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berger bullets vs sierra
- Thread starter XHODZAX
- Start date
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xhodzax</div><div class="ubbcode-body">because i see a lots of guys use sierra bullets
any comments on this one?</div></div>
I shoot Sierra bullets because of the price difference.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xhodzax</div><div class="ubbcode-body">because i see a lots of guys use sierra bullets
any comments on this one?</div></div>
I shoot Sierra bullets because of the price difference.
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
I have some rifles I shoot Bergers in because I'm willing to pay the extra for better performance in those rifles. However I also use a lot of Hornadys because they seem to shoot as well in a couple of my rifles for about half the price. Basicly bench rifles get Bergers, everything else gets Hornady or Barnes.
I have some rifles I shoot Bergers in because I'm willing to pay the extra for better performance in those rifles. However I also use a lot of Hornadys because they seem to shoot as well in a couple of my rifles for about half the price. Basicly bench rifles get Bergers, everything else gets Hornady or Barnes.
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
I understand that Berger are much more sensitive to seating depth plus they cost more.
I understand that Berger are much more sensitive to seating depth plus they cost more.
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
Sierra's MK is a tangent ogive and Bergers VLD's are a secant ogive ( explained here) The secant ogive bullets are a little more finiky to get to shoot well, but typically give you the best BC. Once you find a sweet spot for them, they are awesome. The SMK or tangent ogive bullets are easier to get to shoot well, and are not as finiky on seating depth. Like stated, lots of variables to discuss between the two.
Sierra's MK is a tangent ogive and Bergers VLD's are a secant ogive ( explained here) The secant ogive bullets are a little more finiky to get to shoot well, but typically give you the best BC. Once you find a sweet spot for them, they are awesome. The SMK or tangent ogive bullets are easier to get to shoot well, and are not as finiky on seating depth. Like stated, lots of variables to discuss between the two.
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
Since 180gr 7mm VLD's are impossible to find now I picked up 200 180gr Match BT's. Hopefully they shoot well too.
Since 180gr 7mm VLD's are impossible to find now I picked up 200 180gr Match BT's. Hopefully they shoot well too.
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
Do yourself a favor and try some Hornady bullets also if you were looking to try somehting besides the Bergers. Accurate and affordable. The AMAXs shoot excellent in my rifles
Do yourself a favor and try some Hornady bullets also if you were looking to try somehting besides the Bergers. Accurate and affordable. The AMAXs shoot excellent in my rifles
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
It's true that the Berger VLD's are very sensitive to seating depth.
Berger also has an extensive selection of non-VLD (tangent) ogive bullets that are *not sensitive to seating depth, and are easy to get to shoot well.
*Tangent ogive bullets of all brands are <span style="font-style: italic">in general</span> less sensitive to seating depth. It's commonly believed that it's because a tangent ogive geometry is a better 'self centering' shape than a secant ogive, and achieves better alignment in the riflings over a wider range of jumps.
-Bryan
It's true that the Berger VLD's are very sensitive to seating depth.
Berger also has an extensive selection of non-VLD (tangent) ogive bullets that are *not sensitive to seating depth, and are easy to get to shoot well.
*Tangent ogive bullets of all brands are <span style="font-style: italic">in general</span> less sensitive to seating depth. It's commonly believed that it's because a tangent ogive geometry is a better 'self centering' shape than a secant ogive, and achieves better alignment in the riflings over a wider range of jumps.
-Bryan
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
I have found Berger bullets to be the most consistant in all measurements box for box. The Hornady Amax takes alot of extra time to weigh sort and variations in weight are pretty broad. I recently weighed a box of 7mm 162 Amax that had almost 2 grains weight difference. I couldn't believe it, so I weighed them twice and with two different scales.
That being said, once weigh sorted, they shot extremely well in my WSM.
I just got a new GAP 308. I tryed 175 VLD and 44.7 Varget. It shot a .109" 3 shot @ 100 yds off the bipod. But the SMK shot close enough to it that I will not write them off.
As for Berger VLD bullets being sensitive, I must be lucky. They have shot extremely well in every thing I tryed. I just wish they were cheaper!
I have found Berger bullets to be the most consistant in all measurements box for box. The Hornady Amax takes alot of extra time to weigh sort and variations in weight are pretty broad. I recently weighed a box of 7mm 162 Amax that had almost 2 grains weight difference. I couldn't believe it, so I weighed them twice and with two different scales.
That being said, once weigh sorted, they shot extremely well in my WSM.
I just got a new GAP 308. I tryed 175 VLD and 44.7 Varget. It shot a .109" 3 shot @ 100 yds off the bipod. But the SMK shot close enough to it that I will not write them off.
As for Berger VLD bullets being sensitive, I must be lucky. They have shot extremely well in every thing I tryed. I just wish they were cheaper!
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
Been shooting the 168 SMK and 155 SMK palma in my GAP .308. Loaded up some 175 VLD's and backed off the seating depth to just barely touching the rifling and got .194 5 shots at a 100 and .412 5 shots at 200, using 40 gr. of varget, lapua brass, and Fed 210M primers. This was my first load of the begers, and I was very pleased. SMK's are a little cheaper and have shot similiar results in the same gun. But I like to experiment. Can't wait to get a chance to extend the range.
Sidebar...Bryan Litz's book, "Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting" is an excellent read, reread, and reference for the exterior ballistics and education. He goes in depth of bullet design on most manufacturers bullets.
Thanks Bryan!
Been shooting the 168 SMK and 155 SMK palma in my GAP .308. Loaded up some 175 VLD's and backed off the seating depth to just barely touching the rifling and got .194 5 shots at a 100 and .412 5 shots at 200, using 40 gr. of varget, lapua brass, and Fed 210M primers. This was my first load of the begers, and I was very pleased. SMK's are a little cheaper and have shot similiar results in the same gun. But I like to experiment. Can't wait to get a chance to extend the range.
Sidebar...Bryan Litz's book, "Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting" is an excellent read, reread, and reference for the exterior ballistics and education. He goes in depth of bullet design on most manufacturers bullets.
Thanks Bryan!
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
Has anybody shot the non vld bergers in 175gr, and if my rifle was set up to shoot the sierra 175,hence mag loadable,is there to much diff between bullet shape to make the berger jump or not and still fit my mag.Just thinking somebody knows the numbers before I buy a box of bergers.
Has anybody shot the non vld bergers in 175gr, and if my rifle was set up to shoot the sierra 175,hence mag loadable,is there to much diff between bullet shape to make the berger jump or not and still fit my mag.Just thinking somebody knows the numbers before I buy a box of bergers.
Re: berger bullets vs sierra
I have inspected MANY boxes of both brands. I still have the data saved on hard copy. When you use labratory grade instruments to check them every way you can, you'll see the difference. In 1950s Sierra's were top notch. I shot them exclusively for many years. They're still using that same technology and machinery to compete with 21st century equipment that Berger has. They were made originally to shoot 1 to 1.5 moa. If that's what you're looking for, they'll do fine. Just I'm looking for something a little better.
It's YOUR money and your rifle. Do whatever makes YOU happy.
I have inspected MANY boxes of both brands. I still have the data saved on hard copy. When you use labratory grade instruments to check them every way you can, you'll see the difference. In 1950s Sierra's were top notch. I shot them exclusively for many years. They're still using that same technology and machinery to compete with 21st century equipment that Berger has. They were made originally to shoot 1 to 1.5 moa. If that's what you're looking for, they'll do fine. Just I'm looking for something a little better.
It's YOUR money and your rifle. Do whatever makes YOU happy.
