6.5 x 47 Lapua Re15 and 130 VLD sweet spots

[Steveb]

Is there any concensus on a sweet load for Re15 and 130 Berger VLD's? The load that keeps coming up for 123 Lapuas or SMK is 37.4 of Re15 and that worked extremely well for me but I just obtained some 130 Bergers and the indications are that 37.6 through 38.2 is a very good area but hot. Thank's for any information. Steve

 

[rpl6cm]

I know there must be more than two people shooting this combination. I have been watching this post since monday,dec 8th) and I have yet to see anyone with suggestions. This looks like a great load and I'm sure someone has tried it. Let us know what you saw, good or bad. I am triing it out on the next two days to break in a new gun. This gun is a Bat action, 28" Barlein barrel, Shehane MBR stock with a 12-42x56 NXS scope. I know the break-in period won't tell me anything, but I want to think in terms of 200 rds. from now. Come on, help us out and thanks for anything you can provide.

 

[Dubya]

Hey Steve & rpl6cm.
Go to the Home Page and find "Guns of the week" and read info of guns # 72-79-81 & 84. There is alot of info there to digest. The 130 Bergers,like most bullets) work differently with different rifles depending on their components,barrels-actions etc. But a good starting point with powder is Reloder 15 at 37.5 grains using CCI/450 primers, bullet seated .010 to .020 into the lands. Also Viht. N150 starting at 38.0 grains the rest the same as RE15.

Gary.

 

[RBD]

My Barnard shot a 1.8" five shot group in our 600 yard match a couple of months ago with 38 grains of RL-15 and the Berger 130s.

I'm convinced.

RBD

 

[rpl6cm]

Thanks guys for the info. Like I said, thursday I'm breaking in a new barrel so I realy won't look for super tight groups, but this helps to get started. Steve,I'm sure) and I both thank you. If the results are any good I'll let you know. If they aren't I'll just sit back and be quiet.

 

[Steveb]

Thanks for the information. For everybody concerned I finished an OCW test series last weekend before I left for the week and found that the OCW load appeared to be either 38.0 or 38.2 grains Re15 with CCI 450 primers. Both loads worked extremely well and had the same size of group. These were under .200" for 3 rounds at 100 meters. I have run this load through my software and it appears to a load within reasonable pressures for the brass. I have not chronographed the load so I don't know what velocity I am getting but anticipate about the 2950 fps level. However, it appears that 38.0 grains is developing as that sweet spot load I was asking about. Thanks again, Steve

 

[lmorrison17]

Mine with Berger did not like RL15. H4350 has worked best for me with varget running a close second. Had only tested the varget at 100 till now but tomorrow I will seeing how the varget does at a 600yd match.
Larry

 

[DoubleGobble00]

I bought 200 berger 130s yesterday and hope to reload with RE15 also. Let me know how yours turns out. I believe 38 grains will probably be the ticket. I am shooting a savage varmint action, shilen 26 inch barrel, and HS precision stock.

DoubleG

 

[kodzoff]

Ladder test results. BAT 3L, Krieger 8.5 twist 28" long Med. Palma contour, Robinson prone stock, Masterclass pattern. Shot from rest on bench. Ladder test shot at 300 yds. RL 15, JLK 130 VDL temp. 65 degrees at Ben Avery, Phoenix. Light 5-10 MPH wind, Second firing on resized Lapua cases, Redding die .290 bushing CCI 450 primers, no neck turn .294 chamber. Bullets seated at jamb length with light neck tension. Total ladder 37.0 to 40.0 in .2 increments. Total vertical for all 16 loads 1.562; total horizontal 2.625. Same aim point for all shots with little concern for wind. 38.0, 38.2, 38.4 = less than 1/4" vertical. Next best was 38.6, 38.8, 39.0 = less than 3/8 vertical. Third best load 39.4, 39.6, 39.8 at about 1/2" vertical. No chronograph, so I don't know velocities. Top load in ladder was 40.0 with no pressure problems. Usual remarks, my rifle, my loads, start low work up be careful, do not rely on this post except for report of my results on that day. Best 3 shot sequence group during test, not very relevant because same aim point and not much attention to wind but FYI was 5/8" for 38.0, 38.2 and 38.4 loads, less than 1/4 vertical.

 

[johara1]

kodzoff,
JLK. 130 seem to run under size, the ones i have are .2637 Did you coat them? moly or hbn? The berger 130's run about .2643 The jackets on the JLK 130 seemed wrinkled at the nose when they were pointed up. I'm going to cut some apart and see what gives. They shot good at times, BS.was good on the first box +-.003, then the next box was.+-.017, a couple that were only good for fowlers.........jim

 

[SF340Driver]

37.5 to 38.0 of RL-15 with 130 Bergers works good in mine. Mine liked at least 20thou off lands or 10thou into the lands.

Start around 37.0gn and go up from there. 36.5gn if in the lands.

I'm getting better velocities with RL-17 though. Still working on accuracy loads.

 

[kodzoff]

Jim;

No coating, straight out of box. I have not measured them, but I'll mic a few and let you know what I find. I did not sort them, just loaded and shot. I had planned to try Bergers too, but I think I'll work on a load I can throw with a measure and get good results. I plan next to figure out my powder measure setting for 38.2 of RL15 and shoot some groups at 300 and see what I can do. Then, if all goes well, I'll try those thrown loads to 600 Yrds. I would also like to get some chrono data for my best 130 loads off the ladder so I can get a best velocity/accuracy load for 1000 yds. BTW, What resize bushing are you using with 130 JLK's?? Regards, Chuck

 

[johara1]

Kodzoff,
I'm using a forster FL die with out a expander ball,this gives me .0025 neck tension,necks are turn on K&M to.012 with zero run out.My redding fl s type bushing die was bad and had to be sent back. I have it now along with the cold weather.I tried it,on a few cases seems better only .001 run out.A loaded round is .288 and the chamber is.290 neck. I'm seating .010 in with both the JLK and the Berger's...........jim

 

[kodzoff]

JIm:

I measured the lot of 130 JKL. Average diameter for ten bullets was .26363 plus .00012 and minus .00013. I would expect that although the resolution of my micrometer is .00001, the actual accuracy is less, not to mention my own limited abilities and temperature etc., etc. Overall, the ten samples were quite consistent. My chamber is a no turn .294, which if I did it again, I likely would change to a tight neck like yours. The Lapua brass is good, but not perfect and varies enough to recommend a light turn to true it up. I just wanted to do a lot of shooting not brass prep, but in retrospect, I eat a lot less watching football while doing brass prep! Wall thickness has been running about .013 plus or minus about .0005. Your .012 turned necks should just be perfect to eliminate any concentricity problems and still leave a lot of metal. My next plan is to neck size only with a .289 bushing so I can jam them a little harder. BTW, 38.2 RL 15 with JLK 130 loads chronograph results averaged 2951 fps ES 26. Six groups 5 shots each agg. .495 MOA at 200 yrd., but the wind was a little gusty. I think neck sizing only and pushing a little further into the lands may improve accuracy.

 

[johara1]

Kodzoff,
That dia.seems to be in the ballpark,i just loaded some bergers to try when it warms up with RL15. 37 gr. seems to shoot the best,low 2's and high 1's then around 38gr. is next best high 2's.i plan to take the chronograph along. My run out is near 0,max is.0007............jim