That's the way Berger threads usually go. Most of the posts come from people who say they'd never even consider using a Berger. To make sure nobody has missed their point, they repeat it later in the same thread, saying the same thing, usually right after somebody provides their "real life" experience with Bergers.
Though most of 'em do say, "Feel free to use whatever you want," at least after the 5th time they post.
I know you guys all mean well, but really, I want you to know, Berger bullets work fine for hunting at long and short ranges, in a plethora of situations. There is ample evidence of this, and documented accounts of hundreds of people in support. They aren't magic, and they do things other than what some would have them do, but for me, and for so many, my experience, though limited, supports their acceptable use on big game. I hear they don't often exit, but that hasn't been my experience. I hear they are soft, but I have seen no lack of penetration. They just behave differently that most hunting bullets. Not better, just different. There is a sort of philosophy behind their use for me, a set of ideals that they fit into, just like TTSX, Accubonds, Partitions, SAF, etc, fit into the ideals of others.
I understand the desire to shoot tough bullets. I've got some loads worked up with some Interbonds and SST's, and I've got a box of Accubonds and a few Partitions, all brands 180s, to work up as well. How I will use them remains to be seen. Maybe I'll put one in the pipe for close shots, and then if I need to stretch it out a long way, I'll swap for a VLD.
I don't attach a dogma to bullets. I will use what I like, and I encourage others to do the same. And to share diverse experiences from mine. Rant over.
It seems we agree more than we disagree.
Like you, I know Berger VLDs work well most of the time. From the accounts of others and photos I also know they can be very destructive � as one would expect from the manufacturer�s own performance claims. As a result I have no need or desire to try VLDs and prove on a low sample count what others have proven many times over.
Mule Deer (John Barsness) once claimed I made my bullet decisions based on cost (the reference was primarily about North Fork bullets) and persisted making the claim even after I explained I used them in spite of the cost, not because of it. I pay my own freight and use what I do because it works for me. In my first post in this thread I explained why Berger VLD�s are not for me. The responses of some of the VLD advocates have been to ignore rational and impartial discussion and resort to ad hominem attack. (From which I consider them to have conceded they cannot support their case based on facts.) Damn � you�d think I was advocating independent religious thought back in the days of the Spanish Inquisition.
It�s kind of like deciding whether or not to try meth � with all the information available from various sources, first-hand experience isn�t really required to make a well-reasoned and intelligent decision. If a person wants the performance a Berger VLD can provide I�m perfectly OK with their choice and I wish them the best.
