142 SMK or 140 VLD for 6.5 CM Ruger Precision

[privateer]

Starting to reload for a Ruger Precision Rifle. My rifle definitely prefers the factory 140 gr ammo over the 129r ammo.

The goal is to work up to 1000 yards.

I will be using H4350.

Has anyone tested both the Sierra 142 MKs and the Berger 140 VLDs in a RPR?

What was your experience?

Thanks

 

[rardoin]

I have shot the Berger 140 Hybrids in a 24" LRI barrel with H4350/BR-2 primers. I have also shot the Hornady ELD-X 143's. They all shot well. In my setup i settled on the 42.0-42.5 gr range seating bullets from 0.070" OTL with the Hybrids to 0.020" with the ELD-X. I get about 2700-2740 fps in that charge range but most report higher velocity with the same charge...so...start in the 41.5 gr range and work upward. Advantage of the 140 Hybrid is that you will likely find a seating depth with great accuracy further off the lands that will fit stock mags. I use Alpha .308 mags without the binder plate so I can load longer OAL's if needed.

 

[privateer]

Thanks for the info rardoin.

I'll give the Berger 140 Hybrids a try.

 

[Raptor]

I just finished up load development for mine and the 140ELDs and 139 Lapuas shot the best hands down. I tried the 140 HYBs but was only loading everything mag length and they did not shoot as well as the others. I found three loads that shot well in mine. 38grs of Varget with both bullets shoot .5 or under. 41.8grs of H4350 shot very well and so did 43grs of H4350. All three loads have produced a group in the .3s with most being in the .5s. I get the occasional .6 or .7 but will usually have 4 in .5 or under. I tried the Sierra's both 142s and 140 and also the 140 Hor. Match. They did not shoot as well as the ELDs or the 139s. The usual warning goes when using someone elses loads, WORK UP SLOWLY!! Hope this helps. I love the rifle it just flat shoots!! I have a brand new Muller barrel waiting to go on but this thing shoot so damn good I will probably just save it......

 

[privateer]

I just finished up load development for mine and the 140ELDs and 139 Lapuas shot the best hands down. I tried the 140 HYBs but was only loading everything mag length and they did not shoot as well as the others. I found three loads that shot well in mine. 38grs of Varget with both bullets shoot .5 or under. 41.8grs of H4350 shot very well and so did 43grs of H4350. All three loads have produced a group in the .3s with most being in the .5s. I get the occasional .6 or .7 but will usually have 4 in .5 or under. I tried the Sierra's both 142s and 140 and also the 140 Hor. Match. They did not shoot as well as the ELDs or the 139s. The usual warning goes when using someone elses loads, WORK UP SLOWLY!! Hope this helps. I love the rifle it just flat shoots!! I have a brand new Muller barrel waiting to go on but this thing shoot so damn good I will probably just save it......

Thanks Raptor! Much appreciate the info.

 

[SF-Guy]

I have shot the Berger 140 Hybrids in a 24" LRI barrel with H4350/BR-2 primers. I have also shot the Hornady ELD-X 143's. They all shot well. In my setup i settled on the 42.0-42.5 gr range seating bullets from 0.070" OTL with the Hybrids to 0.020" with the ELD-X. I get about 2700-2740 fps in that charge range but most report higher velocity with the same charge...so...start in the 41.5 gr range and work upward. Advantage of the 140 Hybrid is that you will likely find a seating depth with great accuracy further off the lands that will fit stock mags. I use Alpha .308 mags without the binder plate so I can load longer OAL's if needed.

Yeah, I get the same velocity range with the 142 SMK and ELD-X 143 in a 30 inch barrel (Bartlein). It is important for you to work up carefully and I always do because I am sometimes surprised That my sweet spot is attained a ways before I reach the velocity I was expecting. If they group well no need to fly faster and temp another problem

Be safe brother.

 

[Olllian]

I just finished up load development for mine and the 140ELDs and 139 Lapuas shot the best hands down. I tried the 140 HYBs but was only loading everything mag length and they did not shoot as well as the others. I found three loads that shot well in mine. 38grs of Varget with both bullets shoot .5 or under. 41.8grs of H4350 shot very well and so did 43grs of H4350. All three loads have produced a group in the .3s with most being in the .5s. I get the occasional .6 or .7 but will usually have 4 in .5 or under. I tried the Sierra's both 142s and 140 and also the 140 Hor. Match. They did not shoot as well as the ELDs or the 139s. The usual warning goes when using someone elses loads, WORK UP SLOWLY!! Hope this helps. I love the rifle it just flat shoots!! I have a brand new Muller barrel waiting to go on but this thing shoot so damn good I will probably just save it......

Are you shooting out of a RPR?

 

[Ringostar]

The VLD's could be an issue with mag feeding. The 142 Sierra's shoot very well. I don't have an RPR, but have a couple 260's and 6.5x47L. My target 260 loves the 142. My hunting 260 is a 700sa, it likes the 140 Amax mag feed. My target 6.5x47L likes 136 Scenar L, and 123 Scenar. If your interested in trying some 140 Amax, let me know. I have some that I might part with.

 

[Raptor]

Olllian, yes I was shooting out of the RPR....