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.