Originally Posted by PaulBarnard
Originally Posted by T_Inman
Originally Posted by GregW
Originally Posted by PaulBarnard
As a handloader who loads to hunt, can anyone tell me why I'd reach for a box of Bergers? Let's just say I am loading for my 6.5 PRC getting ready to hunt Elk and Mule Deer in Colorado. The hunting will be done in areas where there is dark timber and in open areas where a shot of 400 yards may present itself.

On the shelf at Sportsman's Warehouse are 140 grain bullets in Nosler AB @ 68cents/bullet, Nosler BT @38 Nosler Partition80, Sierra BTSP @35, Hornady SST@ 1 and Berger Elite Hunter @45.

Why do I go for the Berger?


In your scenario bullet choice should be pretty far down the list for a successful hunt....





That was my first thought. You're paying for the fuel to drive from wherever to the Colorado mountains, paying for tags and taking time off work, at a minimum.

Why the hell would I care if bullets are 35 cents each, $1 each or anywhere in between? Even with an absurd amount of shooting practice, that's pennies on the dollar compared to your other expenses.

I kind of sense this being a trick question though...


It wasn't a trick question at all. My bullet cabinet is full of all of the above bullets but Bergers. Why spend more when I can get an accurate, quality cup and core bullet for less? They simply fall into a middle ground with me. When I ask myself why I'd reach for them, I can't give myself a good answer.


Exactly, Paul. If they don't tick any boxes for you, there is no reason to reach for them. They aren't magic by any means, and they don't kill any better than other bullets do. They do a few things better than many other bullets, but if you don't need to do those things, you don't need them.

I belong on eroding granite, among the pines.