Bullet choice

[powdergun]

When I have a rifle I like the idea using only one kind of bullet. For example my 7mm uses 140 gr partitions and that's it. Keeps life simple lol...

In the middle of gathering parts for a build and am looking for some ideas on what bullets to try out. Also,would like to narrow it down before the chamber gets cut.

Criteria

300WM
Mostly long range plinking but also would like to hunt deer.

In the past I used Berger hunting bullets but the performance on game was ok but not great. I know they expand quickly etc... Just wondering about your experiences with some of the newer offerings out there.

 

[rascal1]

When I have a rifle I like the idea using only one kind of bullet. For example my 7mm uses 140 gr partitions and that's it. Keeps life simple lol...

In the middle of gathering parts for a build and am looking for some ideas on what bullets to try out. Also,would like to narrow it down before the chamber gets cut.

Criteria

300WM
Mostly long range plinking but also would like to hunt deer.

In the past I used Berger hunting bullets but the performance on game was ok but not great. I know they expand quickly etc... Just wondering about your experiences with some of the newer offerings out there.

I run 180 gr (moose, elk) 165 gr (deer)GMX Superformance in my .300 mag. Knocks game down, bit pricy for plinking though...

 

[Maple57]

When I have a rifle I like the idea using only one kind of bullet. For example my 7mm uses 140 gr partitions and that's it. Keeps life simple lol...

In the middle of gathering parts for a build and am looking for some ideas on what bullets to try out. Also,would like to narrow it down before the chamber gets cut.

Criteria

300WM
Mostly long range plinking but also would like to hunt deer.

In the past I used Berger hunting bullets but the performance on game was ok but not great. I know they expand quickly etc... Just wondering about your experiences with some of the newer offerings out there.

Your post is actually somewhat misleading, so I feel the need to point out how...

We can talk about efficient VLD bullets versus more classic designs like Sierra SMKs and suggest that Bergers have a better BC, but you may or may not see the benefits of that depending on your mag length and chamber.

I'm assuming you are feeding from a mag BTW.

In a single shot scenario, we have no concern for mag length and generally seat the bullets close to touching the lands.

In a mag fed rifle, your OAL is limited by the mag, so touching the lands with a long nosed Berger VLD may be too long for your magazine. Then you'll need to seat to mag length and jump the snot out of them and velocity spread will widen and likely accuracy will degrade as well.

For this reason, match grade VLD bullets are often not appropriate for hunting rifles.

Before you attempt to find solid ground with bullet selection, you need to establish the seating depth to touch the lands with a given bullet and attempt to estimate whether or not you will be able to feed in a repeater.

Perhaps obtaining dimensions from the Ogive to the bullet tip and comparing that to bullets you are familiar with.

BTW, a buddy used a 185 Berger Juggernaut on a moose a couple years ago from 300 yards. The moose ran 3 feet... straight down. The rifle was custom throated specifically for the 185 BTW.

 

[powdergun]

Thanks that is useful info. The rifle will have bdl bottom metal so length will be a factor.
Is was looking for ideas for some possibilities so if can have the barrel chambered accordingly

 

[hunter-4-life]

190gr Bergers at 2900-3000 and thats all you'll need from deer to elk and shootin steel at 1000. Myself along with buddies have had great success with 190gr Bergers for hunting.

 

[SND]

Bulk match bullets for playing. Real Hunting bullets for hunting, like Lapua Naturalis, lead free, stays together and very accurate.
It's a lot easier to have 2 loads for a gun, than it is to pick a bunch of lead out of meat.