6.5 prc w/ 156 eol berger

[JB10]

Im looking for anyone with experience with a 6.5 prc using 156 eol bergers and N565 powder only. When i first started working up a load for this rifle i tried to gather as much data i could find but not much info for this powder. People i had talked to said berger told them max at 59.0gr. I have since found a good load for this with no pressure signs that i can see. For the heck of it i contacted berger to see what they say. Their max is listed at 55.7 but stated it was conservative and figured on quickload, not by actual testing. What is your guy's experience and what are you loading to? This is a store bought CA mesa rifle and im using Lapua brass. Im at 57.7 grains on my load

 

[Tucker65]

This is what I'm shooting in mine. I'm using Adg brass and CCI 250 primers with a 24" barrel.

 

[FeMan]

I have found Berger to be SUPER conservative on their load data.

I had the best luck with N570 in my 6.5 SAUM with the 156 EOLs. Its only slightly more case capacity than the PRC.

 

[AckleymanII]

Beware of how hot that powder burns.

 

[JB10]

All my other cartridges i have found they are conservative, but on vv website they now list the prc. For the 153 atip shows max of 54.0. I sized some cases last night and bolt has some resistance closing . Not this way on new brass and this is fl sized once fired. Thats only sign i have of pressure.

 

[barefooter56]

Im looking for anyone with experience with a 6.5 prc using 156 eol bergers and N565 powder only. When i first started working up a load for this rifle i tried to gather as much data i could find but not much info for this powder. People i had talked to said berger told them max at 59.0gr. I have since found a good load for this with no pressure signs that i can see. For the heck of it i contacted berger to see what they say. Their max is listed at 55.7 but stated it was conservative and figured on quickload, not by actual testing. What is your guy's experience and what are you loading to? This is a store bought CA mesa rifle and im using Lapua brass. Im at 57.7 grains on my load

JB10,
The load data you were given was based on the thicker LAPUA brass for the 6.5 PRC. It is conservative for safety. I suggest that you be cautious with your CHRISTIANEN ARMS rifle with this long bullet , even seated to the COAL listed with the data you MAY have pressure issues due to the fact that these rifles may have a short throat as they are manufactured for factory ammo use. So you MAY want to build a " dummy" round to the lands to find out how long the throat in your rifle is BEFORE doing any load work up. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at any time!

 

[JB10]

JB10,
The load data you were given was based on the thicker LAPUA brass for the 6.5 PRC. It is conservative for safety. I suggest that you be cautious with your CHRISTIANEN ARMS rifle with this long bullet , even seated to the COAL listed with the data you MAY have pressure issues due to the fact that these rifles may have a short throat as they are manufactured for factory ammo use. So you MAY want to build a " dummy" round to the lands to find out how long the throat in your rifle is BEFORE doing any load work up. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at any time!

I wish it was a short throat. Im jumping that bullet just over .100 just to be able to fit in the blind box mag and i think this might be some issue. Im going to back charge off some and see what groups to. Its a good shooter right now with my charge.

 

[barefooter56]

I wish it was a short throat. Im jumping that bullet just over .100 just to be able to fit in the blind box mag and i think this might be some issue. Im going to back charge off some and see what groups to. Its a good shooter right now with my charge.

Long bullets and short magazine boxes do not play well together.

 

[JB10]

No they dont

 

[JB10]

So i loaded up some lighter charges and going to see how they do sunday. Hell of a time to run into this. Got a deer hunt in 5 weeks. Need to get a load worked up. If not just shoot the load i know is working. Im just not wanting to damage my brass. I did try lighter loads in the beginning but no good signs. I think it just took time to brake the barrel in. Arround the 100 round mark accuracy got real good. Other people i have talked to have had similar results with the CA mesa. Taking about 100 rounds to get accuracy. Makes me mad. Took a friends browning xbolt out and found a load first trip out with it.

 

[boltfluter]

So i loaded up some lighter charges and going to see how they do sunday. Hell of a time to run into this. Got a deer hunt in 5 weeks. Need to get a load worked up. If not just shoot the load i know is working. Im just not wanting to damage my brass. I did try lighter loads in the beginning but no good signs. I think it just took time to brake the barrel in. Arround the 100 round mark accuracy got real good. Other people i have talked to have had similar results with the CA mesa. Taking about 100 rounds to get accuracy. Makes me mad. Took a friends browning xbolt out and found a load first trip out with it.

JB10,
Not a total loss, the 100 round break in. Even the best custom barrels take about 75 to 100 rounds to settle down, velocity wise. In my experience. At least you know what the barrel is capable of, accuracy wise. Good luck.
Paul

 

[archerforkids]

I just completed load development with that bullet in a Christian Arms 6.5 PRC. Winchester primers in once fired Hornady brass. It was a different powder(Reloder 26). This is the second rifle I've done in the 6.5 PRC. That bullet seams to like about 2925 to 2950 FPS in both of these guns. We shot a 1/2 moa 5 shot group at 300 with it. Cloverleaf at 100. Both these rifles were carbon fiber barrels running suppressors.

 

[JB10]

I have shot the R26 but with a 147 eldm. It was good groups also. I just dont want to hunt with that bullet. Bad reports from friends not taking down first shot. I like my nubers and groups. We will see tomorrow

 

[archerforkids]

I have shot the R26 but with a 147 eldm. It was good groups also. I just dont want to hunt with that bullet. Bad reports from friends not taking down first shot. I like my nubers and groups. We will see tomorrow

Unfortunately I have heard same thing about game running a ways before dropping. Both the young men I loaded for drank a little too much of the coolaid on that particular bullet. Hope they prove me wrong.

 

[JB10]

One friend shot 3 cow elk. 2 took 2 rounds. One took 3 rounds. One muel deer buck ran off and never found. And this guy is a very good shooter so shot placement was not questionable

 

[JB10]

Well 55.5 gr looks promising, not as good as i want but going to mess with charges arround it.

 

[JB10]

Has anyone installed a wyatt extended mag in there CA? Would make it where i can seat bullet out longer

 

[archerforkids]

If you read what Berger says about loading their EOLs, you will probably be as surprised as I was. Them bullets like to jump. I wouldn't fret over crowding the lands. That Christianson Arms I just did was jumping .193.

 

[JB10]

Mine is jumping .143.

 

[AckleymanII]

139g Lapua do not fail you from any angle, front or back end shots. You may give up some BC but not bullet performance on animals.