Berger Elite Hunter 156gr for 6.5CR

[JimIsland]

I did a search and couldn't find much on these. First off, I'm not a re-loader (my son is) as I've always found quality shelf ammo is more than suitable/accurate for my hunting needs. Also, as I'm getting up in age I've gravitated towards softer shooting calibers that can do the same job. (Whitetail Deer)
After years of hunting with a 7 Rem Mag, 30-06, etc. I find myself grabbing the Tikka 6.5CR on most hunts. I've used the 143 ELDX with great success and haven't had any unrecovered game. A good number of them have been DRT's.

So I just picked up a new Tikka CTR which prompted me to see if there is an alternative and/or better 6.5 round besides the Hornady. Berger claims that the Elite Hunter 156 grain is pushing 2680 fps out of a 26" barrel. My CTR has a 24" barrel however my question is:
1) Does anyone have any hunting experience with this out of the 6.5 Creedmoor
2) What kind of velocity are you seeing vs box velocity

 

[wind gypsy]

Lot variance is a thing but i'd be surprised if you got over 2600 FPS with factory berger 156 in your CTR.

 

[The Guide]

The 156 Berger is a great hunting bullet and accurate too. The cartridge that fires it doesn't matter only the velocity threshold at distance. Don't worry about shooting it from a 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, or a 264 WM as they will all send it with enough velocity to responsibility take game to the lowest velocity threshold for consistent upset (generally viewed as 1800fps or greater impact velocity) at a distance past where most people can accurately shoot.

I have both a 6.5 Creedmoor and a 6.5 PRC that shoots the Factory Berger loaded ammo with the 156 EOL Berger. My 22" 6.5 PRC has a MV of 2735 FPS and that takes my terminal velocity to 800+ yards or greater depending upon the density altitude. My 22" 6.5 Creedmoor has a MV of 2528 fps and that takes my terminal velocity to 645+ yards or greater based on DA. This is based on actual numbers that have been proofed and run through the Shooter app.

The 6.5 PRC will give you another 150 yards of killing distance if you know how to use it but it also comes with greater recoil and more difficulty maintain a good sight picture after the shot.

Jay

 

[JimIsland]

The 156 Berger is a great hunting bullet and accurate too. The cartridge that fires it doesn't matter only the velocity threshold at distance. Don't worry about shooting it from a 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, or a 264 WM as they will all send it with enough velocity to responsibility take game to the lowest velocity threshold for consistent upset (generally viewed as 1800fps or greater impact velocity) at a distance past where most people can accurately shoot.

I have both a 6.5 Creedmoor and a 6.5 PRC that shoots the Factory Berger loaded ammo with the 156 EOL Berger. My 22" 6.5 PRC has a MV of 2735 FPS and that takes my terminal velocity to 800+ yards or greater depending upon the density altitude. My 22" 6.5 Creedmoor has a MV of 2528 fps and that takes my terminal velocity to 645+ yards or greater based on DA. This is based on actual numbers that have been proofed and run through the Shooter app.

The 6.5 PRC will give you another 150 yards of killing distance if you know how to use it but it also comes with greater recoil and more difficulty maintain a good sight picture after the shot.

Jay

Thanks Jay. Exactly what I was looking for. 500 yards is max for me(currently), and I hope to extend that with practice in the future. If I could get anything north of 2500 FPS out of my 24" CTR. I'd be very happy. I've Heard Tikka's are a bit slower but we're going to find out. Thanks again

 

[Scdogman]

24 inch barrel. Handloads 2725 fps. Berger factory was 2625.

 

[Castle Rock]

I did a search and couldn't find much on these. First off, I'm not a re-loader (my son is) as I've always found quality shelf ammo is more than suitable/accurate for my hunting needs. Also, as I'm getting up in age I've gravitated towards softer shooting calibers that can do the same job. (Whitetail Deer)
After years of hunting with a 7 Rem Mag, 30-06, etc. I find myself grabbing the Tikka 6.5CR on most hunts. I've used the 143 ELDX with great success and haven't had any unrecovered game. A good number of them have been DRT's.

So I just picked up a new Tikka CTR which prompted me to see if there is an alternative and/or better 6.5 round besides the Hornady. Berger claims that the Elite Hunter 156 grain is pushing 2680 fps out of a 26" barrel. My CTR has a 24" barrel however my question is:
1) Does anyone have any hunting experience with this out of the 6.5 Creedmoor
2) What kind of velocity are you seeing vs box velocity

I think you are looking in the wrong direction there, the CM shines with 130 class bullets going faster, the 156 is probably only get somewhere in the 2500s in that gun and midrange trajectory will bite you badly.

 

[JimIsland]

I think you are looking in the wrong direction there, the CM shines with 130 class bullets going faster, the 156 is probably only get somewhere in the 2500s in that gun and midrange trajectory will bite you badly.

Thanks for chiming in. So what got me interested in the 156 Berger was the amount of energy at 500 yards compared to the lighter stuff. If the 130 class bullets are the CM's sweet spot, why does Hornady, Federal ,etc load the ELDX with 143s? I'm learning here and all ears but wouldn't a 156gr have a better chance for a pass-thru? What about permanent would cavity? Wouldn't the heavier bullet provide that albeit at a slower speed?

 

[The Guide]

Thanks for chiming in. So what got me interested in the 156 Berger was the amount of energy at 500 yards compared to the lighter stuff. If the 130 class bullets are the CM's sweet spot, why does Hornady, Federal ,etc load the ELDX with 143s? I'm learning here and all ears but wouldn't a 156gr have a better chance for a pass-thru? What about permanent would cavity? Wouldn't the heavier bullet provide that albeit at a slower speed?

What he is saying is that you intermediate range trajectory will be limited. For my rifle, my MPBR with the 156 in a 6.5 Creedmoor is 200 yards with a 100 yard zero. At 200 yards my drop is 4.5" and I'm at 9.25" of drop at 250. Past 200 yards you will need to dial or hold in the reticle to account for the elevation drop. 300 yards is 16"+ of drop. While it isn't a major issue, it must be accounted for.

Jay

 

[JimIsland]

Copy that....thank you. Since my CTR has a 24" barrel, I may try some faster 130s and see how they group out of my rifle.