28 Nosler Berger 180 Hybrid

[Countrykang8]

I had a very productive day at the range yesterday with my Bergara 28 Nosler, N570, and 180 Berger Hybrids. I'm near San Antonio and it was around 95 degrees, so I'm excited to see how these loads will perform in cooler weather. My load data is below:
Berger 180 Hybrid Target
Nosler brass
Fed 215M
N570 81.0-82.6 (.4 grain increments)
COL 3.60"

81.0 grains - 3093 fps SD 2.0, ES 3.9
81.4 grains - 3105 fps SD 4.1, ES 8.2
81.8 grains - 3123 fps SD 1.8, ES 3.6
82.2 grains - 3124 fps SD 1.9, ES 3.9
82.6 grains - 3135 fps SD 5.5, ES 11.0

Each load shot around 1/2" at 100 yards without any pressure signs. All loads were 2-shot groups because I enjoy performing optimal charge weight tests using the least amount of components possible. Two-shot groups have worked well for me and I'm not a precision hunter that shoots game at 800 yards. Most of my hunting is accomplished at 250 yards or less. I have attached some photos of the target and Garmin data. I thank you all for all the assistance and feedback. I've been reloading since 2015, but I have learned a lot from the info on this site. With that said, I believe bearing surface affects velocity. With the Berger 180 VLDs, I get around 3200 fps with 81.8 grains of N570. The hybrids are running about 80 fps slower with the same charge weight. I'll stay at 81.8 grains because it's the beginning of the node and the same charge weight and COL I'm using with the VLDs. This would allow me to jump between bullets during shortages.

Stay safe and shoot straight!!

- Big Country

 

[Longtine88]

N570 and the 28 Nosler is like peas n carrots

VLD’s actually perform better than the hybrids on elk

 

[Countrykang8]

N570 and the 28 Nosler is like peas n carrots

VLD’s actually perform better than the hybrids on elk

Thanks for the advice because I'm trying to decide between the 7 PRC with 175 ABLRs or the 28 Nosler with 180s for next year's South African safari. It's hard for me to shy away from the amount of energy the 28 Nosler puts on target.

 

[Longtine88]

Yeah I’d go 28 for sure…..Lambo vs corvette

 

[WeiserBucks]

VLD’s actually perform better than the hybrids on elk

Curious how you formed that opinion? I've shot alot of elk with 180 Hybrids and they never left me wishing for anything different. Not much experience with VLDs except for a few deer.

 

[Longtine88]

That opinion was formed from the knowledge of Broz who had shot probably thousands of elk from control kills, my kills and watching other shoot with them. They used the two bullets and noticed that the vld had better results than the hybrids. Now that’s not saying the hybrid is not effective because they are. When I use 180’s I use the hybrid. Just easier to load for and results are still great on game. And I have seen and taken lots of bulls and cows shot with them and I do lean to what Broz has seen also and that is the vld performs slightly better.

You may have to search for it but Broz does actually post and talks about the subject either on here or LRO.

 

[WeiserBucks]

That opinion was formed from the knowledge of Broz who had shot probably thousands of elk from control kills, my kills and watching other shoot with them. They used the two bullets and noticed that the vld had better results than the hybrids. Now that’s not saying the hybrid is not effective because they are. When I use 180’s I use the hybrid. Just easier to load for and results are still great on game. And I have seen and taken lots of bulls and cows shot with them and I do lean to what Broz has seen also and that is the vld performs slightly better.

You may have to search for it but Broz does actually post and talks about the subject either on here or LRO.

I hear you, I've read all of Broz posts for years. The Hybrids have just worked so well for me that I've never had a reason to try anything else in a 7.

 

[Countrykang8]

I hear you, I've read all of Broz posts for years. The Hybrids have just worked so well for me that I've never had a reason to try anything else in a 7.

I do have a question. Have you been able to run the Hybrid at the same velocity with the same powder charge? The VLDs are running faster for me. However, no animal will know the difference between 3120 and 3200.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I do have a question. Have you been able to run the Hybrid at the same velocity with the same powder charge? The VLDs are running faster for me. However, no animal will know the difference between 3120 and 3200.

It's been so long since I've used VLDs that I don't honestly remember.

 

[Longtine88]

same powder charge the vld gets more fps. But it’s not that much. I shoot hybrids with 83.6 grains n570 and a 3,164 avg. ES 8 over 5 consecutive shots. I have another barrel, 2” longer, that shoots the same bullet same charge at 3,194 avg ES 10.

 

[Countrykang8]

same powder charge the vld gets more fps. But it’s not that much. I shoot hybrids with 83.6 grains n570 and a 3,164 avg. ES 8 over 5 consecutive shots. I have another barrel, 2” longer, that shoots the same bullet same charge at 3,194 avg ES 10.

You're right because this is what I have achieved. There was an 89 fps advantage for the VLDs.
Berger 180 Hybrid Target
Nosler brass
Fed 215M
N570 81.8 grains - 3123 fps SD 1.8, ES 3.6
COL 3.60"

Berger 180 VLD
Nosler brass
Fed 215M
N570 81.8 grains - 3212 fps SD .1, ES .2
COL 3.590"

That is the lowest SD and ES I have ever accomplished.

 

[scdogman]

This is interesting. H1000 is giving me 3136 with 79 grains using the 180 hybrid. I expected n570 to give a bigger jump. i’m curious the speed with the vld.

79 grains gave 3109 with the 180 eldm.

Shilen barrel 26 in savage action.

 

[Countrykang8]

Mine is a 26" factory Bergara barrel and it's boringly accurate.

This is interesting. H1000 is giving me 3136 with 79 grains using the 180 hybrid. I expected n570 to give a bigger jump. i’m curious the speed with the vld.

79 grains gave 3109 with the 180 eldm.

Shilen barrel 26 in savage action.