Gonna add a little to this thread. Local shop got some of these Berger 156 EOLs in and I've been wanting to try them in my 6.5 Creedmoor so 400 bullets somehow made their way home with me. Oops. Anywho, I loaded up 10 different charges (single round at each charge) for velocity testing. Set up and results below. I'm using H4350 and Berger recommended charge range was 36.5 to 40.3 grains with a 2.8 COAL. I ended up a little higher but also seated longer (still had to jump the bullet 0.12 for mag box/feeding). I let the barrel cool completely between shots.
Bergara HMR barreled action in Mesa Precision Arms Altitude stock, 24 inch barrel (1:8 twist).
Thunderbeast Ultra 7 suppressor
Once fired (from this rifle) Alpha Munitions brass
Federal 210M primers
Hodgdon H4350 powder
Labradar chronograph
1) 38.5: 2517 fps
2) 39.0: 2540 fps
3) 39.5: 2576 fps
4) 39.8: 2589 fps
5) 40.0: 2615 fps
6) 40.2: 2616 fps
7) 40.4: 2634 fps
8) 40.6: 2663 fps
9) 40.8: 2677 fps
10) 41.0: 2675 fps
I did not run in to any pressure signs. No sticky bolt lift and to my eyes primers all looked the same (also compared them to primers in 6x fired alpha brass that was loaded with 140 grain Eldm at 2715 fps and looked the same as those to me). So next steps...the sensible person in me says to pursue something around 40.1 grains. But part of me wants to see what the node around 41 grains has to offer...decisions, decisions.
