6.5 PRC 130 / 135 Bergers

[Bobcat 33]

Posted a few months ago of my new CA 6.5 PRC 20 " barrel having issues with vel and accuracy not going hand in hand. Was stuck on the 130 TGK . Finally after 5 powders got a load working. Went old school with a box of Hornady 140 Spitzler flat base lead tip. With N-560 several groups sub 1/2" vel. 2911 Es 8. Kind of happy with a no thrill bullet wanted 3k but will settle with this. My fall hunt taking me back to Missouri for a trophy 140" and above hunt. I dont care to shoot over 400 for the reason of identifying this size of deer so i don't have to pay a fine. Any ones thought of this bullet performing. I do have some Berger 130 vld hunting and some 135 classic hunter. Any thoughts on these 2 bullets as far as field performance before i might try. My range could be 25 - 400 yards.
Thanks for any help

 

[wapitibob]

I believe in heavy for caliber Bergers and would pick the 156 myself.

 

[wind gypsy]

I found the 135 Berger classic hunter to be a great match for 6.5 saum back when I had one. Very close to 140 class BC, a little more velocity, and wasn’t as finicky as other bullets I tried.

Only shot one mule deer with it but it performed well. Picture is of the exit, shot at about 350 yards with 3150ish MV iirc.

 

[Bobcat 33]

I found the 135 Berger classic hunter to be a great match for 6.5 saum back when I had one. Very close to 140 class BC, a little more velocity, and wasn’t as finicky as other bullets I tried.

Only shot one mule deer with it but it performed well. Picture is of the exit, shot at about 350 yards with 3150ish MV iirc.

View attachment 921269

Thank you, I’m getting 2911 with the 140 Hornady

 

[CJ_BG]

Between those two 135 classic hunters, though finding an actual difference on game would be immensely difficult, at least I presume.

On close shots I would stay off the lower sections of the shoulder as much as possible. Not for any penetration reasons but for meat loss. A berger at high impact into heavy bone is a fantastic recipe for losing most of a quarter.

 

[Bobcat 33]

Between those two 135 classic hunters, though finding an actual difference on game would be immensely difficult, at least I presume.

On close shots I would stay off the lower sections of the shoulder as much as possible. Not for any penetration reasons but for meat loss. A berger at high impact into heavy bone is a fantastic recipe for losing most of a quarter.

Loosing meat is my least concern, loosing the deer is my concern. Don’t eat deer meat anyway.

 

[JGRaider]

I'll take a 139 Scenar over any Berger ever made.

 

[Kimber7man]

Getting 3,000 with a 140 out of a 20" barrel will be pushing the gas pretty hard but it's possible.

I've shot mule deer and antelope with the 130 VLDH out of a .260 and they worked very well. No reason you couldn't get 3,000 with that 130.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I'll take a 139 Scenar over any Berger ever made.

I don’t think you can go wrong with either 130 TMK or 139 Scenar. I like the 130 TMK just a touch better but it’s really splitting hairs

 

[Shortschaf]

I used to use 156's in my 6.5ss/prc
I switched to the 135 classics after chopping the barrel to 20"
They go 2950fps with h4831sc

They were just as easy to load for as the 156, and they kill fine

I have killed two mule deer with the 135's--friends have killed >3 elk, many deer, and a I think a couple cow moose with them.

 

[Quicksilver]

I just had my first bear kill with the 130otm in my 6.5 saum. 18” barrel and 2950fps. Frontal shot and exited side ribs, made it maybe 20yds and piled up. I have a buddy who has taken some deer with the 135 classic in his 6.5 creed with really good results also. Behind the shoulder and good exit hole, internals were a slushy.