Berger Ammo vs their projectiles?

[aLOTtoLearn41]

I am admittedly new to the precision long range world, however from reading, I have learned a couple things. 1) Berger projectiles are THE top choice for PRS shooters. 2) When testing ammo to find a potential starting point for reloading and/or an accurate factory load for general purpose use, even Federal GMM can't get Berger bullets to shoot without at least one flyer in a 5 shot group. This is through both sub moa gas guns and sub half moa bolt guns shooting 308, 6.5 CM, and 338 LM.
I can't call wind, but my fundamentals are good enough to ring steel at a mile with a good spotter.
Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong here? Berger bullets are supposed to be that which we build our precision loading world around. Why am I seeing this out of multiple rifles and multiple loads? All of which can "spank the pants off" Berger bullets either loaded by Berger or by Federal with other factory loads. For reference, I've shot AAC 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Sierra MK with MV SD's of 26+ into smaller groups than Berger or Federal loaded Berger 140 Hybrids. The contradiction in that sentence wants to make my brain bleed.

 

[tinker]

The difference isn't THAT great between berger and other good bullets. Yes they are more consistent but it's not night and day.

If you are shooting "factory ammo" loaded by anyone (federal etc) that has berger bullets you are still not going to have ammo as consistent and handloads. Neck tension and powder charge are pretty much the biggest factors in consistency. I can't say for certain but I would presume that federal is not running a mandrel and brushing necks etc on production ammo. Also, while I have not tested it, I am sure if you dumped a bunch of factory match ammo the powder won't be the tenth.

I don't shoot factory ammo to decide what bullet to use. I pick a bullet I know will do well (I shoot a lot of SMK in 140gr for creedmoor though recently starting shooting bergers too).

Pick a bullet, get to a decent velocity and then work on seating depth. If your fundamentals are squared away it will shoot.

For the record I routinely have one flyer in my 5 shot groups, but it's me. I am working on it.

 

[JustSendit]

Man I dunno dude Berger/Fed factory ammo is shooting poorly out of all your rifles I think that’s kind of wild. In my experience, all my yellow box ammo groups sub moa and SDs under 10. That’s with a lot of different cartridges too. I also know most people experience this phenomenon.

But paper is paper and chronos are chronos.. if ammo X shoots tighter and has lower SDs, then they’re better for you. In my opinion paper really doesn’t lie, group at 300 and make a determination then don’t look back.

Edit: or group at 100.. I just think I see more at 300 when I’m getting down to selection of my ammo.

 

[Shoots 700's]

Berger factory ammo shoots great for me.

 

[TheOE800]

I haven’t been impressed with Berger factory loaded ammo, statistically, in any of my guns. The observed SD and ES have been no better than other match ammo, except new Hornady which I don’t bother with anyway. You do get Lapua brass when you’re done shooting it though, so there’s that.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I shot their .223 77 grain ammo for the brass in a prs match and it shot really well

 

[tinker]

I haven’t been impressed with Berger factory loaded ammo, statistically, in any of my guns. The observed SD and ES have been no better than other match ammo, except new Hornady which I don’t bother with anyway. You do get Lapua brass when you’re done shooting it though, so there’s that.

I bought a few hundred rounds just for that reason. Avg of .7 something if I recall for factory out of one of my guns.

 

[Hickswr]

You failed to define “flyer” or mention the actual group size.

 

[K80/6.5]

Break your barrel in with Berger ammo then you have 200 cases of Lapua fired formed brass ready to go. At least it sounds good in theory.

 

[schmi015]

I'll be the honest one with you, you're jerking the trigger. Welcome to the Hide.