Difference between Berger 7mm 168 VLDs?

[turbo54]

I have a box of Berger 7mm 168 VLDs, part number: 284168V

They're labeled as G1BC = .643

They shoot great.

Went to order more and see they're discontinued. Now there are 2 different 168 VLD part numbers, 28401 and 28501. The 28401 is for "targets", the 28501 is for "hunting". Berger lists G1BC of .617 for both.

Questions:

1. What is the difference between my discontinued bullets and the new ones.
2. What is the difference between the target and hunting bullets? Both have the same BC...
3. Why did they replace a .643 bullet with a .617??
4. I have to redevelop the load???

ETA: Whoops, meant to post this in the reloading forum. Mods, please move. Thanks!

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Difference between Berger 7mm 168 VLDs?

It may be that your box of Berger 7mm 168 VLDs, part number: 284168V are the original line (before the move to two lines, hunting and target) if that is the case the "new" hunting VLD line IS the same as the original. The "Target" line is the same in dimension but have the thicker jacket update to counter bullet blowups in super fast chamberings.

It was also about this same time the Bryan Litz came on board and updated the B.C.'s

When the new thicker target jackets came out Berger started shipping the original (now considered the hunting line) in the orange box, while the new target jacket bullets were shipped in the standard yellow box.

The reports I have seen have not shown a difference in loads when switching from hunting to target or vice versa. But I have not done such a test to verify.

I’d just stick to the hunting line as that is most likely what you have been using.