Berger Bullet Failure at Short Range

[KurtB]

In the last decade I've shot or helped my kids shoot large black bears, mtn goat, antelope, large buck whitetail and mule deer, bull elk, cow elk and probably a few I forgot. All with Berger 6.5 140 vld and all very dead fast. Reckon I'll use them the next decade too.

 

[chickm1]

I had never heard any of the failures of this bullet, and tried it this year, to experience the problems. I did a google search on Berger bullet failure, and this thread came up. Regardless how old it is, it still has good information. And, this thread is not good advertisement for Berger. These bullets are unreliable for hunting, and cost me the largest buck I have ever shot. I have picture of the buck, from a few days ago. 6 weeks after I shot him, he is alive. Very poor condition, but alive a sporting a wound on the exit side of his rib cage that should have been a fatal wound. That bullet did not expand properly.

 

[chickm1]

In the last decade I've shot or helped my kids shoot large black bears, mtn goat, antelope, large buck whitetail and mule deer, bull elk, cow elk and probably a few I forgot. All with Berger 6.5 140 vld and all very dead fast. Reckon I'll use them the next decade too.

If you do a google search on Berger failures, you will find numerous thread on different forums. You have just not been unlucky enough to experience one. Congrats to you. They are accurate bullets, but they are unreliable after impact.

 

[KurtB]

I'll rely on my personal experiences as opposed to what folks type. And those experiences are very very good with 140 6.5 Berger VLD bullets. In fairness I may try some Berger 135 gr Classics this year just because I am bored with watching stuff tip over with the 140 vld.

 

[elkaholic]

I had never heard any of the failures of this bullet, and tried it this year, to experience the problems. I did a google search on Berger bullet failure, and this thread came up. Regardless how old it is, it still has good information. And, this thread is not good advertisement for Berger. These bullets are unreliable for hunting, and cost me the largest buck I have ever shot. I have picture of the buck, from a few days ago. 6 weeks after I shot him, he is alive. Very poor condition, but alive a sporting a wound on the exit side of his rib cage that should have been a fatal wound. That bullet did not expand properly.

Would you please post the picture?

 

[cjl2010]

Why because I am posting something that you don't want to hear?

PS: Thanks for the uncalled for personal insult

I could care less either way what bullet anybody uses but guys spend their time documenting what works for them and pictures and all you continually do is talk trash and try to get people red faced and add your little smileys to the end. Gets old.

If you consider that a personal attack then I apologize.

 

[chickm1]

Would you please post the picture?

The buck had a rise in the land between me and him, and dropped his head down to eat. I was prone and could not see the bottom of his chest or neck. I was waiting for him to raise his head, when he took a step into the woods, hiding his shoulders and anything but a lung shot. I took it. You can see the white spot that is the exit wound. This picture is about 6 1/2 weeks after I shot him. In this picture, you can see how poor he is from recovery. I estimate he has lost 30-40 lbs, since I shot him. He was the biggest buck I ever sighted on, and was 200lbs or better, which is as large as East Texas deer get.

 

[BEEMAN]

I'm no expert. But even if it pin holes, no expansion that would be a double lung hit wouldn't it? Should of died. Hard to see in that picture though.

 

[Ingwe]

I could care less either way what bullet anybody uses but guys spend their time documenting what works for them and pictures and all you continually do is talk trash and try to get people red faced and add your little smileys to the end. Gets old.

If you consider that a personal attack then I ali

 

[Ingwe]

I could care less either way what bullet anybody uses but guys spend their time documenting what works for them and pictures and all you continually do is talk trash and try to get people red faced and add your little smileys to the end. Gets old.

If you consider that a personal attack then I apologize.

Sure...you guys love "documenting what works for them" but when one of your magic bullets fail, like in this case, then you like to blame the shooter.

PS: you can keep your apologies because I couldn't care less about what you think of me, and if you find me obnoxious then either put me on ignore or stop reading my posts.

 

[elkaholic]

View attachment 164613

The buck had a rise in the land between me and him, and dropped his head down to eat. I was prone and could not see the bottom of his chest or neck. I was waiting for him to raise his head, when he took a step into the woods, hiding his shoulders and anything but a lung shot. I took it. You can see the white spot that is the exit wound. This picture is about 6 1/2 weeks after I shot him. In this picture, you can see how poor he is from recovery. I estimate he has lost 30-40 lbs, since I shot him. He was the biggest buck I ever sighted on, and was 200lbs or better, which is as large as East Texas deer get.

Thanks for the pic! it is difficult to see but I can tell it was a nice buck and can see the white spot. I lost an elk on a pass thru with no expansion years ago and shot an elk that survived a pass through the lungs! I found the 30 cal core lokt bullet perfectly mushroomed under the hide on the opposite side near the back of the lungs

 

[cjl2010]

Sure...you guys love "documenting what works for them" but when one of your magic bullets fail, like in this case, then you like to blame the shooter.

PS: you can keep your apologies because I couldn't care less about what you think of me, and if you find me obnoxious then either put me on ignore or stop reading my posts.

Who is "you guys"? I haven't blamed anyone for anything. But I do like reading productive material from guys that are out there documenting what works and what doesn't. Antagonizing guys that are doing this seems to be counter productive to me.

if you don't like bergers then don't shoot them.

 

[Ingwe]

Who is "you guys"? I haven't blamed anyone for anything. But I do like reading productive material from guys that are out there documenting what works and what doesn't. Antagonizing guys that are doing this seems to be counter productive to me.

if you don't like bergers then don't shoot them.

By "you guys" I am referring to SOME of the Berger guys who make excuses for Berger failures.

Antagonizing people by my posts? You gave a thin skin my friend. This is a public forum where people share ideas and hear different opinions.

Have a merry Christmas

 

[chickm1]

I'm no expert. But even if it pin holes, no expansion that would be a double lung hit wouldn't it? Should of died. Hard to see in that picture though.

Yeah, it should have been double lung. If you are looking on. Smart Phone, just stretch the pic out, and you can easily see the white spot. I would have thought a double lung with a FMJ would have killed a deer. So much for that thought. I will be camping in this area during the next 3 week, to try to get him before the coyotes do.