Berger 6.5 / 156 Grain EOL Bullets

Broz

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I had a few questions on that 20" build. I am even thinking about an 18" build but I was curious as to use Mag primers with the shorter barrel since there wont be as much burn time?

Also i see some folks using medium actions and such. I was wandering how well it would run in a AICS 300 WM magazine in long action as thats what i already have for my 7mag? think there would be any issues?

I would like to just have a nice short truck gun for Deer and varmits. i already have a custom 7Mag 25" barrell with Omega its freakishly long to get in and out of my tacoma. Would like to put a WTO Switchlug and just slap a 18" 6.5PRC on that and use plugged in offsets in ballistics program.

This thread is very informative and alot of great info here.

Also if yall know of any other cartridge that might be better suited for my application i am fully open to suggestions and take any advice i get.

Thanks.

Parker here are some specs on that build. I used Fed 210's for primers. https://www.longrangeonly.com/forum/threads/a-pretty-special-build-by-dans-custom-gun-service.6486/

 

Ladd

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Any issues using 215M primers? I have like 4000 215M and only a few hundred 210M.

I’ve read that that there can be an increase in pressure when using large rifle magnum primers vs large rifle primers for the same charge.

I think you can use magnum primers as long as you work up your load rather than testing them in a max load developed with large rifle primers right off the bat.


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bayouSAUM

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first time out with the 156 berger today
6.5 RSAUM
24' bartlein bbl, GAP original reamer, Manners T3, Bushnell LRHS 3-12 scope, about 250 rounds on the bbl, 50 F 30% hum in La
all once fired brass and all WOLF large primer and all H1000
Badger M5 dbm limited on COAL, need to test it at the very longest possible to get max velocity from this bullet, but 29xx area is damn good.....Copper Creek shows 2935 mv with 2.935 coal, probably need to get close to that
Harris bipod and bag on the bench at 100 yds

Lab Radar stats at the muzzle

Hornady 2nd gen brass
2.900 COAL, 2.210 CBTO
56 gr - 2785 avg
58 gr - 2871 avg
59 gr - 2910 avg ---good accuracy, ES 12 SD 5
2.205 CBTO
58 gr - 2873
59 gr - 2917 ----good accuracy
60 gr - 2944---hot
61 gr - 2977 ---too hot
2.195 CBTO
61 gr - 2993 ----smokin hot
61.5 gr - 3007----smokin hot

RP 7saum nk'd down to 6.5mm
2.210 CBTO
58 gr - 2882
59 gr - 2901 avg, ES 12 SD 6 ----v good accruacy
 
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Ladd

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The 6.5 mm 156 gr Berger EOL has been available for nearly seven months now. Plenty of loads have been developed in several 6.5 caliber rifles since. N565 has been good in my first 6.5 PRC with the 156 gr seated 0.033 and 0.045 OL. What has worked with the 156 gr EOL in yours?
 

SwampDog13

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I've had great luck with both .020" and .050", that's all I've tried though.

I had to open up my defiance deviant a little bit and work my magazine pretty heavy to allow it to even feed at .020". .050" has shot lights out though.
 
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Ladd

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I did load work-up in a new 6.5 PRC Christensen Arms Ridgeline TI using the Berger 156 gr EOL and RL26. I came to a nice load in virgin Gunwerks brass giving me a velocity in the high 2800s in a 22-inch barrel. My rifle likes it at 0.015 OL. It will have to single feed at this length.
 
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hallr12

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I haven't yet as I have only been doing load work up. But Yes I will check all tip to be sure they are open back to lead. I don't know what drill size yet, but I never "open" them up as far as making them bigger. I just use the drill size they are, to insure there is no blockage.
I was wondering if anyone has figured out what drill size bit yet?
 

bayouSAUM

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6.5 rsaum
with my 24" bbl and only .081 fb and 8.5 twist the 2900 "node" is what i am striving for
max mag length is 2.262 cbto or 2.955 coal for me

RL 22, 54 gr = 2906 avg velocity at sea level
RL 25, 58 gr = 2904
IMR 7828, 55.5 gr = 2899
RL 26, 56 gr = 2905
H 1000, 58.5 gr = 2894

above is my own results

other info i have gathered ffrom the net with more FB (.120)
N570 61.5 gr = 3049 fps (2.23 cbto) 26" bbl
IMR 8133 62.6 gr = 3025 " "
secong hand info
 
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whatnext

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I was wondering if anyone has figured out what drill size bit yet?
I just cleaned out some .284 VLD-H 180 grain and a 0.8mm drill fit. I got a pin vise kit on Amazon that came with a large variety of bits and multiples of each bit.
 
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Finishing up load development on my 6.5 PRC, here's the details.

Impact action, 24" proof cabron sendero, TBAC Ultra 7, Chambered by Blue Mountain Precision with whatever the longer freebore reamer is (.185?)

156's seated at 2.953 COAL

Started with a pressure/OCW test with Reloder 26 and CCI 250 Primers from 52-56.5 in half grain increments

Appeared to be a node around 55-55.5 grains with velocities sitting at 2942 and 2951 (1 shot samples)

Retested with 215M's at 55.1-55.5, speeds were slightly slower and had sticky bolt.

Loaded 10 55.1's and 10 55.5's with the 215's to see what was going on and velocities were a bit all over the place with pressure signs at 55.5.

Read on here and saw that there may be an issue with magnum primers, 215M's in particular so I loaded up 5 each of 55.1 and 55.5 with CCI 200's and everything calmed right down, groups shrank, velocities settled in and all pressure went away.

55.1 averaged 2943

55.5 averaged 2960

Settled in on 55.3, velocity is averaging 2950

Ran her out to 1400 on Thursday and today and 1240 yesterday and elevation has been spot on all three days.

Excited to see their performance on a bear soon.
 

Ladd

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Looks good. Blue Mountain Precision makes a nice rifle. Congrats.

I’ve never tried magnum primers in mine. It’s either been Fed. 210 or Fed 210M. Sounds like you have it figured out.

The velocity is right in where I was when I started with RL26 and the Berger 156 gr EOL in my first Christensen Arms Ridgeline before switching to N565. I’m shooting 55.5 gr RL26 with the 156 in my titanium Ridgeline.


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XTREMHTR16

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I tried the Berger factory 6.5 creedmoor 156 EOL ammo in my GAP 20” today. 8 twist Bartlein #3 barrel. It liked them.

10 shots at 100 yards. Suppressed with Ultra 7 6.5.

E9B294DA-F31B-45C4-8BFD-E3D049512BC2.jpeg
 

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MattK

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I'm waiting on a box to try in my 6.5x55 improved, will shoot them next weekend. Does anyone have a comparison of speeds between these 156s and 150 gr Sierra MatchKings? I'm running the SMKs in a 26" 1:7.5 Bartlein with a consistent velocity of around 3,005 fps.
 

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Thanks for all the great info here. I purchased the new Christensen Arms Ridgeline Ti in 6.5 PRC. Currently in load development with the 156s and 7828ssc
 

Ladd

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Nice. Can’t wait to hear how it goes. Great rifle.


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skc

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Good data here - thanks guys. I have a 6.5WSM being built at the moment, and had planned to use the 140gr EH. Even with a QL calculated reduction of 160 fps moving from 140gr to 156gr the BC improvement should see a 17% increase in energy at 1000m - perfect for a sheep/tahr setup.
 

Rexby4

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I did load work-up in a new 6.5 PRC Christensen Arms Ridgeline TI using the Berger 156 gr EOL and RL26. I came to a nice load in virgin Gunwerks brass giving me a velocity in the high 2800s in a 22-inch barrel. My rifle likes it at 0.015 OL. It will have to single feed at this length.
Ladd,
I’ve been following you, Jeff and Ryan through this journey with the 6.5 PRC and the 156 gr EOL. I appreciate the effort you all have put into it.
I noticed you started with Hornady brass, but had some over pressure indicators. By switching to Gunwerks or ADG brass were you able to increase your load without getting injector swipes and sticky bolt?
I believe Jeff had mentioned, he thought Hornady brass was a little soft.
 

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Update on Christensen Arms Ridgeline Ti 6.5 PRC 22" barrel. All loads were the same except powder charge
156 Berger EOL
FED 215M
Virgin Gunwerks Brass
IMR 7828 SSC
CBTO 2.368"
COAL 3.015" ( still feeds from magazine )

3 SHOT GROUPS
55 grains - 2892 fps avg with .75 MOA
55.5 grains - 2915 fps avg with .9 MOA
56 grains - 2931 fps avg/12.2 SD/23 ES with .7 MOA
56.5 grains 2953 fps avg/7.5 SD/15 ES with .6 MOA
57 grains - 2995 fps avg/7.9 SD/15 ES with .6 MOA
57.5 grains - 3029 fps avg/3.1 SD/ 5 ES with .4 MOA 15881913362506542411502511489247.jpg
 

Ladd

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Ladd,
I’ve been following you, Jeff and Ryan through this journey with the 6.5 PRC and the 156 gr EOL. I appreciate the effort you all have put into it.
I noticed you started with Hornady brass, but had some over pressure indicators. By switching to Gunwerks or ADG brass were you able to increase your load without getting injector swipes and sticky bolt?
I believe Jeff had mentioned, he thought Hornady brass was a little soft.

Hornady was all there was available last year. I do prefer ADG and Gunwerks brass. The loads I have with them are more than I had with Hornady. I’d have to go back to my log books to see by how much more.

The load for my 24” barrel 6.5 PRC is now 3034 fps at 0.035” OL with the 156 gr Berger EOL and shooting nicely. Can’t wait to see where it gets to hunt this fall.


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Ladd

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Update on Christensen Arms Ridgeline Ti 6.5 PRC 22" barrel. All loads were the same except powder charge
156 Berger EOL
FED 215M
Virgin Gunwerks Brass
IMR 7828 SSC
CBTO 2.368"
COAL 3.015" ( still feeds from magazine )

3 SHOT GROUPS
55 grains - 2892 fps avg with .75 MOA
55.5 grains - 2915 fps avg with .9 MOA
56 grains - 2931 fps avg/12.2 SD/23 ES with .7 MOA
56.5 grains 2953 fps avg/7.5 SD/15 ES with .6 MOA
57 grains - 2995 fps avg/7.9 SD/15 ES with .6 MOA
57.5 grains - 3029 fps avg/3.1 SD/ 5 ES with .4 MOA View attachment 4870

Update on Christensen Arms Ridgeline Ti 6.5 PRC 22" barrel. All loads were the same except powder charge
156 Berger EOL
FED 215M
Virgin Gunwerks Brass
IMR 7828 SSC
CBTO 2.368"
COAL 3.015" ( still feeds from magazine )

3 SHOT GROUPS
55 grains - 2892 fps avg with .75 MOA
55.5 grains - 2915 fps avg with .9 MOA
56 grains - 2931 fps avg/12.2 SD/23 ES with .7 MOA
56.5 grains 2953 fps avg/7.5 SD/15 ES with .6 MOA
57 grains - 2995 fps avg/7.9 SD/15 ES with .6 MOA
57.5 grains - 3029 fps avg/3.1 SD/ 5 ES with .4 MOA View attachment 4870

These are high velocity numbers for a 22” 6.5 PRC with the 156 gr Berger EOL. I’m a little surprised. Any signs of pressure? The last group has petty good numbers one would have a hard time passing on.


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CalebC

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These are high velocity numbers for a 22” 6.5 PRC with the 156 gr Berger EOL. I’m a little surprised. Any signs of pressure? The last group has petty good numbers one would have a hard time passing on.


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The 2 last groups had minor ejector prints. Bolt lift was fine but the final group had a little tightness when pulling the bolt back. I should also note that it was 89 degrees out but about 95 accordinf to my IR thermometer close to the ground like I was in prone. I'm in the las Vegas area and the desert floor throws back a lot of heat
 

Ladd

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The 2 last groups had minor ejector prints. Bolt lift was fine but the final group had a little tightness when pulling the bolt back. I should also note that it was 89 degrees out but about 95 accordinf to my IR thermometer close to the ground like I was in prone. I'm in the las Vegas area and the desert floor throws back a lot of heat

I’m 1.5 hrs north up I15. Keep your data coming. Nice. My load for my 22” barrel with RL26 is in the high 2800s.


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CalebC

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I’m 1.5 hrs north up I15. Keep your data coming. Nice. My load for my 22” barrel with RL26 is in the high 2800s.


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What are your groups looking like with that load? Factory 147 ELD-M ammo is giving me about 2880 fps and .5 moa groups
 

Ladd

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What are your groups looking like with that load? Factory 147 ELD-M ammo is giving me about 2880 fps and .5 moa groups

The lower left group is the load I use.
abb8b7c180c65591f38afe9af638eaa1.png



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Ladd

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My 24” barrel 6.5 PRC with N565 shot this last week.
50a2e307edcb5c94d4f807dd2cd9b9ed.jpg



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Was looking at the neck of that load, is .293 the measurement you size to or the measurement of a loaded round before sizing? I only ask because my ADG loaded round is .293. I’ve got .290 and .291 bushings to play with but would be surprised if my ADG brass was that much different (that stuff is so consistent from factory!) I ordered brass when they first started development so wouldn’t be surprised if it changed once it got so popular and more people started loading for it. I just wanna make sure everything is in line when the fun begins. This build of mine has been a very long process . Sorry to keep bugging you with questions, but you have been the most reliable source of info on the caliber and I greatly appreciate it!
 

Choovhntr

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Was looking at the neck of that load, is .293 the measurement you size to or the measurement of a loaded round before sizing? I only ask because my ADG loaded round is .293. I’ve got .290 and .291 bushings to play with but would be surprised if my ADG brass was that much different (that stuff is so consistent from factory!) I ordered brass when they first started development so wouldn’t be surprised if it changed once it got so popular and more people started loading for it. I just wanna make sure everything is in line when the fun begins. This build of mine has been a very long process . Sorry to keep bugging you with questions, but you have been the most reliable source of info on the caliber and I greatly appreciate it!
 

Ladd

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I use very little neck tension.

I measure with the fat part of the calipers before seating. Its less than 0.293 if I were to measure with the sharp edges. But basically, I size the neck with a 0.290”or 0.291” neck bushing then push the neck through a 6.5mm Sinclair neck mandrel to open it back up slightly. Weird I know but I’ve tried other neck tensions and this gives me the best results.


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Choovhntr

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Good to know. Thank you. I ran a .263 Sinclair mandrel through all my virgin brass for inside diameter consistently. Then going to use the neck bushing for outside consistency and tension. Debating which bushing to use. Was going to use the .290 for .002-.003 tension accounting for spring back. I’m also going to dry lube the inside of the necks. Would you start with the .291 or .290 bushing. This will be a hunting rifle. I did load a bullet after using just the mandrel and it seems to be holding pretty tight, but that would only give .001 tension supposedly. Too little do you think?
 

Ladd

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Good to know. Thank you. I ran a .263 Sinclair mandrel through all my virgin brass for inside diameter consistently. Then going to use the neck bushing for outside consistency and tension. Debating which bushing to use. Was going to use the .290 for .002-.003 tension accounting for spring back. I’m also going to dry lube the inside of the necks. Would you start with the .291 or .290 bushing. This will be a hunting rifle. I did load a bullet after using just the mandrel and it seems to be holding pretty tight, but that would only give .001 tension supposedly. Too little do you think?
I've tried a 0.289" neck bushing up to a 0.292" and really get the best around 0.001" to 0.0015" neck tension.
 

Ladd

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I took my original Christensen Arms Ridgeline 6.5 PRC with the 24-inch barrel and Manners EH1 stock loaded with N565 and the 156 gr Berger EOL out to 815 yards today to validate the drop for the new load I worked up for it. It printed a nice 0.5 moa 3-shot group. I'm happy with this load and it should be ready for deer and antelope this fall.
fe50ee3809dd16a581036939f2fc3db6.png
 

Desert Dan

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Great post. So much good information and big thanks to everyone who contributed.
After getting a little more familiar with the reloading process with my Ridgeline 6.5 PRC using 143 ELD-X I decided to change gears and invest in a higher end bushing die set to maximize consistency with the goal of getting the most out of the rifle.
The Form 4 for the Harvester suppressor I bought for this rifle recently came back and I just got done cleaning out a pretty good carbon ring. About that time ADG got their PRC brass back in stock so I guess with the Berger 156s consistently in stock locally the stars aligned for me to start over with working on a really good hunting load for this gun. I don't have a chronograph yet so until I can put away a few more bucks to pick one up I'll be testing groups at 100 and 200 yards at the local range and playing it conservatively watching for pressure as I work up charges.
So the components I will be starting out with are:

CA Ridgeline 6.5 PRC with SiCo Harvester
H-1000 and RL 26 (both I either have or are available locally for now)
Berger 156 EOL
Virgin ADG brass
Federal 210s

As I ready through this thread I found a few good work ups but if anyone out there started with the same or close to the same components and found a good starting point I would be grateful for your recommendations. I'm going to call Berger after the weekend for their recipes too. Thanks again for everyone who contributed!

dan
 

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For you 264 Win Mag guys, I'm getting ready to test the 156 using H1000 in my 8 twist. I'll post up my initial pressure test work up once I get things going.
 

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Question for you all here, this seems to be the place where there’s a lot of 156 Berger information. I did a ladder test today with my 6.5prc and I’m not 💯% sure what to make of this.

Rifle: Bighorn SA with a WTO switch lug, 26” LT Palma 4 groove 1-7” Krieger Barrel, Athlon Cronus BTR, Nightforce rings, KRG Bravo stock.

All brass is Gunwerks, the little lot of 30 or so PCs of brass that I’m messing with has 8-9 loadings, annealed, neck turned, trimmed with a forester 3-1 cutter, Sized with forester die, mandrel ID sized .263, primer pockets trued, flash holes deburred EVERY FIRING. It’s quite the process but I have heard consistency is key and it’s fun.

I loaded the ladders with 1 shell to a charge weight in .5g increments with Re23 and Re26 using Fed210’s and CCI200’s and shot those at 300 yards.

My Re23 loads started at 53 and stopped at 54.5 with cci200 because the bolt was getting pretty sticky past 54.5, 53g-2891, 53.5-2925, 54-2947, 54.5-2971.

Re23 with Fed210’s 53-2901, 53.5-2905, 54-2939.

Re26 loads started at 54 and I was getting a pretty sticky bolt at 55-56.
Re26 with cci200’s 54-2902, 54.5-2918, 55-2959, 55.5-2982, 56-3009.

Charges 55, 55.5, 56 were all in a cluster that could be covered with a dime at 300yrds. Should a person look at those charge weights more in depth? There’s quite a velocity spread there, more than I’d like to see, but damn that’s a hell of a group at 300.

Re26 with Fed210’s, 54-2910, 54.5-2932, 55-2952, 55.5-2984.

It just seems these powder or primer combinations aren’t agreeing or something, right? Really thing about trying the same deal but with magnum primers and start lower in charge weights.

What are your thoughts on this
 

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I’ll be loading up a ladder test this week for my Custom M70 6.5PRC. What have you guys been using for seating depth for this? I normally start with .01” off with other VLD loads.
 

J2shooter

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Question for you all here, this seems to be the place where there’s a lot of 156 Berger information. I did a ladder test today with my 6.5prc and I’m not 💯% sure what to make of this.

Rifle: Bighorn SA with a WTO switch lug, 26” LT Palma 4 groove 1-7” Krieger Barrel, Athlon Cronus BTR, Nightforce rings, KRG Bravo stock.

All brass is Gunwerks, the little lot of 30 or so PCs of brass that I’m messing with has 8-9 loadings, annealed, neck turned, trimmed with a forester 3-1 cutter, Sized with forester die, mandrel ID sized .263, primer pockets trued, flash holes deburred EVERY FIRING. It’s quite the process but I have heard consistency is key and it’s fun.

I loaded the ladders with 1 shell to a charge weight in .5g increments with Re23 and Re26 using Fed210’s and CCI200’s and shot those at 300 yards.

My Re23 loads started at 53 and stopped at 54.5 with cci200 because the bolt was getting pretty sticky past 54.5, 53g-2891, 53.5-2925, 54-2947, 54.5-2971.

Re23 with Fed210’s 53-2901, 53.5-2905, 54-2939.

Re26 loads started at 54 and I was getting a pretty sticky bolt at 55-56.
Re26 with cci200’s 54-2902, 54.5-2918, 55-2959, 55.5-2982, 56-3009.

Charges 55, 55.5, 56 were all in a cluster that could be covered with a dime at 300yrds. Should a person look at those charge weights more in depth? There’s quite a velocity spread there, more than I’d like to see, but damn that’s a hell of a group at 300.

Re26 with Fed210’s, 54-2910, 54.5-2932, 55-2952, 55.5-2984.

It just seems these powder or primer combinations aren’t agreeing or something, right? Really thing about trying the same deal but with magnum primers and start lower in charge weights.

What are your thoughts on this
If you haven't watched this video on ladder testing by Ryan Furman then it would be a good one for you . I believe it'll answer your questions and then some.

He definitely mentions some issues you can run into with accuracy or vertical dispersion not showing up well at shorter range and I believe perfers a minimum of 600 yards. The vertical will show up at 600 but likely not at 300.

I'm still trying to lock in a spot where I can do some testing at 600....right now I don't have a place to do it.

 
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IHFarmer07

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If you haven't watched this video on ladder testing by Ryan Furman then it would be a good one for you . I believe it'll answer your questions and then some.

He definitely mentions some issues you can run into with accuracy or vertical dispersion not showing up well at shorter range and I believe perfers a minimum of 600 yards. The vertical will show up at 600 but likely not at 300.

I'm still trying to lock in a spot where I can do some testing at 600....right now I don't have a place to do it.


Great, thank you!! I test in our family farm row crop bottoms. One of them is around 650 on a high point with crops but can be around 700. Then if I want longer I add both bottoms which can be from 650-maybe 1,500. Or if I want, I can drive to a big bluff by our farm that over looks the farm from a private road that nobody lives down and shoot from 600-probably 2000yrds+.....lol I don’t know for sure as my range finder only goes to a mile in great conditions.

Sorry you can’t get a farther range/setup to shoot.


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CaNINE

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Finally got around to running some 156 EOLs through my 264 Win Mag to do an initial pressure work up. Using H1000 and federal 215 primers inside of Nosler brass I started at 60.0 and worked my up in half grain increments. 60.0 gave me 2900 FPS. Slight ejector marks started to appear at 62.0 grains and 3020 FPS. Bolt lift became noticeable at 62.5 and 3040 FPS. The ladder showed generous node potential in the 60.5 - 61.5 range. Time to load some test batches and shoot for groups.
 

Ltsheets

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Working up a load for a different 6.5PRC. It is a CA Mesa in a McMillan stock. Loaded up .01”-.04” off the lands for seating depth testing next.

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Ltsheets

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.01-.04 off lands. Starting top left then going clockwise. Looks like I might have a load finally.
 

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Ladd

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.01-.04 off lands. Starting top left then going clockwise. Looks like I might have a load finally.

That looks good.


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Ladd

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Stretched the CA Mesa and 156eol our to 400, which is as far as I can shoot on my farm. Pretty happy with this result.

Nice shooting.

About a month from now I hope to tip over a nice antelope buck with the 6.5mm 156 gr Berger EOL pushed by RL 26 out of my 6.5 PRC CA Ridgeline TI. My best buck, 16-1/4”, came for this area.

Glad you have yours ready to go and hopefully you will have some fun with it this fall.


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