Anyone using 6.5 cal. Berger bullets to hunt with?
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4,726 Posts
An advantage is with purpose-built bullets...
Opinions vary, but bullets built for game (especially premium bullets, e.g., Partition, Grand Slam, etc.) are designed to "keep it together" while expanding to achieve maximize energy transfer to the critter. They are specifically designed to create a wound channel, in spite of bone or no bone on entry; a tough assignment even for bullets allegedly designed for the task!
So, unless you are talking about very small critters like PDs or Ground Hogs, there is much more advantage to using a controlled expansion (read: purpose built GAME bullet) in terms of harvesting your game than a bullet built entirely without terminal performance even considered. In other words, for bigger game especially, not only does one have to hit the critter, but it has to perform once it gets there. IF the bullet won't stay together, or transfer its energy once it gets there, accuracy "advantage" is lost.
And, speaking of accuracy, a target bullet (like the Bergers you mentioned) is generally more accurate than game bullets, but the difference is usually measured in .000s of an inch. But, these bullets are generally fired from a bench rest and it is very important to bagging a brass trophy, but means nothing to a deer! A Partition bullet that groups 1-1/2 MOA is plenty accurate for the vitals of a deer out to practical ranges. And, if fired from other than a bench at a known distance, the difference in accuracy between (Berger) match bullets and a premium game bullet is lost. But, let me or anyone say you should NOT use target bullets for game, and there will be someone out there that has kilt a passel of critters, all with full metal jacket something or others. BS...Use a game bullet for big game, IMO.
P.
One of the fastest ways to start a controversy is to ask about using target built bullets for game, especially big game!
Opinions vary, but bullets built for game (especially premium bullets, e.g., Partition, Grand Slam, etc.) are designed to "keep it together" while expanding to achieve maximize energy transfer to the critter. They are specifically designed to create a wound channel, in spite of bone or no bone on entry; a tough assignment even for bullets allegedly designed for the task!
So, unless you are talking about very small critters like PDs or Ground Hogs, there is much more advantage to using a controlled expansion (read: purpose built GAME bullet) in terms of harvesting your game than a bullet built entirely without terminal performance even considered. In other words, for bigger game especially, not only does one have to hit the critter, but it has to perform once it gets there. IF the bullet won't stay together, or transfer its energy once it gets there, accuracy "advantage" is lost.
And, speaking of accuracy, a target bullet (like the Bergers you mentioned) is generally more accurate than game bullets, but the difference is usually measured in .000s of an inch. But, these bullets are generally fired from a bench rest and it is very important to bagging a brass trophy, but means nothing to a deer! A Partition bullet that groups 1-1/2 MOA is plenty accurate for the vitals of a deer out to practical ranges. And, if fired from other than a bench at a known distance, the difference in accuracy between (Berger) match bullets and a premium game bullet is lost. But, let me or anyone say you should NOT use target bullets for game, and there will be someone out there that has kilt a passel of critters, all with full metal jacket something or others. BS...Use a game bullet for big game, IMO.
P.
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254 Posts
from berger's web site
The MATCH VLD bullets are proving to be the most lethal big game hunting bullet available. The VLD design incorporates a sharp nose that allows the bullet to penetrate up to 3 inches before it starts to expand. This delayed expansion results in a wound channel that is deep inside the vital area of any big game. After the bullet starts to expand it will shed 80% to 90% of its weight into the surrounding tissue traveling as deep as 18 inches. This results in a massive wound cavity that creates the greatest possible amount of tissue damage and hemraging. This massive and extensive wound cavity result in the animal dropping fast. Our bullets don't poke through like an arrow but instead expend all of their energy right where it is most effective, inside the animal. Bullets that poke through so that they can cause a blood trail result in a hunter tracking a wounded animal. Using the Berger VLD will result in an animal that goes down fast so you can enjoy the results of your hunt without having to track the wounded animal after the shot. You owe it to yourself to see how accurate and deadly the Berger VLD will be on your next hunt. Call 714-447-5456 to request video proof of these results in the field.
seems to me its a match grade hunting bullet......
oh, couldn't find a load with a berger but here's one with a lapua 139 scenar (still a vld)
http://www.reloadersnest.com/detail.asp?CaliberID=379&LoadID=10049
JS
The MATCH VLD bullets are proving to be the most lethal big game hunting bullet available. The VLD design incorporates a sharp nose that allows the bullet to penetrate up to 3 inches before it starts to expand. This delayed expansion results in a wound channel that is deep inside the vital area of any big game. After the bullet starts to expand it will shed 80% to 90% of its weight into the surrounding tissue traveling as deep as 18 inches. This results in a massive wound cavity that creates the greatest possible amount of tissue damage and hemraging. This massive and extensive wound cavity result in the animal dropping fast. Our bullets don't poke through like an arrow but instead expend all of their energy right where it is most effective, inside the animal. Bullets that poke through so that they can cause a blood trail result in a hunter tracking a wounded animal. Using the Berger VLD will result in an animal that goes down fast so you can enjoy the results of your hunt without having to track the wounded animal after the shot. You owe it to yourself to see how accurate and deadly the Berger VLD will be on your next hunt. Call 714-447-5456 to request video proof of these results in the field.
seems to me its a match grade hunting bullet......
oh, couldn't find a load with a berger but here's one with a lapua 139 scenar (still a vld)
http://www.reloadersnest.com/detail.asp?CaliberID=379&LoadID=10049
JS
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14,068 Posts
I find this interesting, but don't know which side to take here
There is a TV show on Wed. at 9:30 ET on the Mens Outdoor and Recreation channel (dish network) called the "Best of the West". It is a pretty good show, and these guys put out a video called "How to Shoot Beyond Belief". On the show, they make some REALLY long shots on western big game, including elk. One particular shot I recall was at about 750 yards on an elk. Not sure the specific cal, either 7mm or 300 Win Mag., but they ONLY use Berger VLD bullets and almost all their animals drop upon impact.
I know this is TV, not trying to start a flame war. But they do show some footage of field testing on their show, shooting bullets into boxes with meat/bone in them. They show a perfectly good mushroomed bullet recovered in the target.
But I still can't make MY mind up on which side of the fence to stand. The post above from Berger's website, which says they shed 80-90% of their weight within the animal sounds logical. I like the theory of expending all energy within the animal, but then again, I like a nice blood trail too. From my years of archery experience, I find it a LOT easier to track an animal with a complete pass-thru (2 holes).
Charlie
There is a TV show on Wed. at 9:30 ET on the Mens Outdoor and Recreation channel (dish network) called the "Best of the West". It is a pretty good show, and these guys put out a video called "How to Shoot Beyond Belief". On the show, they make some REALLY long shots on western big game, including elk. One particular shot I recall was at about 750 yards on an elk. Not sure the specific cal, either 7mm or 300 Win Mag., but they ONLY use Berger VLD bullets and almost all their animals drop upon impact.
I know this is TV, not trying to start a flame war. But they do show some footage of field testing on their show, shooting bullets into boxes with meat/bone in them. They show a perfectly good mushroomed bullet recovered in the target.
But I still can't make MY mind up on which side of the fence to stand. The post above from Berger's website, which says they shed 80-90% of their weight within the animal sounds logical. I like the theory of expending all energy within the animal, but then again, I like a nice blood trail too. From my years of archery experience, I find it a LOT easier to track an animal with a complete pass-thru (2 holes).
Charlie
The best of the west...
Yes, I have seen this program many times. I have seen their video on long range shooting. I have used Nosler partitions, BT, Hornady SST, Sierra big game bullets very effectively. I do believe that the Berger VLD will provide suffiicient terminal performance. I have used many different bullets to take biggame. This is not my first dance. Having said this, I thank you all for your input and opinions. I assume I will have to develope a load for my purpose. I did not intend to start a controversy. Only, that I was inquiring if anyone had used Berger 6.5 VLD for big game and perhaps what their loading info was.
Yes, I have seen this program many times. I have seen their video on long range shooting. I have used Nosler partitions, BT, Hornady SST, Sierra big game bullets very effectively. I do believe that the Berger VLD will provide suffiicient terminal performance. I have used many different bullets to take biggame. This is not my first dance. Having said this, I thank you all for your input and opinions. I assume I will have to develope a load for my purpose. I did not intend to start a controversy. Only, that I was inquiring if anyone had used Berger 6.5 VLD for big game and perhaps what their loading info was.
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