6.5 Berger 156 EOL

[VLD Pilot]

So why in the world would anyone want a 6.5-284 or 6.5 PRC if the .260 will easily achieve 3000 fps in a 22" barrel ? My 6.5-284 shoots around 3000 fps with a 28" barrel ( because it won't shoot 3000 fps with a shorter barrel) with excellent accuracy. Sure I may get a little more but accuracy will be gone. Now someone tells me after all my years shooting the numerous 6.5 cartridges, that they easily get 3000 fps in a .260 with 143s and with a 22" barrel.What am I doing wrong here guys ? Am I a dinosaur ? Are there powders out there that I've not heard of ? RL16/17/23/26 all seem to be todays 6.5 go too powders for many. Mine are still H4350 or H4831sc. Simply because they shoot the most accurate in my rifles over the other above mentioned. In 28" barrels, I've yet to come close to 3000 in my .260 with that barrel length. Again I ask, what am I doing wrong ? If I could walk away from my inferior 6.5-284 and pull out my .260 sawed down to 22" and run 143s at 3000 fps easily, I'd never look at another 6.5 again. That means I could easily run the 156s at 2900 fps +. For the last time I'm asking, what am I doing wrong ?

 

[BrentM]

So why in the world would anyone want a 6.5-284 or 6.5 PRC if the .260 will easily achieve 3000 fps in a 22" barrel ? My 6.5-284 shoots around 3000 fps with a 28" barrel ( because it won't shoot 3000 fps with a shorter barrel) with excellent accuracy. Sure I may get a little more but accuracy will be gone. Now someone tells me after all my years shooting the numerous 6.5 cartridges, that they easily get 3000 fps in a .260 with 143s and with a 22" barrel.What am I doing wrong here guys ? Am I a dinosaur ? Are there powders out there that I've not heard of ? RL16/17/23/26 all seem to be todays 6.5 go too powders for many. Mine are still H4350 or H4831sc. Simply because they shoot the most accurate in my rifles over the other above mentioned. In 28" barrels, I've yet to come close to 3000 in my .260 with that barrel length. Again I ask, what am I doing wrong ? If I could walk away from my inferior 6.5-284 and pull out my .260 sawed down to 22" and run 143s at 3000 fps easily, I'd never look at another 6.5 again. That means I could easily run the 156s at 2900 fps +. For the last time I'm asking, what am I doing wrong ?

Take all the published data and sift through it. Then take all the internet unpublished and verified data and sift through it. Which do you think has merit?

Just because people do and can get ridiculous velocities doesn't mean they are safe. I've had some incredible results that proved way over pressure in the end. If you look at most of the published data the 260 is a 2800fps chamber in a 24-26" at max charge. So to get 200 FPS more you have to run hot. Now, take a prc or 284 and hop up the loads. I saw over 3100 in the 22" prc testing for pressure. It could be a hunting load but sure isn't going to last and brass life is short, like 2-3 loads

 

[johnnyk]

I agree with the last post. I can run my 28" 6.5-284 at well over 3100fps with the 147gn -M and RL26 BUT brass, barrel and shooter take a beating. There really are no free lunches(.) I think it's best to keep a respective cartridge in it's class (260 @ 260 velocity levels) and if you want faster then get a bigger container (6.5-300Wthby). Top fuel dragster performance does not happen with Ford Falcon's (normally) and that's coming from another dinosaur who's ruined many a piece of brass! LoL.

 

[johnnyk]

That classified ad took a different turn! oops.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Take all the published data and sift through it. Then take all the internet unpublished and verified data and sift through it. Which do you think has merit?

Just because people do and can get ridiculous velocities doesn't mean they are safe. I've had some incredible results that proved way over pressure in the end. If you look at most of the published data the 260 is a 2800fps chamber in a 24-26" at max charge. So to get 200 FPS more you have to run hot. Now, take a prc or 284 and hop up the loads. I saw over 3100 in the 22" prc testing for pressure. It could be a hunting load but sure isn't going to last and brass life is short, like 2-3 loads

Thats my point I guess. What's the sense of saying " I can get 3000 fps easily with my 22" .260 if it doesn't shoot and burns barrels and brass is only good for one firing ? I can get 3100 fps with 162s in my short action 284 also with RL17. That's better than 7mm mag performance. 2 moa isn't my idea of a rifle to take out hunting or to a match. Doesn't mean it's shootable. Just means I got careless and didn't care about pressure, accuracy or safety. I've been shooting the .260 since it's introduction running hot loads for top velocity and never ever did I even get close to 3000 fps from any of my 25" barrel's. IF your getting 3000 fps AND accuracy with the 143s. Your search is over for the ideal 6.5 cartridge. Low recoil, low cost and a souped up low powder volume case that screams. Be safe in this game. One mistake can end it for us.