vlds vs hybrids vs traditional design bullets

twosmokinspades

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So we were in the shop the discussion around bullet shapes, started out with the new Nosler bullets then led to really what is the better bullet design? I have talked to some vary good shooter who put down the hybids. Say they dont work that well at 1000 other love them cant say enough good about them. At berger nationals lots of the top guys were using them. Others dont use VLDs saying the gain in BC is not worth it because the bullet is just too finiky on seating depth. Others say that they have not found vlds any different than any other bullet as far as seating depth. Some long range match like PRS are out far enough that 308 bullets go subsonic so shooters opt for a traditional bullet like Juggernauts that are suppose to transition better. So really is one design any better than any other? I do realize hybrid and vlds dont often do well in mag fed rifles because they would need a mile long run to the rifling. So i did google this and came up short. All I got was an artical on the physical differences. So was just wondering what the general thoughts are.
For the argument I have decided on sticking with tradional bullets 185 juggs. And 175 otm berger for matches with a 175 weight limite.
 
I've read all the hate on the VLDs. They simply work in my rifle.

That's the key. What works in your rifle may not work in the next guys and visa versa.
 
the pay offs to using VLD's are huge, but you need to be prepared to do some serious load development, oh and standard RCBS and Lee dies are not likely going to work with them, honestly you need to step up to either redding micrometer seaters or wilson dies with the vld seater stems.

how finicky are they?? well I test them in 2 thou increments when playing with seating deapth!! really??? yeap....4 thou jump is okay but 6 thou jump is WOW......

what's better?? you need to shoot a lot to see the difference....and be a good shooter....at 600 yards in perfect conditions I can get 1.75 in 5 shot groups with VLD hunters, but the hybrids come in at 1.25 inch or better......

So now I have RDF's to compare with those 2 as soon as we can get the truck back to the target frames......to much snow still
 
So we were in the shop the discussion around bullet shapes, started out with the new Nosler bullets then led to really what is the better bullet design? I have talked to some vary good shooter who put down the hybids. Say they dont work that well at 1000 other love them cant say enough good about them. At berger nationals lots of the top guys were using them. Others dont use VLDs saying the gain in BC is not worth it because the bullet is just too finiky on seating depth. Others say that they have not found vlds any different than any other bullet as far as seating depth. Some long range match like PRS are out far enough that 308 bullets go subsonic so shooters opt for a traditional bullet like Juggernauts that are suppose to transition better. So really is one design any better than any other? I do realize hybrid and vlds dont often do well in mag fed rifles because they would need a mile long run to the rifling. So i did google this and came up short. All I got was an artical on the physical differences. So was just wondering what the general thoughts are.
For the argument I have decided on sticking with tradional bullets 185 juggs. And 175 otm berger for matches with a 175 weight limite.

The better question is how fast are going when you break through the target....and what are the wind conditions like when you do....

No right answer... but there are a bunch of compromises.... and of course, far more opinions.

Jerry
 
The simple way to understand how finicky they may or may not be is run an OAL test for your cartridge at 100 meters. Shot group of 4 starting at say .020" jam and work your way out to jump distances in .005" increments. Very quickly you will find out where the sweet spot in. Works for all bullets BTW.

Some designs can be finicky while other are not. You need to test the bullets and your chamber/barrel.

The reason you get a difference of opinion between the shooters is that most shooters do not test at the longer ranges. Most only test the bullets at close ranges. Because they don't test, they attribute bullets issues to wind conditions. Simply put they don't know!!
 
I shot the vlds to 1200 yards for quite awhile with no problems and was quick to find a load my 6.5 - 06.I tried the hybrids also and really didn't see that much difference other than they liked a little less powder.
 
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