Couple reloading Q's, 243 and 6.5 PRC

[WRO]

I am a bit down the rabbit hole and have some Analysis paralysis. I have a barrett FC 243 with a 20" pipe and am trying to decide whether to load up to the 108 ELDM or go with the 95 gr berger vld? (Also open to other reccomendations)

And then the 6.5 PRC rabbit hole is to load 140vld hunters faster or run the 156 bergers a bit slower. 20" pipe on this gun as well.

Thoughts? I know the animals don't give a shit as they're dead either way. Its more about wind drift and trajectory, plus maximum distance of adaquate FPS for bullet opening.

 

[ID-Muley]

I’ll text ya my opinion when I get a few mins today.

 

[HuntHarder]

I am in the process of building a 6.5 PRC. The 156 @ 2850 and the 140 @ 3000 are almost identical in drop. Both get you to roughly 850 yards at my DA. Wind hold is identical out to 850 as well, I think a 1/4 moa advantage with the 156.

I am going to try out the 156's. Seems like good terminal performance and I already have a 6.5 bitch biscuit that I sling 130 VLD's with.

 

[ID_Matt]

I think the Sierra 95 TMK and 243 would go together nicely.

6.5 PRC I think I would do the 156 berger, seems to be a good fit for that case. Never was a big fan of VLD's, always seemed finicky. Had great luck with the 156 when I used it. 140 or 147 ELDM is a good choice too.

 

[WRO]

I think the Sierra 95 TMK and 243 would go together nicely.

6.5 PRC I think I would do the 156 berger, seems to be a good fit for that case. Never was a big fan of VLD's, always seemed finicky. Had great luck with the 156 when I used it. 140 or 147 ELDM is a good choice too.

I’ve stacked bodies with 147 eldms the last 5 years just shooting factory, just wanting to try something different for no good reason.


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[wpeach1912]

I have an 18” 243 I’m planning on handloading for soon using 95 NBTs. That rifle is mainly used for deer hunting in the Midwest where I likely won’t be shooting past 300. I have a 20” 6.5 PRC at the smith right now I plan on using 147s in since it has worked well on deer and elk the last few years. 156s are tempting, but I want to keep velocity up some to minimize worrying about danger space inside of 400 (I’m currently shooting them at 2650 out of my 6.5 creed)

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I already have a 6.5 bitch biscuit

This is how I’ll refer to my 6.5 Creedmoor moving forward

 

[hereinaz]

How far will you be shooting?

The vast majority of situations will lead to indistinguishable results. It’s why the decision between them is so hard. They are literally going to do the same thing inside 500 yards, and barely start to distinguish beyond that.

Only at extremes will one begin to perform meaningfully different.

 

[mtnbound]

I am a bit down the rabbit hole and have some Analysis paralysis. I have a barrett FC 243 with a 20" pipe and am trying to decide whether to load up to the 108 ELDM or go with the 95 gr berger vld? (Also open to other reccomendations)

And then the 6.5 PRC rabbit hole is to load 140vld hunters faster or run the 156 bergers a bit slower. 20" pipe on this gun as well.

Thoughts? I know the animals don't give a shit as they're dead either way. Its more about wind drift and trajectory, plus maximum distance of adaquate FPS for bullet opening.

I ran the 156's in my PRC and would do it again. In the 243, I would load both and test which one works best.

 

[swavescatter]

I was really impressed by the 108s on a fat cow elk at 465yds. Perfect double lung and went maybe 15yds. Given the better BCs I see no reason to try anything else.

I load my 6.5PRC with 156s just because I can but I haven’t killed anything with it…

 

[WRO]

How far will you be shooting?

The vast majority of situations will lead to indistinguishable results. It’s why the decision between them is so hard. They are literally going to do the same thing inside 500 yards, and barely start to distinguish beyond that.

Only at extremes will one begin to perform meaningfully different.

Sub 500 with the 243, sub 800 with the prc. The prc I’ve taken past 1200 with factory ammo.


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[WRO]

I was really impressed by the 108s on a fat cow elk at 465yds. Perfect double lung and went maybe 15yds. Given the better BCs I see no reason to try anything else.

I load my 6.5PRC with 156s just because I can but I haven’t killed anything with it…

What speeds are you getting out of a 243 with a 108?


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[hereinaz]

BC matters more past 500.

The velocity is high enough with the 243 and 108 that going to 95 will not be a huge difference.

 

[WRO]

BC matters more past 500.

The velocity is high enough with the 243 and 108 that going to 95 will not be a huge difference.

Wind calls make a difference as well even under 500


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[swavescatter]

What speeds are you getting out of a 243 with a 108?


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2845 out of an 18”.

 

[WyOwen]

I am a bit down the rabbit hole and have some Analysis paralysis. I have a barrett FC 243 with a 20" pipe and am trying to decide whether to load up to the 108 ELDM or go with the 95 gr berger vld? (Also open to other reccomendations)

And then the 6.5 PRC rabbit hole is to load 140vld hunters faster or run the 156 bergers a bit slower. 20" pipe on this gun as well.

Thoughts? I know the animals don't give a shit as they're dead either way. Its more about wind drift and trajectory, plus maximum distance of adaquate FPS for bullet opening.

First the 243- I have a 16”. & a 20” 6cm. Both are 7.5 twist. I used 108eldm the last few years, without issue.

I was able to get better accuracy out of the 108 Berger eh, at a slightly lower mv.. So I decided to use that bullet in both rifles this year.
Between my son, cousin, and myself -we killed-
1- pronghorn buck- impact vel 2630
1- mule deer buck - impact vel 2550
2- cow elk -impact vel 2360 & 2006

I was extremely happy with the performance, I would not over look the 108 Berger eh.

——

I really like the 156 Berger’s, my rifles have killed 15 elk with that bullet- from 80 yards to 1030. In all cases it has performed extremely well.. so much that I have no interest in anything else for my 6.5 prc(s)

Keep impact velocity above 1900fps and you won’t be let down.

- I realize I sound like a Berger fan boy… but I’ve had great experiences with them. From 108’s to 300’s

 

[HuntHarder]

First the 243- I have a 16”. & a 20” 6cm. Both are 7.5 twist. I used 108eldm the last few years, without issue.

I was able to get better accuracy out of the 108 Berger eh, at a slightly lower mv.. So I decided to use that bullet in both rifles this year.
Between my son, cousin, and myself -we killed-
1- pronghorn buck- impact vel 2630
1- mule deer buck - impact vel 2550
2- cow elk -impact vel 2360 & 2006

I was extremely happy with the performance, I would not over look the 108 Berger eh.

——

I really like the 156 Berger’s, my rifles have killed 15 elk with that bullet- from 80 yards to 1030. In all cases it has performed extremely well.. so much that I have no interest in anything else for my 6.5 prc(s)

Keep impact velocity above 1900fps and you won’t be let down.

- I realize I sound like a Berger fan boy… but I’ve had great experiences with them. From 108’s to 300’s

I am a berger fan boi too. I am curious on that 1030 yard elk shot. What cartridge and impact velocity? I tend to try and stay 1850-1900 fps in my head, to know my absolute limit, but havn't actually tested that in the 6.5 bullet.

 

[WyOwen]

I am a berger fan boi too. I am curious on that 1030 yard elk shot. What cartridge and impact velocity? I tend to try and stay 1850-1900 fps in my head, to know my absolute limit, but havn't actually tested that in the 6.5 bullet.

I have used the 156 a bit and have never been disappointed with its performance. I have two 6.5 prc’s a 24” & 18” detailed below


-6.5 prc, 156 Berger, 3030fps @muzzle following were all with this setup

-cow elk 1038yards - impact velocity 1986, blew through onside scapula bone - minimal meat loss on outdside shoulder meat. Huge wound channel. Cow stood up on hind legs and fell over backwards .Found jacket and lead in offside armpitView attachment 859793

Above is my *trimmed* post from the 156 Berger consensus thread- detailing the shot you were asking about.

 

[HuntHarder]

Thanks,
I am building my 6.5 PRC right now. That velocity has to be from the 24" huh? Mine is going to be an 18" with the 156's and I think I'll max out around 800ish yards, maybe slightly more. I love the wound profile of the Bergers the last couple years.