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I recently decided to check out this new(ish) Berger, since it was both a heavier pill than any other I've fed my rifles, and was specifically designed with the AR (magazines) in mind.
First Impressions:
These new Berger 130 Hybrids are actually quite remarkable. One of the horde members asked me if I would be meplating or pointing these, and I responded that I would shoot them first before making any decisions. Well, after doing so, there doesn't appear to be any need. First, I have to say that the weight is every consistent. They all weighed 129.9 - 130.0 grains, with the distribution slightly favoring 129.9.
Here is a comparison picture of some of the 6.5's I happen to have on hand.
IMG_0112.jpg
Left to right: Hornady 95 Vmax, Sierra 120 Match King, Hornady 123 Amax, and Berger 130 AR Hybrid OTM
What really got my attention, though, was the seated lengths. Of all the different bullets I've loaded, these are far and away the most consistent I've ever seen. Once I set the seating die, each and every one of the 40 rounds I loaded measured exactly 2.260". Not a single exception. I've never before seen that degree of consistency.
Bottom line on the projectiles is that if you have a consistency problem, I doubt it would be because of these bullets. They are advertised as Match grade, and I would definitely take them at their word.
The Loads:
I loaded these beauties into a family of Hornady Brass, now on their 4th loading. CCI 450 primers were used, and the powder selected for these 130 grain pills was CFE-223. I chose CFE-223 primarily due to recommendations for its use with the heavier projectiles.
Primers were hand seated, and my ChargeMaster did the honors of measuring the loads. Powder charges ranged from 28.8 to 31.5 grains, in 0.3 grain increments. The Berger 130's were then seated at 2.260", as previously mentioned. I checked concentricity, and all were <= .001" of runout. Seated at this depth, I suspect that compressed loads began at about 31.0 grains, but not seriously so.
Here are samples of loaded 130 Bergers, left, compared to Factory 123 SST's, right.
IMG_2125.jpg
Ok - shoot it:
The rifle has a BHW 18" 264LBC Match Grade barrel, with 1:8 twist. This is comfortably faster than the Minimum 1:10" or the 1:9" Optimal rates indicated by Berger.
At the range, it was a brisk 37 'F, partly cloudy, 7-10 mph winds @ 11:00 o'clock.
From 28.8 gr to 30.0, my 18" BHW was not at all happy with this new diet. Velocities were between a sedate 2214 fps and 2340 fps. At 30.3, things began to improve, with a very good node appearing at 2363 fps. (30.6 gr.) The other promising node appeared at 31.5 gr, which was a more respectable 2409 fps. On either side of the two nodes, group sizes definitely opened up, so it would seem that this barrel has very specific tastes.
Below is the best group, found @ 2363 fps. ETE was .585", resulting in a 0.32" CTC group.
IMG_2128.jpg
Admittedly, 3 shots aren't optimal for choosing final loads, and I intend to return with more rounds loaded at the ID'd nodes. I will be able to better tune the load and record better data from a larger sample at that time.
At that time, I'll stretch their legs, and see what kind of real world drop I get from the Bergers. Even at 2360 fps, calculations would suggest that they will stay supersonic to 1220 yards at my 5200 feet ASL.
First Impressions:
These new Berger 130 Hybrids are actually quite remarkable. One of the horde members asked me if I would be meplating or pointing these, and I responded that I would shoot them first before making any decisions. Well, after doing so, there doesn't appear to be any need. First, I have to say that the weight is every consistent. They all weighed 129.9 - 130.0 grains, with the distribution slightly favoring 129.9.
Here is a comparison picture of some of the 6.5's I happen to have on hand.
IMG_0112.jpg
Left to right: Hornady 95 Vmax, Sierra 120 Match King, Hornady 123 Amax, and Berger 130 AR Hybrid OTM
What really got my attention, though, was the seated lengths. Of all the different bullets I've loaded, these are far and away the most consistent I've ever seen. Once I set the seating die, each and every one of the 40 rounds I loaded measured exactly 2.260". Not a single exception. I've never before seen that degree of consistency.
Bottom line on the projectiles is that if you have a consistency problem, I doubt it would be because of these bullets. They are advertised as Match grade, and I would definitely take them at their word.
The Loads:
I loaded these beauties into a family of Hornady Brass, now on their 4th loading. CCI 450 primers were used, and the powder selected for these 130 grain pills was CFE-223. I chose CFE-223 primarily due to recommendations for its use with the heavier projectiles.
Primers were hand seated, and my ChargeMaster did the honors of measuring the loads. Powder charges ranged from 28.8 to 31.5 grains, in 0.3 grain increments. The Berger 130's were then seated at 2.260", as previously mentioned. I checked concentricity, and all were <= .001" of runout. Seated at this depth, I suspect that compressed loads began at about 31.0 grains, but not seriously so.
Here are samples of loaded 130 Bergers, left, compared to Factory 123 SST's, right.
IMG_2125.jpg
Ok - shoot it:
The rifle has a BHW 18" 264LBC Match Grade barrel, with 1:8 twist. This is comfortably faster than the Minimum 1:10" or the 1:9" Optimal rates indicated by Berger.
At the range, it was a brisk 37 'F, partly cloudy, 7-10 mph winds @ 11:00 o'clock.
From 28.8 gr to 30.0, my 18" BHW was not at all happy with this new diet. Velocities were between a sedate 2214 fps and 2340 fps. At 30.3, things began to improve, with a very good node appearing at 2363 fps. (30.6 gr.) The other promising node appeared at 31.5 gr, which was a more respectable 2409 fps. On either side of the two nodes, group sizes definitely opened up, so it would seem that this barrel has very specific tastes.
Below is the best group, found @ 2363 fps. ETE was .585", resulting in a 0.32" CTC group.
IMG_2128.jpg
Admittedly, 3 shots aren't optimal for choosing final loads, and I intend to return with more rounds loaded at the ID'd nodes. I will be able to better tune the load and record better data from a larger sample at that time.
At that time, I'll stretch their legs, and see what kind of real world drop I get from the Bergers. Even at 2360 fps, calculations would suggest that they will stay supersonic to 1220 yards at my 5200 feet ASL.
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