Thread: New Berger 156g 6.5mm Elite Hunter

Berger have released a new 6.5mm projectile in 156g - works with 1:8 twist from a Creedmoor or PRC

ballistics look pretty good from a creedmoor - supersonic past 1000y, full expansion achieved out to 900y (1600fps).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wway0CkJHcA

Haven't seen any in stock in NZ - look expensive at around $125 for 100

All well and good as long as they expand.

I’ve always seen the Berger design as “potentially” flawed. For example read @tikka’s most recent trip report and why he changed from the Berger to the ELD-M.

The design of the Elite Hunter yields numbers that means guys are going to try them waaaayyy out there... I’d far rather use a bullet I trust than one that has just enough bad reviews to make me think twice.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

All well and good as long as they expand.

I’ve always seen the Berger design as “potentially” flawed. For example read @tikka’s most recent trip report and why he changed from the Berger to the ELD-M.

The design of the Elite Hunter yields numbers that means guys are going to try them waaaayyy out there... I’d far rather use a bullet I trust than one that has just enough bad reviews to make me think twice.

I've never tried them - I use 143g ELD-X - numbers look good though

For steel probably good but the A-Tip's have higher BC's and price not far apart.
For hunting out of a 6.5CM too heavy = low speed = energy only good to 800m.
BC is nothing crazy compared to the eld-x 143gr or the eld-m 147gr.

PRC might be different story? Don't know anything about PRC.

Although I only tried 4 different loads (3 shot groups) as I was given 12 of the 156 I didnt achieve much better than moa in an 8 twist prc. The groups were closing up as the powder charge increased which told me they may be more accurate in a faster twist barrel.
As a side note my neighbour has been shooting the A-tip out of a 30 inch 6.5 284 and they have been blowing up before reaching the target, can't remember the twist rate but watching it happen through the binos

Originally Posted by Flyblown

All well and good as long as they expand.

I’ve always seen the Berger design as “potentially” flawed. For example read @tikka’s most recent trip report and why he changed from the Berger to the ELD-M.

The design of the Elite Hunter yields numbers that means guys are going to try them waaaayyy out there... I’d far rather use a bullet I trust than one that has just enough bad reviews to make me think twice.

Had similar experiences with Bergers, very inconsistent performance. Changed to ELD-X and never looked back.

Originally Posted by Shadowsol

Berger have released a new 6.5mm projectile in 156g - works with 1:8 twist from a Creedmoor or PRC

ballistics look pretty good from a creedmoor - supersonic past 1000y, full expansion achieved out to 900y (1600fps).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wway0CkJHcA

Haven't seen any in stock in NZ - look expensive at around $125 for 100

There've being here awhile I used them with great results in 6.5 saum 8 twist bartlein 3080fps Terminator products has them available as a guess because I cant remember and even though it was only 3 or 4 months ago .2 .3 moa once I sorted my own error out of seating depth . Killed well for me to heavy for creedmore I'd have thought iv always use bergers fast

Originally Posted by mawzer308

Had similar experiences with Bergers, very inconsistent performance. Changed to ELD-X and never looked back.

Funny how it goes eh I changed the other way and say the same had some of my best kills with eldx fast magnums 300mtrs plus best being 780 but that bloody many terrible at the same time enough to whipe my hands of em. bloody projectiles shed a hard road

From left to right; berger 156(looks like metplat needs a trim), 147 eldm, 124 Hammer hunter