Range Report Berger has a new 7mm bullet

[Schw15]

It was just a speed test at 100 yards
I don’t know the actual BC yet and they were 30 to 90 FPS slower.

If it’s decent tomorrow I’ll test them at distance.

I have some at mag length and single feed .02 from the lands.

Nice shows good signs though with same impact

 

[Schw15]

Interesting. Did you happen to calculate bc based on your speed and drop?

I just plugged in the info and it all seems dead on out to 1000 though

 

[nick338]

I wouldn't put too much stock into poi at 100 yards yet. Iv'e tested loads at 100 yards and the higher mv actually had a lower poi. Really need a long range test to compare the 2.

 

[Steel head]

I just plugged in the info and it all seems dead on out to 1000 though

Past 1000 to a mile plus probably won’t be much of change either.

I’m more trying these because maybe consistency might be a bit better than the eldm’s and even more so because I’m hoping they don’t blow up like the eldm bullets have been.

I wouldn't put too much stock into poi at 100 yards yet. Iv'e tested loads at 100 yards and the higher mv actually had a lower poi. Really need a long range test to compare the 2.

This barrel has put every 175 and 180 bullet pretty much in the same exact but the 190’s being in there surprised me

 

[Schw15]

Past 1000 to a mile plus probably won’t be much of change either.

I’m more trying these because maybe consistency might be a bit better than the eldm’s and even more so because I’m hoping they don’t blow up like the eldm bullets have been.




This barrel has put every 175 and 180 bullet pretty much in the same exact but the 190’s being in there surprised me

I shot the 180s for a little bit what was only pushing them 27 50 but this is the first I've heard that they were blowing up my buddy is building a 7mm saum around that bullet. Ive shot it out to a mile before but changed load and havent been past 1000 with it. I do shoot the 225 eldm to 1 mile

 

[BCX]

I had issues w the Hornady 6.5 147 blowing up on a 2019 lot of bullets no issues w the 338 285 ELDS blowing up.

 

[Schw15]

I had issues w the Hornady 6.5 147 blowing up on a 2019 lot of bullets no issues w the 338 285 ELDS blowing up.

How fast were you pushing them

 

[Steel head]

I shot the 180s for a little bit what was only pushing them 27 50 but this is the first I've heard that they were blowing up my buddy is building a 7mm saum around that bullet. Ive shot it out to a mile before but changed load and havent been past 1000 with it. I do shoot the 225 eldm to 1 mile

I’ve had the 180’s to 1950.
when they make it they do great but I’ve had a frustrating amount go poof mid journey.

I had issues w the Hornady 6.5 147 blowing up on a 2019 lot of bullets no issues w the 338 285 ELDS blowing up.

Yea
I had same issue with the 147’s as well.
Seems to not be happening now thankfully.
It’s an excellent performer for those longer distances.
My buddy with the 338 Norma has had NO issues with the 285’s.

 

[Steel head]

How fast were you pushing them

I had the 147’s going 2810 in a 1-8 twist barrel.
The 180’s are currently at 2950 in a 1-8.

 

[BCX]

Hornady 6.5 PRC factory ammo sped up to 3060, my hand loads 3155. I have pushed the 338 285 ELD just shy of 3100 FPS no issues.

 

[Schw15]

I had the 147’s going 2810 in a 1-8 twist barrel.
The 180’s are currently at 2950 in a 1-8.

Thats hoe fast i push the 147 no problems. I wonder the faster speeds? My 225 2929 havent had a problem once yet. No good blowing up

 

[BCX]

The 2018 of 147 i think i pushed to 3180 fps no issues w 250 of them. When i spoke w Hornady they mentioned they changed the 18 and 19 jackets. I have since moved on away from the 6.5 PRC.

 

[Schw15]

The 2018 of 147 i think i pushed to 3180 fps no issues w 250 of them. When i spoke w Hornady they mentioned they changed the 18 and 19 jackets. I have since moved on away from the 6.5 PRC.

Man i like there bullets but not good changing things up. But i never push them past 2850

 

[BCX]

I had seen postings w issues in the CM also w the 147.

 

[Steel head]

My last two boxes of 147’s had 0 go poof.
they were 219 coded.

I should see what code the last box of 180’s are, I think I still have it.

They’ve definitely been frustrating, I have another 500 from a different source hopefully from another lot

 

[BCX]

I would bore scope your throat also. No sure if fire cracking is disturbing the jackets w the barrel flex!

 

[Schw15]

The first i heard with the 147. But i think all mine are 2019. That kind of scares me a bit now there nice because the price

 

[Steel head]

I would bore scope your throat also. No sure if fire cracking is disturbing the jackets w the barrel flex!

I did clean it last night so I’ll probably bore scope it when I get home from work.

 

[Schw15]

I did clean it last night so I’ll probably bore scope it when I get home from work.

Round count of 7mm saum?

 

[Steel head]

Round count of 7mm saum?

I don’t know exactly now.
It in my notes at home.
definitely more than 600.

 

[Schw15]

I don’t know exactly now.
It in my notes at home.
definitely more than 600.

Let us know on firecracking

 

[Chargerguy]

Just picked up 2 boxes to try out in my 7 Rem Mag and maybe make the switch from the 195 Bergers so I can save those for my 28 Nosler. The listed BC's are pretty close between the two. Shooting the 195s at 2880fps, 28" barrel with Retumbo, SAAMI 7RM chamber. Didn't hit pressure until well into the 2900s. Hoping the 190 will perform well.

 

[Steel head]

So I got the 190’s to 2920 today.
ballistics were pretty much exactly the same as eldm’s going slightly faster.
My barrel sped up a bit more so the 180’s are at 2950ish now.

I did have two 180’s blow up today.

with numbers at 100, 775, 1050 and 1810 yards with a speed of 2920 G7 BC of .375 jived on ballistics AE.

with a bit of coaching on position and how to titty squeeze the rear bag my Canada buddy got a first round hit at 1050 and nailed the second as well.
He’s never shot a rifle past 100 yards before.

yes my spotting scope is a tragedy.

 

[Schw15]

So the 190s are showing .375 what are the 180 elm getting? Dang blowing up again that scares me i havent had it happen but it is a concern. Congrats first rd hit awesome!!

 

[Steel head]

So the 190s are showing .375 what are the 180 elm getting? Dang blowing up again that scares me i havent had it happen but it is a concern. Congrats first rd hit awesome!!

A G7 of .360ish

 

[Chargerguy]

So I got the 190’s to 2920 today.
ballistics were pretty much exactly the same as eldm’s going slightly faster.
My barrel sped up a bit more so the 180’s are at 2950ish now.

I did have two 180’s blow up today.

with numbers at 100, 775, 1050 and 1810 yards with a speed of 2920 G7 BC of .375 jived on ballistics AE.

with a bit of coaching on position and how to titty squeeze the rear bag my Canada buddy got a first round hit at 1050 and nailed the second as well.
He’s never shot a rifle past 100 yards before.

View attachment 7239899

yes my spotting scope is a tragedy.

What a beautiful place to shoot!

 

[Schw15]

So the berger and eldm are same nice. Ive heard of bergers blowing up but with high speeds. Yeah nice place to shoot where is that

 

[Steel head]

What a beautiful place to shoot!

I’m a lucky person

So the berger and eldm are same nice. Ive heard of bergers blowing up but with high speeds. Yeah nice place to shoot where is that

Oregon.

 

[Schw15]

Nice man

 

[Steel head]

Another tidbit
I got excellent accuracy with a .02 jump and a .140 jump.

I’m probably going to buy 500 of them.

 

[Schw15]

Im glad the new bergers are working. Are they usable for hunting you think

 

[Steel head]

Im glad the new bergers are working. Are they usable for hunting you think

I have no idea but I can guarantee a few coyotes are gonna have a bad day with these

 

[Schw15]

Yeah let us know how they perform on coyotes

 

[Chargerguy]

Looks like these are pretty close in performance (BC) to the 183 SMK according to Litz's book. Not sure why I never gave them a look before. Picked up some 183s to compare with the 190s in my rifle. should have them all early this week.

 

[Praeger]

Looks like these are pretty close in performance (BC) to the 183 SMK according to Litz's book. Not sure why I never gave them a look before. Picked up some 183s to compare with the 190s in my rifle. should have them all early this week.

What does Litz' book list for the 183 SMK?

A little odd how Sierra breaks out the BC on the 183. It's got a "Goldilocks" zone between 1720-2300 fps.

I'm running the 183 SMK in a 7 SAUM. Getting 3050 fps w/60.5g RL23. 31" 1:8 twist Kreiger barrel. Barrel still breaking in, but sub MOA out to 950 yards so far.

 

[Chargerguy]

The 183 from Litz's book:

Above 3000 .815/.386
3000-2500 .769/.381
2500-2000 .743/.373
2000-1500 .703/.373
Below 1500 .672/.378

Avg 3000-1500 .736/.377

 

[Schw15]

The 183 from Litz's book:

Above 3000 .815/.386
3000-2500 .769/.381
2500-2000 .743/.373
2000-1500 .703/.373
Below 1500 .672/.378

Avg 3000-1500 .736/.377

Pretty impressive better than berger and eldm

 

[Steel head]

Pretty impressive better than berger and eldm

I may have to look into those
I didn’t know the BC was that high and a bit cheaper than the Berger’s.

 

[Schw15]

I may have to look into those
I didn’t know the BC was that high and a bit cheaper than the Berger’s.

Yeah i was shocked to see that. I did hear the desert shooter guy who does the videos for prefered barrels say he had some inconsistent lengths

 

[Chargerguy]

I may have to look into those
I didn’t know the BC was that high and a bit cheaper than the Berger’s.

I lucked out. After being a little turned off on the price of the 190 Bergers, and the discontinuation of 500 round boxes, I decided I should give the 183 a try and checked to see if my LGS had any. They were on sale for over 50% off. $38 CAD per box. Cleaned them out.

 

[lennyo3034]

I tried the 183 in my 7 mag. Couldn’t get it to shoot. 8 twist.

Had 180 ELDms blow up at 3060.

 

[Praeger]

I tried the 183 in my 7 mag. Couldn’t get it to shoot. 8 twist.

Had 180 ELDms blow up at 3060.

What problem did you have with the 183 SMKs?

 

[nick338]

Pretty impressive better than berger and eldm
[/QU

What problem did you have with the 183 SMKs?

I also had problem with the 183 Sierra. The bc looks great on paper but I feel like the new Sierra Matchking line has issues when hitting transonic speeds. My loads were under 1/2 moa at 600 yards but all over the place at a mile shooting a 1-7 twist 7 SAUM at 800 ft elevation. Tried the 184 Berger F-open bullet and they were much more consistent.

The ogive radius on all the new Matchkings is secant and very aggressive compared to most other designs out there currently and may not transition well.

 

[Praeger]

I also had problem with the 183 Sierra. The bc looks great on paper but I feel like the new Sierra Matchking line has issues when hitting transonic speeds. My loads were under 1/2 moa at 600 yards but all over the place at a mile shooting a 1-7 twist 7 SAUM at 800 ft elevation. Tried the 184 Berger F-open bullet and they were much more consistent.

The ogive radius on all the new Matchkings is secant and very aggressive compared to most other designs out there currently and may not transition well.

That's interesting. Berger describes the 7mm 184g F-Open Hybrid as having "a more aggressive ogive shape; giving it a ballistic advantage to our existing 7mm 180gr Hybrid and VLD Target bullet designs."

https://bergerbullets.com/product/7-mm-184-grain-f-open-hybrid-target/

 

[Chargerguy]

Took a pic of my 7mm lineup. Thought I'd share.

L to R. 145 LRX, 150 TTSX, 168 LRX, 180 ELD-M, 183 SMK, 190 LR Hybrid, 195 EOL, 197 SMK.

 

[lennyo3034]

What problem did you have with the 183 SMKs?

Accuracy.

180 ELDm shoots 1/2 MOA. 183 SMK shoot 1+.

 

[nick338]

That's interesting. Berger describes the 7mm 184g F-Open Hybrid as having "a more aggressive ogive shape; giving it a ballistic advantage to our existing 7mm 180gr Hybrid and VLD Target bullet designs."

https://bergerbullets.com/product/7-mm-184-grain-f-open-hybrid-target/

Not even close to the Sierra ogive radius. I think there is a fine line between aggressive and too aggressive with an ogive radius. No one other than Sierra is running a 28 caliber radius.

While Berger has pointed there new line of long range hybrid target bullets, their radius is still a hybrid design and does not transition from the bearing surface nearly as aggressive as the Sierra.

Would love to see a lot more testing done at distance with the Sierra bullets as they enter the transonic zone.

 

[Praeger]

Just happened to catch this Long Range Shooters of Utah episode of 7 SAUM at 2000 yards w/183SMK.

 

[BCX]

One word,,,,, Savage hahaha

 

[LoganWatkins280ai]

I have had numerous 180 eldm bullets explode as my chamber warms up. Out of my 280AI with a MV of 2987, 29.5" shilen ratchet 1-8 twist.

I tried the 183 SMKs this weekend at 2965. They seem to perform well inside of 1k. Shot about a 6-7" group at 980 yards.