Range Report 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

[JC Steel]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

JLK bullets are awesome. A clear step above the Berger VLD IMO. Better BC for sure.

From what I have been told by bullet manufacturers is that J4 increased their price on the jackets across the board 40% in January. And THEN again a unannounced 50% increase in the springtime!!! Ridiculous. Sounds like J4 (which is owned by whom???) you guessed it! Sounds like they (whoever THEY are and really dont know for sure) are trying to step on the throat of the competition and pride them out of the market. Maybe? I don't really know! Just a guess.


Anyway, the 130 JLK is a touch longer than the Berger, I think that is where the extra BC comes from.

 

[jbailey]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

Yes JC, I am aware of those competitive dynamics but I am not sure what exactly is going on - if these jacket price hikes are attempt to 'force out' custom bulletmakers or simply cost of raw materials/cost of goods sold increases.

As PGS says and shows (damn fine shooting at 1170!!!), the Berger 130's shoot as well. I will tell you that I believe the JLKs are better, a tad better. You can grab some of that back if you point the Bergers (JLK has a 0.045" meplat vs Berger's 0.06").

As I said, once my bucket of JLKs is out, I'm going in other direction if the price is $0.54 a piece. Not sure if that will be Berger or what.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jcvibby</div><div class="ubbcode-body">JLK bullets are awesome. A clear step above the Berger VLD IMO. Better BC for sure.

From what I have been told by bullet manufacturers is that J4 increased their price on the jackets across the board 40% in January. And THEN again a unannounced 50% increase in the springtime!!! Ridiculous. Sounds like J4 (which is owned by whom???) you guessed it! Sounds like they (whoever THEY are and really dont know for sure) are trying to step on the throat of the competition and pride them out of the market. Maybe? I don't really know! Just a guess.


Anyway, the 130 JLK is a touch longer than the Berger, I think that is where the extra BC comes from.
</div></div>

My last batch of JLK's was 45 thou (.045) shorter than the 130 bergers.

 

[JC Steel]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JamesBailey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes JC, I am aware of those competitive dynamics but I am not sure what exactly is going on - if these jacket price hikes are attempt to 'force out' custom bulletmakers or simply cost of raw materials/cost of goods sold increases.

As PGS says and shows (damn fine shooting at 1170!!!), the Berger 130's shoot as well. I will tell you that I believe the JLKs are better, a tad better. You can grab some of that back if you point the Bergers (JLK has a 0.045" meplat vs Berger's 0.06").


Dont get me wrong, I think Berger also has a really good product. I actually shoot the 105 hybrids, the 338-300 grain bergers, and I shoot some 210 VLD huntings for a hunting rifle I have. I like there products for sure.

All I was saying, the one products I think is a step above is the 130 grainers. I can not speak about anything else.
As I said, once my bucket of JLKs is out, I'm going in other direction if the price is $0.54 a piece. Not sure if that will be Berger or what. </div></div>

 

[JSF]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

PGS, how often are you having to adjust seating depth or are you with the Berger to keep them shooting?

 

[psinclair]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JSF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">PGS, how often are you having to adjust seating depth or are you with the Berger to keep them shooting? </div></div>

I haven't changed anything seating wise with either of my GAP .260's. One has 800 rounds through it, the other has 2600.

 

[JSF]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

That is good to hear. Think I am going to give them a try next year in competition. Thanks for the help.

 

[bward]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

The JLK's, both 130's and 140's, are not nearly as sensitive as the Bergers. The 140's shoot especially well jumped.

 

[fastford]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

So are you guys leaning towards the 130 out doing the 140 for overall long distance performance?

 

[bward]

Re: 130gr JLK by the numbers - evaluate my analysis

I like the 130's better because they are slightly lighter recoiling and flatter out to 600, which is where a lot matches are won (600 and in). They are both great bullets. I shot the 130's through my 6.5x47 for the first 3000 rounds and had some really good success is matches. My throat actually got so long that to be closer to the lands and still have some bullet in the case I switched to the 140's for the last 1000 rounds of barrel life. It shot just as well and was good for a couple top tens and some bigger matches.