6.5 140 berger

[robert d]

I was wondering if 1-9 would stabilize with the 6.5x284 140 gr vld bergers or would the 130 be a better choice also at what range do you think the 140 would start to destabilize

[leather5to1]

It should, but try both to see what does better. Once stabilized it won't destabilize until it drops below the speed of sound.

[Slowpoke Slim]

You should be fine with a 1-9". Unless you're only driving them at starting loads, and you're barrel is really short.

Mine's a 1-8", but I still don't think you will have any issues. H4831sc is mine's favorite powder with Fed match primers in Lapua brass.

[robert d]

Thanks for the input guys it will help me make a decision buying a rifle or not.

[319]

The new book by Bryan Litz(head ballistician for Berger) says the 1:9" twist won't stabilize the 140gr VLD well even under the best conditions. That is what the book says, take it for what it is worth.

[JaredCO]

I would go with a 1in8. The Bergers shoot great. Here's the 140 hunting VLD at 500yds. http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad178/JaredCO/Savage/032.jpg

[robert d]

That's nice shooting,that's what I'm looking for in a long range bullet.I bought a 6.5x284 LRH accustock version 2 its been giving me fits sent it back once for extrator problems and vertical strings. they replaced one part said they inspected bolt and action shot a group 3shot at 1/2 inch. with 120gr ballistic tip nos. and sent it back. the back of the locking lugs shows signs of chiping on lower and upper corners of lug the gun also builds pressure before I get vel. I looked at buying a cooper but they only have 1/9 twist. Looks like I'll be senting it back again so they can take a better look at it. The back of the bolt shouldn't look like it does and the finish on stock is peeling off. I've got it shooting fair groups but something is not right with back of action.

[Cover Dog]

On the box top for both the 130 & 140 gr. Berger's is says it needs 1/8" twist.

[robert d]

Your right berger knows what twist there bullets shoot best with. I'll send my long range hunter back and shoot my f-class at them yellow dogs until I get it back again. Hopefullly they will see where the problem is this time. I won't get a rifle in that cal. less than 8 twist. I need long range performance,I have plenty of 300 and 400yd guns want to take it out to 700 at least thats why I bought the LONGRANGE HUNTER not to shoot 120gr bullets but to shoot the 140gr bergers.

[little tommy]

I shot good groups out to 1000 yards with 130 VLD target, 1 in 9" twist around 3100 fps, fwiw

[robert d]

Do you have to seat your bullet on the land to get those groups. The 130 berger at that vel would be fine on coyotes out to 1000 yds. If I could hold up my end. My savage has long throat just wondering.

[jpdown]

I'm shooting 260 22" Shaw sporter contour barrel 1:9 twist with the Berger 130gr VLD Hunting bullets. It shoots the Berger's seated at the lands as well as anything else I've tried with groups in the 0.5" to 0.90" range at 100 yards. Once I found a powder (H4350) and MAX load (44.0gr) that gave the most consistent groups (seated ATL) in my rifle, I used the following information from the Berger Web site to find an alternate seating depth for a hunting load. Turned out a 0.050" jump was almost as good as touching the lands with my rifle. I have not gotten a chance to test these loads at long range, but that is my next project.

Berger VLD Bullet Jump Solutions
Solution
The following has been verified by numerous shooters in many rifles using bullets of different calibers and weights. It is consistent for all VLD bullets. What has been discovered is that VLD bullets shoot best when loaded to a COAL that puts the bullet in a “sweet spot”. This sweet spot is a band .030 to .040 wide and is located anywhere between jamming the bullets into the lands and .150 jump off the lands.

Note: When discussing jam and jump I am referring to the distance from the area of the bearing surface that engages the rifling and the rifling itself. There are many products that allow you to measure these critical dimensions. Some are better than others. I won’t be going into the methods of measuring jam and jump. If you are not familiar with this aspect of reloading it is critically important that you understand this concept before you attempt this test.

Many reloaders feel (and I tend to agree) that meaningful COAL adjustments are .002 to .005. Every once in a while I might adjust the COAL by .010 but this seems like I am moving the bullet the length of a football field. The only way a shooter will be able to benefit from this situation is to let go of this opinion that more than .010 change is too much (me included).

Trying to find the COAL that puts you in the sweet spot by moving .002 to .010 will take so long the barrel may be worn out by the time you sort it out if you don’t give up first. Since the sweet spot is .030 to .040 wide we recommend that you conduct the following test to find your rifles VLD sweet spot.

Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a target competition shooter who does not worry about jamming a bullet:
1. .010 into (touching) the lands (jam) 6 rounds
2. .040 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
3. .080 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
4. .120 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds

Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a hunter (pulling a bullet out of the case with your rifling while in the field can be a hunt ending event which must be avoided) or a competition shooter who worries about pulling a bullet during a match:
1. .010 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
2. .050 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
3. .090 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
4. .130 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds

Shoot 2 (separate) 3 shot groups in fair conditions to see how they group. The remarkable reality of this test is that one of these 4 COALs will outperform the other three by a considerable margin. Once you know which one of these 4 COAL shoots best then you can tweak the COAL +/- .002 or .005. Taking the time to set this test up will pay off when you find that your rifle is capable of shooting the VLD bullets very well (even at 100 yards).

Regards,
Eric Stecker
Master Bulletsmith

[little tommy]

Slightly jammed, .005", worked best for me. My rifle is a savage target action with heavy krieger barrel.

[robert d]

That's some good info I like that jump solution with the berger bullets. Its easy to get a lot of rounds down a barrel trying differant loads especially when one rifle is a bit of a problem child. My first 6.5x284 1/10 twist was easy 120 spt 57gr 3100 3250fps 3shot 1/2 inch that was in 1980. My f-class savage h4350 2880 142sierra 1/2 inch easy my savage 111 long range hunter different story have well over 300 rounds try to get good vel and under 1 inch but kept building pressure at about 2820 or so. then switched powder well you know how that goes. I think I was fighting tight neck .0015 smaller than my f-class witch was .297 my loaded round was .294 to .2945. I'd like at least 2850 with 140 bergers or even 130s with under one moa prefer .5 I'll get there though I should have looked at seating and neck first instead of powder pri combo.