153.5gr LRHT

[Tangent]

If you were going to shoot this bullet what would be the optimum cartridge to get the best from it's BC?

 

[Kurz]

From Berger's website, 2nd paragraph:


No offense but this could result in opening a can of worms. Seemingly everyone will have a favorite cartridge, whether they consider it to be 'optimum' or not.

I use this bullet in the 6.5 RSAUM and have tried it in the 6.5 PRC, basically the same when using the best brass available. I recently finished a 6.5-6GT just to see what I could accomplish. Nice, mild 1,000 yard cartridge. Seated out to 2.800" and about 0.030" off the lands, I can run these bullets at 2750 fps.

The reality is that there are several cartridges which will achieve 'optimum' results. Opinions will vary...

Enjoy the search!

 

[Park ranger]

How does the bullet shoot?

 

[Fast14riot]

I run them at 2810fps from a 30" barrel in my 260AI. They shoot great!

 

[SBS]

If you were going to shoot this bullet what would be the optimum cartridge to get the best from it's BC?

6.5/.300 WSM

 

[Straightshooter1]

If you were going to shoot this bullet what would be the optimum cartridge to get the best from it's BC?

I only have the 6.5 PRC to shoot it in and it does quite well with N-565, and H-4831SC, just ok with Retumbo. Out of my 26" barrel, they all do best at ~2880 fps (57.4 gr N-565, 53.3 gr H-481SC, 57.2 gr Retumbo). . . all loaded very long for a short action, like over 3.050 COAL.

 

[swd]

Everyone I know using it has found accuracy in the 2790-2850 range. A long barreled Creedmoor, 260-260 Ackley, 6.5x55, 6.5 PRC will put in than node without burning your barrel up with excessive powder. I’m currently doing development with it in a 6.5x47 and it’s shooting tiny knots at 2690-2700.

 

[Lee in Texas]

I want to see someone try it in a 6.5/300 Weatherby or 6.5/300 Norma Magnum. Might not be optimal.

 

[Tangent]

Some interesting options. Around 50gr of powder then? I've not really found an option that wasn't a potential barrel burner. 6.5PRC looked good but how long would a barrel last with range use?

 

[swd]

Some interesting options. Around 50gr of powder then? I've not really found an option that wasn't a potential barrel burner. 6.5PRC looked good but how long would a barrel last with range use?

I think most of the mid size cartridges that work well with the 153 are using 41-44 grains of commonly H4350. Just guessing the PRC is probably 45-47 depending on the powder. It seems most that have tried to push them faster end up back in low/mid 2800’s.

The top left is 5 shots and lower right is a 3 shot to verify seating a tuner setting this morning. The others are different seating and tuner settings. I’ll take that load to 1K this weekend and see how it holds up. 6.5x47 at 2710.

 

[Tangent]

I think most of the mid size cartridges that work well with the 153 are using 41-44 grains of commonly H4350. Just guessing the PRC is probably 45-47 depending on the powder. It seems most that have tried to push them faster end up back in low/mid 2800’s.

The top left is 5 shots and lower right is a 3 shot to verify seating a tuner setting this morning. The others are different seating and tuner settings. I’ll take that load to 1K this weekend and see how it holds up. 6.5x47 at 2710.

Some very nice groups there. I'm surprised the 6.5x47 pushes it so fast. 6.5x284 has a little more boiler room but as you say maybe this bullet doesn't do so well at higher velocities.

 

[6MMsteve]

looks like a 260 or 260AI would be the choice, 260AI would be mine or creekmere

 

[SBS]

Some interesting options. Around 50gr of powder then? I've not really found an option that wasn't a potential barrel burner. 6.5PRC looked good but how long would a barrel last with range use?

True, but better ballistic performance and long barrel life are not compatible. You pay for better ballistics.

 

[swd]

True, but better ballistic performance and long barrel life are not compatible. You pay for better ballistics.

Better ballistics and the best accuracy don’t always come together at the same time. Just because you can push it faster with a bigger case doest’t mean it will have an advantage at least from a competitive rifle point of view. In fact you can go backwards real fast. Hunting rifles can be an exception where acceptable accuracy vs the very best might not be as important..

 

[SBS]

Better ballistics and the best accuracy don’t always come together at the same time. Just because you can push it faster with a bigger case doest’t mean it will have an advantage at least from a competitive rifle point of view. In fact you can go backwards real fast. Hunting rifles can be an exception where acceptable accuracy vs the very best might not be as important..

True, not always. But enough times that competitors are always looking for that happy combination. Otherwise, we'd all be shooting 6 PPC @ 1000 if it was only about barrel life. When I looked last, you could still buy new barrel blanks.

 

[swd]

True, not always. But enough times that competitors are always looking for that happy combination. Otherwise, we'd all be shooting 6 PPC @ 1000 if it was only about barrel life. When I looked last, you could still buy new barrel blanks.

I ordered a new one yesterday, lol

 

[Evan]

I’m currently doing development with it in a 6.5x47 and it’s shooting tiny knots at 2690-2700.

My 6.5x47 barrels like it there too. They also liked 2820, but then the barrel only lasts 900rnds.

The 153 has be a consistent shooter across 3 barrels.

 

[Park ranger]

How much are you all jumping this bullet?

 

[Fast14riot]

I've found this bullet likes a very short jump. -0.005 is where I ended up with it. I do not chase the lands either. I've got 600+ rounds down my barrel and haven't changed seating depth, even after changing powder from RL23 to N555, in my 260AI. I can push it over 2900, but the lower node has proven much more accurate. Comparing the 153.5 at 2800 to the 7mm 180 hybrid it has less wind drift and matches the 184 Berger. I'm shooting 45gr of N555 in srp brass.

 

[Fast14riot]

I think most of the mid size cartridges that work well with the 153 are using 41-44 grains of commonly H4350. Just guessing the PRC is probably 45-47 depending on the powder. It seems most that have tried to push them faster end up back in low/mid 2800’s.

The top left is 5 shots and lower right is a 3 shot to verify seating a tuner setting this morning. The others are different seating and tuner settings. I’ll take that load to 1K this weekend and see how it holds up. 6.5x47 at 2710.

You backed it down a bit, still shooting the same seating depth?