 bullets. I love the 130 hyb. Wish the bc could be improved on it to .300 or better.

 

[918v]

153 is too large of a bullet for 6.5 creed IMO. That’s suited for a 6.5x284 or a 6.5 SAUM.

Why?

 

[Brandon05_88]

I agree the 153.5 will be a bit much for 260/6.5CM case capacity. I played with the 150 SMK, and I wasn't really impressed with the velocities. Twist rate really starts to come into play with the 260/6.5CM velocities for this heavy of a bullet.

I switched from the 140 Hybrid to the 144 LRHT. Same load, same length, same velocity with a bump in BC. Maybe a more consistent BC as well.
Don't discount the 144.

 

[BILLLONGTHOOTH]

I agree the 153.5 will be a bit much for 260/6.5CM case capacity. I played with the 150 SMK, and I wasn't really impressed with the velocities. Twist rate really starts to come into play with the 260/6.5CM velocities for this heavy of a bullet.

I switched from the 140 Hybrid to the 144 LRHT. Same load, same length, same velocity with a bump in BC. Maybe a more consistent BC as well.
Don't discount the 144.

what did you notice when you switched over to the 144 grn.

 

[Brandon05_88]

what did you notice when you switched over to the 144 grn.

New Berger 6.5mm 144gr LRHT

Krieger 1:7 M40 23” Peterson LRP RL16 CCI BR-2 Loaded second MV test 3 rounds per load Grains MV SD 41.0 2728 7.8 41.2 2735 7.6 41.4 2763 5.6 41.6...

www.snipershide.com

I’ve got a few posts on both pages of that thread. Overall, not too much changed, but a nice bump in BC for the same velocity.

 

[Willie 6.5]

New to reloading just got some 130 vld hunting was going to try some h4350 any other good options?

 

[dzander]

Reloader 16 works good for 140's , more velocity than H4350. Have not tried with 130.
I used to use H4350 but tried Reloader 16 in the Creedmoor and like it better.
Consistent velocities even with big temperature swings.

 

[dzander]

Alliant says 44g = 2932 FPS for the 130's.

this is for 6.5 Creedmoor

 

[Willie 6.5]

6.5 creedmoor I have some RL17 I'm going to try

 

[AXMC338L]

New to reloading just got some 130 vld hunting was going to try some h4350 any other good options?

Thats a hard combo to beat IMHO. My go to load in 260 uses that combo. It really shines in SRP Alpha brass. ;-)

 

[EN2722]

Reloader 16 works good for 140's , more velocity than H4350. Have not tried with 130.
I used to use H4350 but tried Reloader 16 in the Creedmoor and like it better.
Consistent velocities even with big temperature swings.

I shoot 130 Hybrids over RL-16 in my 260 throwing 42.8 grains and getting 2925 FPS out of a 26” barrel. I’ve tried loads out to 43.5 with no pressure.

Alliant list max at 42.9 @ 2915 from a 24” barrel at 2.8 OAL.

 

[Steel head]

I shoot 130 Hybrids over RL-16 in my 260 throwing 42.8 grains and getting 2925 FPS out of a 26” barrel. I’ve tried loads out to 43.5 with no pressure.

Alliant list max at 42.9 @ 2915 from a 24” barrel at 2.8 OAL.

R16 is awesome in my 260.

 

[EN2722]

R16 is awesome in my 260.

So far I’m happy just finished the first lbs up and ordered an 8 lbs keg.

I’m hoping the barrel speeds up a touch as I only have 100 rounds on it.

 

[dzander]

17 will work fine but it is not as temperature stable as 16.
Not to mention is a lot easier to come by.

 

[Steel head]

17 will work fine but it is not as temperature stable as 16.
Not to mention is a lot easier to come by.

There’s a fair bit of R16 available now.
R17 can get spooky really fast.

 

[BoltActionBrotherhood]

153 is too large of a bullet for 6.5 creed IMO. That’s suited for a 6.5x284 or a 6.5 SAUM.

I don’t know what your shooting but the majority of people are shooting a creed and they need to stick with 140’s.

I don't know why people say that lol. My 153s move at 2840 Fps with Rl16 in my CM, and that is my safe load no preasure load.
Using rl 26 my load is 2910.

 

[Bandit31]

Just worked these up in my creedmoor.

2.850” COAL 42g of RL16 in Norma Brass was the ticket. 2727fps in a 22” barrel.

 

[Willie 6.5]

Just worked these up in my creedmoor.

2.850” COAL 42g of RL16 in Norma Brass was the ticket. 2727fps in a 22” barrel.

How good of groups are you shooting all i see is ppl posting their velocitys i thought you had to hit the right node for your gun, or is that the fastest you can get it while still holding good groups. im going to work up some 130 vld-h gona try h4350 and rl16 when I find some.

 

[Steel head]

How good of groups are you shooting all i see is ppl posting their velocitys i thought you had to hit the right node for your gun, or is that the fastest you can get it while still holding good groups. im going to work up some 130 vld-h gona try h4350 and rl16 when I find some.

Powder valley has both

 

[Bandit31]

How good of groups are you shooting all i see is ppl posting their velocitys i thought you had to hit the right node for your gun, or is that the fastest you can get it while still holding good groups. im going to work up some 130 vld-h gona try h4350 and rl16 when I find some.

Above half an inch with a decent enough SD & ES to leave it alone.

 

[Steel head]

Any one shooting these LRHT 6.5’s really far?
Just curious because the 7mm LRHT has been phenomenal at distance.

 

[Thor2j]

Shot the 144s today. Had been shooting 142 smks for a long time. The 144s grouped really well and for whatever reason had a crazy low SD. Only problem I have now is with a jump of .020" , my oal is right at 3.0". My mag length is 2.94" so single fed them. Will try another day and see how they do with a jum of .08"-.10". Never jumped any bullet that far.

 

[Tokay444]

Shot the 144s today. Had been shooting 142 smks for a long time. The 144s grouped really well and for whatever reason had a crazy low SD. Only problem I have now is with a jump of .020" , my oal is right at 3.0". My mag length is 2.94" so single fed them. Will try another day and see how they do with a jum of .08"-.10". Never jumped any bullet that far.

Currently jumping 140 Hybrids .080” in my 6.5CM. That’s loaded on the long side of my .020” wide seating depth node, so I won’t need to touch it for a while, but I probably will and fuck it all up. It’s home built PRS-ish rifle that can shoot in the .1s and has shot a .055 moa 4 shot group at 300 yards. Don’t be afraid of jump.

 

[918v]

That’s a pretty good depth node. Can you share the details of your barrel length/diameter and case/powder charge/primer?

 

[Tokay444]

That’s a pretty good depth node. Can you share the details of your barrel length/diameter and case/powder charge/primer?

Me?
26” M24 with Area419 Hellfire 6.5 brake. 41.2gr H4350 running around 2745fps, CCI450 SRP, Alpha brass, 2.175”CBTO on my Hornady comparator. About 2.855” OAL.

 

[1moaoff]

I agree the 153.5 will be a bit much for 260/6.5CM case capacity. I played with the 150 SMK, and I wasn't really impressed with the velocities. Twist rate really starts to come into play with the 260/6.5CM velocities for this heavy of a bullet.

I switched from the 140 Hybrid to the 144 LRHT. Same load, same length, same velocity with a bump in BC. Maybe a more consistent BC as well.
Don't discount the 144.

260 stuffed with rl26 and a 28" tube!

 

[1moaoff]

These might be enough for me to dig the 260 barrels out some day!

 

[Brandon05_88]

260 stuffed with rl26 and a 28" tube!

I’m already at 26” with a 9” can. I don’t really wanna go any longer. H4350 is treating me just fine.

 

[CrabsandFootball]

I don't know why people say that lol. My 153s move at 2840 Fps with Rl16 in my CM, and that is my safe load no preasure load.
Using rl 26 my load is 2910.

Would you mind sharing your load data? Have 16 pounds of RL26 waiting to play.

 

[BoltActionBrotherhood]

Would you mind sharing your load data? Have 16 pounds of RL26 waiting to play.

As always work your way up, but This is what I was loading.
The key component being Lapua brass. It holds pressure way better.
Lapua Brass.
CCI small rifle magnum primers. (450s I think)
47.0grn rl26
153 atips
Coal 2.927 (.010 off the lands) If you get any closer you are going to see more of a pressure spike.
Neck tension is really light, like .001
I use the sinclair expanding mandrel.
.001 shoulder bump.
I also use dry lube on my necks but i dont think that makes any difference.
This load will consistently give me a 6sd or less! Never over 6 even on 20 round strings.

I have taken this set up to 3050 fps, where i got HEAVY preasure. But I wanted to know where the limit was.

 

[CrabsandFootball]

Wow those numbers look impressive. I want to find a 130 AR Hybrid load I can run in my Tikka and LMT MWS.

3k with 153's........making me hard brother.

 

[BoltActionBrotherhood]

Wow those numbers look impressive. I want to find a 130 AR Hybrid load I can run in my Tikka and LMT MWS.

3k with 153's........making me hard brother.

It was an UNSAFE 3k. Well at 3k, there was some harder bolt lift, and I knew I should have probably stopped at the point. 3050 was dangerous. If it was other brass besides lapua it would have separated without a doubt. 2970 was the max I could take the norma brass.
3050 I had to smake my bolt open, and there was a huge ridge on the brass from where the brass was making contacts with the end of the chamber.
But at least now I know where my safe and unsafe limits are with that rifle lol.

 

[proSquid]

Bump for future read

 

[unleashedprecision]

Are these 153.5s pointed like I’ve heard the 144s are?

 

[nickw]

I don't know why people say that lol. My 153s move at 2840 Fps with Rl16 in my CM, and that is my safe load no preasure load.
Using rl 26 my load is 2910.

I ran some Berger 153.5s over R26 today In my 6.5C today (Impact / Gradous 26” 1:7.5). I ran them at 2.950 in my MDT mag w/ no binder plate. Gave me .050 jump in my chamber. Got a bughole group at 100y w/ 5x fired annealed Lapua SRP brass, CCI BR primer and 46gr of R26. 2807fps. SD 7. I took them to 800 and then 1002. Used my Kestrel‘s 140gr Berger dope @ 2798. Need 8.3m elevation for 140gr load @ 1002 and 153.5s only needed 7.8m. Needed to hold 1.3m for wind with 140s and .8 with 153.5s. Recoil was a little more than 140s but not bad. I like them.

 

[Gustav7]

I ran some Berger 153.5s over R26 today In my 6.5C today (Impact / Gradous 26” 1:7.5). I ran them at 2.950 in my MDT mag w/ no binder plate. Gave me .050 jump in my chamber. Got a bughole group at 100y w/ 5x fired annealed Lapua SRP brass, CCI BR primer and 46gr of R26. 2807fps. SD 7. I took them to 800 and then 1002. Used my Kestrel‘s 140gr Berger dope @ 2798. Need 8.3m elevation for 140gr load @ 1002 and 153.5s only needed 7.8m. Needed to hold 1.3m for wind with 140s and .8 with 153.5s. Recoil was a little more than 140s but not bad. I like them.

Damn, thats legit. And RL26 really changes the game for what a 6.5cm can do. I did testing with the 147's and RL26 out of my 24" tube and got a flat spot at around 2760ish and 2830fps.

The difference in wind seems pretty substantial at half a mil.

 

[nickw]

The place that I shoot has a 6 foot piece of steel at 1000 yards painted white with orange target dots painted on it. It works out really well. You can easily see your vertical and what the wind is doing. I shot my 140 load and the 153.5 side by side.

 

[russkim04]

Started loading the 153s this summer. So far I found a node at 46.9 rl26 that looks very promising. Br primers, gas gun,22"barrel. Supposedly quick load says max pressure isn't until 47.4 ish..... if someone has program I'd like to hear 2nd opinion

 

[Kidster]

Bump to follow

 

[russkim04]

Found another node above 47 grains.... not recommending though

 

[dski]

Running these in my 6.5 PRC at 3050. 56gr of H1000, ADG brass, 29" barrel. Couldn't get my tikka tac a1 in 6.5 Creed to like it. My two creeds really like the new Berger 144. (2820 with 42.5 of H4350) Yep, add another new bullet to the list! Really liking the new LRHT series.

 

[Dragoon300]

Running these in my 6.5 PRC at 3050. 56gr of H1000, ADG brass, 29" barrel. Couldn't get my tikka tac a1 in 6.5 Creed to like it. My two creeds really like the new Berger 144. (2820 with 42.5 of H4350) Yep, add another new bullet to the list! Really liking the new LRHT series.

I have just started loading for my 6.5 PRC. So far with 30 rounds fired I am liking it quite well. I have Desert Tech SRS, with a Bartlien 31" 5R LH 1:8.35 - 1:7.35 gain twist barrel. I had Manson make a reamer to my spec 2.400" CBTO / 3.082" COAL (ref) with Berger 156 grain EOL's .010 off the lands. I am using Gun Werks ADG brass and Fed GM 215 primers. Berger tech line gave me the max load for N570 with the 156 gr bullet of 64.1 grains with a COAL of 2.955" I worked up to 64.0 grains without any pressure problems. I have fired 20 rounds of the 64.0 gr N570 load with an average velocity of 3265 fps, 8.3 SD, and a 23 ES. My last 5 rd group today was 1/2 moa.

I just went looking for some more 156 Bergers and see they are out of stock everywhere I looked. But, I did find the 153.5 LRHT Berger (I did not know they even existed) at Mile High so I ordered 500. I'm thinking they should work well for me, they have a higher BC, they are lighter (more velocity) and were in-stock! In any event, I am going to try them.

Dose anyone else have experience with Vitavouri N570 in the 6.5 PRC?

Experience with 153.5 gr Bergers in the PRC?

What SD/ES are you getting?

I was not able to find Redding bushing dies anywhere, so I think my neck tension can be improved. I am also interested in using a mandrel for neck sizing, it sounds like the best way to control the neck ID.

Does anyone have experience with mandrel neck sizing the PRC?

Looking forward to hearing any suggestions you might have.