Berger Hunting VLD performance on Game?

TwoSeventy

TwoSeventy

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I've been doing load development for the 260 Rem. using the 130 gr. Berger Hunting VLD. I have a load that if running about 2800 fps.

From Bergers own description of the performance, the bullet is not designed to be a tough penetrator, but will expand rapidly.

My question is, does anyone have real life experience with the hunting VLD deer size game?
 
I shot a buck with a 168 gr out of 7 mm mag. Its was a high shoulder at about 150. Entrance was about dime size exit was about the size of a half dollar and both shoulders were broke and it desintegrated the top of the lungs. There was some bruising but not more than any other bullet. Mine a running about 3100. He dropped right there, didnt take a step.
 
I havn't shot any with a 6.5-130gr but I here good things about them.

I've shot the 105VLD out of a BRX on several critters. Most deer, the bullet pencils in with a nickle-quarter sized exit hole. Same results wether shot in bone or typical bowstyle lung shot. I shot one deer beween the eyes & same story. Pen in quarter sized exit. It did swell his eyes & a fragment came out were the horn would have been. On smaller critters not much explosion but it kills them pretty well. The only animal I have shot with different results was a muskrat ~130 yards. Shot him in the head & it looked like a grenade hit him. Very violant unlike my other experiences...

Lot of guys think Berger bullets penetrate like mad. I've read here were some guys would trust them more (to penetrate) than a barnes or partition. They should read carefully what Berger says about the bullet
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SHED UP TO 85%!!!! Don't sound like much of a high penetrating bullet to me.


I'm sure it will work well as a hunting bullet. As will every other 120-140gr 6.5 bullet. Anything through the vitals, no matter who made it equals a dead deer.
 
This past season I killed a mule deer at 325 yds with a 168gr out of my dpms 308 (about 2510 fps). Hit it broadside in both lungs. The enterance was about the size of a dime with the exit around 3 inches in dia. I would say that their despription of "rapid expansion" is very accurate. It didn't go ten yards and the chest cavity experienced massive damage.
 
They arent made to penetrate deap or break heavy bone. They are made to create a violent wound channel. Ive not seen anything hit with them that runs off. My buddy uses the 190s out of his 300win mag and hasnt ever had to chase a cow elk into timber. Like I said theye arnt made like partitions or barnes or GMX bullets.
 
they are deadly i have shot a ton of coyotes with a 25gr.outof my 17rem,and i shot a elk that i got 270lbs.of boneless meat out of,one shot behind the shoulder. our group has taken 8 elk with them.and several black bear
 
i use the 140 grain bergers in my 6.5x284 and they work great.i've killed 2 whitetails and had no problem with penetration and they opened up well.
 
My nephew shot his 1st deer at age 11 this year with my .243 shooting 95gn Berger VLD's at 3142fps 1st shot at 366 yards humped him up and as he was walking he shot him again at 403 yards and dropped him like a sack of patatoes. Neither exited but both were through the shoulder and devistated the vitals.
 
I've not tried them yet, but I have to wonder what makes them different than any other hpbt target bullet? I'm not knocking them as I don't care what everyone uses, by all means use what works for you. But I just have to wonder how they work so well but Sierra MK's aren't recommended for hunting. Anyone know of the differences in construction between the two?
 
I watched a 364" bull take 4 at 900-957 yards this november, out of a 7 Ultra mag, not terribly impressed with the terminal performance, however they make up for it in accuracy, I'm shooting them out (the OTM HYBRID 300 grain) of my .338 lapua, so obviously I wasnt too scared off!
 
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Originally Posted By: 204 ARI've not tried them yet, but I have to wonder what makes them different than any other hpbt target bullet? I'm not knocking them as I don't care what everyone uses, by all means use what works for you. But I just have to wonder how they work so well but Sierra MK's aren't recommended for hunting. Anyone know of the differences in construction between the two?
Sierra uses thicker jackets. The J4 jackets Berger uses are thin and expand more readily.

You can see it for yourself; cut both bullets with diagonal pliars.

Jack
 
Originally Posted By: 204 ARI've not tried them yet, but I have to wonder what makes them different than any other hpbt target bullet? I'm not knocking them as I don't care what everyone uses, by all means use what works for you. But I just have to wonder how they work so well but Sierra MK's aren't recommended for hunting. Anyone know of the differences in construction between the two?

Berger makes a target and a hunting bullet. The target bullets will zip right thru a deer 30 cal in 30 cal out. Shot one by accident grab wrong box.

The hunting bullets have a lighter skin on them.
 
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They are picky to load for. You cat seat them long to get accurate, at least nobody I know that shoots them can. I have to jump about .005 in my 7 mag. They are also more accurate at 2-300 yards than 100. If your gonna shoot at anythinglong distance id want a shoulder, not a heart/lung shot. I also shot a buck last year with a 162 amx and had the same effect. I dont see anydifference with them and a target bullet. Both were dead deer only I shot my buck at 450~ two years ago. Other than the 20 bucks a box difference that is. I wont spend that anymore on them
 
Originally Posted By: Jack RobertsOriginally Posted By: 204 ARI've not tried them yet, but I have to wonder what makes them different than any other hpbt target bullet? I'm not knocking them as I don't care what everyone uses, by all means use what works for you. But I just have to wonder how they work so well but Sierra MK's aren't recommended for hunting. Anyone know of the differences in construction between the two?
Sierra uses thicker jackets. The J4 jackets Berger uses are thin and expand more readily.

You can see it for yourself; cut both bullets with diagonal pliars.

Jack

Does that mean the J4 nosler bullets should open up like the bergers? I shoot the noslers out of my 308
 
Originally Posted By: skipjackI have heard they are a bit picky to reload for...any truth to this? I've thought about using a 130gr A
ccubond through my .260.

Go to the Berger website and follow the instructions there to find an accurate c.o.a.l. Lot of myths started by individuals with little or no real life experience with Bergers. Try 'em, you'll like 'em. My small mob of sons and nephews have killed a truck load of whitetails at all kinds of ranges with 6mm, .25, .270, and 7mm without nary a complaint or problem.
 


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