Best BC .277 140 gn Berger Hunting VLD or .277 Hornady SST

[Roughwater]

Gentlemen,

Sometime back I was writing to a friend about loading some 270 Berger hunting VLD's and he mentioned that the hornady SST showed better specs than the Berger VLD's on the Ballistic Calculator. I didn't say anything but I didn't really agree either. Looking at the berger hunting VLD and the Hornady SST I just couldn't see that being true and wasn't sure how he came to that conclusion.

Well, tonight I got to looking at Hornady's specs online for loaded Superformance 270 140 gn SST amo. The specs hornady touts say's 3090 FPS at the muzzle will net you 2187 FPS and has 1487 Foot lbs at 500 yrds. I hadn't see a published BC for that round so I started plugging numbers into their own ballistic calculator. I used the 3090 for MV etc and tried different BC's till I came up with .494 which gave me the numbers they tout at 500 yrds.
Berger says the BC of their .277 Hunting VLD has a BC of .487 so now I see where my friend got the idea that the SST's have a higher BC.

Am I alone in thinking the Burgers look so much more streamlined and aerodynamic? Is Hornady actually correct on the BC? Any thoughts on this out there? Thanks, Terry

 

[T3-OleMan]

Technical Information: Berger Hunting Bullets 264 Caliber, 6.5mm (264 Diameter) 140 Grain VLD Hollow Point Boat Tail

• Sectional Density: 0.313

• Ballistic Coefficient: 0.612

• Recommended Twist Rate: 1 in 8"

Berger Hunting Bullets 264 Cal 6.5mm (264 Diameter) 140 Grain VLD Hollow Point Boat Tail

=====================


Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: .277 270 CAL :: 270 Cal .277 140 gr SST®




270 Cal .277 140 gr SST®
Item Number
27352
Weight
2.09 lbs
Ballistic Coefficient (G1)
0.495
Sectional Density
0.261


Did you use this info?gun)

 

[Roughwater]

Thanks T3-OleMan, The Berger definitely won that BC match between the 277 and 6.5, and I may not have explained it well, but I was trying to compare .277 bullets to each of other of equal weight since my friend shoots a 270 winchester. So I was trying to keep the comparison between apples and apples.

I wanted to load something in a 277 bullet that would probably fly a little better than what he had used in the past and suggested the Berger VLD.
I just felt the Bergers look so much more streamlined with the long nose and long boat tail. I wasn't sure if maybe Hornady was super hyping their bullet or if it actually had the BC they suggest?

 

[T3-OleMan]

You were right about that. That 0.612 will eat that SST up. But, will the 'OleGirl' like 'em?

Good luck and good eye.

 

[bigngreen]

I shot a pile of both and prefer the Berger, the Berger shot much better and had much better terminal performance across the effective range of the rifle. I'm very hesitant to slam an SST into an elk. The tip on the SST will really help BC, I was really hoping they would shoot for me cause the would make a good bullet out at the end of the effective range since it will open so easy.

 

[rscott5028]

Thanks T3-OleMan, The Berger definitely won that BC match between the 277 and 6.5, and I may not have explained it well, but I was trying to compare .277 bullets to each of other of equal weight since my friend shoots a 270 winchester. So I was trying to keep the comparison between apples and apples.

I wanted to load something in a 277 bullet that would probably fly a little better than what he had used in the past and suggested the Berger VLD.
I just felt the Bergers look so much more streamlined with the long nose and long boat tail. I wasn't sure if maybe Hornady was super hyping their bullet or if it actually had the BC they suggest?

Have a look at the .277 165gr Matrix.

Also, Berger is coming out with a new .277 that'll have a better BC.

-- richard

 

[Roughwater]

Have a look at the .277 165gr Matrix.

Also, Berger is coming out with a new .277 that'll have a better BC.

-- richard

Richard, appreciate the info. I'm already into the 165 Matrix Hunting VLD, see my link. I think I have some useable Elk loads worked up for that bullet.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/load-work-ruger-270-win-elk-92326/#post653023

But getting back to this post I guess I was looking for someone to agree that the present 140gn 277 VLD might be a better choice and have better BC. I guess you kinda said that in a round about way though.

I haven't fired off but a few SST's and never hunted with them but in reading articles by folks like Chuck Hawks they don't appear to be the bullet of choice for heavier game.

Also Biggreen, did you have any trouble getting the SST's to group well? I know the bergers I have shot will fly well but generally not till you figure out how far to set them from the lands.

Terry

 

[azsugarbear]

I have found that published BC's can be all over the place. Some manufacturers publish BC's pretty close to actual field performance, while others seem to have little basis in reality - probably just "puffed up" for better sales. The only way to be sure is to test them both in the field.

I think you will find that your eyes are not deceiving you and that the Berger will outperform the SST in overall ballistics, regardless of what is printed on the box. And yes, Berger is coming out with a hybrid .277 bullet weighing 170 grains. Design is probably better suited to the magnum 277 cartridges that can help this bullet reach it's full potential.

 

[Roughwater]

I have found that published BC's can be all over the place. Some manufacturers publish BC's pretty close to actual field performance, while others seem to have little basis in reality - probably just "puffed up" for better sales. The only way to be sure is to test them both in the field.

I think you will find that your eyes are not deceiving you and that the Berger will outperform the SST in overall ballistics, regardless of what is printed on the box. And yes, Berger is coming out with a hybrid .277 bullet weighing 170 grains. Design is probably better suited to the magnum 277 cartridges that can help this bullet reach it's full potential.

Thanks azsugarbear,

Good info to know. I'll be looking for the new Berger to try in my WSM.

Terry

 

[Greyfox]

If you just take the published data on both bullets your friend is correct. Published value for the Hornady BC is .495. The published BC for the Berger is .487. What is not known is the velocity that Hornady uses to state their BC. The Berger uses an average. But, even if you take the highest value for the Berger, it is .503 at 3000 FPS. It's not that big a difference anyway. They are essentially identical. What the Hornady appears to lack over the Berger in shape, it probably makes it up in the plastic tip. I have used and shot game with both in my 270 WSM. I can't see much of a difference out to around 500 yards with either except the Hornady is a little more accurate in my rifle. I haven't tried the 165 Matrix because my twist is a too slow for the altitudes I hunt. My favorite bullet in this rifle is the 150gr. SST. The BC of .525 gives me solid performance out to 700 yards or so and is very accurate in my rifle. For the last few years I have used a 6.5x284 with 140gr Berger VLD's. This rifle is a solid 1000 yard performer on deer sized game that delivers 1000 ft/# at this range.

 

[Roughwater]

If you just take the published data on both bullets your friend is correct. Published value for the Hornady BC is .495. The published BC for the Berger is .487. What is not known is the velocity that Hornady uses to state their BC. The Berger uses an average. But, even if you take the highest value for the Berger, it is .503 at 3000 FPS. It's not that big a difference anyway. They are essentially identical. What the Hornady appears to lack over the Berger in shape, it probably makes it up in the plastic tip. I have used and shot game with both in my 270 WSM. I can't see much of a difference out to around 500 yards with either except the Hornady is a little more accurate in my rifle. I haven't tried the 165 Matrix because my twist is a too slow for the altitudes I hunt. My favorite bullet in this rifle is the 150gr. SST. The BC of .525 gives me solid performance out to 700 yards or so and is very accurate in my rifle. For the last few years I have used a 6.5x284 with 140gr Berger VLD's. This rifle is a solid 1000 yard performer on deer sized game that delivers 1000 ft/# at this range.

Thanks Greyfox!!

Sounds like the SST might be closer to the Berger than appearance would suggest. Don't quote me too soon but I think I've got the 165 Matrix stabilized OK in my 270 Winchester 10 twist 24" barrel (Remington model 700). So if you haven't worked with it you might give it a try.
I'm getting just over 2800 fps with 61gn of Magpro. So it may not be a 700 yrd load but were just looking shoot no farther than 500 yrds. Anyway, The first three shot group with that load looked good. Got to do more testing but looks very promising so far. Did a 3 shot group and knocked my difuser off the Chrony with the first shot but the next 2 bullets were touching at 100yrds.

With my Winchester Model 70, 270 WSM I'm getting just above 2900 FPS with my 10 twist 24" barrel at about 1 1/8" group at 100 yrds with 67gn Magpro. But these are my first tests with these powder loads so I'm pretty sure I can tweek the accuracy and probably velocity as well in the WSM.

Terry

 

[bigngreen]

The 140 Berger, SST, Accubond used to be listed all right in the G1 of .496 area but Berger revised the BC of their bullet down when Litz started testing everything, they are so close in the same amount of elevation it takes to get to a 1000 yards that inside 500 yards you choice is really which one will give you terminal performance and accuracy you want. At a 1000 yards you will see the Berger more consistent than the other 140's but not by much and at 1400 yards the Bergers clearly shake out the rest.
The 140 SST has been the most temperamental bullet I've loaded in my rifles but others have them shooting house o fire so it may be me, I usually have an easy time with Bergers but I use them a lot and have a fairly good feel for them.

 

[Teri Anne]

Gentlemen,

Sometime back I was writing to a friend about loading some 270 Berger hunting VLD's and he mentioned that the hornady SST showed better specs than the Berger VLD's on the Ballistic Calculator. I didn't say anything but I didn't really agree either. Looking at the berger hunting VLD and the Hornady SST I just couldn't see that being true and wasn't sure how he came to that conclusion.

Well, tonight I got to looking at Hornady's specs online for loaded Superformance 270 140 gn SST amo. The specs hornady touts say's 3090 FPS at the muzzle will net you 2187 FPS and has 1487 Foot lbs at 500 yrds. I hadn't see a published BC for that round so I started plugging numbers into their own ballistic calculator. I used the 3090 for MV etc and tried different BC's till I came up with .494 which gave me the numbers they tout at 500 yrds.
Berger says the BC of their .277 Hunting VLD has a BC of .487 so now I see where my friend got the idea that the SST's have a higher BC.

Am I alone in thinking the Burgers look so much more streamlined and aerodynamic? Is Hornady actually correct on the BC? Any thoughts on this out there? Thanks, Terry

I learned a long time ago that what a bullet looks like and how it flies through the air mean little in the book of ballistics. Load it, shoot it and see how your rifle likes it before making a determination.

 

[LVJ76]

I think the OP's question was answered about 9 years ago