PRS Talk What grain 6.5mm would you run

[408w]

My local prs matches are limited to 600 yards. I have shot 140g Bergers in the past. I am considering changing over to a lighter weight bullet something in the 120g area for less recoil. I need to do load development for the new barrel anyway. What do you guys use for the short range matches

 

[Mnash]

I’m running 130 hybrids at 2850 in my 6.5x47 and love them. A lot less recoil than 140s in my creedmoor and at 600 and in you won’t notice the ballistic difference

 

[salks]

I like the 130 VLD.

 

[DairyDictator]

For 600 Id run light. 120s or 130s in a slow node at 2800 ish. Keeps the recoil down, saves powder and barrel life.

 

[DairyDictator]

Just for shits and to save wear on my 6GT barrels, when I'm limited to 600 in my matches I'm going to run an ar15 (223) pushing 70gr VLDs as fast as I can to push that transonic range out to 650 ish

Theres also a large berm on either side of that range, so wind really isn't a big factor.

 

[Eric32]

If your only shooting 600yards I would check the 6.5mm 107smks or 123grs

 

[Alpine 338]

A couple years ago, I happened across some cheap Lapua factory ammo loaded with the 123 Scenars, I shot a few matches with them on stages that had closer targets. They worked well for the close targets as long as the wind wasn't howling. I have also gone to matches with a mixed bag of 130 and 140 Hybrids, and used them accordingly.

 

[gunn317]

I really like my 130 hybrids

 

[combatgrunt84]

I’m running 123grn Lapua

 

[Alanh]

I second the 130 hybrids. They were my short distance projectile for a while.

 

[rustyinbend]

Anyone ever try the Berger 153.5 ... I've got some to test when the weather allows.

 

[Jack Master]

Hornady 130 ELDs. Cheap but function well in that range. Less recoil and if you run them slower (2800) you'll have even lower recoil.

 

[gigamortis]

I run Berger 130gr AR hybrids at 2.800" mag length running 2850fps. It's easily a 1/4-1/3 MOA load on accuracy. The Berger 130 AR is very jump tolerant as well, so I won't have to worry about chasing lands for a long time. I had pressure headroom to spare with RL-16 to try to search for the next node at 2900+, but groups opened up on me. My 2850fps load is very easy on pressure in my Lapua brass as I rarely have to bump shoulders back and primer pockets seem to last forever. 600 yard dope for me is 3.3 Mils up from a 100yd zero.

 

[EN2722]

Hornady has some 123 grain HPBTs that I’ve had good luck with

 

[FCS]

123 SMK
123 Scenar
130 Berger VLD or AR Hybrid

 

[rothgyr]

I'm running 123 Scenars out of my .260 right now before I give them a try in a 6.5 Timberwolf over XBR. They shoot pretty well for me, and even though I'm blasting out 44.8gr of h4350, the recoil is still pretty manageable. Out of a 6.5 Creedmoor and varget, you could probably do pretty well. Out of a 20" barrel I'm getting 2916 FPS right now.

I feel like the 123 Scenar gets overlooked a lot as people are pushing 115 DTACs and saying that 6.5 mm has too much recoil. That's 8grs of difference right there.

 

[craigos]

135 jlks ...

 

[Austinjunks]

Anyone ever try the Berger 153.5 ... I've got some to test when the weather allows.

I have loaded then for prc, they are pretty great bullets.

 

[Campguy308]

130 Berger VLD is all ive ever used. That and the AR Hybrids are the best of both worlds in 6.5

 

[Islander]

I’ve had great success with the Hornady 123eld in my 6.5 cm. The BC isn’t as good as the 140 or 147 but shouldn’t be much of an issue if you are staying within 600 yds.

 

[vivdav]

As above. Just completed my daughters 6.5 load workup with 130 gr berger hybrids at 43.0 gr H4350 at .015 off the lands. Quick easy load at 2840 and done. .35 groups and very pleased.

 

[colodrew]

The Berger 130 hybrid is hard to beat. I’ve modeled it in AB against everything and it just sits in a sweet spot. I was pushing it hard at 2970fps out of a 26“ barrel.