Variation in expansion in same lot of Bergers

powdergun

powdergun

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I was at the range blasting some jugs filled with water and had something curious occur.

Bullets: Berger 185 gr 30 cal VLD Hunter bullets
Round: 300 WM
Distance: 500 yards

Every jug hit the bullets expanded and blew out the back of the jug. However, one hit the bullet zipped through with no expansion. ( same size hole entered and exited.)

All hits were also at about the same spot on the jugs.

Question : Has anyone experienced this ?
 
I have not experienced this type of failure with any of the Berger bullets I currently shoot.
is it possible that the hollow point was closed or obstructed and not open as per the design on this particular shot. If true the bullet then acts like a full metal jacket solid bullet.
As I use my rifle and Bergers for both target shooting and hunting I confirm that the tip is not obstructed or close for every round I chamber or load in a magazine with Berger bullets. There have been posts on several websites which identify this potential issue with Berger bullets and recommend on some sights to even open up the hollow point to avoid this potential issue.
 
185's Berger out of 300Win under 200m are pretty consistent from experience, kinda gross actually, pretty big exit mess, everything just falls over.
500m, velocity is dropping, they may not be as effective lol
 
Don't know that the bullet is to blame in any way
the test medium isn't exactly scientific spec, and judging based on a single hole size alone?
Alls that can be said is water jug tests were maybe inconsistent, period

On with the shooting! :) have fun
 
powdergun said:
I was at the range blasting some jugs filled with water and had something curious occur.

Bullets: Berger 185 gr 30 cal VLD Hunter bullets
Round: 300 WM
Distance: 500 yards

Every jug hit the bullets expanded and blew out the back of the jug. However, one hit the bullet zipped through with no expansion. ( same size hole entered and exited.)

All hits were also at about the same spot on the jugs.

Question : Has anyone experienced this ?
Click to expand...
Unless you recovered the bullets , it’s not possible to accurately comment on their performance and expansion.
The condition of the water jugs demonstrates the hydraulic effects of the bullet passing through them . If all of the jugs were the same , filled the same and capped . One would expect similar results on impact , with the hydraulic pressure blowing out the back of the jug producing similar holes.
If a jug is partially filled , or not capped the same the hydraulic pressures will be less and the results not as dramatic as the others.
If the jug is empty , you can expect the bullet to pass through with similar sized inlet and exit holes.
 
What kind of jugs were you using? I've shot quite a few milk jugs over the years, and what you describe sure sounds like a bullet that didn't open.

I haven't used bergers, but I've heard other stories of them not expanding at lower velocities... do you know what your muzzle velocity is (and thus, a general idea of the impact velocity at 500?)
 
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