Berger Loading Manual

[Nick Caprinolo]

One of the posters here told me I did not know what I was doing and my ladder test was was invalid, Actually told me to stop lying. well I went to the range today and this is the results of my tests. Not too shabby for a guy who does not know what he is doing.

 

[Evan]

Honestly, I find most reloaders pretty scary. It's not litigation shyness. It's that they respect SAAMI maximum allowable pressure, not bolt fondling and eyeballing the case head, when listing the maximum charge.

I've never found my best accuracy node anywhere near maximum yet so many seem fascinated with pushing the limits: "My 6.5x47 can run just as fast as a 260 with 6gns less powder!"

I mostly use Sierra manuals, if I can, and have found my best accuracy usually one or two entries away from the max listed charge. I don't own a Berger manual so I can't comment on their listings but I would generally encourage anyone to stop initial ladders and testing at the listed max as you're unlikely to find your best load higher.

I do own an old (60s?) Speer manual, and jumping straight to max in that book would give you an unpleasant surprise in some guns! The modern Hornady manual I've got is fine; it seems to be about like the Sierra manuals.

One of the posters here told me I did not know what I was doing and my ladder test was was invalid, Actually told me to stop lying. well I went to the range today and this is the results of my tests. Not too shabby for a guy who does not know what he is doing. View attachment 1148351

Looks good to me, Nick. Were the top left and center groups the lowest charge weights by chance?

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Honestly, I find most reloaders pretty scary. It's not litigation shyness. It's that they respect SAAMI maximum allowable pressure, not bolt fondling and eyeballing the case head, when listing the maximum charge.

I've never found my best accuracy node anywhere near maximum yet so many seem fascinated with pushing the limits: "My 6.5x47 can run just as fast as a 260 with 6gns less powder!"

I mostly use Sierra manuals, if I can, and have found my best accuracy usually one or two entries away from the max listed charge. I don't own a Berger manual so I can't comment on their listings but I would generally encourage anyone to stop initial ladders and testing at the listed max as you're unlikely to find your best load higher.

I do own an old (60s?) Speer manual, and jumping straight to max in that book would give you an unpleasant surprise in some guns! The modern Hornady manual I've got is fine; it seems to be about like the Sierra manuals.



Looks good to me, Nick. Were the top left and center groups the lowest charge weights by chance?

No. I ran the ladder test on Saturday and settled on 21.4 grs of Varget as my ideal load. Like you, I don't believe in over charging powder. My original question was directed as to why, the wide range of powder lodes, from different loading manuals.

I did a bit of research and found the answer. Bullet manufacturers produce bullets of different shapes and the jackets are of different thickness and materials. The effects of these differences, react differently, when pushed through a rifle barrel at high velocity. this information came from the Sierra web site.


https://sierrabulletsblog.com/2016/04/15/why-does-load-data-vary-between-reloading-manuals/

 

[XLR308]

One of the few times that my actual results weren't closely aligned with a load books for velocity versus actual charge weight with all components being equal was surprisingly from the Berger manual.
My 6.5x47 data using Varget is considerably faster than Bergers published data with less powder.
This is using my oldest lot of Varget I have and haven't retested with a newer lot.
The barrel length is the same as listed at 24" but there are many other variables that are an unknown since they don't actually list the twist rate used just what is considered optimal and no reamer or barrel specs.
Maybe the Schneider P5 barrel I'm using is a fast one and may speed up a little still since it only has about 100 rounds through it but certainly not complaining.
I have cautiously worked up above book max with the 130 hybrid and 130HVLD but only to 37 grains so far with zero evidence of pressure and an average of 2847fps with the hybrids at that charge weight.

 

[XLR308]

From yesterday load details.
New Lapua. 6.5x47 brass
CCI 450 Primers
Berger 130 HVLD Bullets jammed .009"
Hodgdon Varget @ 37 grains
Schnieder 1-8" twist @24" medium palma with Area419 Hellfire brake chambered by WAR Rifles in Mannasses
Kelblys Atlas Tac short action. In an XLR Carbon chassis with a Trigger Tech special flat shoe trigger set at 1.75#.
Shot from an Atlas PSR Bipod and a Protector rabbit ear bag used as a squeeze bag due to elevation restrictions.
I obviously pulled the second shot due to being a noob but found the node I was looking for.
Need to verify speeds but guessing low 2900's based on what nodes this barrel prefers so far.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

From yesterday load details.
New Lapua. 6.5x47 brass
CCI 450 Primers
Berger 130 HVLD Bullets jammed .009"
Hodgdon Varget @ 37 grains
Schnieder 1-8" twist @24" medium palma with Area419 Hellfire brake chambered by WAR Rifles in Mannasses
Kelblys Atlas Tac short action. In an XLR Carbon chassis with a Trigger Tech special flat shoe trigger set at 1.75#.
Shot from an Atlas PSR Bipod and a Protector rabbit ear bag used as a squeeze bag due to elevation restrictions.
I obviously pulled the second shot due to being a noob but found the node I was looking for.
Need to verify speeds but guessing low 2900's based on what nodes this barrel prefers so far.

You done good.

I don't pay too much attention to speed. I simply look at the results. That tells me all I need to know.

 

[grovey]

You done good.

I don't pay too much attention to speed. I simply look at the results. That tells me all I need to know.

It looks very happy! I assume your using the 80.5? Any idea how fast your pushing it at that charge?

 

[BenPerfected]

I am waiting for a Berger Loading Manual 2nd addition.. I think its time.

Any interest in the Berger 1st addition manual? Mine is in perfect condition.
Ben

 

[Ranger007]

Any interest in the Berger 1st addition manual? Mine is in perfect condition.
Ben

lol negative sir. I have one thank you.