6.5x47L Berger 140 Elite Hunter

[MahtewsSB]

Is anyone shooting the new berger 140 elite hunters out of their 6.5x47? If so, what kind of results have you gotten? What powder seems best? What kind of velocity were you able to get with good accuracy?

I got some of these bullets in the other day and am starting some testing but was trying to see what anybody else has come up with. So far i have only shot 10 of them to get a starting velocity and POI shift to run my ladder tests when i have enough time for that much shooting. I am testing both H4350 and Varget with CCI 450 primers and out of a 28" 1:8" krieger at 10 thou off the lands. I fired 5 shots of each powder at 100 yards. POI between the two was identical so that is a plus. At 36 gr Varget i got 2732 fps with an ES of 10. With 38 gr H4350 i got 2670 fps with an ES of 23. Accuracy was mediocre at 0.6" for both loads but i expect it to get better once the charges bump up and i start to adjust seat depth.

 

[MahtewsSB]

Nobody else has tried these yet???

 

[FeMan]

I shoot the 140 Hybrids with H4350. Based on my experience I would guess that your H4350 load is well under max. I can get 2820 fps out of my 27-inch barrel with Hybrids and that is where my accuracy is best. That's not what you asked for but hope it helps.

 

[MahtewsSB]

I shoot the 140 Hybrids with H4350. Based on my experience I would guess that your H4350 load is well under max. I can get 2820 fps out of my 27-inch barrel with Hybrids and that is where my accuracy is best. That's not what you asked for but hope it helps.

Yes, the 2 loads I shot were my starting loads. I hit pressure at 43 gr H4350 with 130 vld so I expect to be near 42-42.4 ish with the 140s. Looks like I may have to be the guinea pig with the 140 elite hunters.

 

[kyreloader]

Most find a good node with 140s and H4350 right around 40-40.4 grains with a velocity right around 2820 fps. I would suspect the same with the 140g Elite Hunters.

 

[MahtewsSB]

Most find a good node with 140s and H4350 right around 40-40.4 grains with a velocity right around 2820 fps. I would suspect the same with the 140g Elite Hunters.

That seems to be the consensus from the research I have done. I'm trying to push these as quick as I can accurately. I'm trying to extend my supersonic range further than it is with my current 130 vld load. If there isn't a node with the velocity I need to achieve that, then I'll simply stick with the 130s and call it good.

 

[Drop Port]

What's your FB? your barrel is long enough so if you have enough FB you might safely hit the next node. I will never suggest any data other than 40- 40.5 of H-4350 without more info.

 

[MahtewsSB]

What's your FB? your barrel is long enough so if you have enough FB you might safely hit the next node. I will never suggest any data other than 40- 40.5 of H-4350 without more info.

I'm not sure off the top of my head. I didn't use a custom reamer so I don't have a print either. Whatever reamer Krieger has is what was used. I did the math at one point to figure it out, but of course I didn't write it down anywhere...

 

[MahtewsSB]

After shooting my ladder tests, it is clear that varget will be the route to pursue. It gave the velocity range i wanted, with less pressure, and is not a compressed load so seating depth is more consistant. Going to load at 38.4 gr and adjust seating depth to see where it gets me. Had a good node from 38.1-38.7 with less than 5/8" vertical at 300 yards between the 38.1, 38.4, & 38.7 gr loads and velocity was 2890. H4350 just didn't give the performance i was looking for to make the switch to these 140s. I'll update again once i get around to seating depth testing and see what i come up with.

 

[CTK]

What is the advantage to the Elite Hunter over the VLD Hunting? I get it that it has a different shape. Looks like it has more bearing surface. Berger says is less sensitive to seating depth? Does more bearing surface equate to less or more pressure for a given load vs. less bearing surface? I am a neophyte handloader and shooter compared to most that post on this site. Am I wrong that a VLD bullet can usually be pushed a little faster than a classic shaped bullet of equal weight at the same pressure? I am guessing this due to a little experience and the notion that more bearing surface equals more pressure for an equal weight bullet. I could be dead wrong on this idea. My 6.5x47 hunting rifle will give me slightly over 2800fps. With the 130 VLD and gave me pressure signs with the 120 TTSX @ 2730fps. H4350 on both. 23" barrel.

 

[MahtewsSB]

Update:
Did some seating depth testing today. Loaded 38.4 gr Varget and went from touching the lands to 40 thou off in 5 thou increments. Anywhere from 5-15 thou off looks good. Velocity average over 30 rounds was 2885 and ES was 18. The ES of the charges within the seating depth node was single digit. Typically I would go back and fine tune the charge weight a hair more now that I have the seating depth but due to lack of bullet quantity and funds to get more, I'm just ging to load the rest and go stretch her out. As is, it is shooting 0.25-0.3 moa. Testing was done at 200 yards and only 3 shots to conserve components.

 

[MahtewsSB]

Can't get the pic to post from my phone the file is too large

 

[CTK]

Any updates?

 

[MahtewsSB]

Any updates?

Still haven't had a chance to stretch it out. Shoots is the 0.2s consistently at 200 yards tho

 

[dkhunt14]

I'm not sure off the top of my head. I didn't use a custom reamer so I don't have a print either. Whatever reamer Krieger has is what was used. I did the math at one point to figure it out, but of course I didn't write it down anywhere...

You can sort of tell how far the throat is by relation of bullet in case when touching lands. The boattail junction with bearing should be ahead of neck shoulder junction. That is usually where the combo will shoot best. Matt