Best Cartridge for NRL Hunter?

[cq0302]

It’s a few hours from me but that’s the closest they get. I don’t see any 1 day matches scheduled yet. Last year I don’t think they had any until after the 2 day match. Jim See is no longer hosting any of them but the guys who are hosting the match this year put on the 1 days last year to get some more experience. Hopefully they do some 1 days again.

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[cq0302]

Looks like they will be. Hoping the move the one on the 12th to the 11th


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[swampy14]

Would a 20” 6.5cm w/ a can be too slow to make PF? (I’m only asking because I haven’t ordered a barrel yet and I’m going back and worth between 20 and 22.
I don’t necessarily care because I don’t reload so factory ammo for me only but I’m curious.
I know the Berger box velocity for the 153.5 is 2700 but that’s with a 26” barrel.

Minimum velocity for the 153.5 to make PF is 2476 fps

 

[Cold_Canadian]

Would a 20” 6.5cm w/ a can be too slow to make PF? (I’m only asking because I haven’t ordered a barrel yet and I’m going back and worth between 20 and 22.
I don’t necessarily care because I don’t reload so factory ammo for me only but I’m curious.
I know the Berger box velocity for the 153.5 is 2700 but that’s with a 26” barrel.

Minimum velocity for the 153.5 to make PF is 2476 fps

I ran a 20" 6.5cm last year with 153.5s at 2550fps with handloads. Factory 156gr Berger's ran in the 2450-2475fps if I remember correctly.

 

[swampy14]

I ran a 20" 6.5cm last year with 153.5s at 2550fps with handloads. Factory 156gr Berger's ran in the 2450-2475fps if I remember correctly.

Close enough I think. Now just to finalize a barrel for my build

 

[cq0302]

Would a 20” 6.5cm w/ a can be too slow to make PF? (I’m only asking because I haven’t ordered a barrel yet and I’m going back and worth between 20 and 22.
I don’t necessarily care because I don’t reload so factory ammo for me only but I’m curious.
I know the Berger box velocity for the 153.5 is 2700 but that’s with a 26” barrel.

Minimum velocity for the 153.5 to make PF is 2476 fps

Yes with hand loads and heavier bullets a 20” should. Proof cf 20” can make pf with anything 140 and up, modest loads on 144 and up make it without stepping on them too hard


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[wind gypsy]

Would a 20” 6.5cm w/ a can be too slow to make PF? (I’m only asking because I haven’t ordered a barrel yet and I’m going back and worth between 20 and 22.
I don’t necessarily care because I don’t reload so factory ammo for me only but I’m curious.
I know the Berger box velocity for the 153.5 is 2700 but that’s with a 26” barrel.

Minimum velocity for the 153.5 to make PF is 2476 fps

I'd want 22" personally. For balance and a little extra velocity.

 

[schmidty3]

Would a 20” 6.5cm w/ a can be too slow to make PF? (I’m only asking because I haven’t ordered a barrel yet and I’m going back and worth between 20 and 22.
I don’t necessarily care because I don’t reload so factory ammo for me only but I’m curious.
I know the Berger box velocity for the 153.5 is 2700 but that’s with a 26” barrel.

Minimum velocity for the 153.5 to make PF is 2476 fps

Theres a provision in the rules that states that factory ammo is ok even if it doesnt make power factor. I think it states that it has to be 6.5 cal and 130 gr min.

 

[swampy14]

Theres a provision in the rules that states that factory ammo is ok even if it doesnt make power factor. I think it states that it has to be 6.5 cal and 130 gr min.

Yessir I’m aware that Factory ammo doesn’t have to meet power factor but would be nice if it did

 

[schmidty3]

Yessir I’m aware that Factory ammo doesn’t have to meet power factor but would be nice if it did

Generally curious as to why?

You meet the threshold to play. Thats all that really matters. If you plan on tying at the top of the rankings and are concerned about it, probably should step up to a 6.5 prc anyway.

Id go for a longer barrel though. I like speed.

 

[swampy14]

Generally curious as to why?

You meet the threshold to play. Thats all that really matters. If you plan on tying at the top of the rankings and are concerned about it, probably should step up to a 6.5 prc anyway.

Id go for a longer barrel though. I like speed.

Not necessarily looking to be at the top. Was going to use this as more of an equipment proficiency.

I thought about going to the 6.5prc but the short action I’m thinking of building is a standard bolt face.

 

[ckt3]

Never shot NRL Hunter but would like to eventually... say you are shooting 6.5 Creed ~140 gr bullets. Are guys typically trying to (reasonably) maximize velocity like with a 26 inch barrel (say to minimize range/wind errors) or tuning the cartridge/barrel to align with quick drop (reducing time needed to take their shot). Total noob about competitive shooting so not sure really what the game is or established strategies... just curious

 

[LongWayAround]

Never shot NRL Hunter but would like to eventually... say you are shooting 6.5 Creed ~140 gr bullets. Are guys typically trying to (reasonably) maximize velocity like with a 26 inch barrel (say to minimize range/wind errors) or tuning the cartridge/barrel to align with quick drop (reducing time needed to take their shot). Total noob about competitive shooting so not sure really what the game is or established strategies... just curious

The vast majority of people at one of those matches probably have no idea what quick drop is. My general observation as someone who is pretty new to it is that the majority of people out there are shooters first who also do some hunting. That's not to say that there are not serious hunters present.

Giblet is the only person I have talked to that has said they have used quick drop in a match.

Basically every shot is dialed for elevation unless they are close targets.

 

[WoolyBugger]

Never shot NRL Hunter but would like to eventually... say you are shooting 6.5 Creed ~140 gr bullets. Are guys typically trying to (reasonably) maximize velocity like with a 26 inch barrel (say to minimize range/wind errors) or tuning the cartridge/barrel to align with quick drop (reducing time needed to take their shot). Total noob about competitive shooting so not sure really what the game is or established strategies... just curious

If you're purely using this as hunting training then I would use what you hunt with and if you use quick drop to get your dope in the field, I would use that. If you are going for points or wins, I would look at the barrel to give you the velocity you want and get you to the weight you want for you division.

 

[wind gypsy]

Never shot NRL Hunter but would like to eventually... say you are shooting 6.5 Creed ~140 gr bullets. Are guys typically trying to (reasonably) maximize velocity like with a 26 inch barrel (say to minimize range/wind errors) or tuning the cartridge/barrel to align with quick drop (reducing time needed to take their shot). Total noob about competitive shooting so not sure really what the game is or established strategies... just curious

Pretty common goal is to get the best ballistics (minimize wind deflection primarily) with the least recoil to aid in spotting shots. Some guys go a little above bare min to achieve power factor to get a little better ballistics - that could mean shooting a 150+ 6.5mm pill or going larger than a creedmoor case. Barrel length is nice in that it allows milder loads away from pressure while still hitting power factor. You have to load a creedmoor case pretty hot at 20" to hit power factor unless shooting something like a 156 berger.

Those details are way down the ladder of importance compared to approaching stages with right thought process, gear management, and building solid positions quickly.

 

[ckt3]

Cool, makes sense guys, thanks. Gonna get my feet wet with NRL 22 first, but hoping to give NRL Hunter a try soon. Never shot any type of match and it seems like there is so much to learn/consider