Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Berger VLD's or classic hunters

I ordered severals boxes of VLD's to try in a new 308 1:10 twist I purchased. I got 155,168 and 185's grains to try in a new browning. Then while I was looking on Berger's website I came across the classic hunters and it talks about how they are not as picky about seating deptI. So I ordered the classic hunters in 185 and 168 and decided to take The VLD's off the order already placed. Well I was told the VLD's were removed but they were sent anyway and I was charged for them. My first instinct was just to send them back. Before I do I wanted to see what other reloaders would do. Keep them all and see what out shoots what or send the VLD's back. Now this will be a rifle 100% for deer hunting out to 400 yds. Thanks Ricky

I've had no trouble getting good hunting accuracy from 155 and 168 VLD's at magazine length in a couple of 308's and a bolt action 300 Savage. You might give them a shot.

I personally am so confused with berger.
VLD hunting
Elite hunters
Match
Open tip match
Hybrids.
Juggernauts

And if you ask around everybody shot game with everything berger from time to time and everything works. ...sometimes or.....always .

So nosler and Barnes for me

I'd keep them. I have found accurate loads with both.

John

The classic hunter is less picky at the expense of lower BC. The hot ticket in the Berger line-up are the hybrids, the 185 Juggernaut, and the 215 Hybrid. If I were going to pick one Berger for the 308 it would be the 185 Jug but the 155 Scenar gets a lot of the best out of a 308.

Those Berger offerings work well for light-skinned game, so it depends on what you want to do with your rifle. At more normal hunting ranges, other manufacturers may have better offerings for your purpose.

A lot can be said for a 168 BT, for example, and I like the 200AB as well where I might need better penetration, although the Scenar penetrates well.

There must be over 100 good choices in 30 cal across manufacturers. I think it's good just to pick one bullet for your purpose and shoot, and not fiddle with load development ad infinitum.

I've used Berger VLDs (115 grains in a 25/06 and 168 grains in a 300 Weatherby) and have taken 3 deer and 4 pronghorns with them. Those bullets were from before the day Berger made a distinction between targets and hunting VLDs. Accuracy was excellent and they killed well.

I have had good luck with the 140VLD's in 6.5 out to 700 yds. If your only gonna shoot to 400 yards i would try them both BC is a moog point only to 400 and shoot the ones that are the most accurate.

What is the twist rate on your 25/06? I've read that you need faster than standard twist for the 115's to be accurate.

At 400 yards I wouldn't use a Berger anything. YMMV.

I queried Berger about bringing out the Classic Hunter line in 6.5 mm. Here is the response I got:

"John,

Thank you for getting with us here at Berger Bullets. We are always working to stay on the cutting edge of bullet design and development and with that are always looking to add new bullets to our always growing line. We currently have a number of new bullets in the development phase and I have included a link for you to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with what we are working on next.

http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001qgI9GeY_mqQDx9Qn_9VxJo__eYJIQYRoDtLWmYtQovku0Mbiwtc34-4ltNJWpY9xE6_vgdx4rWYypSeAoYW-82NjPWNO6wJgRWM5YpMv0jMJRiokX6LvUQ%3D%3D

At this time we are exploring a few options for 6.5mm Elite Hunter bullets and I will make a note of your request for our records as we greatly appreciate your feedback.

Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you for shooting Berger Bullets.


ELITE HUNTER BULLET DESIGN
Like the Classic Hunters, these Elite Hunter bullets combine the best of both tangent and secant ogive features, resulting in high ballistic performance with less sensitivity to seating depth. The Elite Hunter bullets are not limited to SAAMI standards, so they have much longer noses than the Classic Hunter bullets to provide hunters with the highest ballistic performance possible.

Kind Regards,
Ryan Robertson
Marketing Specialist
ryan.robertsonbergerbullets.com

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4275 N. Palm Street
Fullerton, CA 92835

Direct: 714.441.7226
Fax: 714.441.7201"

+1

The idea of a Berger is BC; at 400 yds it doesn't matter that much.

A friend I've loaded for has enjoyed their terminal effect on deer and hogs. These were 168 VLD's launched from a 308 at a modest 2600 fps or so. Ranges were 50 to about 250 yards.

The 308 Classic Hunters in 168 gr have a BC of .496
The 168 gr VLD Hunting bullet has a BC of .473

On Bergers web page they list the 168 Classic Hunter with a G1 of .489 and the 169 VLD hunting G1 at .498, none the less, I would always go on their page to check their bullet twist calculator to see which bullets will perform with what factory twist......

I really like the Classic Hunter line up. From my limited experience they are easier to develop loads with than the VLDH line. The 130 in my 270win is fantastic.

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob

I prefer the Match line-up but at 400 yds I like the Accubond.

I shoot the 95 Classic hunter out of a factory 10 twist .243 and a 168 CLassic hunter out of a factory 9.5 twist 7mm rem mag, both at .012 off the lands, and both with great accuracy.
I am planning a .243 with a 7.5 twist for the .243 VLD 105gr hunting bullet and Im sure it will be happy loaded in the .010 range off the lands as well.

They kill stuff just as dead at 200 and 300 yards as they do at 400...