Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Opening the hp tips on vlds a bit.

Anyone used tiny drill bits or something to open the tips on bullets like the nosler rdfs or similar. I've shot some varmints with rdfs and they seemed to zip through like fmjs. I'm a bit hesitant to try them on game. They have tiny meplats and the hos are pretty much closed. Great for targets and max bc but I'm wondering if a little bigger hp would help them open on game.

I've also noticed some Barnes match burners like the 112g have a pretty tightly closed hp. I'd like to run a tiny bit in a few and try them on my extra doe thus year. What would work best to do that.

Bb

I do on all my VLD's. They can get plugged with polishing compound.
I dont open them up bigger per say but just use a bit the same size to clean out the hollow point channel.

The consensus is to use a pin vice with a #59 drill.

Good discussion here:

https://www.longrangeonly.com/forum/threads/berger-bullet-tip-opening.2415/

I found what I needed locally. Here are some at Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Hand-Pin-Vises/zgbs/hi/2225064011

I think if I'd do it, I'd use a bullet trimmer and just trim the meplats.

Why don`t you just use the correct bullet for the application? Save a lot of time and BS.

I ended up just shooting my extra doe with a 143 eldx from a 6.5 Creedmoor. Is that the correct bullet for the application? I have so little experience shooting I just wanted to check with the authorities. My 11 year old flattened one with a 135g bonded from a 300 hammer.

I was hoping to use my fieldcraft 6mm Creedmoor with 112g Barnes but it appears the scope on that rifle may be going. Went from 1/4 moa to 2 moa with shifting poi. Mounts are not loose and I've seen this a few other times with the super sniper 3-9. It's one of my favorite scopes and I have a dozen of them but I've had more than one take a dump. The either have the windage stop adjusting much one direction or the groups go and start shifting poi. My 7-08 fc has killed 2 of them.

Thanks for the info I was requesting Azshooter. I'll try a 59.

Bb

You have very little shooting sxperience, but have dozens of scopes? Please explain how that works.

I`ve done all that stuff, opening HP holes etc, years ago with Sierra Match Kings. Much todo about nothing. Found the Game Kings worked well, as did the Pro Hunter series.

All the Berger bullets I`ve used on game worked as advertized by Berger, no need to enlarge holes, or unplug them, IME.

Used the X bullet in .25 cal. Worked great on three WT`s. Also used the dreaded SST`s.

READ what the manufacture suggests the bullet be used for, instead of trying to modify it. Saves a LOT of BS, IME.

I've been wondering why you'd want to open the hollow point anyway.

It's my understanding the bullet jacket crushes on impact, rather than a hollow point opening up like a varmint bullet.

Am I wrong? It happens...

This is my understanding, and experience using them, as well.

I've never done this before and considered it unnecessary because I had such great luck with the 7mm 168 VLDs. However, a few years ago I shot a cow elk at about 250 -300 yards, with a Berger 7mm 180 VLD and she just jumped behind a fir tree and stood there for 60 to 90 seconds before going down.

The bullet went through the chest of the cow and left a caliber sized exit. I'm now using the Berger 7mm 180gr Hybrid Target and the elk are dropping in their tracks. If go back to using the 180 or 168 VLDs, I'll be ensuring the tips are open with the above pin vise.

Use Berger’s. The hp is the right size for game with the hunting vld

Or use a TTSX, LRX, hammers, accubonds etc. I don't trust bergers. Heck ELDX and eldm's work well too.

I have a dozen dead elk with as many shots from the 140rdf.....un modified.

I've killed alot of Elk, Deer and antelope with the 6.5 140VLD's and 30 cal 215's in 17 years with zero issues.
I dont modify the tips only thing I do is use a small drill bit same size as the hollow point to clean out any polishing compound if its has some in the tip.

That is what JB has stated, at least for Bergers. More specifically, that the nose collapses and does not expand like many people assume.

He was involved with the early field tests with Berger and has written about it.

If a Berger doesn't expand how does it completely destroy the internals on animals?

Theoretically, it penetrates 1-3" or so and then blows up inside the vitals. The heavy for caliber slugs may penetrate all the way.

7mm 168 VLD hunting started at 3,000 fps out of a 7RM went in chest and exited near last rib on quartering shot. Shot was about 100 yards. Lungs were soup. Deer was bedded and never twitched. WT buck. Expected a softball exit and it was about an inch or so. Sample of one I know. I did nothing to tips.

Broadside shot with 162 ELDX out of same didn’t exit. Less than 100 yards. Quit using it as Bergers and 150 TTSX shot better anyway.

103 ELDX out of 6 creed has done well for me, at 350 exit was about a half inch. TX heart shot penetrated a foot, took out 8 inches of spine and stuck under skin. Just about out of them so may try the 105 Berger. 112 Barnes Matchburner shoots very well out of it. I’d expect They would be similar to other match bullets on game but haven’t tried them.

Not trying to be a “smart @$$ here…….but in this case, it’s irresistible!

Why in the hell would I buy a bullet that’s noted for failures, and then have to modify it to “HOPEFULLY” improve it!

There are very good bullets available……that have proven, reliable track records! memtb

You shouldn't buy any bullets, only people that shoot should buy components/ammo