6.5 156 EOL

[Edd]

Has anyone developed a load for both the 140 VLD and the 156 EOL? If you have, what was the difference in muzzle velocity?

 

[Wedgy]

Has anyone developed a load for both the 140 VLD and the 156 EOL? If you have, what was the difference in muzzle velocity?

Everyone has a load for the 140 because it's been around forever, typically about 3,000 fps is near max in the 6.5x284 so the 156 should be ~100 or more fps slower but RL26 is proving to push it a bit faster before hitting pressure.

 

[codyadams]

In my .260 AI using reloder 26 in both, my loads with the 140's was 3070 fps with a max of 3100 or so, my load with the 156 is 2920 with a max around 3000 fps. So ya, with the same powder, loading at roughly the same pressure, you will loose roughly 100 fps with the 156 eol over the 140 vld. Where your best accuracy and consistency node falls may be a different story. Its still worth it for me, as I take elk with the 6.5 cal, the extra weight is a good thing in the 6.5 for big critters

 

[ramrod79]

Cody is there a gig difference down range say 800 in terms of velocity and energy ?

 

[Wedgy]

https://bergerbullets.com/ballistics-calculator/

 

[Greyfox]

Using 54.6gr of R26 with a Berger 140HVLD I get 3070FPS. Using a Berger 156EOL with 54.2gr of R26 the velocity is 2995FPS. Both loads are .25-.5MOA, ES <12fPS....6.5x284 Norma, 26" Criterion, 1:8. Lapua Brass, Fed 210M. Neither load shows any pressure signs.
While I can achieve the higher velocity using either Retumbo or R26 with the 140 class bullets with very good performance, I prefer to run them at 3000FPS, as now the case with the 156EOL as well.

 

[highdrum]

What are people using for a charge of RL26 in the 6.5 saum and 156 eol? My bullets will be showing up wed. I have a 150ish freebore on the long action tikka.

 

[codyadams]

Cody is there a gig difference down range say 800 in terms of velocity and energy ?

The difference isn't massive, even at 800 the wind is so close that the dope is the same. The 156 drops about 1 MOA more, but has about 150 ft. lbs more energy. That is about the only difference. I just think the 156 will do better on elk than a 140, though the 140's killed pretty dead too.

I will also add this is for my wife to use on elk. My light .338 Norma Mag is only waiting on a stock at this point....ha ha. Starting next year, that will be my long handled elk hammer.

 

[ramrod79]

Thanks Cody I guess other than a bit more weight there's not much diff. I guess I was expecting more gains. But a 156 for some elk will be nice.

 

[codyadams]

Thanks Cody I guess other than a bit more weight there's not much diff. I guess I was expecting more gains. But a 156 for some elk will be nice.

It depends on where your node falls as well.....with the 140, my best accuracy was only 30 fps below my max. With the 156, my best accuracy was 80-100 fps below my max. All things equal, the 156 does a good bit better. But, things aren't always equal....

If one is only hunting deer in a midsized to small 6.5, like a 6.5x284 or creed, and someone already has a good 140 load, it likely isn't worth the extra load developement. If your building a new gun, or plan on shooting bigger critters, or have a 6.5x284 or bigger 6.5, that is where the 156 is a great option.

 

[SnakeRiverEric]

Anxious to hear your results using 57.5gr Retumbo with the 156's.

Got out today to finish up with the Retumbo ladder. 56.3 2931, 56.6 2982, 56.9 2960, 57.2 2990, 57.5 2991. Last 4 shots had slight ejector marks, and all were with in 1/2".
I am pretty sure the Cooper only has .110 of freebore. retumbo has really good accuracy potential. Temps today were around 55, 50% humidity, and at 6055ft.

 

[kingston]

Anecdotally, I shot a bunch of these at a PRS match last weekend and vapor trails were significant compared to 140 Hybrids and 147 ELDMs.

 

[Nomosendero]

It depends on where your node falls as well.....with the 140, my best accuracy was only 30 fps below my max. With the 156, my best accuracy was 80-100 fps below my max. All things equal, the 156 does a good bit better. But, things aren't always equal....

If one is only hunting deer in a midsized to small 6.5, like a 6.5x284 or creed, and someone already has a good 140 load, it likely isn't worth the extra load developement. If your building a new gun, or plan on shooting bigger critters, or have a 6.5x284 or bigger 6.5, that is where the 156 is a great option.

That makes sense.
For Deer size game, one in between wt. comparing a 140 and 156 does good, the 147.

 

[codyadams]

That makes sense.
For Deer size game, one in between wt. comparing a 140 and 156 does good, the 147.

If I was just shooting deer at moderate ranges, and if it was fine if the deer ran a couple hundred yards, I might be alright with the 147. When I used them out to 1000ish yards and on elk, mule deer and pronghorn I was less than pleased with the results. Animals seemed to take longer than necessary to expire when compared to the 140 VLD. I certainly wouldn't use them on elk beyond 400-500 yards max.

So far I have only killed 4 pronghorn with my .260 AI and the 156, and all have been neck or spine shots minus one, so as of yet I don't feel I have a solid test media to go by. I want to get a bunch of hits behind/through the shoulder before I make any assessments. I plan on writing up an article after the season is through on the 156's terminal performance, as by then it should have 20+ documented kills, from my .260 AI, A 6.5 creed, and a .264 wm, including 6 or more elk, 4 mulies, a pile of antelope and likely a few white tail that will add to the 20 number.