Lighter 6.5mm bullets for 1K BR shooting?

[jeffreybehr]

Christopher Long’s article on long-range prairie-dog shooting... http://www.the-long-family.com/2007_TRO_hunting_trip.htm ...caused me to think again about trying lighter bullets in my 6.5-284 Shehane. He used 130g. Bergers in his two 6.5s.

He writes: “The load for the trip was 130-grain Berger VLD moly bullets, over 51.5 grains H4350, Lapua brass, and a Federal GM215M primer. This launches the 130-grain bullets at 3165 FPS, with standard deviations of velocity in the single digits. I developed this load in order to better the traditional 140-grain loads for the 6.5-284, which like to run at about 2950 FPS. While there is another OBT at muzzle velocities about 3100 FPS, it is not possible to safely and accurately reach that velocity with the 140s. On the other hand, the 130s make it very easily, with no excessive pressures, and scary, one-hole 5-shot 100-yard group accuracy. The primary benefit, however, is that the 130s have a very high BC,about 0.6) and at 3165 FPS actually shoot flatter and have less wind drift than the 140s at 2950 FPS. This trip proved this conclusively.”

I entered data into this... http://www.eskimo.com/~jbm/calculations/traj/traj.html ...ballistics program, using a 142SMK at 2900FPS and a 123g. Scenar at 3050FPS. At 1000 yards, the 123 drops THIRTY inches less, and the deflection from a 10MPH wind is slightly,c. 2") LESS.

I’m seriously considering the 123s and/or the 130 Bergers for my next barrel. Anyone have direct experience with this kind of situation?

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

The ballistics program says one thing, but practical experience at 1000 yards says something that's altogether different. The heavier bullets seem to be less effected by the wind than the lighter ones in real life situations.

If the 142 SMK's or the 139 Scenars don't float your boat give the 140 Berger VLD's a try.

 

[mysticplayer]

Ultimately, shoot whatever you feel is the best mousetrap.

I push a 139gr Lapua at 2900fps. Compare that to the 123 at 3050fps and I think the 139gr will drift less. I don't care about bullet drop as I am always shooting at know distances in competition.

The wind is the big problem and anything I can do to reduce this while not blowing out my shoulder is a good thing. I shoot F,O) with a 6.5 Mystic.

there are many that shoot the 6BR and its wildcat children. They are doing extremely well and the paper ballistics is far worse then the 6.5, or 7.

Jerry