Consensus on 156 Berger’s?

[huntnful]

Work with a nanook??

They’re unthreaded. Just spiral fluted blanks.

 

[Firestone]

A few more kills in a 6.5 prc.

Mule deer buck at 30 yards, quartered to, entrance was behind shoulder and destroyed one lung and liver, definitely made it into some guts but didnt dig to deep to check them out. No exit, buck staggered back 5 steps and fell over

Mule deer buck 50 yards broadside, missed first shoulder bone but hit the offside bone below the scapula. Caught the bullet on the hide on offside. Pretty large wound channel. I could put my fist through most of it. Dropped on impact

Bull 50 yards full frontal, the bullet hit perfectly centered about 6 inches below chin. Bull obviously dropped and spine was destroyed, but the bullet never made it past the spine. And no real bloodshot or large wound channel of any sort. Typical berger entrance and a fist size explosion of bone particles where it impacted the spine. Total penetration length was probably 5 inches i would guess.

Bull 350 yards behind shoulder bones but in the thicker part of the meat still. Good upset through both lungs jacket was in the offside shoulder meat about an inch from the hide. Bull ran about 40 yards and tipped over.

 

[justin davis]

156s from @huntnful and 115s out of my 6 Creed put in work this year and are both nasty little bastards. Shoot lights out, fly true, and kill.

I’m likely switching from 147 ELDMs to 156 Bergers in my Tikka 6.5 PRC for the foreseeable future. Too much inconsistency and crap from Hornady lately.

Yea the 156 bergers are great! But I think after testing them hard side by side the 147’s shoot better in my gun

 

[huntnful]

Yea the 156 bergers are great! But I think after testing them hard side by side the 147’s shoot better in my gun

As long as you have a decent amount of the same lot# it won’t be an issue at all!

I ran into different lots numbers measuring way different, and shooting way different in my rifles. Which is frustrating when you buy a box of 100 to test, they shoot great, so you buy 500 and they shoot like shit lol. Which is why I went back to Berger and I’ve been happy with the terminal performance. Lot to lot consistency seems to be excellent as well.

 

[justin davis]

As long as you have a decent amount of the same lot# it won’t be an issue at all!

I ran into different lots numbers measuring way different, and shooting way different in my rifles. Which is frustrating when you buy a box of 100 to test, they shoot great, so you buy 500 and they shoot like shit lol. Which is why I went back to Berger and I’ve been happy with the terminal performance. Lot to lot consistency seems to be excellent as well.

Yea no doubt!

 

[WyOwen]

killed a yearling cow with my 18” barreled 6.5 prc. 156 Berger @ 2930mv

This is the 14th elk my rifles have killed with 156 bergers. - after I shot my cow , this rifle was used by a friend to kill his cow #15

In all cases the bullet has performed extremely well.

7000’- 40degrees, 384 yards, impact velocity ~2510

On side entrance
On side behind shoulder


Off side exit behind shoulder, exit hole was roughly 1” diameter -

On side internals


Onside showing entrance

Off side armpit- fragmentation went through chest cavity.

 

[huntnful]

killed a yearling cow with my 18” barreled 6.5 prc. 156 Berger @ 2930mv

This is the 14th elk my rifles have killed with 156 bergers. - after I shot my cow , this rifle was used by a friend to kill his cow #15

In all cases the bullet has performed extremely well.

7000’- 40degrees, 384 yards, impact velocity ~2510

On side entrance View attachment 988857
On side behind shoulder

View attachment 988860
Off side exit behind shoulder, exit hole was roughly 1” diameter -
View attachment 988861
On side internals
View attachment 988862

Onside showing entrance
View attachment 988865
Off side armpit- fragmentation went through chest cavity.
View attachment 988863

Great detailed recap and pictures!

 

[WyOwen]

It was a beautiful day, with plenty of time and an easy carry out to the truck.

Took advantage of the situation and played autopsy fotographer

 

[khuber84]

Damn 2930 from an 18" tube? That some impressive velocity for a shorty. Excellent break down of the bullet performance.

 

[WyOwen]

Damn 2930 from an 18" tube? That some impressive velocity for a shorty. Excellent break down of the bullet performance.

Post #58 has the details, barrel is sped all the way up now. Back on lapua brass, primer pockets are the weak link.

 

[eoperator]

Post #58 has the details, barrel is sped all the way up now. Back on lapua brass, primer pockets are the weak link.

You must hate brass as much as i hate liver.

 

[HuntHarder]

Anyone have some of their 6.5 PRC loads they want to share with these 156's. I am going to be pushing them out of an 18." Hoping for atleast 2900, but know that might be a challenge @ 18".

 

[streamerfish]

What kind of length are people that run these in Tikka 6.5 cm being able to run? are you getting it longer then SAAMI?

I'm kinda trying to decide whether to go with a creed or a PRC, kinda weighing up the extra recoil vs performance on this bullet for elk potentially.

 

[justin davis]

Damn 2930 from an 18" tube? That some impressive velocity for a shorty. Excellent break down of the bullet performance.

Yea that is impressive. That’s the speeds of my 24” barrel

 

[khuber84]

These 156s are around 2.970 touching in saami, however several Tikka 65cm have had 20-30k longer than saami freebore. That should still fit in a M+ magazine with a lil jump.

 

[huntnful]

Anyone have some of their 6.5 PRC loads they want to share with these 156's. I am going to be pushing them out of an 18." Hoping for atleast 2900, but know that might be a challenge @ 18".

You’ll have to use N570 or RL 26.

I only have personal experience with N570. You’ll just need to work up to your own pressure comforts if you’re wanting to attain those speeds.

Start at 57gr. and work up to a full case of 62gr. (It’ll be FULL. Just hold your finger over the mouth of the neck and tap it on the table a few times).

You do that in 1gr. increments and you’ll find its limit/speeds I’m sure.

 

[Kimber7man]

58.5 N565 got me 2,850 out of a 20” barrel, with Lapua brass and F210M. 2.95” COAL.
I don’t plan on pushing it more
IMO 2,900 out of an 18” is eye popping.

 

[wpeach1912]

I’m working on a 20” 6.5 prc and was hoping for 2900 with 147s lol. 2900 with 156s out of an 18” is like 6.5 WSM/6.5-7prc territory

 

[Azhunter10]

I have a 6.5prc/si (blown out 40 degree shoulder) and I’m getting 2940 from a 20” barrel with the 156. 60.5g N565, COAL is 3.060. I have zero pressure and could go up more, but it shoots really well at this velocity

Built it on a long action.

 

[Laramie]

Not that anyone needs the reinforcement, but we are at 9 elk and numerous deer sized game with zero complaints. Not sure I'll ever shoot a different bullet in my 6.5PRC. I think this one takes me to retirement.