Any bad experiences with 175 gr Berger Elite Hunters on Elk

[deep river]

Hey all. I have worked up a pretty good 7mm PRC load that I am considering using for next fall's elk hunting. That load uses the 175 gr Elite Hunter. I haven't really shot much of the Berger offerings previously, but have seen suggestions that they sometimes just don't work as intended. Have any of you personally had or seen any bad experiences? If so, at what range or impact velocity?

Thanks.

 

[slv hunter]

First off, welcome from Colorado. Use the search and you'll find a lot of information on Bergers. I personally use and like them.

 

[Rick Richard]

Hey all. I have worked up a pretty good 7mm PRC load that I am considering using for next fall's elk hunting. That load uses the 175 gr Elite Hunter. I haven't really shot much of the Berger offerings previously, but have seen suggestions that they sometimes just don't work as intended. Have any of you personally had or seen any bad experiences? If so, at what range or impact velocity?

Thanks.

Welcome from the Conover, NC area. As mentioned try the SEARCH function, however I have not seen any negative comments on this specific Berger product. I am about to perform some load test with these in a 7SAUM because I am thinking about using these on elk next season. Good luck and again, Welcome.

 

[memtb]

Welcome to the forum, from North Central Wyoming!

Sorry …..I got nutt'n for ya with those bullets! Good Luck! memtb

 

[Mickp7]

I have not used that specific bullet, but I have used the 180 hybrid "target" bullet with great success. I believe the main difference is a lighter copper plating on the hunter bullet for more rapid expansion. Regardless, load your Bergers and hunt with confidence. They are great bullets. Good luck out west!
BTW, I'll be at the Shot Show later today. If you don't get the info you are looking for, let me know and I can hit up the guys at the Berger booth.

 

[FEENIX]

Hey all. I have worked up a pretty good 7mm PRC load that I am considering using for next fall's elk hunting. That load uses the 175 gr Elite Hunter. I haven't really shot much of the Berger offerings previously, but have seen suggestions that they sometimes just don't work as intended. Have any of you personally had or seen any bad experiences? If so, at what range or impact velocity?

Thanks.

Welcome to LRH, and enjoy!

Regarding Berger bullets, please do not use them; they are terrible.

 

[Plinker147]

They are great bullet. I've killed a bunch of elk with the 175 EH from 90 yds to 600. I really like them.

 

[yogibearmech]

I used them this season on a mule deer from a 28 Nosler. The shot was 110 yards and had a softball sized exit wound.

 

[Speyrod]

I've used them out of my 28 Nosler. Beware Most people call them HamBurgers. My first experience was at 100 yards on a mule deer buck, the bullet blew up on its neck only about 1" of penetration. knocked him down but had to kill him after. Second was on a bull at 256 yards broad side. It him right in the center of the shoulder, again failed blow up of the bullet only breaking the surface of the skin. Second round hit a rib again with the bullet blowing up. I managed to kill the bull with an ELDX bullet I had. I asked the guy who loads for me about them and he's had nothing but trouble from his clients with it. Moved to the Hammer Hunter 4 for 4 on elk one shot. The burgers do outshoot the Hammers on plates, but I will never use them on an animal.

 

[deep river]

I've used them out of my 28 Nosler. Beware Most people call them HamBurgers. My first experience was at 100 yards on a mule deer buck, the bullet blew up on its neck only about 1" of penetration. knocked him down but had to kill him after. Second was on a bull at 256 yards broad side. It him right in the center of the shoulder, again failed blow up of the bullet only breaking the surface of the skin. Second round hit a rib again with the bullet blowing up. I managed to kill the bull with an ELDX bullet I had. I asked the guy who loads for me about them and he's had nothing but trouble from his clients with it. Moved to the Hammer Hunter 4 for 4 on elk one shot. The burgers do outshoot the Hammers on plates, but I will never use them on an animal.

Wow! What are the chances? Two failures on the same bull elk. He apparently just stood there and took it? Then you happened to have an ELDX in your pocket that you dispatched him with? Is carrying around a back-up load a thing? I don't know if you are cursed or blessed.

 

[bigngreen]

In the PRC/Saum case capacity the 175 is about as good as it gets IMO. I can't even understand the thought process to putting them in a Nosler,

 

[Wanashoot]

Bergers you either love them or hate them. I like them for shooting targets but do not hunt with them. When hunting I do not have time to look at each bullet and make sure it is open. I usually carry a spare or two in shirt pocket so apt to have lint or or something in them. I have had what I considered three failures to expand. I usually aim right behind shoulder and do not try to blow shoulder out so that might be my problem. I have never shot the elites yet, got a box of 208s but have not loaded them.