Im looking to get into shooting out to 800 yards with a LaRue OBR 20inch 7.62. I want to get a SA Rifle for dual purpose Hunting/Matches/LR and play gun pretty much. I was looking at the Berger 175gr VLD Hunting Bullets to do all the above I have done some reading and found 168 not to be liked past 300yards. I have done alot of looking into bullet trimmers and match grade reloading process. I also will be getting a can for this weapon as well. I was wondering if anyone has shoot these bullets at yardage looking for reviews. I don't want to have to shoot Match bullets and then switch back and forth.
- Thread starter deerassassin22
- Start date
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
The VLD bullets almost always like to be seated at the lands, which rules them out for magazine-fed rifles. They are a one-at-a-time load.
The VLD bullets almost always like to be seated at the lands, which rules them out for magazine-fed rifles. They are a one-at-a-time load.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
Not a fan of Bergers for hunting. Seen them explode on impact on Texas Whitetail from a 300WM. Buddy took 300gr Bergers elk hunting 2 years ago and watched a Berger explode on the near side of a large bull.
Not a fan of Bergers for hunting. Seen them explode on impact on Texas Whitetail from a 300WM. Buddy took 300gr Bergers elk hunting 2 years ago and watched a Berger explode on the near side of a large bull.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
I would try a box of Berger's. I had a .243 built just to shoot them.(105VLD) I'm jumping them aprox. 60 thou so they will just feed reliably from a Rem 700bdl mag. Groups,if someone else shoots are 3/4 Moa out to 400yds. (mine might be smaller but a always pooch one shoot)
If i remember rightly velocity under 3100fps is what is required for hunting/target.(reduced blow-ups) I run around 3050fps and have taking two deer with as advertised performance. Longest shot about 180 steps, just behind last left rib stopping with jacket only between rib and right front shoulder. Very little bruising.
I would try a box of Berger's. I had a .243 built just to shoot them.(105VLD) I'm jumping them aprox. 60 thou so they will just feed reliably from a Rem 700bdl mag. Groups,if someone else shoots are 3/4 Moa out to 400yds. (mine might be smaller but a always pooch one shoot)
If i remember rightly velocity under 3100fps is what is required for hunting/target.(reduced blow-ups) I run around 3050fps and have taking two deer with as advertised performance. Longest shot about 180 steps, just behind last left rib stopping with jacket only between rib and right front shoulder. Very little bruising.Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
Okay I was just wondeirng I currenlty started loading 168gr Hornady MATCH AMP's and was looking to use them for hunting and match. They are made and look exactly like the non match bullet I'm going to cut 1 open and see for sure.
Okay I was just wondeirng I currenlty started loading 168gr Hornady MATCH AMP's and was looking to use them for hunting and match. They are made and look exactly like the non match bullet I'm going to cut 1 open and see for sure.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
I use the 168s out of my 300WM pushed to 3110 and have killed 8 deer with 1 shot each. Distances ranged from 80yds to 400yds.
I use the 168s out of my 300WM pushed to 3110 and have killed 8 deer with 1 shot each. Distances ranged from 80yds to 400yds.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ilish0704</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I Feel Very Miserable!
</div></div>
Does this have anything positive to add to the thread? I don't think so.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ilish0704</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I Feel Very Miserable!
Does this have anything positive to add to the thread? I don't think so.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
If you want to hunt to 800 yards you need more velocity on target than the 308 can provide.
To provide sure bullet expansion I like to shoot for a minimum of 1800fps impact velocity. Though the Bergers will expand at slightly lower velocities this gives you a bit of headroom. Much below this and you can expect a pinhole in the deer...good luck finding the animal.
The 175 Berger from the 308 holds 1800fps out to somewhere around 550 yards.
With the right bullet the 300Win will get you pretty close to 1000 yards. The problem with the 300Win is it really stresses the Berger and tends to go off like a bomb. Penetration becomes significantly reduced at close range
If you want to hunt to 800 yards you need more velocity on target than the 308 can provide.
To provide sure bullet expansion I like to shoot for a minimum of 1800fps impact velocity. Though the Bergers will expand at slightly lower velocities this gives you a bit of headroom. Much below this and you can expect a pinhole in the deer...good luck finding the animal.
The 175 Berger from the 308 holds 1800fps out to somewhere around 550 yards.
With the right bullet the 300Win will get you pretty close to 1000 yards. The problem with the 300Win is it really stresses the Berger and tends to go off like a bomb. Penetration becomes significantly reduced at close range
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deerassassin22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im looking to get into shooting out to 800 yards with a LaRue OBR 20inch 7.62. I want to get a SA Rifle for dual purpose Hunting/Matches/LR and play gun pretty much. I was looking at the Berger 175gr VLD Hunting Bullets to do all the above I have done some reading and found 168 not to be liked past 300yards. I have done alot of looking into bullet trimmers and match grade reloading process. I also will be getting a can for this weapon as well. I was wondering if anyone has shoot these bullets at yardage looking for reviews. I don't want to have to shoot Match bullets and then switch back and forth.
</div></div>
Try the 178HPBT Hornadys, they shoot very well out of my 308s seated at magazine length, 47.5grs 2000MR with Win brass, primer of your choice.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deerassassin22</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im looking to get into shooting out to 800 yards with a LaRue OBR 20inch 7.62. I want to get a SA Rifle for dual purpose Hunting/Matches/LR and play gun pretty much. I was looking at the Berger 175gr VLD Hunting Bullets to do all the above I have done some reading and found 168 not to be liked past 300yards. I have done alot of looking into bullet trimmers and match grade reloading process. I also will be getting a can for this weapon as well. I was wondering if anyone has shoot these bullets at yardage looking for reviews. I don't want to have to shoot Match bullets and then switch back and forth.
</div></div>
Try the 178HPBT Hornadys, they shoot very well out of my 308s seated at magazine length, 47.5grs 2000MR with Win brass, primer of your choice.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
168 berger vld’s work for me in my 308 bolt rifle, not sure how they would perform in a semi though. I do jump them and they do shoot well so no problem there if you can find a spot they like in your limited OAL mag.
My mulie deer thread
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...789#Post2888789
I wouldn’t advise hunting with them much beyond 500 yards with a 308 though as they do require an impact velocity fast enough to expand. They do share almost the same BC as 175 SMK’s and in my Remington tactical shown in the above thread I have shot steel plates out to 1000 yards. I prefer the berger vld 168's to the 175 smk for that as this rifle shoots the 175 smk’s about 70 fps slower and that is noticed at the 1000 yard line.
168 berger vld’s work for me in my 308 bolt rifle, not sure how they would perform in a semi though. I do jump them and they do shoot well so no problem there if you can find a spot they like in your limited OAL mag.
My mulie deer thread
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...789#Post2888789
I wouldn’t advise hunting with them much beyond 500 yards with a 308 though as they do require an impact velocity fast enough to expand. They do share almost the same BC as 175 SMK’s and in my Remington tactical shown in the above thread I have shot steel plates out to 1000 yards. I prefer the berger vld 168's to the 175 smk for that as this rifle shoots the 175 smk’s about 70 fps slower and that is noticed at the 1000 yard line.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
Great info fellas. On an big game animal I would probably not shoot past 400 but coyote or a pesky varmint might give it a shot.
Great info fellas. On an big game animal I would probably not shoot past 400 but coyote or a pesky varmint might give it a shot.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
Well not sure about the velocities but I shoot the 190 hunting bergers out of my 300 and me and a buddy last year each killed a doe at 1150 yards. One ran 40 yards and the other 30 yards, complete pass through on both. For what its worth they work very well
Well not sure about the velocities but I shoot the 190 hunting bergers out of my 300 and me and a buddy last year each killed a doe at 1150 yards. One ran 40 yards and the other 30 yards, complete pass through on both. For what its worth they work very well
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The VLD bullets almost always like to be seated at the lands, which rules them out for magazine-fed rifles. They are a one-at-a-time load. </div></div>
Actually this isn't true in all cases. Berger originally said that they should always be seated at the lands but now they state on their website that they have found better preformance at about .004 off the lands or more.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The VLD bullets almost always like to be seated at the lands, which rules them out for magazine-fed rifles. They are a one-at-a-time load. </div></div>
Actually this isn't true in all cases. Berger originally said that they should always be seated at the lands but now they state on their website that they have found better preformance at about .004 off the lands or more.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
I also have had success using 180 gr 7mm hunting vld's, had a one shot kill on a cow @ 471 yds, she fell back on her haunches and died. Bullet intered just behind the sholder and went through both lungs and out the other side. I also spinned a mule deer @ 280 yds and again droped and didn't move. Could just be an apples and oranges thing to...
I also have had success using 180 gr 7mm hunting vld's, had a one shot kill on a cow @ 471 yds, she fell back on her haunches and died. Bullet intered just behind the sholder and went through both lungs and out the other side. I also spinned a mule deer @ 280 yds and again droped and didn't move. Could just be an apples and oranges thing to...
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blaktastic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The VLD bullets almost always like to be seated at the lands, which rules them out for magazine-fed rifles. They are a one-at-a-time load. </div></div>
Actually this isn't true in all cases. Berger originally said that they should always be seated at the lands but now they state on their website that they have found better preformance at about .004 off the lands or more. </div></div>
I've seen the same reports. But as far as loading them for use in a semi-auto, the .004 wouldn't make a difference in whether they fit in the magazine. But a fellow could always try them with greater distance off the lands just to see how they shoot. The Berger site gives suggestions for how to extend the jump (shorten the bullet) by various increments to check this out.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blaktastic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The VLD bullets almost always like to be seated at the lands, which rules them out for magazine-fed rifles. They are a one-at-a-time load. </div></div>
Actually this isn't true in all cases. Berger originally said that they should always be seated at the lands but now they state on their website that they have found better preformance at about .004 off the lands or more. </div></div>
I've seen the same reports. But as far as loading them for use in a semi-auto, the .004 wouldn't make a difference in whether they fit in the magazine. But a fellow could always try them with greater distance off the lands just to see how they shoot. The Berger site gives suggestions for how to extend the jump (shorten the bullet) by various increments to check this out.
Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullets
I tried them at the lands in my .260 and they would not group. I backed them up .020 and they shot like a dream.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The VLD bullets almost always like to be seated at the lands, which rules them out for magazine-fed rifles. They are a one-at-a-time load.</div></div>
I tried them at the lands in my .260 and they would not group. I backed them up .020 and they shot like a dream.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OldTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The VLD bullets almost always like to be seated at the lands, which rules them out for magazine-fed rifles. They are a one-at-a-time load.</div></div>
