7mm Elk Bullets- Berger Alternates

Looking for all the berger traits( quality, heavier (175-195 range), higher BC) but not bergers. I just can't get over "2-3 inch penetration, then rapid expansion". I'm looking for something that keeps most of its weight.

Only thing I know of for long-range is ABLR's, but I'm becoming less than impressed with Nosler's consistency lately. What other options are there?

If you're looking for a bullet that's good from point blank to 1000yds, there are goona be some tradeoffs.

Tough bullets that retain a lot of weight can struggle to open at lower velocities.

If you can be honest with us/yourself about what kind of distances you are shooting, there are some knowledgeable folks here who will be happy to offer their experience.

If you have a fast enough twist to stabilize them, some copper monolothics (like Apex Afterburner, Barnes LRX, Hammer HHT) might be worth a look.

My buddy has a 28 nosler gunwerks with 180 berger vld hunting bullet. He has missed once in over 40 kills. Kills including grizzly at 550 and moose at 450. Both pass through with massive wound channels. Good luck finding something better than that. Especially when you start stretching past 500 yards.

Interesting. Mono's for long distance?

It seems like ABLR's and ELD-X are optimal from a trade off of performance standpoint, but I was wondering if something better is out there.

7-800 yards max. 1:8.5 twist.

Interesting. Mono's for long distance?

It seems like ABLR's and ELD-X are optimal from a trade off of performance standpoint, but I was wondering if something better is out there

7-800 yards max. 1:8.5 twist.

I started shooting Cutting Edge Bullets this past season and I was really impressed with them. If I'm hunting elk with my 7RM, the CEB's get the go.

Maybe look at the eld m line of bullets

150 NBT will cover a lot of territory very well

Look at this thread

I've used these for 4 years now and killed a dozen elk from 80 to 700 yards, used many different calibers and bullet weights, 6.5x284 125gr, 7mm mag 143gr, 160gr, 28 Nosler 168gr, 300 win 168gr, 190gr.

SnakeRiverEric said:

Look at this thread

Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics

www.longrangehunting.com

I've used these for 4 years now and killed a dozen elk from 80 to 700 yards, used many different calibers and bullet weights, 6.5x284 125gr, 7mm mag 143gr, 160gr, 28 Nosler 168gr, 300 win 168gr, 190gr.

Click to expand...

That link just goes to the category. Can you send the link to the thread?

Hikinghunter said:

Looking for all the berger traits( quality, heavier (175-195 range), higher BC) but not bergers. I just can't get over "2-3 inch penetration, then rapid expansion". I'm looking for something that keeps most of its weight.

Only thing I know of for long-range is ABLR's, but I'm becoming less than impressed with Nosler's consistency lately. What other options are there?

Click to expand...

I hope you understand that Berger bullets are designed for massive energy dumps on impact. I was a long-time Nosler bullet user—NP, NAB (I did not have much luck with the ABLR), and NBT—before transitioning to Berger bullets for LRH. I still use other bullets, but the Berger remains my go-to bullet.



I understand it is not for everybody; we all have varying preferences and intended purposes. With Berger bullets, I no longer worry about bullet weight retention or pass-through. Berger bullets do not need a pass-through to be effective, and that's another feature I like, as it reduces the risk of what is behind the target.

Hikinghunter said:

Interesting. Mono's for long distance?

It seems like ABLR's and ELD-X are optimal from a trade off of performance standpoint, but I was wondering if something better is out there

7-800 yards max. 1:8.5 twist.

Click to expand...

If you like Hornady, I'd choose the M over the X.

If you want something close to Berger, Chinchaga bullets might be worth exploring.




I do not have hands-on experience with the .284s above, but @Bghunter338 and I are currently using the 163g .25 cal and soon the 180s. We will also explore the 350g .33 cal when we get delivery.

If you explore the lead-free bullets, know you have plenty of choices ...

https://www.apex-outdoors.com/
https://axebullets.com/
https://badlandsprecision.com/
http://balistixbullets.com/home/
https://www.barnesbullets.com/
https://www.brenneke-ammunition.de/en/rifle-ammunition/lead-free-ammunition/
https://www.cavitybackbullets.com/
https://cuttingedgebullets.com
https://drtammo.com/
https://fortscottmunitions.com/collections/reloading-rifle-projectile-bullets
https://www.foxbullets.eu/
http://www.gscustomusa.com/tdhv.html
https://hammerbullets.com/
Nielsen Sonic (Nielsen Gun Parts) - https://www.deergear.co.uk/reloading-supplies/p/style-03-efmxs

http://impalabullets.co.za/
https://www.lapua.com/product/224-naturalis-hunting-bullet-n566-32-g-50-gr/
https://www.haslerbullets.com/en/monolithics-bullets/
https://www.hornady.com/
http://www.sapremiumbullets.co.za/sapremium-kriek.html
https://www.lehighdefense.com/bullets.html
https://makerbullets.com/
https://www.mcguireballistics.com/
https://www.mrrbullets.com/en/technology
https://www.northforkbullets.com/north-fork-bullet-design
https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en...-ecostrike-30-06-springfield-165gr---20177492
https://www.nosler.com/products/bullets.html
https://www.novxammo.com/
https://outeredgeprojectiles.com.au/
https://patriotvalleyarms.com/solid-bullets/
https://www.pbm-ammo.com/bullets
https://peregrinemonolithics.com/
http://prvipartizan.com/leadless.php
https://www.remington.com/in-the-news/in-the-news-april142023.html
https://www.rhinobullets.co.za/solids-brass
https://rws-ammunition.com/en/infotainment/faq-frequently-asked-questions/lead-free-ammunition
Sabatti –
Sako - https://egunroom.com/sako-blade/
http://www.sapremiumbullets.co.za/sapremium-kriek.html
https://sinterfire.com/projectiles/
Titan monolithic fragmentation bullets -
https://www.viperbullets.com/shop/
https://www.virtusprecision.co.uk/products/
https://www.warner-tool.com/flat-line-bullets/
https://winchester.com/Products/Ammunition/Rifle/Deer-Season-XP-Copper-Impact
Yew Tree Bullets - https://www.copperbullets.co.uk/online-shop/tipped-long-range

As you can tell, you will get varying recommendations. Good luck!

reelhardmt said:

Maybe look at the eld m line of bullets

Click to expand...

Same exact type of rapid expansion as a Berger Hunting bullet.

Bergers kill. With excellent results. Put it where it needs to go, and animals die quickly.

If you want a bit thicker jacket in a Berger, try the Target/Match lines. Jackets are a bit thicker, and meplats are a hair smaller, so expansion is not quite as violent. But they still kill like a lightning bolt. About 75% of the Bergers I shoot are Target/Match. The 180 Hyb and 184 F Open Hyb work fantastic on elk and deer. We have used them from 60 to 882 yards.

We have used the 162gr SST with great results, in 7mm-08, 280 Rem, 7RSAUM and 7mm Rem Mag. Kills have been between 100 yds to just under 500 yds, impact speeds between 2,700 fps and a just over 1,800 fps, and it has worked great every time. Doesn't blow up at close range and it expands perfectly at long range, with pass throughs almost every time.

Yes, not the highest BC bullet, but very efective and reliable, and depending on the load and elevation, with a 7mm Rem Mag you'll be good out 800 yds or more.

Nathan Foster talks a lot about this bullet and its effectiveness in the 7mm Rem Mag.