150gr 6.5mm matchkings

[macguru]

hey hey

does anyone know if 150gr 6.5mm matchkings will stabilise in an 8 twist PRC,

in the real world ?

cheers

[Rogue22]

I shoot 153.5gr bergers in a 7.5 twist PRC which shoots lights out, and have previously shot the same projectile from a 1:8 twist factory barrel PRC which was a hammer as well.
If the OAL of the projectile you want to shoot is similar then I don’t think you will have any problems.

[macguru]

Thanks, ill try and find some matchkings. I have completely given up looking for bergers, they are effectively off the market in Australia now...

[Rogue22]

That’s the key word mate, look overseas and import them.

[oldman1967]

I've tried them in my Tikka super varmint 6.5 PRC 1/8 twist without much success. Much better results with sorted Hornady 147 ELD-M's.
I've also worked up a load in a ZCR custom 6.5 CM with 7.5 : 1 twist and they work quite well in that. From what I've read in a few forums
they really do require a 7.5 twist as Sierra recomends.

[macguru]

I've got a tikka as well. I guessed 150 might be a step too far for the factory barrel.

[Frank Green]

I've shot them a bunch in three different 6.5CM rifles. Velocity is at 2700fps. My first gun I did a 6.75 twist barrel. Why? We made the test barrels for Sierra working on that bullet. I have prototypes at home. The original thought it might need faster than a 7 twist so I made my first barrel prior to the final design. Wanted to get a head jump on it! LOL! That gun/barrel does shoot awesome. Every gun since then I've been doing a 7.5 twist barrels at again at 2700fps they've been hammers but I feel your right on edge.

My twist calc's on that bullet come out like this...

At 2800fps you need a 1-7.92 min. twist.
At 2700fps you need a 1-7.656 min. twist.
At 2600fps you need a 1-7.26. min. twist.

To be on the safe side I would run a 1-7.25 twist.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

[heritage5]

I have used a number of 8 twist barells in my 6.5 prc they all shoot 153.5 berger and 156 burgers really well I did have a 7 twist that would blow up 147 eldm projectiles at speeds over 2970 the bergers run at 3020 the 147s sometimes blow up at that speed in the 8 twist as well 150 match kings also shoot well in the 8 twist but I have only used a small number of them and can't remember the load

Guy Strahan rifle club

[oldman1967]

I've got a tikka as well. I have been using 140s, just ordered some 142s. I guessed 150 might be a step too far for the factory barrel. And no rogue, i dont think i can be bothered importing my own, not yet anyways

The free bore on the factory Tikka barrel is way too long for the Sierra 150's. When seated to touch the lands they have around 40 thou of bearing surface in the case neck.
In the limited amount of testing that I did I had them jumping a country mile which was never going to produce good results. Berger 144g Hybrids have the same issue as the Sierra
with regards to the free bore. The 147 ELD-M's have a longer bearing surface and a shorter boattail which allows for a 10 thou jump with a good amount of bearing surface in the case.
The tikka and ELD-M's have produced a few possibles on FO targets at 1000 yards during the year so the combination does work.