Berger 144 6.5 replacement

[Twdmar]

I have had good luck with berger 144s in a 260 rem with a 7.5 twist. I get rhem over 2900 and they work well at 1k for long range highpower prone. Unfortunately they are not available. I have enough for a while but will run out eventually..
I have plenty of sierra 142s but is something like 150 matchking a closer substitute? I am hesitant to use Hornadys because I have seen too many blow up to try to save a couple dollars. Is there anything else worth trying?

 

[Bill Norris]

I have had good luck with berger 144s in a 260 rem with a 7.5 twist. I get rhem over 2900 and they work well at 1k for long range highpower prone. Unfortunately they are not available. I have enough for a while but will run out eventually..
I have plenty of sierra 142s but is something like 150 matchking a closer substitute? I am hesitant to use Hornadys because I have seen too many blow up to try to save a couple dollars. Is there anything else worth trying?

The Sierra 142 gr. is good in both my 260AI @ 2900 fps. Accurate with 47.5 gr. H-4831 Lapua brass.

 

[TZaun]

Tom I shot the 150 SMK at 1 match in Moffit a few years ago. I blew one up late in the day and moved away from them. I was using a 7.25-twist 4 groove Krieger and pushing them around 2920.

 

[Park ranger]

I’ve blown up the 150 SMK in my Creedmoor. 7.5 twist at 2780 fps

 

[STOMP442]

I am in the same boat. I have maybe 30 144s left for my .260 Ackley. I have 2 boxes of the 142s and did a little load testing with them last weekend. They shoot small and are very consistent. The 142 is a proven performer and probably the the bench mark that all other 6.5 bullets are measured. Hornadys have failed me too many times to try them again and the heavier Bergers I have found to be a little bit finicky to tune in the few rifles I have tried them in. I am going back to the tried and true 142.

 

[Ironworker]

I've had excellent performance with 140gr ELDm in my 6.5 PRC at 3100FPS Bartlein 8" twist Heavy Varmint contour.

 

[Ryan M.]

139 Lapua Scenar-L

 

[Twdmar]

The reason I am asking, I may dink around with trying to shoot past 1k and I want something slippery. Most of the Hornady blow ups I have seen have been in 22 cal which are a lot more than to coming apart than larger bullets.
For 1k I see nothing wrong with the 142, it's an excellent bullet. Even killed a deer with one last year. It sounds like the 150 is like the sierra 22 cal 90. A little too big with a jacket a little top small. Maybe I will contact them to find out if they've done any improvements like they did with the 90.

 

[FeMan]

They are much easier to find than the 144s, but the Berger 156 EOLs shoot very well and the BC is excellent for a 6.5 bullet. I shoot them out to a mile in my 6.5 CM.

 

[Twdmar]

They are much easier to find than the 144s, but the Berger 156 EOLs shoot very well and the BC is excellent for a 6.5 bullet. I shoot them out to a mile in my 6.5 CM.

Really? Thats interesting. I can single load the 260s pretty heavy but I have been hesitant to go much bigger than the 144s in the past due to possible diminishing returns. What powder are you using?

 

[FeMan]

I am using H4831sc and getting 2815 out of my 30-inch barrel. I shot them with H4350 at about the same speed as well. They shoot well in my 6.5 CM and 6.5 SAUM. My 6.5x47 case was a little small and the speed was really low so I stick with 135 and 140s in that case. I use them for LR Tactical, F-Class, and LR steel. The waterline at 1800 yards is pretty solid.

I meant to say they are NOT much easier to find than the 144s though.

If you can find some I would give them a try. The 260 has slightly more case capacity than the CM so I think they might do very well for you.

 

[Twdmar]

I am using H4831sc and getting 2815 out of my 30-inch barrel. I shot them with H4350 at about the same speed as well. They shoot well in my 6.5 CM and 6.5 SAUM. My 6.5x47 case was a little small and the speed was really low so I stick with 135 and 140s in that case. I use them for LR Tactical, F-Class, and LR steel. The waterline at 1800 yards is pretty solid.

I meant to say they are NOT much easier to find than the 144s though.

If you can find some I would give them a try. The 260 has slightly more case capacity than the CM so I think they might do very well for you.

I'll keep an eye out, thanks.

 

[46and2]

Any opinions about 145gr Barnes Matchburners?

My 260AI LOVES 140gr matchburners.