NEW 6.5mm Berger Bullets Released

[Forum Boss]

Folks,

Eric Stecker of Berger Bullets told me today they have released their NEW 120gr 6.5mm bullet. This is a "length-tolerant" design that will work jumped OR jammed and is designed for mag-feeding. You can order directly from BergerBullets.com or check with your favorite vendor in a couple of weeks.

In three weeks Eric says the new 6.5mm VLD should hit the market as well.

Along with the new 123gr Sierra MK, the popular 123gr Scenar, and the 130gr Norma VLD, www.neconos.com ), this gives 6.5x47 shooters a nice range of bullets to choose from.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

I happen to have a box of these Berger 120 LTBs and will be testing tomorrow out of my Speedy F-Class rifle.

 

[sewwhat89]

I like all of these new releases coming out. Competition and choices is always nice. Keep'em coming!

 

[chrisj]

WTR...are you shooting them in the Grendel?

Chris

 

[rhino]

Whats is the listed BC for the LTB and VLD?

Might make my rebarrel a 6.5x47 on the Tikka or throw one on the Savage.

RHINOUT!

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Chris - yes, I am using a Grendel, however, this is a Speedy built F-Class rifle and not an AR.

Rhino - The BC for the Berger 120LTB is listed on the box as .492, and it notes for a 1 in 10" twist or faster.

Here is the small report I typed up and posted over at 65Grendel.com:

As I had posted in another thread, I went out today and test fired some of the new Berger 120 LTBs.

I did this test firing out of my Speedy built Grendel F-Class rifle, as I was most interested in the accuracy potential of this projectile. I have had very good accuracy with the Lapua 108 in this rifle, and my scope is already zeroed at 300 yards with my 108 load, so I figured I was ready to give it a "shot."

With no real time to do any actual load development, I decided to simply take my 108 load and reduce it slightly. **Disclaimer - this is a bolt action rifle and you should not try this load in an AR** My Lapua 108 load is 29.0 of Benchmark w/ a CCI450 primer, .290 bushing and seated to 2.305.

I settled on 28.2 of Benchmark, CCI450, .290 bushing, mag length 2.26,so, you can see these were jumping a bit out to the lands).

I set up at 300 yards and dialed in 2 extra minutes of elevation - a guess based on the lighter charge and heavier bullet. I did not take my chrono as I never chrono and accuracy test at the same time.

First shot was on the target, yes!! Slight elevation decrease, second shot on the target, yes. Shots three, four, and five - all touching, YES!! Total group size - 1.434".

1st 5 shot group - 1.434"
2nd 5 shot group - 0.924"
3rd 5 shot group - 1.129"
4th 5 shot group - 1.511",damn flyer)
5th 5 shot group - 1.061

25 shot aggregate - 1.21" @ 300 yards - not to bad for no load development.

Looks like we have a real winner folks, way to go Berger!!!!!

 

[rhino]

BC on the VLD?

RHINOUT!

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

BC on the VLD?

RHINOUT!

I have not seen a published number as of yet, but I have a feeling that the 6.5x47 and the Berger 130 will be a damn fine combination!!

Mark

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

Here are a few pics of the 120LTB:



Berger 120LTB on the left, Sierra 120HPBT on the right for reference:


Couple of the 300 yard groups:




For a mag length load - this thing will tough to beat!!

Mark

 

[rhino]

RHINO wants to be a product tester

Yep makes a AR 10 conversion to 6.5x47 an almost certainty.

Of course the Grendels will also benefit from these bullets.

RHINOUT!

 

[EricStecker]

The BC for the 6.5 mm 120 gr BT is .492. The BC for the 6.5mm 130 gr VLD has not been confirmed. For the sake of discussion we believe the new bullet will have a BC around .590. I will let you know when the official BC is calculated.

Eric Stecker
Berger Bullets

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

The BC for the 6.5 mm 120 gr BT is .492. The BC for the 6.5mm 130 gr VLD has not been confirmed. For the sake of discussion we believe the new bullet will have a BC around .590. I will let you know when the official BC is calculated.

Eric Stecker
Berger Bullets

Eric,

Thanks for joining the board and the discussion!! You have a real winner on you hands with the 120LTB, great job!!

Mark