Berger VLD Hunting Bullet 175 compared to SMK 175

[Lucks]

I've developed a load for my .308 using 175 SMK's for target shooting. I wanted to try some 175 Berger VLD Hunting bullets through my rifle to do some deer hunting with. Just wondering if anyone had any experience on how the trajectory, accuracy, etc. compared between these two. I know the BC's are nearly identical. I would love to just load up some Bergers with the same receipe as my SMK's and go shoot, but I'm not expecting the two bullets to shoot identical or anything (even though that would be great). I'm more wondering if it's likely a gun using a particular load would shoot 175 SMK's great and shoot 175 Bergers like shit.
Please let me know what you think, or if you've got any experience with this. Thanks again!

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullet 175 compared to SMK 175

I get tighter groups with the Berger 175 vld in my rifle seated .008 into the lands vs jumping the SMK at .010

However, the rifle shoots best with the VLD at +.4 grains over my SMK load using Varget. Same point of impact at 100 yards.

 

[blksno]

Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullet 175 compared to SMK 175

still testing powder, and seating depth in my AR...but i am using 105gr VDL Match Hunting and I cant get them to shoot tigher than 5 inches. Lots of work left to do, but i am having doubts that they are gonna work in my AR. and im bummed

 

[Mag 300]

Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullet 175 compared to SMK 175

Thanks a freind was looking for this info
Bill

 

[Lucks]

Re: Berger VLD Hunting Bullet 175 compared to SMK 175

Well, I tested this and got the same trajectory(out of my Custom Remington 700 in .308 with a 21.5" 1:10 twist Shilen barrel) with the 175 Berger VLD hunting bullets as 175 SMK's. I just had to seat the Bergers a little deeper since they are longer bullets than the SMK's. I shot them out to 700 yards and the matched hole for hole. The Berger's shot just as accurately out of my rifle as the SMK's do.

Dope is:
100y 0
200y .6 mil
300y 1.1 mils
400y 1.9 mils
500y 3.0 mils
600y 4.0 mils
700y 5.4 mils

and I assume if they continue to match the SMK's (not actually tested at these ranges)
800y 7.0 mils
900y 9.1 mils
1000y 11.0 mils
1100y 13.0 mils
1200y 15.5 mils