Berger bullets are high priced

[mdesign]

Why is it that Berger 30 cal 175 VLD are generally so much higher than in price than the 175 SMK or 178 Amax? A 100 VLDs run about $42.50/box while the other are $10 - $12 cheaper.

They don't seem to have a bigger following ie. higher demand so is it the mfg components or a marketing strategy? Don't seem to shoot better in any of my rifles but definitely more expensive.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

Generally their quality is much more consistant.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

If the 178 Amax shoot as good as Berger, you'd be hard pressed to shoot anything else as I believe the Amax to be the least expensive bullet of the three mentioned. In 20+ years of loading, shooting and comps I've shot several thousand SMK's in 30 cal 168/175, 7mm 168 and 6mm 107. I've also shot just as many 30 cal. Bergers in 168LTB's (old bullet) 6mm 105VLD, 7mm 180VLD and 6.5mm 130 VLD.

For me, the Bergers have been more uniform in weight and ogive length. As far as accuracy goes, it's Berger hands down over Sierra, no contest. That’s worth something to me. As far as the Amax goes, never tried them but I know several who have. Some shot great and others didn’t fair as well. At the end of the day it really boils down to if your rifle likes em or not. I've never heard of a rifle that didn’t like the Bergers.

As far as price goes, were shooting rifles that cost several thousand dollars. Feed them the best you can, what ever that may be, green, red or yellow.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

Berger bullets are the most consistent from box to box in all measurements. If your rifle has had the magic touch of a good rifle smith you will really notice the difference. Weigh a box of Hornady and then a box of Berger. You'll see the difference.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

I may be wrong but I believe the biggest difference is sierra is a mass producer, where as burger is a speicality shop with more human interaction with the product from start to finish.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

I have a customer in Houston that was having fits with a 1-8 Rock barreled .223 I built and the 75 Amax’s. After 100+ or so Amax’s, Varget, I4895 and RL-15 it just wasn’t working out. I persuaded him to try the 75 grain Bergers. His rifle went in the .2's like you flipped a switch. Accuracy can be purchased. As far as bullets go, the color of the day is yellow

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

The Sierra rejects I have weigh in closer tolerance to each other than the Hornady first runs I have.

Berger lot to lot is phenominal from my experience with them.

Sierra is hard to beat for the money. If you an absolute top of the heap 1k bench rester or sling and coat shooter, you will go through extra measuring steps with ALL bullets, Berger included, sorting them on base to ogive length, bearing surface diameter, overall length, and weight. You'll get fewer groups with the Bergers than the Sierras, but you'll get groups within the lot from all of them.

If you don't go thru those steps, then you can buy more Sierras than Bergers with the same $$.

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wnroscoe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a customer in Houston that was having fits with a 1-8 Rock barreled .223 I built and the 75 Amax’s. After 100+ or so Amax’s, Varget, I4895 and RL-15 it just wasn’t working out. I persuaded him to try the 75 grain Bergers. His rifle went in the .2's like you flipped a switch. Accuracy can be purchased. As far as bullets go, the color of the day is yellow

</div></div>

I was having problems with the 162AMAXs out of my 7WSM and then switched back to the 180 Bergers. 4-5" groups with the AMAXs are now single holing with the Bergers.

 

[Cheyenne19]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

If you sort bullets based on bearing surface you'll see why there is a price difference. Amax is the worst of the three.

 

[mdesign]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

I tend to agree on the Amax quality as I have also seen the variation you speak of. I also thought that Bergers were "better" but can not say I have seen the big difference in group size that some of you have,

If they are more of a specilty mfg, it makes sense that their unit cost will be higher. Guess I thought they were more of a market player than that.

 

[Brent Thornton]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

My limited experience with Bergers has been very good results. I have shot more SMK's, but if your gun likes it and you get it dialed then I'd go with what shoots the best. Can't speak for the AMAX.

 

[bdh308]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

I can. I guess when the 168gr Amax stops giving me .237 5shot groups at 200yds then I will think about the Berger. I tried the 155.5 Fullbore and was not impressed. This paticular bullet was suppose to be one of the best jumpers on the market. I switched back to my $30 box Amaxs.

 

[Bacarrat]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bdh308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can. I guess when the 168gr Amax stops giving me .237 5shot groups at 200yds then I will think about the Berger. I tried the 155.5 Fullbore and was not impressed. This paticular bullet was suppose to be one of the best jumpers on the market. I switched back to my $30 box Amaxs. </div></div>

And of course you can shoot a .237" group at 200 yards every time out....

 

[dksd39]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bdh308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can. I guess when the 168gr Amax stops giving me .237 5shot groups at 200yds then I will think about the Berger. </div></div>

Really???? not being sarcastic...well maybe a little. Please post pics and specs for this rifle.

 

[memilanuk]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

I like Bergers a lot... but they are spendy lil' suckers.

I think Leo (9H) about nailed it. None of 'em are perfect; they all vary some. Some just vary a bit less than others. How much thats worth to you is a very individual decision.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

Never had any problems with my AMAX bullets to include the 168, 178, 208 in .308 and 300WM, 105 in .243 and 120 and 140 in 6.5 Creedmoor. All shoot great from my rifles.

 

[bdh308]

Re: Berger bullets are high priced

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dksd39</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bdh308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can. I guess when the 168gr Amax stops giving me .237 5shot groups at 200yds then I will think about the Berger. </div></div>

Really???? not being sarcastic...well maybe a little. Please post pics and specs for this rifle. </div></div>

Yes really. I am not knocking the Berger and there quality..they just didnt work very well in my rifle. And since you asked Ill get some pics up of the accuracy Im getting with the 168amax and put your sarcasm to bed. Until then here is my rifle specs.

Remy700 SPS Tac 308 20in BBL
Choate Tac Stock
Trigger Adjusted to 1LB
Harris S Bipod
Burris XTR 3-12x50 IR Bmildot w/ Warne QR 30mm on EGW20 moa rail

168gr AMAX
43.3gr RL15
CCI200
OAL 2.820
Lapua Brass or BH match Neck Sized only