Lapua 6.5 144gn Max Range Target

[tho98027]

I know a batch of these new lapua bullets arrived in the states about a month ago and sold out real fast. Just wondering if anyone on here was able to scoop some up and have been able to do any testing and have any feeeback; take any bullet measurements and how they are shooting? I’m curious how close they are to the Berger 144’s. I’ve heard they are slightly different in shape/dimensions and have a tighter closed meplat. I’ve always liked lapua bullets. Easily the lapua scenars are the most forgiving and accurate bullets I’ve shot but bc has always been lack luster. The scenar L’s are probably the most consistent uniform bullet I’ve seen for weight and dimension. I’m hoping this new 144 has the same pedigree.

 

[codym]

Following as well. I will be trying these in a 260ai eventually

 

[Cynical]

I know a batch of these new lapua bullets arrived in the states about a month ago and sold out real fast. Just wondering if anyone on here was able to scoop some up and have been able to do any testing and have any feeeback; take any bullet measurements and how they are shooting? I’m curious how close they are to the Berger 144’s. I’ve heard they are slightly different in shape/dimensions and have a tighter closed meplat. I’ve always liked lapua bullets. Easily the lapua scenars are the most forgiving and accurate bullets I’ve shot but bc has always been lack luster. The scenar L’s are probably the most consistent uniform bullet I’ve seen for weight and dimension. I’m hoping this new 144 has the same pedigree.

I have not loaded and shot any, yet.

The Lapua is .036" shorter than the Berger 144 (which I measured at 1.412” and set zero on the calipers, note that Berger publishes 1.413” OAL so this one was very close). The boattails appear to be about the same and the profiles about the same. The tip of the Lapua is opened less than the Berger but this was hard to photograph.

Excuse my iPhone photo skills. Lapua is on the left, Berger on the right. Or, Lapua on bottom, Berger on top if the pic is oriented that way.

 

[tho98027]

Thank you for posting Cynical. What cartridge are you going to be shooting them from? Keep us posted on your results. I'm glad to see that the lapuas are actually a little shorter in overall length than the berger. I'm curoius what Bryan Litz gets for a BC when he tests these. Seems most bullets he tests actually have a lower bc than what the manufacturer advertises, except for the Hornady Atips, which he reports having a higer bc than advertised.

Also, can anyone explain the difference in the BC's between the berger 144 lrht and this lapua 144 Max RT?
Berger 144 G1 .655, G7.336
Lapua 144 G1 .670, G7 .335

How come the lapua has a higher G1 BC but a lower G7 BC than the berger?

 

[Cynical]

Creedmoor and probably PRC in one of my 8 twist barrels.

About the g7 bc: those are essentially the same. One of the actual experts will be along soon enough to answer, but my guess is the g1 difference is probably related to the velocity used for the calculation. And since these are long bullets without flat bases, the g1 calculation by most accounts is less than ideal to use versus the g7 calculation.

 

[CanMike]

Any more info on these bullets.. Tempted to try them versus teh 140 ELDMs

Mike

 

[CanMike]

I just ordered 200 of these. Anyone run these with H4350 powder. Wondering if you can share some load data. I only see load data published for N555.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Yoteski]

Hodgon shows a max of 41.8 h4350 for 143 eldx so I’d probably start around 39 gr and work up.

 

[Cynical]

I just ordered 200 of these. Anyone run these with H4350 powder. Wondering if you can share some load data. I only see load data published for N555.

Thanks
Mike

Use the Berger 144 LRHT data. But that 41 to 41.6 range is usually pretty good with h4350.

 

[CanMike]

I just got 200 and ran a few over our labs analytical scale which is good to 1/10,000 of a gram.. These bullets are 9.3 grams / 143.5 grain so slightly under the 144, but I believe Lapua uses grams first and then coverts to grains.

Pretty tight weight ranges.. So far pretty happy.

Mike

 

[CanMike]

Got some loaded for a ladder tommorow. Starting at 39 grains and topping out at 41.9 grains of H4350. Jumping about 20/30 thousandths.

Hopefully I can find a good node around 2700 / 2750 FPS with my 24” barrell

Mike

 

[RegionRat]

In for the range report. Good Luck.

 

[flogxal]

I just ordered 200 of these. Anyone run these with H4350 powder. Wondering if you can share some load data. I only see load data published for N555.

Thanks
Mike

I did some pre-planning on GRT for the Berger 144, and N555 seems close to ideal for the 144, at least in the GRT model world. Best fill ratio and burnt powder %s with good velocity. Better than N150, N160. Almost like N555 was created with the Berger 144 in mind. Did not compare against H4350 or RL 16, though.

 

[Cynical]

Got some loaded for a ladder tommorow. Starting at 39 grains and topping out at 41.9 grains of H4350. Jumping about 20/30 thousandths.

Hopefully I can find a good node around 2700 / 2750 FPS with my 24” barrell

Mike

41.5 and up should comfortably be in that range from a 24. It is with 144lrht at least.

 

[CanMike]

Okay so I managed to get some data.. Didn't get exactly what I wanted as the 300 range was closed today but got some velocity and 109yard ladder data.. Not great but I did identify a couple nodes.. One at around 2650 at 40-40.7 Poder Charge and one are 2705 at 41.3-41.5 Poder Charge.

I'll have to go back and do the ladder at 300 next week but I may load up some extra 41.4, 41.5 and 41.6 to try. Doesn't look like any signs of Pressure up to 41.9 which was mymax load.. There may be another node in the low 42 range as there was a big jump at 41.9 in velocity.

Also attaching cases of the last 4 powder charges in case someone can see something not good.

Mike

 

[CanMike]

Pics from phone

 

[RegionRat]

Trying not to open Pandora's Box on tuning based on "velocity flat spots", but in case I am doing you a favor I will say ignore that chronograph plot for now, and base your load selection after you see what the target tells you at the max distance you plan to shoot.

Running an Audette style ladder at close range can make interpretation tricky, so if at all possible run that test out as far as you can.

That vertical spreading at distance helps accentuate any potential evidence of a possible advantage versus noise due to typical shot dispersion.

There are never any guarantees with these low sample load development methods, but each style test has a few things you can do to improve your odds of finding a better or worse charge/depth level to go back and investigate.

Good Luck and in for the range reports.

 

[R_A_W]

Poder Charge

I can actually read that you're Canadian

That low node is really wide, but I'm curious whats in the 2750+ range

 

[flogxal]

CanMike -- thanks for those results. Were the upper charges compressed at all? In Hornady brass I'm guessing not.

 

[CanMike]

CanMike -- thanks for those results. Were the upper charges compressed at all? In Hornady brass I'm guessing not.

No they were not.. I could shake the round and hear the powder moving.

Upper was 41.9

 

[CanMike]

I can actually read that you're Canadian

That low node is really wide, but I'm curious whats in the 2750+ range

LOL

I may try slightly higher loads to see where it tops out at.

Mike

 

[bjorn17]

Tried the Lapua 144gr MRT in Bergara B14 Crest.

Showed better overall results from 50K psi load to 60k PSI load compared to a Lapua 136gr Scenar-L.
Tried 10thou to 30 thou seating depth steps with almost no change what so ever in group size.

Used VV N555, Lapua SRP, GM205 primers. Loaded at 2.840-2.860" COAL with 43.5gr N555 showed ca 58-60K PSI load with GRT @ 2620FPS over 24 shots with ES 18fps and SD 5 fps. 20" barrel length.

Can someone from the states get Hornady to shoots these over the doppler radar and put them in 4DOF already

 

[CanMike]

So I went back to the range with 6 loads of different weights with the Lapua 144 Long Range Targets.

Lapua Virgin Brass (Small)
CCI 450 Primers
H4350 Powder
330 Yards
0.015-0.017 Off the LANDS

I think I am going with 41.7 and 42.0 to do a 10 shot group and that should be good.. Not 100% happy with these as thats due to the fact I loaded a few rounds of the Hornady 153 A-TIPs and those shot crazy tight at end of session with hot barrell. I wasn't eve doing accuracy just trying to get velocities.

Any advice on the above plan> 41.7 and 42.0

Mike

 

[CanMike]

Groups

 

[R_A_W]

I’ve seen new Lapua brass have more neck interference than I’d like, which has increased fps SDs for me & presumably could alter accuracy.

I think I am going with 41.7 and 42.0 to do a 10 shot group

More than one way to skin a cat… but I’d load 5x 41.8gr, 5x 42.2gr & see where/how stabile those velocities are. I also wouldn’t hesitate to just run with 42.0gr next range trip & stretch that out to 600-800 to test for vertical dispersion

I loaded a few rounds of the Hornady 153 A-TIPs

Those may shoot very well for you, but I would shoot more groups in the 41.0-41.4gr range