VLD bullets and jumping

[Pantallica90]

I'm curious to find out what people have experienced in terms of jumping these bullets. I've got a not so hot load for my 300WM pushing 210 VLD's at ~2875FPS but it'll put punch 100Yrds into a quarter sized group.

I'm stuck with a Mark V box mag at 3.385 at the most COAL with persistent feeding problems. I dipped 0.010 down to 3.375 because of this and after shooting the VLD's at ~.140 jump I am more so surprised than anything. The Nosler AB's shot well but not as good as the VLD's.

Thinking it was a one-off fluke I tried again and printed the same result. I have a 270WSM which I can jam VLD's and can't print a reputable group in comparison.

 

[Keithjohn]

I found the vld bullets to be a PITA , I bought a box each for 3 different rifles and used over 1/2 the bullets in each before choosing a load - testing a fraction of what Berger recommends . It made quite a difference in all rifles on the jump to the lands and no two the same .
I did get good groups but no better than some reload friendlier bullets - eg - SMK , accubond
I'm a tight a** and would use the vld for a long distance paper puncher but their to fussy for me to bother loading for my hunting rifles

 

[Pantallica90]

I found the vld bullets to be a PITA , I bought a box each for 3 different rifles and used over 1/2 the bullets in each before choosing a load - testing a fraction of what Berger recommends . It made quite a difference in all rifles on the jump to the lands and no two the same .
I did get good groups but no better than some reload friendlier bullets - eg - SMK , accubond
I'm a tight a** and would use the vld for a long distance paper puncher but their to fussy for me to bother loading for my hunting rifles

I was having a lot of grouping issues with my Mark V for awhile and figured it was either me or the ammo I was making. I had decided to take a look at the optics and mounting systems finally. I discovered after taking the rail off that there was quite a bit of wear to the top of the receiver. Using factory and reloads I was getting shiet groups, even at 100yards it wouldn't shoot less than 3 MOA. I bought a Near rail for it and threw everything back on. Poof everything was solved and these old handloads I thought were meh at best became great!

Even my 260 with the 140VLDs jammed .01" in the lands produces mediocre groups compared to 130 OTM's at stock Tikka mag length. (2.825")

 

[Ganderite]

I am told that VLDs are best jammed. In one rifle they shoot much better jumping 20 thou. For a target rifle (single shot) it is easy to test and find out, but for a mag rifle the mag might determine the OAL.

 

[Slamfire]

Another brand of VLD bullet, Cutting Edge. Good results with CEB's in my 416 Ruger loaded in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. This bullet features their SealTite Band for enhanced accuracy.

At 100 meters

340gr MTH / 350gr TTSX / 350gr MT / 223

 

[RangerPark]

This is why "hybrid" designs are becoming more popular. Berger has many different options. Much more forgiving with seating depth. So is the Berger 185 Juggernaut, not the same as the 185 Hybrid but still more forgiving on seating depth than a VLD.

This explains it much better that I ever would:
http:/ /www.bergerbullets.com/berger-hybrid-bullets/

 

[Suther]

I'm curious to find out what people have experienced in terms of jumping these bullets. I've got a not so hot load for my 300WM pushing 210 VLD's at ~2875FPS but it'll put punch 100Yrds into a quarter sized group.

I'm stuck with a Mark V box mag at 3.385 at the most COAL with persistent feeding problems. I dipped 0.010 down to 3.375 because of this and after shooting the VLD's at ~.140 jump I am more so surprised than anything. The Nosler AB's shot well but not as good as the VLD's.

Thinking it was a one-off fluke I tried again and printed the same result. I have a 270WSM which I can jam VLD's and can't print a reputable group in comparison.

What sort of twist does your 270wsm have? I'm not sure about the wsm, but the regular 270 usually has a 1:10 twist that won't stabilize the long heavy vld bullets.

 

[Dogleg]

I'm curious to find out what people have experienced in terms of jumping these bullets. I've got a not so hot load for my 300WM pushing 210 VLD's at ~2875FPS but it'll put punch 100Yrds into a quarter sized group.

I'm stuck with a Mark V box mag at 3.385 at the most COAL with persistent feeding problems. I dipped 0.010 down to 3.375 because of this and after shooting the VLD's at ~.140 jump I am more so surprised than anything. The Nosler AB's shot well but not as good as the VLD's.

Thinking it was a one-off fluke I tried again and printed the same result. I have a 270WSM which I can jam VLD's and can't print a reputable group in comparison.

You can change the mag box, lengthen the bolt-stop groove (technical term I just made up) and get the mag length up to 3.800" or thereabouts.

 

[Eagleye]

I'm pretty much OK with any of the solid "pure" copper bullets or gilding metal types for hunting.
Development has seen a few designs that are quite reliable.

However, in sectioning Berger VLDS, Hybrids and Juggernauts, I cannot consider them "hunting"
bullets, regardless of statements to the contrary.
There are so many dedicated "hunting" bullets with superior penetration capabilities, that I personally
refuse to use a bullet that may disintegrate if it contacts heavy bone.

As to the OP's comments, VLD types may shoot well even with a substantial jump in some rifles.
I have a target rifle that demands they be jammed .010" to shoot well. But my 6mm Sporter shoots the 105 VLD best if it jumps about .015"
It's all a matter of experimenting to see what works in YOUR rifle. D.