Bergers are NG??

[NamibHunter]

At a reloading class this weekend the instructor said he got lots of flyers with Berger bullets and recommends Sierra Matchkings
Can anyone confirm?

Nope, always had good to fair results with 140 Berger Hybrids in 6.5 CM. Best bullet i have ever shot at 600 yards. [Have not tried the exotic hand made BR bullets that you have to order 6 months in advance. I suspect they are very good, but i don’t actually need groups below 0.25” at 100.]

Also had good results with 142 SMK at 100 and 200. But BC is too low to be competitive at 600-1000 yards, too much wind drift. Very easy to do load development, very jump tolerant. Very easy to find, and a better price. Best bullet of 2001. Has been superseded by better designs IMHO.

I know some BR folks would sneer at anything but small volume boutique bullets. But SMKs would not be able to compete at this level.

For what i do, Berger is top tier.

In Brian Litz’s latest book he claims the SMKs have worse jacket consistency than the Berger bullets... and a box of SMKs will cause some fliers, but since he designed the Berger projectiles, i am taking that with a grain of salt.

Your reloading instructor is not going to maintain his credibility for long...

 

[AIAW]

Where do you guys buy your blem bullets from?

Direct from manufacturer, Midway, Brunos, Natches, Powder Valley, Graffs, etc. Anyone who has a deal on them really.

 

[spife7980]

Direct from manufacturer, Midway, Brunos, Natches, Powder Valley, Graffs, etc. Anyone who has a deal on them really.

And midsouth and shooters pro shop for nosler. I love my 14-17 cent rdfs.

 

[NamibHunter]

And midsouth and shooters pro shop for nosler. I love my 14-17 cent rdfs.

Good to know! I got good results with Nosler RDF. Will have to try the blems...

 

[Rocketmandb]

Look at these two flyers that I shot this weekend on an 8-shot string of Berger 105 Hybrids! They are easily 3" from the main group!

850 yards... during load development...

Horrible, just horrible

 

[tnichols]

I’m sure he’s way smarter than Litz, so listen to his every word ?

 

[Diesel65]

Im just wondering where you find a reloading instructor IRL though.

 

[kgoltz]

Don't be afraid of the Bergers!! I've had great luck with them!

 

[vh20]

I’ve been burned by Sierra more than once. Jacket separation being what I think is the cause on both 142smk and 110smk. The 110’s wouldn’t even print on a 2’x4’ board out of a rifle that just shot foulers (105 hybrids in a 1/2” group). I’ll never buy them again. Now Berger has never burned me. That “instructor” is just pissy they cost a few bucks more!

This sounds exactly like the “instructor” in reverse.

 

[nikonNUT]

While I have very little experience with Berger bullets proper way back in the day (1995?) I called them and Walt himself answered. I asked (in retrospect) a really dumb question (something about a 6mm BR) and was rewarded with a 3 hour lecture on all things ballistics. He was very understanding, very patient, very friendly, and (obviously) knew a ton about all things bullets! Best reloading course I ever took and it was free! Opposite end of the spectrum was when my buddy was "teaching" me about seating depth the final result was a Suburan AND a pick-up being shot! Great story there... FML!

 

[Jabot]

what about when you can't get them anywhere near the lands?

338 lapua
ruger rpr

when I seated a bullet against the lands to get the maximum coal, the bullet was barely into the neck of the cartridge. The tip and boat tail are so long, there is no way to get even close. We will see how well they shoot set to mag length.

My 308 is throated very long when I load the 185 juggernaut to mag length ai mags I'm jumping them 155 thousandths. 5 moa at 100 I shot a 5 shot group at 700 yards Saturday 3" group no wind they can be jumped just have to find the sweet spot

 

[Nimothy]

This sounds exactly like the “instructor” in reverse.

Maybe you’re right. But I think my point was there is more than one opinion. I should have been more clear. Later I share it on RDF 140’s if you wanna hear it.

 

[b6graham]

13 years on the hide and you're just now questioning how good Berger is?

 

[Merovingian]

You have to work hard to stay that stupid. You really should consider posting the instructors name. It makes me question if there are any dangerous "nuggets of wisdom" being handed out to people who don't know any better.

 

[LANCER]

Probably sponsored by Sierra. I love Bergers. Sierra just keeps increasing prices without offering any innovation. I prefer Bergers and <gasp> Hornady ELD-M's

 

[RRW]

Bergers are fine bullets as are Sierra. I have used several different projectiles in various calibers. Everyone seems to have their own experience on what works for them. I have tried both the 140 hybrids and 142 Smks and my rifle (AI AX , 6.5 CM 26" Bartlein bbl) shoots the Smks better. The 142 are now coming pointed from the factory and the revised bcs are inline with the 140 hybrids. For the most part I can't shoot good enough to tell the difference anyways but the Bergers do cost more so me being a cheaper bastard will go for the lower cost route. I am also not looking for br precision either. I do think you should maybe find someone more credible to get your reloading advice from.