|
|
May 10th, 2009
On May 9, 2009, friends and shooting buddies Larry Isenhour and Mike Davis set two new IBS 600-yard records at the Piedmont Gun Club (Rutherfordton, NC). First, Isenhour broke his own 50-3X (0.944″) 600-yard IBS Light Gun Score Record, shooting a perfect 50-5X at 600 yards, with a tiny .904″ group. Larry used a 6 BRX and Berger 105gr VLDs to shoot his sub-inch group and perfect score, in tricky conditions. Not to be outdone, Mike Davis shot an impressive 4-Target, 20-shot Aggregate 600-yard Heavy Gun Record of 1.460″. Mike was also shooting a 6 BRX and Berger 105gr VLDs, but in a mammoth rig with a 1.45″-diameter Brux barrel. Mike’s Heavy Gun looks like it came from Area 51, complete with the stealth gray finish.
Photo courtesy Greg Culpepper
ISENHOUR 600-Yard Record: 50-5X (.904″) Score
Larry reports: “Sometimes everything just works right and things like this happen. It was the last target of the day and it was pretty windy. Sam Hall was shooting and I knew I’d have to shoot great to beat him. I got on target and must have got those five rounds downrange in 12-15 seconds.” Larry’s gun wears a beautiful maple and walnut stock made by his brother, Robert (Mike) Isenhour. Larry says: “The stock is the same as in the photo, but now the gun has a Viper action and a different scope. This gun was smithed by Mike Davis.” Other gun specs and Larry’s load data are listed below. Readers should note that Larry was running a “no-turn” chamber in a gain-twist barrel, and shooting H4895. Most guys run Varget or RL15 with the 6BRX, but this proves that H4895 can be super-accurate in 6BR Improved cases. Larry does caution that “with H4895 I’m getting single-digit ES, but you have to watch the pressure as you get near max. Reloder 15 is a little more forgiving at the top end — it doesn’t spike so hard.” Larry is running his 105gr VLDs at 2970 fps. He says: “I’ve run ‘em as fast as 3050 fps with the BRX but the accuracy is better at 2970. At that velocity the BRX is coasting and you’re not working the brass hard.” Larry’s load procedure involves three dies. First he neck-sizes with a .268″ bushing in a Redding neck die. Then he uses a .308 Win FL die to size the body. As a final step he uses a Redding body die to bump the shoulder about 1.5 thousandths.
ISENHOUR 6BRX Light Gun
Stiller Viper Drop-port action
Isenhour Maple/Walnut stock
30″ Krieger (gain-twist, 1:9″ to 1:8.3″) 6mm barrel
Leupold 45X Competition Scope
6BRX .272″ neck (brass is NOT turned, but necks are mic’d)
Berger 105 VLDs, Tungsten Disulfide coated
32.5 grains Hodgdon H4895, Fed 205M
“What about that gain-twist barrel?” we asked Larry. He revealed: “Well, there’s a story behind that. This was one of four prototype barrels Krieger produced that we sourced through Lester Bruno. Krieger wanted to keep things quiet until the barrels had been proven in competition. Well I guess we can let the cat out of the bag. Yep the Krieger shoots great with a slght gain twist (9 to 8.3). However, if I had my choice, I’d go with a 28″ length rather than a 30″. You don’t need 30″ with a BRX.”
DAVIS 600-Yard Record: 1.460-inch, 4-target HG Aggregate
Mike Davis’s 4-Target, 20-shot Aggregate was also set with the dimunitive 6BRX cartridge, but in a massive rifle. Davis stealth gray rig is a true heavy gun, complete with a full-length rest set-up. Mike told us: “Larry and I started shooting together over ten years ago. In early 2002 I started building my own personal guns. Larry was the first person that I built a rifle for other than my own. This new gain-twist barrel for long range was something that Krieger and I have been working on trying to get a twist rate exactly what I wanted. It looks like [Krieger] has got the twist just right. These things are going to shoot! I think Larry’s group is proof.” Mike added: “Both of the barrels I am shooting now are Brux barrels. These barrels are great, and the people are great to work with.”
DAVIS 6BRX Heavy Gun:
BAT Model B RB/LP/RE
Alvey Aluminum stock
30″ Brux 1.450″ diam., 1:8.5″ twist
6BRX .272″ no-turn neck
Leupold 45x Competition Scope
Berger 105 VLDs, Tungsten Disulfide coated
32.5 grains Reloder 15, CCI 450 primers
CLICK HERE for Video of Mike Davis Shooting his Light Gun in 2008.
May 6th, 2009
You may have heard rumors about a new 100gr projectile from Berger Bullets. Eric Stecker, Berger’s Master Bulletsmith, confirmed that there will be not one but TWO new 100gr match bullets coming soon from Berger, one in 6mm and one in 6.5mm. These are both boat-tail designs using J4 jackets. Eric explains: “Both these bullets are based on Berger’s proven designs, with standard length ogives and 9° boat-tails. Nothing radical. They are built in response to shooters’ requests to expand our bullet line-up to include new weight options in 6mm and 6.5mm.”
New 100gr 6.5mm Bullet for High Power
Berger’s new 6.5mm 100gr BT Target projectile provides a low-recoil, lighter-weight option for target rifle shooters using the 6.5×47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, 260 Rem, and 6.5-284 cartridges. The new 6.5mm 100-grainer was created in response to requests from High Power and Across-the-Course shooters for a lighter-recoiling, accurate boat-tail bullet for “short line” work. We predict this bullet may also work well for varmint and small-game hunters. This bullet features a short boat-tail and a “mildly secant” design which should work well either seated into the lands or jumped away from the lands. Bryan Litz says: “it’s definitely not a VLD, but it has a different ogive curve than a typical tangent-ogive bullet.” The shorter length of the 100gr bullet, compared to 140gr-class 6.5mm bullets, should also allow tactical shooters to easily load their ammo to mag length. The calculated BC of the new bullet is 0.370, significantly higher than flat-based 100gr 6.5mm bullets from other manufacturers. A minimum twist rate of 1:10” is recommended for Berger’s hew 6.5mm 100gr Target Bullet.
New 100gr 6mm Match Bullet — More Velocity Than 105/108
Long-range benchresters have had great success with the Berger 108gr match bullet, introduced in 2007. Given the popularity of its tangent-ogive 108, Berger has been developing a shorter, lighter version, which can shoot faster than the 108 in small cartridges such as the 6mmBR, 6mmAR (6-6.5 Grendel), and 6 PPC. The new 6mm 100-grainer will be very similar to the 108. The 100 has the same ogive curve and boat-tail as the 108 but has a shorter OAL and shorter bearing surface (0.368″ vs. 0.409″). A minimum twist rate of 1:8” is recommended for the new 100 — same as for the 108. In a 6BR rifle, the 100-grainer’s reduced bearing surface, combined with reduced mass, should enable Berger’s new 100gr 6mm bullet to fly 50-70 fps faster than the 108 (with charges of equal pressure).
However, there is a trade-off. Being shorter and lighter, the 100-grainer has a lower BC compared to its 108gr big brother. While the Berger 108 has a 0.511 BC, the calculated BC for the 100-grainer is 0.475. That BC difference will show up at long range, but the extra speed of the lighter bullet may enable it to reach a higher, optimal “velocity node” which may deliver superior accuracy in some rifles. We will be testing the new 100-grainer soon. In a 6BR that might max out at 2850 fps with the 108s, we predict the 100gr Berger should run close to 2900 fps. In a 6BR that delivers 2900 fps currently with the 108s, you may see 2950 fps (or more) with the new Berger 100s. The 2900-2950 fps speed range is a well-known “accuracy node” for both 6mm and 6.5mm bullets.
February 14th, 2009
 Berger Bullets has expanded its technical assistance and customer support team, adding Kevin Thomas as primary “E-Technical Consultant”. Eric Stecker, Berger’s Master Bulletsmith, issued the following statement yesterday:
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the addition of Kevin Thomas to the Berger Bullets team as our E-Technical Consultant. Kevin spent the last 15 years as Sierra’s Chief Ballistician. Prior to becoming Sierra’s Chief Ballistician, Kevin spent 6 years moving from Sierra’s production floor to their ballistics lab. Kevin will use his extensive shooting knowledge to help folks get the most out of their rifle shooting experience.”
Thomas will be part of a customer service/tech support group at Berger:
Technical Support by Phone – (714) 447-5458
Berger has partnered with Sinclair Int’l to provide extensive phone coverage by active and knowledgeable shooters.
Loading Data and Technical Assistance from Walt Berger – bergerltd [at] aol.com
Founder and member of the Benchrest Hall of Fame, Walt Berger’s extensive shooting experience is a tremendous resource for those who need help. Over the last several years, Walt has been working on Berger’s loading manual.
Loading Data and Technical Assistance from Kevin Thomas –
kevin.thomas@bergerbullets.com (email is not active yet)
Kevin spent two decades shooting in Sierra’s test facility every day and working with major ammo producers on several projects. Additionally, he is an experienced, active and successful competitive target shooter. He will soon be available for those who need assistance.
External Ballistic Assistance from Bryan Litz – bryan.litz [at] bergerbullets.com
Bryan’s reputation as a top external ballistics mind is well known. Equally recognized is his success as a competitive target shooter. Bryan is available for those who need to address advanced external ballistics concerns.
Stecker tells us: “Both Kevin Thomas and Bryan Litz will actively engage the forums as we strongly believe that forums are a valuable resource for all shooters. All of the people listed above are active rifle shooters and are committed to your success. These folks can provide an even greater level of shooting-related technical assistance than I. For this reason, you will see less of me as I focus my attention on the production floor. I will not be disconnected or unavailable, but I will rely heavily on this ‘dream team’ of technical experts to provide you with the information you need to get back to the range or into the field.”
In this video, Eric Stecker explains Berger’s product line and reveals what’s new for 2009.
February 12th, 2009
Just how accurate can a 6BR Tubegun be, when shot from the bench with bag-riding attachments? Would you believe 0.170 MOA at 200 yards? Yep, that’s benchrest-grade accuracy out of an across-the-course rifle.
 Forum member Milan recently tested his new Eliseo R5 6BR tubegun with Berger 80gr Varmint bullets. We’ve found the Berger 80s to be extraordinarily accurate, and Milan confirmed that fact. His R5 features a Krieger barrel, Pierce action, and Jewell trigger. At right is his first 5-shot group, with the size calculated with On-Target software. The calculated group size is 0.355″, or 0.170 MOA at 200 yards. (Measured by Milan with calipers, it was slightly smaller, 0.350″.)
Milan reports: “Today, I took my brand new R5 rifle (stock made by Gary Eliseo with Pierce Engineering Action and gunsmithing, and Krieger barrel) to a shooting range for the first time. I was shooting at 200 yards and my very first shot was on target. I shot one more time in the same spot and cleaned my rifle. I shot another three shots to find the center of the target. I cleaned the rifle again and shot my first 5-shot group. Looking through my scope, it all looked like one hole. I got a big smile on my face and could not get any happier. When I got home and measured the group, it measured less than 0.350″. Bummer… I was looking forward to the challenge of finding a good load for this rifle but it seems like now I will have to look for another challenge. My load was Berger 80gr Varmint Bullets, 31.0 grains of Varget, Remington 6.5 primer, and bullet was seated 0.015″ in lands.”
Milan added: “The silver rear bag rider attachment came from CSS. I only modified it a little. I lowered my rifle about 1″. I also made my own design, shown below, which allows me to make fine height adjustment on my rear bag when shooting from a bipod and to keep the front of my rifle as low as possible. I would like to thank to Gary Eliseo and John Pierce (Pierce Engineering) for a great job. I highly recommend the services of both these guys.”
|
