Disappointed with the Berger 156 grain EOL

[FEENIX]

Brother Ed…. I have a bunch in 7mm 115 gr raptors. They are yours if you wish to give them a try. On skinny lanky sheep and goats I've used them on, they just blow right through. I've since switched to Nosler 120gr ballistic tips and have perfect results. Aloha brother

Aloha Brother K, please check your text message.

 

[Greyfox]

Well…..Closing in on 300 posts for this thread, It's been interesting reading, and it's quite obvious that hunting styles and preferences are all over the map. iMO, for the hunter that shoots a high velocity(+2950FPS) 6.5 for 100-1000+ yard hunting, the 156 EOL, has been out for sufficient time to not only recognize my own personal experience, but also observe numerous detailed reports from some very credible hunters. IMO, 156 EOL is a viable choice. It will surely kill differently at 100 yards then it does at 1000+ yards, but that will frequently be the case with most bullets given this criteria…. Requiring the hunter to make adjustments for the shot. IMO.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Well…..Closing in on 300 posts for this thread, It's been interesting reading, and it's quite obvious that hunting styles and preferences are all over the map. iMO, for the hunter that shoots a high velocity(+2950FPS) 6.5 for 100-1000+ yard hunting, the 156 EOL, has been out for sufficient time to not only recognize my own personal experience, but also observe numerous detailed reports from some very credible hunters. IMO, 156 EOL is a viable choice. It will surely kill differently at 100 yards then it does at 1000+ yards, but that will frequently be the case with most bullets given this criteria…. Requiring the hunter to make adjustments for the shot. IMO.

I'm now wondering how the 156 is going to perform in my rifle that I recently built and is throated specifically for these bullets. And these are just fireforming loads, not full power fire breathing ones.

 

[WildRose]

I'm now wondering how the 156 is going to perform in my rifle that I recently built and is throated specifically for these bullets. And these are just fireforming loads, not full power fire breathing ones.

View attachment 342999

You've got me curious, what is the .264WMI?

 

[Mike D Texas]

You've got me curious, what is the .264WMI?

264 Win Mag basically Ackley Improved.

 

[B-LOT Banga]

264 Win Mag basically Ackley Improved.
View attachment 343069

Is it possible to rent your reamer? It would be chambered by a real certified reputable gunsmith and not a "good friend" if you know what I mean. Mike this looks awesome!!

 

[WildRose]

264 Win Mag basically Ackley Improved.
View attachment 343069

Thought so, just didn't want to assume. How many grains powder capacity are you picking up over the WM?

 

[Bruce Treloar]

264 Win Mag basically Ackley Improved.
View attachment 343069

Have heard everything is twice as big in Texas, now I'm starting to believe it. Might have to adjust the projectile depth regularly to allow for throat/lands burn. Keep us posted.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Have heard everything is twice as big in Texas, now I'm starting to believe it. Might have to adjust the projectile depth regularly to allow for throat/lands burn. Keep us posted.

It won't be a high volume shooter. Currently has less than 50 rounds in it and that's all fireforming with slightly reduced loads and 2 minutes between shots.

But worst case I have .065" of mag length available to grow if needed.

 

[dennisinaz]

Well…..Closing in on 300 posts for this thread, It's been interesting reading, and it's quite obvious that hunting styles and preferences are all over the map. iMO, for the hunter that shoots a high velocity(+2950FPS) 6.5 for 100-1000+ yard hunting, the 156 EOL, has been out for sufficient time to not only recognize my own personal experience, but also observe numerous detailed reports from some very credible hunters. IMO, 156 EOL is a viable choice. It will surely kill differently at 100 yards then it does at 1000+ yards, but that will frequently be the case with most bullets given this criteria…. Requiring the hunter to make adjustments for the shot. IMO.

Have you shot anything at 800 900,1000 yards with this bullet? I have seen it first hand. They do NOT expand. Maybe if you manipulate the tips but stick bullets do not. There are far better choices for shooting deer at 900 yards, far better. Amazing how many folks are hung up on the high BC.
A 6.5 magnum will push the magic window further but still won't match the proven 140s, 143 and 147

 

[Greyfox]

Yes

Have you shot anything at 800 900,1000 yards with this bullet? I have seen it first hand. They do NOT expand. Maybe if you manipulate the tips but stick bullets do not. There are far better choices for shooting deer at 900 yards, far better. Amazing how many folks are hung up on the high BC.
A 6.5 magnum will push the magic window further but still won't match the proven 140s, 143 and 147

I've shot deer and antelope out to 800 yards with the 156's noting similar performance to the Berger 140HVLD's and my favorite, but discontinued, JLK 142 VLD's. All run in the 3000FPS range. Using the method described by BrentM(?), I will clear the 156 tips by hand spinning a drill bit that is the same size as the existing opening to clear a more defined hole.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Thought so, just didn't want to assume. How many grains powder capacity are you picking up over the WM?

7+ grains with 264WM PPU brass. Probably more with fireformed 7mm mag brass.

Fireformed 1x PPU brass is averaging 87.5 grains. New 264 PPU is 80.1. New ADG 7mm mag is 81.8 and Peterson is 82.4.

 

[bdcoon]

Yes, please stop using the Berger 156 EOLs they don't work in anyone's rifle but mine! ;-)

 

[General RE LEE]

Here is a problem with todays trends, Many people setup for long range shooting and use long range bullets designed to perform at long range, but 90% of shots at game are really 250yds or closer and the bullets just fragment at that close range. I have started setting up my hunting rifles for 700 and closer with standard hunting bullets like accubonds, Nosler partitions, gold dots, mono's etc. As I have found 90% of my shots will need these type bullets much more than LR type of bullets. It might not be the trend. But its the logical thing to do for my hunting. In most my guns it will still cover 700 yds where a LR bullet might get me to 900 or maybe 1000yds. But longest kill I have is 577 yds. I've been hunting big game for 36 years, if I use a fragmenting LR bullet I'm just handicapping myself and risking wounding game or not be able to find it due to lack of blood. People who live out west or hunt mostly in west can shoot on avg much farther than my avg shot would be. I have a rifle dedicated for that 7RM with 168 bergers. But I haven't had opportunity to use it in that roll for last 4 yrs, all my other guns are now setup with Mono's or bonded bullets for 700 and closer shots. Just my 2 cents of logic.

I think a good analogy here would be practicing exclusively with a 3 iron and rarely ever concerning oneself with the putter or wedges.