Berger VLD pencil through Elk in Cold?

[Wanashoot]

No such luck. But you have it wrong. My complaint with the Bergers was they did not open for me and went right through and came out. It is possible that they could have been loaded again if you could have found them but I think not. I have said if they work for you use them. I had a problem with opening up and it is possible that I got a bad batch but it was easier for me to use another bullet. I am not married to any of the Bullet Manufactures and currently load Nosler, Sierra, Hornady, and Speer. I use what ever I can find and what ever works. I have had bullets deform from hitting the magazine from the recoil and I know it happens. I cannot load shells and then shoot an animal to see if they work. I am done with the conversation it is going in a circle so it is time to get off.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I just listened to a new GunWerks podcast with Aaron Davis about the 7mm PRC.

In it he mentions that he has personally quit using Bergers because of inconsistent performance.

Interesting because GunWerks use to be one of Bergers biggest proponents.

Did he mention what bullet he now prefers? Just curious.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Did he mention what bullet he now prefers? Just curious.

They're now in bed with Hornady.

 

[mmacfive]

ELDM. And the Hornady connection seems a little suspicious.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

ELDM. And the Hornady connection seems a little suspicious.

Everyone needs a good sponsor.

 

[L.Sherm]

I just listened to a new GunWerks podcast with Aaron Davis about the 7mm PRC.

In it he mentions that he has personally quit using Bergers because of inconsistent performance.

Interesting because GunWerks use to be one of Bergers biggest proponents.

Ya dont think it is because Hornandy is a sponsor?

 

[L.Sherm]

I shoot hand loads and I weigh each load and measure the Length. I also make sure every shell will cycle through my gun before I box them. I check zero if I use another batch of powder or if gun is dropped or bumped hard. If I spend the money on fuel, license, and grub to go hunting I try to eliminate all the possible failures I can. This year I went Elk hunting in Colorado and only had one shot at a Bull. I got the Bull but had confidence that everything I had done to prepare would work. I did not shoot with the 6.5 I used a 300 Win Mag with 190 gr Accubonds. But that is part of my prep. I figure with the 300 I have more chance of not trailing but still need to make the proper shot. I hunt smaller game with 6.5 and larger with 300. I have quit a few but these two have became my standbys.

Then take the 15 seconds to check tips, isn't any different on any bullet.
I've seen some crappy looking bent plastic tips and a few not so great Partitions when I shot alot of them.

 

[Calvin45]

A sample set of two isn't sufficient to draw hard fast conclusions. I personally do not beleive the ambient air temp had anything to do with these bullets acting the way they did.

But hey, at least the tips weren't melting (lookin at you hornady)

 

[Calvin45]

If I ever get into gel testing tho you can bet I'd be interested to test this now thay you bring it up. Do some shooting in Saskatchewan winter weather using ammo that's been left in the cold all night.

 

[Pdvdh]

Did he mention what bullet he now prefers? Just curious.

Anything but Burgers

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Anything but Burgers

Ahahahahahahahaah

 

[mmacfive]

Its pretty well documented that a bullet is over 500 degrees F when it leaves the barrel from the combustion and friction in the barrel. Also Hornady proved that traditional plastic tips were melting in flight and altering the BC from heat in flight. Additionally, since most of us hunt warm blooded mammals the target temperature should be somewhere around 100 degrees F...

Personally I don/t think its an issue because of the cold. Its either bullet failure or shot placement in my opinion.

 

[Wanashoot]

Agreed

 

[orkan]

I just listened to a new GunWerks podcast with Aaron Davis about the 7mm PRC.

In it he mentions that he has personally quit using Bergers because of inconsistent performance.

Interesting because GunWerks use to be one of Bergers biggest proponents.

They don't get to say how awesome Berger bullets are for the last 12 years… and now say how they aren't good, right after they get hooked up with Hornady… and not catch any blowback.

Bergers work, and have worked quite well… all this time. They'll continue to work well.

However, now that Berger is owned by non-U.S. interests… I too have been wanting to see what else works. Hornady and Sierra are U.S. bullet makers and they both are trying to push forward. Hornady is the clear winner in the innovation department lately. Their reach far exceeds that of Sierra. However, historically I have not had as good a luck with the consistency of their bullets. Though over the past 2 years, I've been spending a lot more time with Hornady than in the past, and have been seeing some excellent results.

I really like seeing U.S. companies succeed. Alpha Munitions continues to expand their offerings and I hope to use them as a single source brass provider in the future. We have CCI producing primers. Our bullet makers have solid offerings, especially with the A-tips from Hornady. We need a true U.S. powder company.

Berger let me down by selling out. So I'm motivated to replace them… but I won't if I can't get equal or better performance from others. Accuracy, precision, reliability, consistency, and availability. Berger set the bar extremely high. It's going to take me quite a while to gain the confidence I've had with their products on other brands, but I'm willing to try.