6.5 156 EOL

Took the 2.159 cbto load out today at 645y & 1044y @2100 impact velocity and about 1400 ft-lb, made a hole in my long range 20x20 mild steel plate. If animals start wearing armor, stronger than AR500, we all in trouble! At 1044yd it's 1646fps and 938ft-lbs.

Alright everyone, my load development is done! I shoot a 6.5-284 Norma with a 26 inch barrel. I found that my rifle shoots this bullet best at .030" off the lands with 55 grains of RL26. This load yielded a 3 shot group of .24 inches @100 yards. This load is quite hot however, and I am right on the edge of too much pressure. I am seeing some pressure already, but I like running my stuff hot anyways. I chronographed it with a magneto speed at 3030 fps. To say the least, this is an absolute laser!

I just shot some 156s in my 6.5 Sherman. Shot 7 working up from 58.5 up to 60.8 of R26. Got some primer cratering towards the upper end. They shoot awesome. I pulled the low one.

Jay

dropped off the stuff for Alamo precision to do me a 7.5 barrel in Sherman short we will see

reeldawg said:

View attachment 145740 I just shot some 156s in my 6.5 Sherman. Shot 7 working up from 58.5 up to 60.8 of R26. Got some primer cratering towards the upper end. They shoot awesome. I pulled the low one.

Jay

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Any data on velocity and temperature?

Mid 80s. No velocities

I know the 156 hasn't been out long enough for much real world terminal performance, but what do you think of this bullet for elk out to 700 yds? Running the numbers using 3000 fps it is similar in energy to my 7 mag with 162 eldx at 700 yards. Seems like a winner with less drift, drop and recoil.

Jaredk03 said:

I know the 156 hasn't been out long enough for much real world terminal performance, but what do you think of this bullet for elk out to 700 yds? Running the numbers using 3000 fps it is similar in energy to my 7 mag with 162 eldx at 700 yards. Seems like a winner with less drift, drop and recoil.

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I should be able to tell you by about October 16th.

Around September 15th-18th I should know how it does on deer.

So far it works well on pronghorn. Got 9 more that will be taken with it. By the end of season (after roughly 17 big game animals) I should have a fairly good idea.

Also, after some more shooting at 600-1200 yards, the advertised BC seems to be good from what I can see, if anything I tend to be hitting a touch high at extended (over 1000) range, nothing more than .25 or so MOA though, so other things may be causing it. I loaded up 50 of em to finish out the season and play a little bit.

These things look good!!

Sniper97 said:

Alright everyone, my load development is done! I shoot a 6.5-284 Norma with a 26 inch barrel. I found that my rifle shoots this bullet best at .030" off the lands with 55 grains of RL26. This load yielded a 3 shot group of .24 inches @100 yards. This load is quite hot however, and I am right on the edge of too much pressure. I am seeing some pressure already, but I like running my stuff hot anyways. I chronographed it with a magneto speed at 3030 fps. To say the least, this is an absolute laser!

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Thanks for the info! Your results are just about identical to those achieved in my 26" barrel using R26 with the 156EOL. It's nice to see comparable results from other shooters! While I'm running at 3000FPS, your charge weight is within 10FPS of the results in my ladders. Interestingly, groups and ES were excellent(sub.5MOA/<20ES) with loads from 2950 through 3050FPS(hot!). Lots of latitude!
Optimum seating depth seems to be running in the .020"-.040" OL...barrel dependent. Early reports on terminal performance appear promising, and seem to indicate the 156 has expansion/terminal characteristics comparable to the well proven 140HVLD and JLK's. Given the performance, and ease of load development, this combo looks to be an excellent load for the 6.5x284, upping its capability significantly!

Has anyone run the 156 EOL with N565 in a Lapua 6.5 CM case?

I've had good results with RL26, but with N565 becoming available, I can't help but wonder.

codyadams said:

View attachment 145998

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That's sexy as hell!

...And it will fit in a binderless AICS type mag!

I ran my first ladders with 156 today in my Cooper Backcountry 6.5x284 which has a 24" barrel. Using Lapua brass, WLR primers. Since my rifle likes RL23 with the 140s (53.8gr 3088 today),
started at 52.0 2909, 52.5 2938, 52.7 2942, at 52.9 2971 with ejector and slight heavy bolt lift, at 53.5 3011 hit heavy pressure, stopped there.

Then ran a ladder with RL26, started at 52.0 2824, 52.5 2871, 53.0 2891, 53.5 2915,
53.8 2943 slight ejector, 54.1 2975 ejector, 54.4 2981 ejector, stopped at 54.7 3006 ejector mark but no heavy bolt lift.

Appears I should stay with the 140s, and save the 156's for another future rifle!

Your results similar to mine then... started showing signs of excessive pressure at 53.6 and velocity was also similar as mine as is 24 inch as well.