6.5 PRC with Berger 144 Hybrid

I know you meant 143. I've done a few loads with 143 ELDX in PRC. mostly in Creedmoor. They shot well. In 2018 I used on 3 whitetail does from 300 to 442 yds. from a Creedmoor. Last year on 2 mule deer bucks with PRC.Both short shots. 115 and 75 yds. Performed well. 75 yds was a spine shot. Made a little mess. Also used on 2 doe lope last year at 221and 324 yds. Worked well. Shot a lope doe and whitetail doe last year at 213 and 105 yds with a 140 VLD out of a 6.5x284 . The lope was walking and hit in sternum. Made a little mess. All were 1 shot DRT .
I'm trying to figure out the difference between 143 ELDX is 704 and Berger 153.5 is 694 ?
153A Tip is 704. 143 x is 625 I think.
 
Shot Wednesday and retested a 144 load. It was 5 shot test with RL 26 at 56 grains, 215M, gunwerks brass, 2.950 COAL. SD of 5, average 3000 fps, and at 500 it was roughly 3" group. I say roughly because that was not center of bullet mark to center of bullet mark, it was the outside to outside of the impact marks. I think I like the magnum primer just a touch better with the 144. 56.5 grains and 210 is dang near equal in speed and sd but the group is a tad bigger. Either way, I have 2 loads that work with the 144 and rl26 and 1 load with n560. Now, I just need to hammer a wolf with the 144 and see how it performs
 
I used Fed. 215 mag match with the 156 Berger and 53.0 to 54.5 grs. RL26 other day. Shot xlnt. Yesterday I loaded for 8 hrs... I loaded some with 210 match and CCI BR2 and up to 55.5 grs. RL26. ADG brass. Also some 153.5 and 144 Berger's with RL26. Going to load some with 142 LRAB today. Also loaded a bunch of 6.5x284 with same bullets and RL26. Lapua brass but only Fed 210 match .
Going to try H1000 again in both and maybe Retumbo, N565 RL23 and N560 also. Do you guys think N570 and RL33 to slow/not enough fill for both ?
BrentM thanks for your testing and data. I'm not going to be able to until next Wed..
 
I used Fed. 215 mag match with the 156 Berger and 53.0 to 54.5 grs. RL26 other day. Shot xlnt. Yesterday I loaded for 8 hrs... I loaded some with 210 match and CCI BR2 and up to 55.5 grs. RL26. ADG brass. Also some 153.5 and 144 Berger's with RL26. Going to load some with 142 LRAB today. Also loaded a bunch of 6.5x284 with same bullets and RL26. Lapua brass but only Fed 210 match .
Going to try H1000 again in both and maybe Retumbo, N565 RL23 and N560 also. Do you guys think N570 and RL33 to slow/not enough fill for both ?
BrentM thanks for your testing and data. I'm not going to be able to until next Wed..
IMHO they are too slow with the light bullets and short barrels. Keep in mind the fill will be more with the slower powders vs less, so fill rate is actually better. On another note, any thing over 55 grains seems to be in the right zone so I'm not sure it matters that much. If you run heavy bullet and longer barrel I'd test 33 and 570 for sure. I don't have either to test so I don't know for sure but I did test 565 and it was not great in the 22" with 135 thru 144 bullets. I didn't try it with the 156 yet tho.
 
IMHO they are too slow with the light bullets and short barrels. Keep in mind the fill will be more with the slower powders vs less, so fill rate is actually better. On another note, any thing over 55 grains seems to be in the right zone so I'm not sure it matters that much. If you run heavy bullet and longer barrel I'd test 33 and 570 for sure. I don't have either to test so I don't know for sure but I did test 565 and it was not great in the 22" with 135 thru 144 bullets. I didn't try it with the 156 yet tho.
Thanks for info Brent. I've been using 156 and 153.5 lately. With 55.0 of RL26 they are just touching powder. I've had the 144 for awhile but you finally got me motivated to try it. I have a Ridgeline 6.5 PRC. It has a 24 in Barrel. My Cooper 6.5x284 also. I wish both had at least a 26 in. tube. I really want to try N565. Maybe N560 better with 24 in. Barrel ? I know one thing, N570 with 215 Berger shoots great out of my 300 RUM. Retumbo was the go to powder with old barrel. New Bartlien 5R 28 in. on it. Try Retumbo next. And then all the others... Never ends.... ;)
 
My 6.5 PRC just arrived at my FFL today. I will be picking it up later today. Defiance Tenacity, Proof 1/7.5 22", Mesa Carbon Fiber stock, TriggerTech, Hawkins bottom metal and mags. All Smith work done by Karl at Kampfeld Customs.
I'm jealous ! Dam !
 
Shot Wednesday and retested a 144 load. It was 5 shot test with RL 26 at 56 grains, 215M, gunwerks brass, 2.950 COAL. SD of 5, average 3000 fps, and at 500 it was roughly 3" group. I say roughly because that was not center of bullet mark to center of bullet mark, it was the outside to outside of the impact marks. I think I like the magnum primer just a touch better with the 144. 56.5 grains and 210 is dang near equal in speed and sd but the group is a tad bigger. Either way, I have 2 loads that work with the 144 and rl26 and 1 load with n560. Now, I just need to hammer a wolf with the 144 and see how it performs
Please keep us updated on the terminal performance of the 144. I want to try the 144 & 153.5 if they will expand reliability. Its my understanding they are pointed.
 
Don't want to hijack a post but here's the 6.5PRC with the Optic mounted. Time for some load development after break in.
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