6.5 PRC, N565, 140 Berger Elite Hunter

[bluedog69]

So I have the load data from Vihtavuori. It doesn't contain this bullet. Closest is a 144 Berger. They max it out at 54.2(if my memory is correct) I checked Hodgdon and several others also. (Nosler, Hornady etc)
So we, my son and I, loaded up 53 gr of N565 just to be safe. Couldn't get chrono readings due to low light.(old shooting chrony)

So here is my question. I have seen several lists on here posted by others that is supposed to be data from Berger. Some max the 140 elite hunter at 60+gr. Other "Berger charts" max it at 58 gr. Is the Vihtavuori book really low on max charges?

This rifle hadn't shot over a .9 MOA group out to 400. (even with bulk Midsouth 123s)
We have several .5 MOA loads going, and thought we would try Bergers. This 53 gr load with N565(new powder to me also) printed about a 1.3 MOA 5 shot group at 100.

Just wondered what others had experienced with the 6.5 PRC/N565/140 Berger Elite Hunter??? From what I gather off of this site we are running really slow with 53 gr?
If it didn't get dark before I get off work I could have chronoed our 5 shot group.

 

[Dmagna]

If you are under pressure your numbers are going to be wonky. I used it and I don't have my load data on me. I know I used 56 grains of h1000 before I got pressure in one of my prcs with the 140 and I started at 54 grains and worked up with rl26 with the 156. This powders are right there with n565.

 

[just_jon]

I've found VV's published load data to be very conservative. They must have a whole team of lawyers. QL puts 53 grains at 42,939 psi and 2,681 fps from a 24" barrel. QL predicts 59.5 grains as max safe load at 63,301 psi and 3,037 fps. Attached is the data for the 59.5 grain load.

 

[bluedog69]

I've found VV's published load data to be very conservative. They must have a whole team of lawyers. QL puts 53 grains at 42,939 psi and 2,681 fps from a 24" barrel. QL predicts 59.5 grains as max safe load at 63,301 psi and 3,037 fps. Attached is the data for the 59.5 grain load.

Thanks. I will have to work my way on up to see what we come up with. Chrono data is definitely needed also. I just hated to start at 53 if I could jump up to maybe 56 and see what happens from there on up.

 

[bluedog69]

If you are under pressure your numbers are going to be wonky. I used it and I don't have my load data on me. I know I used 56 grains of h1000 before I got pressure in one of my prcs with the 140 and I started at 54 grains and worked up with rl26 with the 156. This powders are right there with n565.

We used H1000 at 58 grains which is well below what Hornady says is max load for 143 ELD X. Zero signs of pressure. This is a .5 MOA load. So that is why I started this thread. I know every gun is unique and you need to approach max with caution.(been at this game 35 years). Just was very intrigued why VV says one thing and then many are running 6 grains over max without pressure signs. I am not a speed freak and very cautious which is why I started with what VV said was good to go.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[slick Nick]

I miss the days when Speer manual gave you good up to hot loads. Seems like Just_jon has it right Lots and Lots of lawyers involved in todays world.

 

[BrentM]

So I have the load data from Vihtavuori. It doesn't contain this bullet. Closest is a 144 Berger. They max it out at 54.2(if my memory is correct) I checked Hodgdon and several others also. (Nosler, Hornady etc)
So we, my son and I, loaded up 53 gr of N565 just to be safe. Couldn't get chrono readings due to low light.(old shooting chrony)

So here is my question. I have seen several lists on here posted by others that is supposed to be data from Berger. Some max the 140 elite hunter at 60+gr. Other "Berger charts" max it at 58 gr. Is the Vihtavuori book really low on max charges?

This rifle hadn't shot over a .9 MOA group out to 400. (even with bulk Midsouth 123s)
We have several .5 MOA loads going, and thought we would try Bergers. This 53 gr load with N565(new powder to me also) printed about a 1.3 MOA 5 shot group at 100.

Just wondered what others had experienced with the 6.5 PRC/N565/140 Berger Elite Hunter??? From what I gather off of this site we are running really slow with 53 gr?
If it didn't get dark before I get off work I could have chronoed our 5 shot group.

Their data is terrible IMO. I do a velocity and pressure ladder and make my own decisions. 565 is a little slow for the 140 but it works. H1000, N560, might be a better choice. I ran 565 for the 150 class bullets.

 

[Gary in MD]

I'm getting ready to start with my loads on a new Tikka 6.5 PRC.
Anyone tried N160 for 140 grain loads?

 

[bluedog69]

Their data is terrible IMO. I do a velocity and pressure ladder and make my own decisions. 565 is a little slow for the 140 but it works. H1000, N560, might be a better choice. I ran 565 for the 150 class bullets.

This rifle likes H1000 and Retumbo about equally well for 143 ELD X. I hope we can get the N565 to shoot as I bought 2 lbs of it for my sons birthday along with Berger 140s. I got the idea from this article...

SAVAGE 110 ULTRALITE WITH A PROOF RESEARCH BARREL

SAVAGE 110 ULTRALITE WITH A PROOF RESEARCH BARREL By John Johnston At the 2020 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Show, Savage Arms unveiled their latest hunting rifle, the 110 Ultralite. Savage and Proof Research joined up to make a light weight...

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[BrentM]

This rifle likes H1000 and Retumbo about equally well for 143 ELD X. I hope we can get the N565 to shoot as I bought 2 lbs of it for my sons birthday along with Berger 140s. I got the idea from this article...

SAVAGE 110 ULTRALITE WITH A PROOF RESEARCH BARREL

SAVAGE 110 ULTRALITE WITH A PROOF RESEARCH BARREL By John Johnston At the 2020 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Show, Savage Arms unveiled their latest hunting rifle, the 110 Ultralite. Savage and Proof Research joined up to make a light weight...

www.longrangehunting.com

I had zero issues with low sd and accuracy but velocity was lower than I expected. RL26 is the gold standard and N560 is a bit slower in the lighter bullets in my rifles. 565 was good, for sure. I ran up to 59 grains. It was around 50 fps slower than 560.

 

[bluedog69]

I had zero issues with low sd and accuracy but velocity was lower than I expected. RL26 is the gold standard and N560 is a bit slower in the lighter bullets in my rifles. 565 was good, for sure. I ran up to 59 grains. It was around 50 fps slower than 560.

Yes I need to try the RL26 in it with the 140s. We have shot several groups at about .7 MOA with the 143 ELD X and RL 26. No load development at all with this rifle. Just picked a load and shot.

 

[BrentM]

Yes I need to try the RL26 in it with the 140s. We have shot several groups at about .7 MOA with the 143 ELD X and RL 26. No load development at all with this rifle. Just picked a load and shot.

Pretty much all I use in the PRC. I get really good performance on every level and hunt and shoot from summer through winter. It's been excellent for me.

 

[k2xp]

So I have the load data from Vihtavuori. It doesn't contain this bullet. Closest is a 144 Berger. They max it out at 54.2(if my memory is correct) I checked Hodgdon and several others also. (Nosler, Hornady etc)
So we, my son and I, loaded up 53 gr of N565 just to be safe. Couldn't get chrono readings due to low light.(old shooting chrony)

So here is my question. I have seen several lists on here posted by others that is supposed to be data from Berger. Some max the 140 elite hunter at 60+gr. Other "Berger charts" max it at 58 gr. Is the Vihtavuori book really low on max charges?

This rifle hadn't shot over a .9 MOA group out to 400. (even with bulk Midsouth 123s)
We have several .5 MOA loads going, and thought we would try Bergers. This 53 gr load with N565(new powder to me also) printed about a 1.3 MOA 5 shot group at 100.

Just wondered what others had experienced with the 6.5 PRC/N565/140 Berger Elite Hunter??? From what I gather off of this site we are running really slow with 53 gr?
If it didn't get dark before I get off work I could have chronoed our 5 shot group.

My absolute max load is 59.0 gr of VV565 with Lapua cases, BR2 primers and Berger 140gr Elite Hunters. 24" barrel gives right at 3000 fps. Accuracy is sub MOA for 5 shot groups.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have tested N565 with various projectiles for the 6.5PRC.

VV data is "Lawyer load" charge weights.

My personal rifle, I started charges at 55.0gr, and hit pressure at 58.0gr N565 w. 156s. Hit pressure at 58.8gr w. 140 Hybs.