Does anyone have experience using Berger bullets (the ones designated for hunting, not target shooting) for hunting? Berger made their name making target and BR bullets, and I wonder whether the ones they sell for hunting applications have seen success in the hunting fields. Can anyone report on their performance on game?
Berger Bullets for Hunting
- Thread starter South Pender
- Start date
- Location
- ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Vancouver Island
Great for target , hunting was sub standard .
I used Bergers this year and it did drop a large whitetail very easily. I have no doubt they can kill the animal
Issue I had was it penetrated and disintegrated. Had the deer into the trees I would have had no blood trail to follow.
I want a bullet that will make a pass through and allow for that blood trail
It was an accurate bullet, great bc and I know guys that love them. It just wasn’t what I was looking for
Issue I had was it penetrated and disintegrated. Had the deer into the trees I would have had no blood trail to follow.
I want a bullet that will make a pass through and allow for that blood trail
It was an accurate bullet, great bc and I know guys that love them. It just wasn’t what I was looking for
Fore300, ditto.
The last deer I ever shot, I believe 2009 was with a Berger in a 243. It was the first and last. It killed it but no blood trail at all. Ot was also the first and last deer I would kill with a 243. I want to punch a hole the size of a golf ball when I kill an animal. In my eyes that starts with a 30 Caliber of some sort. JMO
The last deer I ever shot, I believe 2009 was with a Berger in a 243. It was the first and last. It killed it but no blood trail at all. Ot was also the first and last deer I would kill with a 243. I want to punch a hole the size of a golf ball when I kill an animal. In my eyes that starts with a 30 Caliber of some sort. JMO
I have seen a sample of exactly one instance of a friend using a 168 Berger and 7 Rem Mag I believe at 409 yards on a white tail .
Virtually electrocuted it with a lung shot.
Exit was softball sized .
He has killed ten moose with that bullet out of his 7mag, stays away from the shoulder and takes lung shots only.
Cat
Virtually electrocuted it with a lung shot.
Exit was softball sized .
He has killed ten moose with that bullet out of his 7mag, stays away from the shoulder and takes lung shots only.
Cat
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DiabeticKripple
CGN Regular
- Location
- Red Deer, Alberta
someone told me there is really no difference between the Berger hunting and target bullets other than the branding on the box.
Berger's make burger is the saying.
I wouldnt use them. I dont like metal in my meat.
Berger's make burger is the saying.
I wouldnt use them. I dont like metal in my meat.
At one time some of them were the same. I sectioned a few and melted some down in a lead pot and weighed the jackets. Things changed and in the case of sister bullets the target versions were made stiffer and the older unisex version was the hunting bullet.
I've used the 180 7m VLDs (7-300 and STW) on a few hundred animals. Exits are the norm as is quick killing. I've also used a fair few 185 Classic hunters and haven't had on exit yet, although I've never used those at long range. Had a bad experience with 190 30 Cal VLDs early on; Shot was 440 yards low on the shoulder. Deer went straight down, but got to its feet by the time we got to it. Son shot it again with a 257 Weatherby and 100 grain Ballistic tips. My bullet entered the leg, passed through, then re-entered and splattered against the ribs. Jacket had split and I found a circular piece the size of a quarter or a bit smaller. Ironically the Weatherby exited. Sort of swore off those ones.
The 195 7mm EOL hits like a truck, tears a hole that has to be seen to be believed and sounds like someone smacked a base-drum with a sledge hammer.
One could conclude that a blanket statement about whether Bergers are good on game might be a little too broad. One could question whether lack of a blood-trail loses more game than animals that ran more often in the first place.
Bergers are definitely playing close to the edge. Monos play on the opposite edge, aren't exactly famous for having good blood trails to go with their famous exit holes and yet they have fans too. Not me; but I digress.
In between there's everything else, and most people should be playing in everything else land.
The 195 7mm EOL hits like a truck, tears a hole that has to be seen to be believed and sounds like someone smacked a base-drum with a sledge hammer.
One could conclude that a blanket statement about whether Bergers are good on game might be a little too broad. One could question whether lack of a blood-trail loses more game than animals that ran more often in the first place.
Bergers are definitely playing close to the edge. Monos play on the opposite edge, aren't exactly famous for having good blood trails to go with their famous exit holes and yet they have fans too. Not me; but I digress.
In between there's everything else, and most people should be playing in everything else land.
RangerPark
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Near Edmonton, AB
That's why I stopped using them. They make for an impressive exit wound, fist sized at times, as long as you don't hit bone. But I never recovered an entire projectile, only bits of shredded copper jackets.
I think it comes down to, do you eat what you kill or kill for varmint control? Do you shoot thin skin/light bones animal? Do you care about your meet and the amount wasted? I think there is so many awesome bullets out there that will do everything you need in more situations, why limit your self to a perfect placed shot, when we all know that the day will come where your shot won’t be perfect! If it is only for the respect of the query, use a proven hunting bullet!
Shot a mule doe with my 300 wsm and a 168 gr hunting vld and 3070 FPS, blows up and too much meat damage, deer dropped on the spot so...yes it works, I have switched to a 168 gr barnes ttsx at 3240 fps out of the same rifle and have been happy with it.
