• If you are being asked to change your password, and unsure how to do it, follow these instructions. Click here

156gr Berger EOL Elite Hunter Reviews

All I have is 6.5cm
Already have some TTSX loaded and ready to test. Wanted a little more weight behind them.
If the #s and ballistics work- I don't see a problem with it personally.
I wasn't really impressed with the ttsx, though I like the tsx. My brother who loads and shoots with me a lot was running the 120 grn ttsx in a 7mm-08 for a few years and they did good until one day he shot a 160ish lb doe and the thing hardly did any damage. I've seen rage broadheads do more damage than it did. He double lunged it a little behind the heart and it only looked like you poked a knife through the lungs. The deer went a few hundred yards easily. And on the a neighbors land.
 
Ok ya, if it were me with the 6.5 creed, I would feel most comfortable about shooting the barnes bullets out of it. They hold together and will ensure the best penetration - no matter the angle, quartering to, broadside, quartering away, etc.

*I've also found that aiming for something solid - like straight through the shoulders or quartering away slightly to hit the off-shoulder will ensure the barnes will expand to it's max potential and not pencil through.

If you want to shoot them through the lungs, there are better bullets for that and that's not typically where I aim on game animals - again just my preference.

Just giving my opinion on what I would do if in your shoes. Keep us posted!
 
anyone have any experience with this bullet?

Thoughts would be to use on Elk with the higher BC out of the wife's 6.5CM at under 400/500 yards
I was also curious about using the 156 Bergers, so I purchased the Berger 6.5 CM ammunition.
First of all it shot great out of my Savage fv12 with 26" barrel velocity was around 2615 using my labradar with the factory ammo. I have been able to shoot some nice 5 shot groups.

I've also reloaded the Berger 140 vld and it also shoots really nice with a velocity of 2905.

Also I just started to reload the 156 for my Creed and the PRC. Initial loads look promising around 2700 for the CM and looks like 3050 for the PRC.
E41F019B-059F-412D-AAF2-57F157F0F1B9.jpeg98D26994-D4B0-4636-AE77-B4ED5515A45A.jpeg
 
anyone have any experience with this bullet?

Thoughts would be to use on Elk with the higher BC out of the wife's 6.5CM at under 400/500 yards
I use Berger's, in fact I've used the 156 EOL in my 6.5 PRC to kill 2 Coues deer bucks, at 743yards and 448yards. But, I my rule is if you don't need a long range bullet use a tougher lower BC bullet. If you're limiting shots to 400-500 yards, which I would with a 6.5 CM, then use a bonded bullet or a mono.
 
I use Berger's, in fact I've used the 156 EOL in my 6.5 PRC to kill 2 Coues deer bucks, at 743yards and 448yards. But, I my rule is if you don't need a long range bullet use a tougher lower BC bullet. If you're limiting shots to 400-500 yards, which I would with a 6.5 CM, then use a bonded bullet or a mono.
I really like the 156 Berger, however I do agree with this, if I wasn't shooting farther than 400ish, I would just use a Hammer bullet.
 
Here is some info for 500 and in, comparing a 156 @2775 vs a lower bc but tougher bullet, an Absolute Hammer at 3050 fps, which is achievable with standard 24"+ barrels. Difference is at 500, the Hammer has about 4" more drift, and a little over 5" less drop. Both are sufficient for energy and velocity at this range. For 500 and in on elk specifically with a 6.5, I would go for something like this Hammer.

Screenshot_20201103-111135_Applied Ballistics.jpg
Screenshot_20201103-111148_Applied Ballistics.jpg
Screenshot_20201103-111335_Applied Ballistics.jpg
Screenshot_20201103-111347_Applied Ballistics.jpg


If you wanted to use your 6.5 creed for hunting at 600-700 yards or more, that is where I would look at the 156. At 700 yds at 7000 ft elevation, it still has right around 1500 ft lbs and is going over 2000 fps from a creed. Most people will say 1500 ft-lbs is a minimum for elk.
 
With the 6.5 creedmoor, I feel 130-140 grain bullets are perfect. I run 130s in mine. I wanted to like the 140s (this was pre156 being released); but the 130s shot so good, the rifle chose them for me. I run 156 in my 6.5prc right at 3030fps and it shoots 1/3-1/2 moa out a long ways, when I do my part. A hunting partner runs them in his .264 mag a little faster than that with similar results.
The 156 are devastating on game; multiple animals dropped where they stood. I feel the CM is a little light for extended ranges. But up closer, the lighter bullets moving a little faster make sense in my mind. Honestly, they all will kill. Pick what you like and what works in your system and conditions. Then practice a ton so you have confidence and know your setup and limitations.
 
Shot him about a week ago in Colorado with my 6.5 SAUM using the 156 Berger. 350 Yards... he dropped where he stood.

View attachment 223019
Knock on wood, but I've never lost an animal yet to a Berger. I think for 2 reasons. 1. They allow precise accurate results from my rifles. 2. The way they transfer energy to the vitals provides a wider shock pattern.
 
I'm getting a little over 2,550 from my 20" creed with Berger factory 156. Seriously thinking about using them on whitetails here in Indiana where my shots will be 50 to maybe 300 yards.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 5 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.
Top