Berger vs Sierra .338 cal 300 grain

[LjMann22]

Hey Everybody,
Has anybody done testing to compare the Berger and Sierra 300 grain bullets in .338? I am about to load a batch and was trying to decide which to go with in my 338 RUM.

Thanks for the input,

LM

gun)

 

[Broz]

Yes, I have in my .338 LM. Both with H-1000 and similar charges used.

I used the SMK for about 700 to 800 rounds from this rifle. They preformed great with good accuracy and terminal damage. Lots of game has been taken to dstances as far as 1137 yards including a one shot kill on a Bull elk at 1130. So nothing bad to say about the SMK's.

The Bergers differ in this way in my rifle and I have tested both the Gen 1's and am now using the Gen 2 Hybrid OTM's. There is a noticeable difference in groups a long distances. My groups are tighter now and they are impressive. I feel some of this is due to the consistancy of the Bergers as far as weight and bearing surface is concerned as well as the added BC the Berger brings to the table. SMK is .768 and the Berger is .818 or a little better. Also in testes where both bullets go through the sub-sonic transion the Berger shines. My initial testing shows 1 moa grouping is doable after the transition with the Berger. If you have ever tried this with the SMK you know the results are less than impressive.

There has been limited testing so far with the Bergers as far as terminal performance of game. But a couple members here have reported kills from 750 yards to around 1000 with good results on deer sized game and Black Bear. My plan is to do some of this testing with them in the next month or so too.

Hope this helps answer yor questions.

Jeff

 

[LjMann22]

That's what I was hoping to find out. I know a lot of people love the Sierra but Berger is a good company and this is a newer bullet I just had not heard anyone tell how it performed in the field. i hope to hear this from others as well. I knew their BC would be close but I had not heard what the berger was actually at. What is your overall length? What are you shooting yours out of Rum, edge, norma etc.?

thanks for the help

LM

gun)

 

[Broz]

What is your overall length? What are you shooting yours out of Rum, edge, norma etc.?

thanks for the help

LM

I am shooting a .338 Lapua Mag. with about the same charge as an Edge would be. Velocity right around 2800. My seating depth is .015" off the lands. In my rifle that is 3.004" base to ogive of the bullet.

Jeff

 

[Magnumitis]

Is anyone on here running the Gen 2 out of the 338 RUM?

 

[jmden]

I don't have near the experience with these two bullets that some do here, but I'll add my two cents... I've only shot them this year (Bergers Gen 2s) and last year (SMK 300g) out of a 338 AX (338 Lap Imp) at 2976fps ave. (Berger--101g Retumbo) and 2980fps ave. (SMK--102g Retumbo).

Last year with the SMK, my shot ranged from about 360-380 yd on a 4x4 Muley and spike elk (good hits that dropped both dead on impact) and a 445yd, approx. 200lb. black bear (high shoulder)--also dropped on impact. The elk was fairly steep downhill shot that went through part of the spine and then shattered the offside shoulder.

This year, I'm shooting the Berger Gen 2 and my general sense is one of greater precision than the SMK. I'm seeing closer, more consistent grouping at lr shooting for groups on paper and steel out to 1000yds (would advise anyone to do this and not just shoot rocks--check out your groups on paper and/or steel.) Coupled with a bit higher bc, it seems to be a better candidate. On 9/23 I shot a smallish 4x4 Muley at 580yds, 15 deg down and on 9/28 shot a decent sized bear at 741yds in about 11mph winds.

The deer was at an angle (with light fading fast) where the bullet entered a bit back (my fault) in the ribs and blew a huge exit hole on the offside with internal organs sticking out. No pics as is was dark and I only had a cell phone with no flash. I was by myself back in designated wilderness in grizzly and wolf country and working fast to get the meat out of there. Bang, flop.

The bear last week was at 741 yds with about 11mph wind. Bullet went exactly where I held, but I adjusted the windage knob 2.5 MOA R and also thought about the air that the bullet would be shooting through compared to he air I'd measured and ended up holding probably 4-5" further R. Instead of high shoulder, it got double lunged and went about 30yds before flopping. That bullet appeared to go in and out between ribs and the exit hole was just over an inch, but the bear was quickly dead, so...dead is dead. Also, by myself in designated wilderness and trying to get he meat out, so didn't spend the time to do and autopsy and I used the 'gutless' method anyway, so... Would recommend hitting high shoulder bone to help initiate expansion, but that is just anecdotal from one experience.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f88/2011-washington-bear-78600/

Also check out Shawn Carlocks work here comparing these two bullets:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/more-berger-300-hybrid-gen-2-testing-71642/

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/berger-gen-2-elr-testing-75850/

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/berger-300-gr-gen-2-penetration-testing-72855/

 

[Topshot]

I seem to be getting slightly higher velocity of about 30fps with the Berger bullets compared to the SMK using the same powder charge out of my .338Edge.
Has anyone else noticed this with their rifles?

 

[royinidaho]

Is anyone on here running the Gen 2 out of the 338 RUM?

I'm running the Gen 1 @ 2735 out of the RUM.

Little more velocity than SMK and little better accuracy @ 1100 +.

I'll run the Gen 1s till they're gone then switch to the Gen 2s.

Won't get harvest anything until 2012 though.

 

[Magnumitis]

Roy, what powder and charge are you using?