Hello everyone, new guy from SD to this forum. I have a Howa heavy barrel rifle in 6.5 CM that shoots great with Hornady 140 Amax or ELDM. ( 42.6 gr H4350 btw) I was wondering since internal mag length is an issue & I want to use this rifle for hunting how those bullets load and perform, anybody use these yet? I'm testing out the 140 gr berger VLD hunting now but OAL has been an issue so far. long has been pretty accurate but can only single feed.
Berger 6.5 135 gr classic hunter
- Thread starter Bigdaddy405
- Start date
Not the 135 classic but had similar problem with a 243 that my buddy had. Ended up using the 95gr classic hunter and they shot incredible. I believe I had em 5 thou in the lands with that rifle and easily fit in the mag.
As for huntin he hasn't killed anything with it since I built the load but I have no doubt it will kill excellent. Hope this helps.
As for huntin he hasn't killed anything with it since I built the load but I have no doubt it will kill excellent. Hope this helps.
I am going to try the 135 Classic Hunter just to see how they shoot in my 6.5x47L. You could also try the 130 VLD Hunting. I have been using the 130 and get good speed and accuracy with a number of powders out of it. Not sure how much shorter it is than the 140 VLD. I would also allow that you might find a jump with the 140 that is accurate and allows for mag clearance and full powder capacity. I am currently jumping the 130VLD .040" in my rifle.
I am hoping to try some of the 135 gr Classic hunters in my 8.5 twist 6.5x47 Lapua also. I hope to test some soon.
How long is your barrel? I am interested to see what speed I can get out of the 135 Classic. I can get good speed (low 2800's) from the 130 VLD.
26". Haven't chronographed any yet. So far 130 gr VLD has given best accuracy with 37.5 gr Varget and 450. Haven't messed with 135 gr much but 40.5 gr H 4350 and 450's have given 2.25" group at 500 yards @ 0.010" off lands.
muleystalker
Silver $$ Contributor
You might want to try the 140 Hybrids, they aren't as finicky with the jump like the VLD's. they are easier to get them to shoot, you have a better chance of them shooting good seated deeper.
Check out this 200 yard .247"/.123moa 3 shot group a customer just sent me with his lighter weight 6.5x47 I built him last fall. 39.5 gr of H4350 with the new Berger 135 grain Classic Hunter .020 off the lands. He had a load with the 140 hybrids that was shooting lights out as well, sub 1/4 moa at 400 yards. Gun was a stiller tac30, manners eh1, #5 contour Brux barrel,curtis custom bottom metal and mags, jewell trigger and Nightforce SHV scope.
He smoked some deer a couple weeks ago on a special hunt with the 135's and reported softball size exit holes on neck shots.
He smoked some deer a couple weeks ago on a special hunt with the 135's and reported softball size exit holes on neck shots.
If the 135's perform like the 130's they will work well down to 1600 fps. I've never had a problem with the 130's fragmenting but with other Bergers' it helps to trim the meplats.
I switched back to the 6.5 mm 130 gr VLD Hunting bullet in my 6.5 X 47. Appears to me the B.C. Is lower on the 135 gr Classic Hunter than the 130 gr VLD Hunting. That's not the main reason I switched. I am getting exceptional accuracy and great velocity with a healthy charge of Varget with the 130 gr VLD jammed about 0.015". My chamber is actually throated for a 140 gr Hybrid by Ryan Pierce? I was afraid this was an over pressure charge but another forum member had said they were getting great results so I gradually worked up to it and was very very impressed. 39.0 gr Varget and a CCI 450 primer is running 3,010 fps out of a 26" 8.5 twist Krieger and a Stiller Tac 30 action. I have shot 3 shot groups of 1.510" at 600 yards and 2.040" groups on a coyote silhouette target using a PVS 27 night vision clip on sight in front of my day scope in complete darkness without any aid of illumination. No signs of high pressure either. Really came alive at this higher velocity node. Very consistent.
2.040" 3 shot groups at 800 yards in complete darkness.
I am digging Varget with the 6.5x47. Current hunting load is 38.1 gr Varget and 120 Ballistic Tips. 135 CH or 130 VLD would be a better long distance choice. My max shots on whitetail are around 300y where I am setting up this year. 2910 fps. With a 23" barrel. This may be a hot load. Hard to tell with this cartridge.
Who needs a 270 if you are getting that speed out of a 6.5L with 130's? . Sounds warm but every gun is different.
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