6.5 Berger 144 & 153.5 Hybrids

[Northkill]

Anyone have big-game terminal performance reports on the 6.5mm 144 & 153.5 Hybrids to report? Overall performance data would be welcome too.
If I'm missing it on a thread somewhere, please point me to it. Thanks,

 

[lancetkenyon]

I loaded some 144 LR Hyb for a buddy's 6.5PRC @ 2950fps. I opened up the meplat with a #60 wire bit. He shot two eastern whitetails with it last winter. Shot in the crease, one at 60, one at 250. Both dropped, and damage was impressive.

 

[Northkill]

I loaded some 144 LR Hyb for a buddy's 6.5PRC @ 2950fps. I opened up the meplat with a #60 wire bit. He shot two eastern whitetails with it last winter. Shot in the crease, one at 60, one at 250. Both dropped, and damage was impressive.

Thanks for that. The 144 seems like a nice fit for the PRC and Sherman Short cartridges. Higher BC's than the 140's but able to be pushed faster than the 156's. Guessing opening up the meplat lowers BC a bit though?

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I've been able to run the 156 EOLs at 2,995 ft/sec in a 23.5" Proof barrel using 57gr RE26 in a Hornady case. Cases extract fine and primers are just starting to flatten a bit. I was surprised to reach that velocity but it was easily repeated. SD was in the single digits.

Yesterday I shot 3 of them into .75" @ 400yds with that load.

 

[Northkill]

The 156 EOL has a .545 bearing surface as opposed to the 153.5 which is .56. Without actual trials, I figured the BC advantage of the 153.5 (.694) might not be enough to offset the potential velocity advantage of the slightly lower BC 156 (.679) with the shorter bearing surface? The 144 HT with it's shorter bearing surface of .469 and impressive BC (.655) seems to have a good headstart over the heavies on velocity potential that would take it out past hunting range for the heavies to catch up. Just my theory. But if drilling the metplat larger on the 144 HT lowers BC enough, it might take away any hypothetical advantage over the 156... What ya think? I don't know what the metplat original size is on either projo to know how much a #60 wire bit changes it.

 

[Northkill]

I've been able to run the 156 EOLs at 2,995 ft/sec in a 23.5" Proof barrel using 57gr RE26 in a Hornady case. Cases extract fine and primers are just starting to flatten a bit. I was surprised to reach that velocity but it was easily repeated. SD was in the single digits.

Yesterday I shot 3 of them into .75" @ 400yds with that load.

Impressive. Was this with a 6.5 PRC, or what cartridge?

 

[can1010]

there is a video in the hog hunting forum with the 144 hybrid you might want to watch. the results were devestating

 

[Northkill]

there is a video in the hog hunting forum with the 144 hybrid you might want to watch. the results were devestating

Yeah, I've seen that. Just don't like to go by a single experience alone as there are so many variables. Wasn't sure if it was too devastating - as in minimal penetration.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Impressive. Was this with a 6.5 PRC, or what cartridge?

Yes - 6.5 PRC.

FWIW, 56.3 gr RE26 shot just as well with reduced velocity and (presumably) less pressure.

 

[Northkill]

Yes - 6.5 PRC.

FWIW, 56.3 gr RE26 shot just as well with reduced velocity and (presumably) less pressure.

Much appreciated. My son has a PRC we are about to do some development with. Probably try the 156's and 125 BD-2's first since that's what we have on hand. Was just trying to decide/find out if the 144's have acceptable terminal performance and might be faster enough to consider.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Thanks for that. The 144 seems like a nice fit for the PRC and Sherman Short cartridges. Higher BC's than the 140's but able to be pushed faster than the 156's. Guessing opening up the meplat lowers BC a bit though?

-.8% of listed BC is what I have used on a few bullets that I open up.
6mm 110 SMK
.257" 131 BJ
6.5mm 144 LR Hyb
6.5mm 150 SMK
7mm 183 SMK
.308" 210 SMK

I have tested these reduced numbers on all but the 210 SMK out at distance from 741 to 1500+, and they have been spot on.

I am shooting the 144 LR Hyb in my 20" 1:7.5" 6.5SS @ a mild 2990fps. I can get them to 3088fps, but lowest SD and best accuracy is @ 2990. Plus, brass will last longer at the lower pressures too. I have shot them out to 1400 quite a bit on steel. That combo, at 6500' & 85° (my pronghorn hunting area) makes it a 1210 yard round to maintain 1800fps & 1000ft/lbs minimum. Going up to my late season deer area @ 7000' & 25°, it drops to an 1150 yard round. Still pretty impressive for a 20" barrel and a 144.

 

[Northkill]

-.8% of listed BC is what I have used on a few bullets that I open up.
6mm 110 SMK
.257" 131 BJ
6.5mm 144 LR Hyb
6.5mm 150 SMK
7mm 183 SMK
.308" 210 SMK

I have tested these reduced numbers on all but the 210 SMK out at distance from 741 to 1500+, and they have been spot on.

Thanks bud. This is very helpful. So just to clarify, with the 144 HT at .655 BC, you're taking off .00524 for a final factor of .64976 to be really exact? I want to make sure you mean 0.8% (0.008) vs 8% (0.08).

 

[lancetkenyon]

Thanks bud. This is very helpful. So just to clarify, with the 144 HT at .655 BC, you're taking off .00524 for a final factor of .64976 to be really exact? I want to make sure you mean 0.8% (0.008) vs 8% (0.08).

Exactly correct. For the 144 LR Hyb, I am using .333 G7 (Berger states .336 G7).

 

[Northkill]

Exactly correct. For the 144 LR Hyb, I am using .333 G7 (Berger states .336 G7).

Awesome. And you sharing your G7 calculations is even more helpful. Much obliged.