200 gr Berger Hybrid Target

[A A Ron]

F.Y.I. this is my experience with the Berger 200 gr Hybrid Target bullet on an elk this year.

First shot hit high shoulder. The bullet broke the shoulder, clipped a rib on the way in. Clipped a rib on the other side. Punched through the other shoulder blade and was caught in the hide. The bullet looked like a controlled expansion bonded bullet. The elk dropped in his tracks immediately, but then tried to stand up. Second shot hit higher on the shoulder punched through it and hit the bottom of the spine. The spine was destroyed. The bullet fragmented into tiny pieces. Nether shot directly hit the lungs. There was minimal fragmentation damage to the lungs.

Out of my 30-06 AI impact velocity was around 2550 fps.

User error. The herd was crossing a shooting lane at about 275 yards. I dialed up 1 mil for that range. This bull came out and crossed a lot closer, 140 yards ish. I didn't have a lot of time and forgot I dialed up. Both shots hit 1 mil higher than I aimed but were about 4 inches apart. Both shots were away in under 5 seconds. Bull was down and mostly dead after the second shot.

I attached autopsy photos for those interested.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Attach photos of bullets and damage please. No need to ask around here. We all like seeing results.

 

[A A Ron]

This bullet went through both shoulder blades.

 

[A A Ron]

This is the near shoulder one big hole one small bullet hole.

 

[A A Ron]

Far shoulder blade. One hole.

 

[A A Ron]

Whats left of the bullet after hitting the spine. It technically pentrated all the way but not much left.

 

[lancetkenyon]

This bullet went through both shoulder blades.

This is perfect.

 

[MagnumManiac]

This is perfect.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Cheers.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Whats left of the bullet after hitting the spine. It technically pentrated all the way but not much left.

I hunted with the 210g Hybrid for 10 years, then the 215g Hybrid for a couple of years, then when the shortage happened, I moved on from them until a few years ago.
I cannot fault the above in any way on game, they did what was asked of them, however, I am not a fan of digging out pieces or having jacket separations. I had enough of spitting out lead shot as a kid eating rabbit often.
Berger's are unique, I can't say I've had any other bullets do the weird things OTM's do, but that's for another conversation.

Cheers.