Berger 6.5mm 156 gr. bullets. . .where are they???

[The Oregonian]

They were still being tested this fall last I heard, but I haven't checked in to see what the latest is. I think timing depends on whether how well testing goes and whether any changes are needed.

 

[PApa Black]

I have been waiting on these (as MANY others have too) for a long time now. In July I was told that they should have them in circulation by the Fall (I assumed Berger meant Fall `18) and here we are almost closing the year out and nothing . . crickets.

The 150 grain Sierra's are shooting well for me and I did some critter testing on some hogs off the power line easement with decent results. Right out of the box terminal results were okay, but heat treating the tips (Elkoholic/BigNGreen trick) seemed to make things a little nastier on the insides.

These Bergers are what I'm wanting though and I'm getting ready to do a 6.5 tailored for a 150 grain plus weighted hunting bullet. Anybody "in the know" with any information on a release date yet? Thank you.

Send Ryan an email and he'll get you an answer! Ryan Neal <[email protected]>

 

[Trnelson]

I am also awaiting the new Berger 6.5. My new 7 twist 264 Win is just short the bottom metal. It looks like the 160g Matrix availability is 'to be advised' currently as well.

 

[just browsing]

Berger crapped themselves when the 150gr Sierras were released is what happened...

They are presumably trying to figure out how to bump the BC to be best in class at this point, but I would probably stick with the SMKs or Matrix.

 

[puttnpurr]

I just received one box of matrix 160s from Stephen in Kamloops, They charged me $20 at checkout, The box label showed that matrix paid $23. Sooo.. they are actually losing money on shipping.

 

[TX Badger]

I was hoping that the Nammo acquisition would have helped fund more machinery/ increased production capacity.

I think you're right about them getting caught flat footed by the Sierra 150. It explains why they announced the bullet so long before it was ready. I do not understand why they waited as long as they did. If I were on their marketing team, I'd make sure they were always on the cutting edge with the highest bc bullet in each caliber. Now instead of leading they are chasing Sierra and Blackjack (I know they may not care about the. 257). But the market loves the newest, slickest bullet. This has been apparent for a long time. There should be an eol bullet from .243-.338, then let everyone else try to catch up. That would solidify their position as the industry leader.

Unfortunately, if you can't even keep up with 6.5 140 vlds... I guess everything else has to wait.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Maybe a call or email to them would get you the answer!

 

[LongestShot]

The main issue you have is that most companies 6.5 cal bullets in the 120 to 130 weight class. Other than Matrix I don't know of any other company producing bullets in that weight class. Sierra has a 150 grain but that's about it. Let me correct myself, Hornady makes the 160 Interlock but I personally won't use their products I just don't think the quality is there, especially their brass.

 

[Michael O'Connor]

I spoke with the owner of a local gun shop and he told me that Berger might have been bought out. I don't know how true this is , but there sure isn't any production of bullets to be seen. I've put projects on hold due to lack of bullets. Emails to the company get no answer.

 

[Michael O'Connor]

25.5" 1:8" twist Bartlein 5R. It loves the 150 SMKs.

What action do you have ?

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Seems Berger has come up short with the 245 before it was even tested with the new 230gr SMK. I guess what gripes my *** is as mentioned the new bullets have been whispered and rumored for years then Berger comes out with a bullet that nobody really knew was coming and you're just like what gives!

I'm curious if Serria will take aim at a 300+ gr bullet for .338

 

[tbrice23]

I was hoping that the Nammo acquisition would have helped fund more machinery/ increased production capacity.

I think you're right about them getting caught flat footed by the Sierra 150. It explains why they announced the bullet so long before it was ready. I do not understand why they waited as long as they did. If I were on their marketing team, I'd make sure they were always on the cutting edge with the highest bc bullet in each caliber. Now instead of leading they are chasing Sierra and Blackjack (I know they may not care about the. 257). But the market loves the newest, slickest bullet. This has been apparent for a long time. There should be an eol bullet from .243-.338, then let everyone else try to catch up. That would solidify their position as the industry leader.

Unfortunately, if you can't even keep up with 6.5 140 vlds... I guess everything else has to wait.

IMO they absolutely should care about .257 cal.
Also Sierra is ahead in their 6mm 110gr, beats Berger's 115 gr!

 

[big cds]

Berger was purchased by NAMMO which also owns Lapua.

https://www.nammo.com/

Coupled with the buyout, Berger through Nammo chose to move their facilities back to Arizona (Mesa). But there was little to no preparation to help cover the all the production downtime. Many of the most used bullets came up short in the circulation department. Some are just now resurfacing after many months or even the better part of a year missing in action.

Thanks for the information

 

[Trnelson]

I think from everything I've read they (Berger) expected their original 155g offering to have a significantly better BC than it proved to have and beta testing didn't show enough of an advantage over the 140 Hybrid to make it "worth while". On another site (longrangeonly.com) there is a thread that has details about the testing Jeff Brozovitch did from a 6.5 creedmoor. Sorry to plug another site, but I haven't seen anything of factual substance many other places and nowhere on this site. Yeah, I look and post on other forums, every site seems to have a few folks that ONLY post on that site and I respect their findings and knowledge.
I heard around that time third or fourth hand that PTG also had one of those beta 155g Berger bullets to make a custom 26Nosler reamer, I am not certain of for whom and that doesn't matter. I got wind of that and immediately made a phone call. After a few transfers and some direct questioning they finally admitted that they did have a prototype 155g bullet that "may" have been a berger and may have come to them second hand from someone to make a custom reamer from. I asked if they could use that bullet to make my 264win reamer for my new rig, sent them a fired case and a specific request with the base of the bearing surface at the neck to shoulder junction of my brass and 0.020" of jump to the rifling. I approved the dimensions they provided with that bullet in my brass and couple months later I had it on hand.
Now everything I've read suggests that it will be a 156g with a totally different nose profile and base to ogive measurement. I've heard it is a longer bullet in both base to ogive and overall length than the 155g that was tested last year. I may be screwed or have to go with the 150g Sierra or 160 Matrix, if it becomes availabile again soon. Or at least end up with not quite what I wanted to actually accomplish.
Everything I've seen points toward a shot show release of the new bullet. I guess we shall see...