Which bullet is easier to shoot for accuracy, Berger 156 EOL or Nosler 150 ABLR in 6.5mm / .264?

[VinceMule]

I have measured and weighed a lot of both bullets and I can tell you that Bergers are a lot more consistent in both weight and BTO. Attached is a picture of a target with both bullets from the same gun and load the only difference was the bullet used. Bergers on left ABLR on right. 5 shot groups.

you certainly have to adjust your seating depth with these two bullets with very different ogive lengths....pending Mag length.

 

[emp1953]

Not that there are any scientific studies, but looking for opinions. I have an ample supply of both, but my 6.5x284 barrel is perhaps more precious and I'd rather start with my best "shot" at long range accuracy first, rather than burn through much more throat. I am throated reasonable long, though not extremely. I can get to the lands before I run out of magazine in my LA Savage action. Its a 28" Proof Research CF wrapped barrel if that matters. I have Norma MRP, Retumbo, Ramshot Magnum, H1000, H4831SC, VV N570, and Stabal HD for powder. Oh, and RL-26, but that's what I used for break-in and I was not happy with my ES at all.

For me long range would be on game perhaps out to 800 yards. I'd don't much get off on shooting rocks at a mile. Guess I might if I ever had a gun that could do that!!!!

I've been reloading since 1970. 30-06, .270win, 243win, 6.5CM. I burned a lot of powder trying to find a really accurate load with Accubond Long Range (ABLR) bullets. Stopped trying. The plain old Accubonds cooperate easily in all 4 calibers and perform great on Deer and pigs.

 

[Bryan M]

Try running the nosler ablr further off the lands. In my opinion, lands is difficult to find and not ideal for hunting. I use the hornady case guage and push the bullet into the lands until it sticks, then I use a cleaning rod from the muzzle and tap the bullet as I gently pull the case guage from the chamber. Do this three times to get the "jam" point. I measure both OAL and BTO (base to ogive) and have found it to be quite consistent each time. I use the average unless one measurement is way off; then I take an additional 4th measurement and discard the other. I then start "hunting" bullets like the nosler ab or ablr, hornady cx or barnes coppers at 0.075 off of jam. Jam, on average would be 0.020 to 0.025 into the lands as jam and just touching the lands is different. It's very difficult to find just touching so I go off of a light jam using the guage.

I then use this oal and increase powder charges in 0.5 to 1 gr increments depending if its a norma size (85 to 90 grain) or a 308 size case (40 to 45 grain) to find pressure signs and velocity. I want to know what that case and powder combination can handle before trying to search for accuracy. I only shoot 1 or 2 shots per charge. After finding pressure signs and or excess velocity over standard loads which would suggest I am way over 65k psi, I reduce the load to a charge I feel is reliable and safe before I shoot any groups. A hornady case might show pressure at 65k psi and a Lapua or ADG might not show pressure until 75k psi so cases matter regarding finding pressure signs also. Then I do big jumps of 0.025 to check what the bullet might like: 0.075, 0.100 and 0.125 off lands before i fine tune with seating depth and small powder Changes of 0.2 grains. Shooting 3 and 5 shot groups when you are too light or too hot of a load wastes time and components.

Before i do any of the load development, I look at mag length vs max oal and make sure I have 0.030 to 0.050 minimum clearance for consistent feeding. This distance always dictates the max oal over the lands as reliability is key over bench rest accuracy. Their are many advantages to seating hunting bullets 0.075 to 0.125 off jam and few negatives. It is true thst you will see great accuracy at the just touching the lands but it comes with many nuances and risks. Base to olive of a bullet variation is way more critical at the lands vs a 0.100 jump. Carbon rings can't cause a bullet to stick when you jump bullets, pressures and velocity are more consistent as the throat wears so you aren't chasing the lands.

I used to seat some hunting bullets at or right near the lands but I quit doing this for many of the reasons I mentioned. Also a max load at 0.100 off jam can be over pressure when the same charge is used with the bullet into the lands. You can see this with an increase of velocity as the bullet gets closer and then into the lands. More velocity equals more pressure when using the same powder charge.

As far as powder goes for a 6.5-284, I know that magpro, h1000, n565 and retumbo all work well with 140 bergers and 147 eldm so I know they will be good with a 156 gr berger. H4831sc, r22 and n560 work well with 120 to 130 grain bullets in the 6.5-284. My 6.5-284 is built on a LA so mag length is not an issue regarding seating depth limitations. I like loads where the powder charge is about 98 to 102 percent fill at a safe pressure and accurate load. Compressed loads can and will cause erratic seating depths which will affect accuracy and the seating stem can damage the bullets with compressed loads.

This post ended up being long but this method works well for me and maybe some of you will find it useful. I also do most of my load development at the range with an arbor press and compact rcbs powder scales/charger so I can push loads without running back and forth to home or having to pull bullets that would be too hot to shoot.

 

[Okanogan]

I've had far better luck with the Bergers than Nosler AB in any rifle I have tried them in.

Your OP mentioned a list of powders you have and that your SDs with RL26 were higher than you liked. I didn't see you mention what primers you're running. F210Ms brought my SDs down with both my 6.5 SAUM and 7 PRC using RL26. CCI250s were a little worse while F215Ms tended to give me larger SD/ES. If you've got access to a selection of primers it might help in selecting your best load for your rifle regardless of which powder you choose.