6.5mm 135gr Berger which load would you go with

[Winkfish]

Good morning,
I had a load worked up for my hunting rifle with ADG brass and 135gr Berger classic hunters at a COAL of 2.850" and it works great.

Now my daughter wants to do some PRS matches and I will be doing them with her. Now given that I may have to take multiple shots I need a magazine fed system to accommodate more than three rounds.

The rifle is a Howa 1500 in a Bell and Carlson stock, 6.5 creedmoor, 24" barrel and I am shooting with a silencerco Omega. Howa makes a detachable magazine which I bought. The issue is tat It will not accept my rounds as they are now too long.

To get by I am going to reduce the COAL to 2.800 and this length will feed just fine.

Here are the new Parameters:
Brass: Hornady
Primer: CCI large rifle
Powder: H4350
Bullet: 135gr berger classic hunter
COAL: 2.800"

I shot 3 shot groups from prone this morning with a rear support at 100 yards.

Powder charge: Speed:
41.6 2640, 2624, 2645
41.8 2699, 2672, 2656
42.0 2656, 2661, 2661
42.2 2688, 2673, 2688
42.4 2704, 2721, 2726
42.6 2749, 2710, 2715
42.8 2760, 2737, 2732, Third shot was pulled left by me
43.0 2732, 2726, 2726
43.2 2754, 2743, 2726 First shot was high and shots 2 and 3 were as expected
43.4 2760, 2772, 2801 First show was high and shots 2 and 3 were as expected.

It looks like 42.2 and 42.6 are pretty good? Are these velocities low or should I add a little more and see where it goes?

Thank you for your input

 

[Farmerboy78]

42.2 shoots very good and very consistent speeds

 

[scottishkat]

I would try a different seating depth at 43 grains. You have also got a 2732 and 2726 on each side. How far from the lans at 2.800?

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

 

[Dmagna]

I would keep going, they seem a little low to me, see if you can go higher.

 

[Winkfish]

I have three of them that have a delta in velocity of 6 or 5 and for the most part all the groups are decent.

I got this from Berger.

I have loaded 43.6, 43.8 and 44.0 tonight. Even at 44.0 the powder is not compressed. I am not able to measure to the lands consistently. My only limit is the 2.8" length on the magazine

 

[scottishkat]

Certainly worth a try. It does not appear that you can get far over pressure before you run out of capacity. If you don't have a drop tube already its a worthwhile investment.

Good luck and shoot y'all

 

[Winkfish]

I took a quick run to the range this morning and just as I was finishing up, fish and game showed up and indicated they were closing all public ranges in the state.

I added the following.

43.6 2783, 2772, 2772
43.8 2807, 2789, 2772
44.0 2783, 2789, 2801

and here is how they shot.

the delta in muzzle velocity is greater with these three and the group size is not quite as tight.

Do I go with 42.2 at 2685 or 43.8 with 2789?

a hundred fps sounds kind of nice if I am shooting to a thousand plus. I haven't run the numbers yet to compare drop between the two.

 

[just_jon]

Think I'd try 10 rounds each ofb42 and 43. Good ES and group, but small sample size. BTW,I like those targets. Who makes them?

 

[Nomosendero]

I took a quick run to the range this morning and just as I was finishing up, fish and game showed up and indicated they were closing all public ranges in the state.

I added the following.

43.6 2783, 2772, 2772
43.8 2807, 2789, 2772
44.0 2783, 2789, 2801

and here is how they shot.

View attachment 182711

the delta in muzzle velocity is greater with these three and the group size is not quite as tight.

Do I go with 42.2 at 2685 or 43.8 with 2789?

a hundred fps sounds kind of nice if I am shooting to a thousand plus. I haven't run the numbers yet to compare drop between the two.

Closing because of the Virus ?

 

[Winkfish]

Yes, and they are closing all facilities at the state parks. You will be able to enter a state park but no visitor centers or bathrooms or camping

 

[Left Hand Dave]

Think I'd try 10 rounds each ofb42 and 43. Good ES and group, but small sample size. BTW,I like those targets. Who makes them?

I too would like to know who makes those targets.

 

[Winkfish]

I found the target free on line. Here is a copy of the pdf for you to print out and use. If this does not work for you drop me a note and I can e-mail it to you.

 

[johnnyk]

Based on your stated intentions and purpose of/for this load, 42.2gn looks to be the best. Those ES numbers and that accuracy are topnotch, and it fits the rifle? I've never shot PRS, nor am I sure of the requirements (i.e., distances) but I imagine accuracy will beat out velocity every time in a competition scenario.
I'm a speed demon by nature but I will swallow my pride for velocity's sake if I can put bullets in the same hole consistently. To me, opinion only, that's a really impressive, accurate load. "Roll that beautiful bean"

 

[Winkfish]

That is where I am second guessing it as well. The velocity of 42.2 is ok, but I feel I am leaving a bunch on the table.

For a pre event they are timed stages in various positions from 400 to +1000 yards. You are shooting steel.

I am not concerned about terminal performance as much as accuracy. Target sizes I have been told are 1 to 4 moa