Berger 155.5 ?

[Josh Cox]

Have spent the last couple of months testing Noslers, HBC's, Hybrids and 2156 SMK's, with varied results.

Looking next to the Berger 155.5's.

From reading the US based websites they seem most often being shot in competition between 10-30 thou jump, load 45.0 2206H / 46.5 2208.

Who has tried them ?, had luck with them or otherwise, what did you find ?, what was the most successful load configuration in your rifle ?.

[SSharp]

I have been using Berger 155.5's for the past 18 months with good results. I still use the 155's for the shorter ranges in FTR. My current barrel for the 155s is a 1 in 12, 31" Krieger. My chamber is a Palma 2156 with .338" throat.

The load I use is 47g of 2208. This is a slightly compressed load in Lapua cases and the maximum specified in the ADI Handloaders Guide. Care should be taken in gradually working up to this level. A lesser load may be perfectly adequate in different barrel/chamber combinations. Mean velocity is around 3020fps. I have found a jump of 20 to 25 thou to be the optimum.

Having loaded and fired about 3000 of the 155.5's, I have found that bullet base to ogive can vary up to 40 thou between batches but consistency of base to ogive and bullet weight within each batch is excellent, so I wouldn't mix batches!

I use PMC, BR2 and RWS primers, all seem to perform well.

Russell Simmonds from England, the 2009 individual FTR World Champion and runner up at the 2013 Championships, told me that he used Berger 155s in both events. The events were shot at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. I can't remember whether he used 155.5s or Hybrids.

I changed to Bergers after experiencing the dreaded Batch 16 problems with HBCs a few years ago and have not looked back.

Steve S

[Quick]

I have used 155.5gr Bergers for the last 2 years in my FS barrelled action. They shoot awesome. 46gr 2208, Palma brass, CCI450, bullet seated at 15 jump. Mine are doing 2880fps from my 26" Krieger 1-12T barrel. The shoot one bullet hole high in vertical at 300m and group very tight at 600m and beyond. I've just used them by the 100ct box so haven't experienced any batch issues really.

just play with them and find what works for you.

Personally I wouldnt bother with 2206H in a 308. 2208 suits a longer barrel better IMO.

[Josh Cox]

Thanks gents.

[macguru]

One of our members is getting good results with 46gr 06H and berger hybrids. These are a stunning long range performer but start at 45 and work up, or you may stuff up your brass for no reason. He is getting about 3100fps in a 30' barnard. Not sure the twist but i know you need 12 or better.

I was using 46.6 2208 which is bit milder. no pressure signs and very good long range performance.

I will say that more people are winning prizes with the 155.5s but the hybrids really do well at the longs.

[Barossa_222]

I'm just getting around to working up loads for my new barrel. Started with the old Sierra 2155s and was going to use the Berger Hybrids, but chose 155.5s because of availability issues. I have a SARA spec chamber and I'm using 0.010" of jam. Shot a match using 45.5gr of 2208 out of my 31" Krieger using new brown box Lapua brass. With reasonably calm conditions at 700 yards I saw very little vertical dispersion. I've bumped the load up to 46gr for a match this weekend, so I'll see how that goes.

[Nathan P]

I'm running the 155.5s with 46.2gr of 2208 in lapua Palma cases with cci 450 primers and 20 thou jump out of a 30" border getting around 3050fps ,, wouldn't use anything else now!!