Berger bullets for pelts

J

Jake_2008

New member
Guys,

I am struggling putting together the right fur getter round. Trying to balance out the calibers and come up with a DRT round that I can then take and skin out. Id be perfectly happy with Hornady V-Max's but I cant find a post that doesnt blame them for all kinds of fur damage. Unfortunately I am talking about factory offerings for the time being.

My question is this, does Berger make a round for the .223 that would be good for furs, and if so, does someone like HSM have factory offerings with it?

I appreciate any advice or other suggestions.

Jake
 
I don't think you are going to find any factory loads using Berger bullets. At least I have never heard of one. Since you don't reload, I'd suggest a factory load that uses a 55gr soft point round.
 
Jake,
Might I suggest you call Berger and ask them directly. I no longer hunt due to age issues and have never hunted using Berger bullets. But I shoot strictly targets these days for pure accuracy and Berg makes a fantasic bullet for target shooting. Their VLD'S along with Sierra's (142 gr) are proving to be some of the best bullets for 600 - 1000 yds in 6.5 calibers. The guys at Berger are very knowledgeable and great to talk too. Don't be shy because they'll be honest and give you the straight scoop on their testing, although keep in mind, it'll be your rifle having to tell you a good deal, but the make-up of the bullet might make you happy or unhappy with the remains after you drop an animal.
 
Berger hunting bullets are not pelt savers. I run a 60gr varmint bullet in my 223 and the entry hole is not much more than bullet diameter, but exit hole is nasty.
 
I would run the 50s or 55gr vmax. I ran them in my AR and did very well. Nothing is perfect but the 55s were very good and the 50s no complaints. But like I said nothing is perfect but this is what I have used. HAPPY HUNTING
 
Berger's are not fur or pelt friendly, I use a 55grn Nosler CT (Combined Technologies) in a ballistic silver tip, so far so good, but I shoot a 22-250 and they are traveling at 3400 fps by chronograph. The largest exit hole I have seen is about 2+ inches, and that was a rib hit coyote at 270 yards. The CT is a thicker jacket than the Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint. I think HSM does produce a factory round using Berger's. I have seen a Pronghorn Antelope hit in the vitals with a Berger VLD at 300 yards and it had a 12" exit hole, the rifle was a .270 wsm.
 
Originally Posted By: SnowyoteBerger's are not fur or pelt friendly, I use a 55grn Nosler CT (Combined Technologies) in a ballistic silver tip, so far so good, but I shoot a 22-250 and they are traveling at 3400 fps by chronograph. The largest exit hole I have seen is about 2+ inches, and that was a rib hit coyote at 270 yards. The CT is a thicker jacket than the Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint. I think HSM does produce a factory round using Berger's. I have seen a Pronghorn Antelope hit in the vitals with a Berger VLD at 300 yards and it had a 12" exit hole, the rifle was a .270 wsm.

I've never heard that the CT bullets had a thicker jacket than the NBT Varmint. Thought the only difference was in the black Lubalox coating and different tip color.
 
I shoot a .17 Remington using Berger 25gr Match Target bullets. The bullet goes in and very rarely will it exit, and the coyote is almost always DRT. Granted with the .17Rem shot placement is key and your range will be limited, but for fur friendliness it doesn't get much better. However like these guys have already said I don't know of any factory ammo that uses Berger bullets.
 
Originally Posted By: CoyotejunkiOriginally Posted By: SnowyoteThe CT is a thicker jacket than the Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint.

How do you know this?

I stand corrected, it is the Nosler CT hunting that carries the heavier jacket, but not available in .224 I shoot that bullet in my .243
 
Hunting Ballistic tips have a much thicker jacket. I have cross sectioned alot of bullets on my belt sander to see the differences. Very easy to do and you can learn alot about bullet construction.
 
i have run 50 gr softpoints, 55 gr softpoints, 60gr sierra, and currently run 55gr v-max.
i had many coyotes run off with softpoints even with perfect chest shots. i tried the 60gr sierra and had good luck at first but then i was getting unacceptable exit holes. i have been using 55gr v-max for 2 years now, a crappy hit usually means a torn up hide, but a front on or broadside chest shot results in a dead dog with NO exit hole.
it may be contrary to other peoples experience, but i like the 55 v-max.
 
We run bergers in my fireball 204 and i load them in my dads 22-250, its the match target and they are very fur friendly.

Midway Usa or HSM has bergers in factory ammo
 
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