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A couple months ago, Berger sent me a box of a new non-VLD 6.5mm bullet for testing and evaluating. Today was the first 1000 yard match of the year, so here is what I found with my 6.5x55 F Class Rifle.
Okay, here's the scoop regarding the new Berger 140gr non-VLD bullets Vis-a-vis the Lapua 139gr Scenars. Previous chrony testing of the Bergers and the 139gr Lapua Scenars with the same powder charge showed that the lighter Scenars were faster (no surprise), so I used a little less powder for the loads below which I now estimate at about 2950fps:
Lapua brass
139gr Lapua Scenar
46.9gr N160
Russian primer
Lapua brass
140gr Berger
47.1gr N160
Russian primer
Both bullets were seated to a depth that put them .010" off the lands. At last weekends 1000 yard F Class Match at Bodines, PA, both loads took about 25MOA to reach 1k from a 100 yard zero. The results with the Lapua Scenars was a 182-2X, while the Bergers produced a 182-3X score. Actually, the accuracy was a bit better with the Bergers, as the score does not take into consideration the much worse wind conditions that were prevalent when the Bergers were shot. The next shoot is next weekend, and at that time I will match the Bergers up with the Sierra 142SMK's. The 6.5mm non-VLD Berger's are a good LR bullet.
Don
Okay, here's the scoop regarding the new Berger 140gr non-VLD bullets Vis-a-vis the Lapua 139gr Scenars. Previous chrony testing of the Bergers and the 139gr Lapua Scenars with the same powder charge showed that the lighter Scenars were faster (no surprise), so I used a little less powder for the loads below which I now estimate at about 2950fps:
Lapua brass
139gr Lapua Scenar
46.9gr N160
Russian primer
Lapua brass
140gr Berger
47.1gr N160
Russian primer
Both bullets were seated to a depth that put them .010" off the lands. At last weekends 1000 yard F Class Match at Bodines, PA, both loads took about 25MOA to reach 1k from a 100 yard zero. The results with the Lapua Scenars was a 182-2X, while the Bergers produced a 182-3X score. Actually, the accuracy was a bit better with the Bergers, as the score does not take into consideration the much worse wind conditions that were prevalent when the Bergers were shot. The next shoot is next weekend, and at that time I will match the Bergers up with the Sierra 142SMK's. The 6.5mm non-VLD Berger's are a good LR bullet.
Don