Berger Bullets on Game. Specifically 6.5

[parshal]

Does anyone here trim the meplats flats and make sure they're clear? I'd expect that would ensure opening.

 

[ndking1126]

Shot 2 mule deer bucks...

Shot 4 deer..

So far I've hammered 6 this month from 250-1125.

That's living the dream right there. The amount of hunting time and success some of you guys have blows me away. I live vicariously through you guys!

Sorry, back on topic...

 

[Longtine88]

I do not think I have ever heard of a berger pencilling through an animal when someone says that they checked the hollow point on a hunting bullet. Shooting the thicker skinned Target bullet, yes; failing to make sure the hollow point on a hunting bullet is not closed, yes.

I agree. I've never seen it. On any penciling I should have added that it could only be a clogged tip like media, dirt, etc. after experiencing all our shots they seem to go in snd blow up. We live them.

 

[TX Badger]

I just inspect the ones that I am taking on a hunting trip and make sure they are not closed. I have had no issues. Even when I haven't done this (before I heard the concerns and while thinning out some raccoons) they still opened fine for me.

 

[deerhorn]

There's no doubt that the Burgers will put game down usually with in seconds the only dilemma if you are hunting in thick cover and need a blood trail or are close to a boundary line you don't want the animal to cross

 

[TX Badger]

I agree with the blood trail issue. If they are at high impact velocity or the animal is large and not perfectly broadside they are unlikely to exit.
But, for dropping something quick close to a boundary, I do not think there is a better scenario than leaving all the energy in the animal.

 

[Wildcat99]

I shoot the 140-grain Berger Elite Hunters in my 6.5 PRC at 3025 fps and have killed mule deer and whitetails with it out to 560 yards, no issues.
I have even more experience with 105-gr. Berger Hybrids in 6 Creed, and have shot (and seen shot) more than a dozen mule deer, white tails and antelope with my rifle. Those bullets are at 3015 fps and have cleanly taken game from 20 yards to 500-yards+
The only issue ever was with one poor shot that clipped the front leg of the deer--but we still ended up getting that animal on the ground and that wasn't the fault of the bullet.

 

[5RWill]

I shoot the 140-grain Berger Elite Hunters in my 6.5 PRC at 3025 fps and have killed mule deer and whitetails with it out to 560 yards, no issues.
I have even more experience with 105-gr. Berger Hybrids in 6 Creed, and have shot (and seen shot) more than a dozen mule deer, white tails and antelope with my rifle. Those bullets are at 3015 fps and have cleanly taken game from 20 yards to 500-yards+
The only issue ever was with one poor shot that clipped the front leg of the deer--but we still ended up getting that animal on the ground and that wasn't the fault of the bullet.

Curious what was your barrel length on that 6CM?

 

[deerhorn]

I agree with the blood trail issue. If they are at high impact velocity or the animal is large and not perfectly broadside they are unlikely to exit.
But, for dropping something quick close to a boundary, I do not think there is a better scenario than leaving all the energy in the animal.

I agree if you make a high shoulder shot. I have hunted with a bow since I was 16 years old in my 60s now. Can't make myself aim at the shoulder always pull back just behind the leg old habits are hard to break

 

[Starlite]

Curious what was your barrel length on that 6CM?

I'm curious too

I shoot the 140-grain Berger Elite Hunters in my 6.5 PRC at 3025 fps and have killed mule deer and whitetails with it out to 560 yards, no issues.
I have even more experience with 105-gr. Berger Hybrids in 6 Creed, and have shot (and seen shot) more than a dozen mule deer, white tails and antelope with my rifle. Those bullets are at 3015 fps and have cleanly taken game from 20 yards to 500-yards+
The only issue ever was with one poor shot that clipped the front leg of the deer--but we still ended up getting that animal on the ground and that wasn't the fault of the bullet.

could I PM you WRT data on that 6CM ?

 

[TX Badger]

I agree if you make a high shoulder shot. I have hunted with a bow since I was 16 years old in my 60s now. Can't make myself aim at the shoulder always pull back just behind the leg old habits are hard to break

I'm the same way I always drift back further than I intend.

So the high shoulder is clearly the best way to anchor an animal quickly (save for spine and head shots). Are you saying that you think a different bullet will do a better job behind the shoulder than a Berger? Which bullet are you thinking of and what is your rationale? In my thinking dumping all the energy in the vitals should still lead to a faster death than a heavier constructed bullet passing through. Of course this is assuming the bullet does not blow up before penetrating the boiler room. I have never had that problem with a Berger either.

 

[deerhorn]

I'm the same way I always drift back further than I intend.

So the high shoulder is clearly the best way to anchor an animal quickly (save for spine and head shots). Are you saying that you think a different bullet will do a better job behind the shoulder than a Berger? Which bullet are you thinking of and what is your rationale? In my thinking dumping all the energy in the vitals should still lead to a faster death than a heavier constructed bullet passing through. Of course this is assuming the bullet does not blow up before penetrating the boiler room. I have never had that problem with a Berger either.

I switch to the hammer bullets have only killed one whitetail doe at about 100 yards it ran about 60 yards with the behind shoulder shot but I didn't have any problem following the blood trail if I had been close to a boundary line I would have known that it crossed it

 

[BThhr]

Shot numerous whitetails with 140 gr VLDs, 2950 fps, 90% dropped in there tracks, other 10% were within 50 yards. This year tried the 156 gr ELRs, shot was at 247 yards at 2990 fps, deer dropped in its tracks. I really like Berger's

 

[TX Badger]

I switch to the hammer bullets have only killed one whitetail doe at about 100 yards it ran about 60 yards with the behind shoulder shot but I didn't have any problem following the blood trail if I had been close to a boundary line I would have known that it crossed it

Gotcha, yeah for the blood trail I agree. I am still waiting for a redesigned VLD Nosler Partition. May wait for a long time.... Sure would love a bullet that flew like a Berger, penetrated, then opened violently, but retained enough weight in the base to exit. I know this is somewhat contrary to my leave all the energy in the animal argument, but it seems like a reasonable compromise for the blood trail.