First time loading Bergers???

[Daves762]

Hello guys I have a request.

I finally bit the bullet and ordered the best, Berger 175 VLD, Lapua x100 for my 308.

Up to now I've used win. brass, BR primers, A-max, and had respectable success out to 500yds. in my Remi-700 SPS stainless. ( I will eventually rebarrel with premium barrel but for now it's factory 1/10 contour)

I know the Berger need to be loaded touching the lands but I also know that will change everything I'm used to.

Can anyone who loads the Bergers tell me any lessons they have learned so that I may not repeat them?

I have the load data Emailed to me from Berger, plan to use H4895 (it's what I have on hand)

Thanks in advance..

Dave

 

[Browninglover1]

http://www.longrangehunting.com/for...accuracy-berger-vld-bullets-your-rifle-40204/

Read the thread I posted above. Seating depth with the Bergers is everything in the rifles I've tried them in. My loads in my 300 wsm have a jump of .035 to the lands and they shoot from there all the way in till about .005 before the lands exactly the same. I just load them shorter cause they fit in my magazine better. If I seat the bullets so there is more than a .040 jump to the lands my groups double in size.

Honestly run a seating depth test like mentioned in the thread I gave you a link to. Use a charge maybe 5% under Bergers max loads. That'll get you close to your seating depth sweet spot and then you can play from there.

Just what I've seen with the load data they've sent me is that the powder charges are a little conservative but work up to them as you would any other load data. Enjoy shooting these bullets. They seem to fly better as the ranges get longer.

 

[Greyfox]

I use 140gr. Bergers in two 6.5x284 rifles, Savage and Cooper. I tested both riflles with the bullets seated from .010 in the lands to .125 out. Both rifle gave the tightest groups (.25-.35MOA) with the bullets seated .070-.075" out of the lands.

 

[Daves762]

http://www.longrangehunting.com/for...accuracy-berger-vld-bullets-your-rifle-40204/

Read the thread I posted above. Seating depth with the Bergers is everything in the rifles I've tried them in. My loads in my 300 wsm have a jump of .035 to the lands and they shoot from there all the way in till about .005 before the lands exactly the same. I just load them shorter cause they fit in my magazine better. If I seat the bullets so there is more than a .040 jump to the lands my groups double in size.

Honestly run a seating depth test like mentioned in the thread I gave you a link to. Use a charge maybe 5% under Bergers max loads. That'll get you close to your seating depth sweet spot and then you can play from there.

Just what I've seen with the load data they've sent me is that the powder charges are a little conservative but work up to them as you would any other load data. Enjoy shooting these bullets. They seem to fly better as the ranges get longer.

Very nice thank you sir.

 

[Daves762]

Since the distance to lands is so critical should the brass be fire formed prior to working up the loads with the bergers?

Does anyone that loads Bergers full length size? or does everyone kneck size?

 

[Greyfox]

Since the distance to lands is so critical should the brass be fire formed prior to working up the loads with the bergers?

Does anyone that loads Bergers full length size? or does everyone kneck size?

I have used new, fireformed with neck, and FS with success in all three approaches.

 

[Boss Hoss]

Edited

 

[Daves762]

You should try the Green Box pills as well. I know people get emotional on the internet about this stuff but try them and you may be in for a shock.

For long range hunting???????

 

[Boss Hoss]

Edited

 

[Daves762]

Yes---pretty much all I use. Do the research on this subject on this site. I posted the reason why the SMK is not and will not ever be marketed as anything but a "target" round. There are huge reasons $$$$$$$ why.

I'll look into it thanks....

 

[Daves762]

Ok well trying to figure all those differnet COL's and different loads leads to about a million test rounds.....

So

I loaded one each 35,36,37,38,39,40,41 grains of H4895 at "touching lands" length to test for max pressure limits.

And then 40gr for each of the 6 rounds of the lengths recommended.

I will see which one groups well and go from there.

Thanks for the input..

 

[Daves762]

Best goups at 100 yds indoors from a rest, were touching the lands and .030 off the lands. Groups were only .630 so I will load several different lengths between touching and .030 off lands and re-test.

Also noted: my normal powder load for 178 A-max is 40.0gr H4895, and thats the powder ammount I used as the bearing surface of the two bullets is similar and weight is close enough.. I did load one round touching lands with 41.0gr and it did show cratering on the primer to indicate overpressure.

 

[Far North Hunter]

I use 140gr. Bergers in two 6.5x284 rifles, Savage and Cooper. I tested both riflles with the bullets seated from .010 in the lands to .125 out. Both rifle gave the tightest groups (.25-.35MOA) with the bullets seated .070-.075" out of the lands.

Same caliber and bullet. My custom rifle really performed once I got out to .050 off the lands.