6.5 creedmoor&153.5 Berger hybrids

[chev4x4s1975]

Is anybody out there shooting the 6.5 creedmoor with the 153.5 Berger hybrids I'm putting a 6.5 creed together for just bench rest shooting and banging steel at home at distances 26 inch criterion barrel manners prs1 stock just curious if anybody is shooting these heavier bullets out of there creedmoors hoping to get around 2650 is or better any feedback would be great from guys shooting the 153.5 hybrids

 

[jasonco]

I don't use the 153.5 Hybrids, but I do use the 156 EOL, in a 26" & 24", with Peterson SRP, RL17, BR4. 2650's and 2580's respectively.

 

[backwoods83]

I've got a good load with RL26 under 147s in Lapua brass that runs 2923 from a 26" barrel, and 140s over RL16 in the same barrel goes 2882. I don't think 2650 is a hard goal, in my opinion, I think with several powders, it would be a very mild load. I would bet they would run very close to the 147 eldm, since Bergers are typically easier to push, and create less pressure for a given weight. I can even go faster, with the RL26 load, it just happens to shoot really good right there. RL26, 16, 17, 19, 22, N560, N565, Imr7828ssc, 4955, Imr4831, Magpro, Norma 204 (relabeled RL19), N555, all of these should get you something decent, and above 2800fps. Most will be compressed though. No doubt you can find a load with any of the 4350s, URP, or 4451, but they will also be the slowest, in all likelihood. Use Lapua, Peterson, Alpha, or ADG brass.

 

[QuietTexan]

26" 7-twist 6.5CM, never got past the initial loading. H4350, 37.5gn, didn't crack 2500FPS (this was a 93% starting load of projected 2627 FPS@ 40.3gn max per Berger). H4831SC was projected to be faster at 2662fps@ max 43.3gn, but I don't have a ton of H4831SC to play with so I stopped wasting the 153.5s and went back to 140s with H4350. I'm saving the 4831 and 153.5s for a 6.5x284 Norma.

Per Berger:

		Min		Max
Powder		Charge	FPS Proj	Charge	FPS Proj
H4350	99% fill at max	36.5	2405	40.3	2627
RL16	97% fill at max	35.5	2467	39.5	2702
H4831	106% fill at max, same as SC data, just higher fill ratio	39.0	2392	43.3	2662
H4831SC	103% fill at max	39.0	2392	43.3	2662
IMR 4831	102% fill at max	36.5	2418	40.5	2648
Win 760	92% fill at max	36.5	2445	40.4	2680
N555		37.8	2392	41.7	2618

 

[backwoods83]

Berger uses Quickload predictions for their manuals, with a 55k psi pressure cap, on a 63k psi cartridge, and a saami COAL. So, you can interpret their data however you like, but it's typically anemic, at best.

 

[QuietTexan]

That's why I started at 93% of their max instead of their minimum, just like I do with Hornady data. Berger QL info was in line with the Hornady data for the 153gn A-Tip, showing a max around 2650FPS. The actual load seemed pretty far off the projection though and the throating in my rifle wasn't great for them - ultimately led me to the conclusion they're marginal in the Creedmoor. My new 6.5x284 reamer is set for 153.5s and 156s, I should be getting close to 3000 FPS with them.

I have 144 Hybrids on order for the CM, everything from Berger seems backordered forever right now so they'll come eventually. If I hadn't had 700 of the 153.5s on hand at the time I wouldn't have messed with them in the first place. I thought the 7 twist would make them worth it, ended up being kind of meh. Factory barrel + meh feelings means I'm moving on usually.

 

[backwoods83]

Should be easy, I've had 150 Sierra MKs to 3100 in a 30" 6.5x284, with 7828ssc. I'm sure RL26 would have went 3175ish. They have a fairly short bearing surface though.