Berger 153.5’s

[Coyote777]

I got some Berger 153.5 in the other day to try out in my 6.5x284 shehane bench rifle. Figured it would be a good candidate with that BC behind that cartridge. Just did a ladder charge 3 shot groups at 100yds to check my speeds with V555. Seated it .010 off the lans and I was surprised. Next step is to check groups at 300-400yds but has anyone else experienced this bullet to be that forgiving? Didn’t matter what charge I had behind it. It just shot.

 

[straightshooter1]

I got some Berger 153.5 in the other day to try out in my 6.5x284 shehane bench rifle. Figured it would be a good candidate with that BC behind that cartridge. Just did a ladder charge 3 shot groups at 100yds to check my speeds with V555. Seated it .010 off the lans and I was surprised. Next step is to check groups at 300-400yds but has anyone else experienced this bullet to be that forgiving? Didn’t matter what charge I had behind it. It just shot.

I've found that the 153.5 has worked really well in my 6.5 PRC with N565. My experience is YES, they're pretty forgiving.

 

[Coyote777]

I've found that the 153.5 has worked really well in my 6.5 PRC with N565. My experience is YES, they're pretty forgiving.

How fast are you moving them? Shoot good at distance?

 

[straightshooter1]

How fast are you moving them? Shoot good at distance?

I'm pushing them at 2,980 fps (loading them long at ~.020 off with a COAL of 3.098 in Lapua cases, 57.5 grs N565). Shooting at distance and consistently getting less than .4 MOA.

I think N565 and Triple Nickel are really good powders for this round.

 

[Coyote777]

The 153.5’s mixed with N555 shoot!

 

[GBMaryland]

Curiously, has anybody gotten this to work in a 65 Creedmoor?

I’ve got a PVA barrel and 65 Creedmoor and that’s probably the only factor ammo that it does not like… I want to say the barrel is 1:7.5

 

[Roadrace33]

Curiously, has anybody gotten this to work in a 65 Creedmoor?

I’ve got a PVA barrel and 65 Creedmoor and that’s probably the only factor ammo that it does not like… I want to say the barrel is 1:7.5

I’m going to try them here soon in a 30” 6.5 creed 8T. I was also curious what velocity people are seeing out of these in a 6.5. I was thinking 2650 area? My barrel should be here any day

 

[Coyote777]

Yeah I would guess around that 2650-2700 area with some H4350.

 

[GBMaryland]

I actually have chrono data for the 153.5 factory ammo from Berger with Lapua brass. I'll post that when I get home from work.

 

[R_A_W]

Curiously, has anybody gotten this to work in a 65 Creedmoor?

I’ve got a PVA barrel and 65 Creedmoor and that’s probably the only factor ammo that it does not like… I want to say the barrel is 1:7.5

I’ve shot thousands of 153 hybrids out of 6.5cm with N150 & H4350 in both .199 & .170 FB chambers & 7.5 & 8tw, all would hold sub 1/3moa for 5 shots

7.5 versus 8 twist really doesn’t matter

what velocity people are seeing out of these in a 6.5. I was thinking 2650 area?

get them to 2650, that’s where they shine. My Bartlein 30” MTU has been my most accurate 6.5cm barrel, holding 5 shots sub 1/4moa @ 2670-2680 jumping 75k

153 hybrid remains my favorite bullet

 

[Roadrace33]

I’ve shot thousands of 153 hybrids out of 6.5cm with N150 & H4350 in both .199 & .170 FB chambers & 7.5 & 8tw, all would hold sub 1/3moa for 5 shots

7.5 versus 8 twist really doesn’t matter


get them to 2650, that’s where they shine. My Bartlein 30” MTU has been my most accurate 6.5cm barrel, holding 5 shots sub 1/4moa @ 2670-2680 jumping 75k

153 hybrid remains my favorite bullet

thank you so much for this!! I was hoping 8 twist would work. I figured 7.5 was ideal, but hoped id get away with an 8.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Problem with the 8 twist is its not stable and you take a BC penalty. Its about 3-4% at typical velocities at sea level. This will show up as you take it out to distance.

Creed does not get them fast enough for full stability, unlike the 6.5prc.

If you plan to run anything heavier than a 140gr in 6.5, i would suggest a 7.5 or a 7.7 TW.

 

[KnowNothing256]

Problem with the 8 twist is its not stable and you take a BC penalty. Its about 3-4% at typical velocities at sea level. This will show up as you take it out to distance.

Creed does not get them fast enough for full stability, unlike the 6.5prc.

If you plan to run anything heavier than a 140gr in 6.5, i would suggest a 7.5 or a 7.7 TW.

I recently tried the 153.5’s out of an 8tw Proof 6.5CM barrel (26”) and the bullets printed a shotgun pattern.

I walked away from them until I burn out this barrel running 140’s then switch to a 7.5tw.

 

[VSP968]

I had a 26” Bartlien 8 twist medium palma barrel that was chambered by a 2112 @ PWS. I have no idea what reamer he used.

I found a node @2710 with 153.5 and with H4350 and Lapua cases that shot like a house on fire out to 1K on Quantico’s Range 4.

I hit the milk jug (challenge @ 1K) with five consecutive shots one morning.

I sold that rifle to a guy who also shoots there along with the load data a couple of years ago to fund an Accuracy International AT rifle.

Here’s the kicker: the same load in the AI 6.5 26” barrel shot so poorly I was convinced I got a stinker barrel.

I had SPR spin up a 29” 8 twist Bartlien heavy Palma AI prefit for the AT and it was still 40 FPS slower than the original PWS build.

Could I take the time to find a new node for the new barrel? Probably, but there are other projects and other barrels for the AT.

I’ve got 700 153.5s and I’m not willing to call it quits yet.

 

[Coyote777]

Problem with the 8 twist is its not stable and you take a BC penalty. Its about 3-4% at typical velocities at sea level. This will show up as you take it out to distance.

Creed does not get them fast enough for full stability, unlike the 6.5prc.

If you plan to run anything heavier than a 140gr in 6.5, i would suggest a 7.5 or a 7.7 TW.

Maybe I’m seeing different results cause I have higher velocities cause mine is a 8t. As you know every barrel is different. This rifle shot a .742” group at 300 and the next day do a .226”. Again this is a bench rifle. I shoot a lot vs your average guy and for me to develop a load and it hold true at 300yds it’s usually a player out to 1000 NP.

 

[KnowNothing256]

Maybe I’m seeing different results cause I have higher velocities cause mine is a 8t. As you know every barrel is different. This rifle shot a .742” group at 300 and the next day do a .226”. Again this is a bench rifle. I shoot a lot vs your average guy and for me to develop a load and it hold true at 300yds it’s usually a player out to 1000 NP.

What elevation are you at? I think sea level is marginal but higher DA can work

 

[Coyote777]

What elevation are you at? I think sea level is marginal but higher DA can work

I’m a little over 1400’. Maybe that is why.

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

Maybe I’m seeing different results cause I have higher velocities cause mine is a 8t. As you know every barrel is different. This rifle shot a .742” group at 300 and the next day do a .226”. Again this is a bench rifle. I shoot a lot vs your average guy and for me to develop a load and it hold true at 300yds it’s usually a player out to 1000 NP.

You are still not picking up whats being put down.

Groups at short distance are not the issue. The issue is BC variability as you go further, making the bullet path less predictable. Your WEZ will open up as distance increases due to BC error and variability.

Velocity/Barrel length also come into play as well as DA.

 

[Coyote777]

You are still not picking up whats being put down.

Groups at short distance are not the issue. The issue is BC variability as you go further, making the bullet path less predictable. Your WEZ will open up as distance increases due to BC error and variability.

Velocity/Barrel length also come into play as well as DA.

No I get what you’re saying. I’ll report back at 1k yards. Or is that still short distance?