Berger bullets for hunting? Anyone tryed this?

My experience with my .223 with Berger 52 gr varmint bullet is good.Worked every time on coyotes, i tested the match 52 gr on a 1/4 steel plate, i thought it would be fun to hear the dong when the bullets hit, to my suprise all projectiles went trough at 100 yards, probably to much penetration with match bullet on large games.I will stick with Nosler partition or swift a frame...
 
I've had very good luck with the 210gr Berger VLD in my 300wm. Mostly on large game, no issues at all with one shot kills.

That being said, I've also had good luck with 200gr TSX flat base in the same gun, they just shoot like $hit at distance thus making the Bergers my logical choice if I'm going long.

Each to his own, just make sure that what ever you use appropriate for your rifle (eg silly light bullets in a huge magnum). That being said, take shots that are appropriate for your skill level and equipment. You can have the best equipment money can buy but if you shoot like green meat your gear won't help you much will it.
 
I don't understand the fascination with using target bullets for hunting, except in very specialized circumstances (like long range wiht a .338 caliber, etc)

Todays hunting bullets are/can be so accurate, why bother with a bullet that may/may not perform well on game?
 
Gatehouse said:
Todays hunting bullets are/can be so accurate, why bother with a bullet that may/may not perform well on game?
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That's the thing though Clarke...they're not accurate enough at the distances we are talking about. Out past 1000 yards MOA or worse, 1.5 MOA is simply unacceptable. The guys that do business at those ranges, ATR, LRC, GAM and BC (to name a few) have borne this out. Yes, NPTs and TSXs are perfectly accurate enough at 400 yards which for most is extremely long range. That said, the TSX would never open worth a damn at the low impact velocities you get out there even if you could get the accuracy required. For the guys with the skill, discipline and equipment to shoot game at extreme ranges, they need specialized toolds. Bergers, A Maxs and SMKs are those tools no different than TSXs being the proper tool for use in the 375 Ruger.
 
BigUglyMan said:
That's the thing though Clarke...they're not accurate enough at the distances we are talking about. Out past 1000 yards MOA or worse, 1.5 MOA is simply unacceptable. The guys that do business at those ranges, ATR, LRC, GAM and BC (to name a few) have borne this out. Yes, NPTs and TSXs are perfectly accurate enough at 400 yards which for most is extremely long range. That said, the TSX would never open worth a damn at the low impact velocities you get out there even if you could get the accuracy required. For the guys with the skill, discipline and equipment to shoot game at extreme ranges, they need specialized toolds. Bergers, A Maxs and SMKs are those tools no different than TSXs being the proper tool for use in the 375 Ruger.
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Which is why I said "in specialized circumstances":rolleyes:

You will never make detective...:p:p:evil:
 
I am sorry for answering the original posters question on how berger vlds preformed on game. BIGUGLYMAN I will consult you on all my future loads and get your input before I foolishly load again. You sound like you are an expert on all things hunting and shooting. I never knew that an elk's ass was between his front shoulder blades.
 
I read the article in Rifle magazine where they went down to New Zeiland with Walt Berger himself, and for some reason I couldn't help but be suspicious. All through my life I have lived under the assumed knowledge that thin jacketed boat tailed bullets, that where designed for target where the absolute wrong bullets to stuff into your hunting cartridges. I could be wrong for having that prejudice, but I'll let other peoples experience be the judge.
Mike
 
On the surface Mike you are not wrong, Until I used them and tested them I felt the same way. The difference is in the design and construction of a VLD bullet, that long sharply pointed nose makes the bullet penetrate far better than I would have ever believed and it delays expansion by several inches of penetration. Still the number one penetrating bullet shot out my 22-250 is a 65 grain VLD, it made 20" in the gel! Big game rounds like the 155 grain 30 cal penetrate 6" or more before there are signs of expansion in the gel, conventional bullets start expanding at 1"-2". Somethings are not as they appear and VLDs are certainly in that category!
 
Omega said:
Still the number one penetrating bullet shot out my 22-250 is a 65 grain VLD, it made 20" in the gel! Big game rounds like the 155 grain 30 cal penetrate 6" or more before there are signs of expansion in the gel, conventional bullets start expanding at 1"-2". Somethings are not as they appear and VLDs are certainly in that category!
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What happens if you put a deers shoulder blade in front of your gel? Or a piece of 1/4" plywood?

I'm just curious.
 
Not much in my hundred yard tests, neither are much resistance and nor was the 2x6 or 3/4" plywood. But they don't much affect the results with regular bullets either.
 
mike shickele said:
I read the article in Rifle magazine where they went down to New Zeiland with Walt Berger himself, and for some reason I couldn't help but be suspicious. All through my life I have lived under the assumed knowledge that thin jacketed boat tailed bullets, that where designed for target where the absolute wrong bullets to stuff into your hunting cartridges. I could be wrong for having that prejudice, but I'll let other peoples experience be the judge.
Mike
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Before I read that article I would have echoed your sentiments. That being said the author, John Barsness, is reputed to be one of the most trustworthy guys in the industry. He's a true rifle crank and enjoys experimenting with older and less known chamberings. When he wrote that article I decided that the Bergers must be safe to give a try. IIRC he wasn't totally convinced until he saw them perform on game either.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Before I read that article I would have echoed your sentiments. That being said the author, John Barsness, is reputed to be one of the most trustworthy guys in the industry. He's a true rifle crank and enjoys experimenting with older and less known chamberings. When he wrote that article I decided that the Bergers must be safe to give a try. IIRC he wasn't totally convinced until he saw them perform on game either.
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Oh, they perform on game, black bear, deer, wolf to name a few. The black bear took one in the shoulder (directed at stopping the bear, it was a big bore). The first shot was fatal almost instantly. No second shot needed. Just shy of 175 meters when I squeeeeeezed the trigger.

Nothing but good performance from the 210VLD and I will continue to use them.

Food for thought,,,, last year in summerland, 2 of us were taking turns tagging an old empty propane tank just over 1100m (glock-o-maniac on his 338 Lapua AI and myself playing the 300wm. The berger 210gr VLD's had no problems ripping through the propane tank at that distance right along side Glocks 300gr SMK's from the larger riflle.
 
I only use 175 berger vlds in my 308. Have had no issues. They do what they are suppose to on paper and the massive muley buck I shot this year. If you don't like them, or don't want to try them don't. I like em and will continue to use em.
 
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