Berger bullets

Greg Nolan · Jun 19, 2011

I 'm trying to load 87 gr. VLD hunting bullets for my 243. Does anyone know how the loads compare to say and AccuBond. I plan to try some Bergers in a couple of other calibers so I'm trying to get a generic feel for a load basis.
Thanks
Greg

CAhunter · Jun 19, 2011

Greg im using rl22 with the 95gr vld. Also if you can load to the lands start there. I really like the bergers on deer sized game.

Guy Miner · Jun 19, 2011

I've used Bergers in several different rifles, mostly in my .25-06, but also the .308, .30-06 and the .300 WSM.

The Berger VLD's can be very accurate, but are typically pretty sensitive to seating depth. Traditionally competition shooters loaded them long and "jammed" them into the lands for the best accuracy. In recent years some folks, including me, have found that very good accuracy can also be achieved by jumping the VLD's to the lands, like a more typical bullet. Still, it can be a bit of a chore to achieve the excellent accuracy those VLD's can attain.

Also - I noted that they may not shoot best at maximum powder charges. Not really positive about that, more of a general impression after loading them in several different cartridges. My most accurate VLD load to date has been the 210 gr in the .300 WSM with a stout charge of H4350... It tends to hover around half MOA, even at mid - longish ranges.

Regards, Guy

DrMike · Jun 19, 2011

Guy is bang on about Bergers not liking full throttle loads as a general rule. Also, the jump to the lands is frequently an open secret of accuracy. I'll add that I've observed that there are rifles that simply won't stabilise VLDs. I've loaded several Savage 7mm RMs. None shot VLDs well. One rifle in particular yielded 3 inch plus groups (up to six inches). The first effort with 160 ABs gave me 0.5 inch groups. I've now loaded several Savages, and observe that there are other bullets that yield superior accuracy to the VLDs.

Greg Nolan · Jun 19, 2011

DrMike
That's kind of a dismal report. I appreciate your honesty but , sniffle,sniffle, Now what?
Greg

DrMike · Jun 20, 2011

Greg,

That's not to say you can obtain great accuracy with Bergers. Walt Berger built his reputation on building accurate bullets. As with anything in life, the rifles we shoot differ from one another. Some will not like what others consume with great gusto. I had one rifle chambered in 270 WSM that would only, and I mean only, tolerate Swift Sciroccos. With that bullet, it yielded wonderful quarter-inch groups at good velocities. However, there was no way that I could get that particular rifle to shoot AccuBonds or VLDs. It had a loooooooong jump to the lands. Fortunately, I was able to generate a recipe that worked, and the owner was pleased and greatly satisfied. I'm not certain I'd want a rifle that tolerated only one bullet, but the one chosen was a good bullet that worked well.

Guy Miner · Jun 20, 2011

Oh yes, they'll shoot! Berger bullets are famous for their match winning accuracy. It's only in recent years that they've become more popular as hunting bullets. It may just take a bit of effort, and perhaps not every rifle is going to respond well to them. Often it's much easier to make a Nosler Ballistic Tip shoot well. But yes, they are very well made, high quality, bullets capable of great accuracy. I've taken three mule deer with the 115 gr Berger VLD from my .25-06 at nearly 3200 fps. Ranges were 175, 230 and 400 yards. Each mulie dropped instantly. They work well for hunting deer sized game and are quite accurate, it just might be harder to make them work well, compared to a Ballistic Tip or an AccuBond.

One of the "problems" we have any more is a huge choice of cartridges, rifles, scopes and bullets. There must be a gazillion (very scientific estimate) good deer bullets on the market these days.

With the 6mm Remington, a near ballistic twin to your .243, my son and I have long since settled on the 95 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip as our favorite deer bullet. It's accurate, holds velocity well, expands even out at 300 yards, yet hangs together well enough that we get complete penetration on mule deer. I can't think of a bullet I'd rather hunt with, using a .243 or a 6mm Remington.

Regards, Guy

Greg Nolan · Jun 20, 2011

Mike and Guy'
Thanks for the info and encouragement. I made it to the range today and my loads were below and up to max for a Hornady SST or Nosler balistic tip. They shot well but I was also doing a initial sight in with 3 bullets in each load range. They shot under an inch which was great :grin: But I plan to shoot farther than 50 yards in the future :? so It's still a work in progress. They sure are sleek looking.
Greg