Today I took a nice fat doe at 493 yards with my .260 and a 140 Berger VLD Hunting bullet. The deer staggered and fell but I am concerned about the bullets performance, perfect shot placement, heart and lungs toasted but no exit hole. I realize the deer stopped the bullet and all the energy that bullet had to offer was absorbed in the vitals but this has me worried. 2740 fps muzzle velocity with this load. What has been your expierence with this bullet?
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Hunting & Fishing Smoked a doe but........(Update!!!!! More Success)
- Thread starter reeljob
- Start date
Re: Smoked a doe but........
I believe that's what the Berger's are made to do, transfer all energy into the animal and not into the dirt behind the animal. Sounds like they worked as planned.
If you want exit holes then look at Barnes, but I'd say you've got something that works right now.
I believe that's what the Berger's are made to do, transfer all energy into the animal and not into the dirt behind the animal. Sounds like they worked as planned.
If you want exit holes then look at Barnes, but I'd say you've got something that works right now.
Re: Smoked a doe but........
I just found this article, sounds like you are correct that the bullet did what it is designed to do. I'm going to stick with them.
Thanks
RJ
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/match-grade-berger-hunting-vld-history-1.php
I just found this article, sounds like you are correct that the bullet did what it is designed to do. I'm going to stick with them.
Thanks
RJ
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/match-grade-berger-hunting-vld-history-1.php
Re: Smoked a doe but........
I think you'll do just fine, it may have been a fluke that it didn't pass through (which is overated I think).
I think you'll do just fine, it may have been a fluke that it didn't pass through (which is overated I think).
Re: Smoked a doe but........
Same scenario as my 178 Amax load at longer ranges. I bet the deer dropped like a sack o taters.
Same scenario as my 178 Amax load at longer ranges. I bet the deer dropped like a sack o taters.
Re: Smoked a doe but........
Actually it gave the normal jump and hind kick usally associated with a typical heart shot and ran a few feet before staggering and falling down. She never made it out of field of view. I would have expected it to have dropped after stopping a bullet though, goes to show how tough these animals can be!
Actually it gave the normal jump and hind kick usally associated with a typical heart shot and ran a few feet before staggering and falling down. She never made it out of field of view. I would have expected it to have dropped after stopping a bullet though, goes to show how tough these animals can be!
Re: Smoked a doe but........
Since my first post yesterday evening my son and I have taken two more deer with the .260 and the 140 VLD. I'm not worrying anymore. Both Hammered where they stood. His 17" eight point 159 yards high shoulder shot and mine running shot high shoulder 60 yard approx. For a 9 year old he is excited beyond what words can describe!!! Same day, same hunt, same rifle!!
Since my first post yesterday evening my son and I have taken two more deer with the .260 and the 140 VLD. I'm not worrying anymore. Both Hammered where they stood. His 17" eight point 159 yards high shoulder shot and mine running shot high shoulder 60 yard approx. For a 9 year old he is excited beyond what words can describe!!! Same day, same hunt, same rifle!!
Re: Smoked a doe but........
I'm switching from the 140's to the 130's in my 260 Rem because they all blow fist sized holes out the other side, but all my shots have been within 250 yards. Deer dropped right? That's what I want them to do, I'm a believer in energy transfer.
I'm switching from the 140's to the 130's in my 260 Rem because they all blow fist sized holes out the other side, but all my shots have been within 250 yards. Deer dropped right? That's what I want them to do, I'm a believer in energy transfer.
Re: Smoked a doe but........
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RyeDaddy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm switching from the 140's to the 130's in my 260 Rem because they all blow fist sized holes out the other side, but all my shots have been within 250 yards. Deer dropped right? That's what I want them to do, I'm a believer in energy transfer. </div></div>
Yep! They went down almost too quick for the naked eye to see! I was concerned yesterday when I did not get an exit at 493 yards on the doe but this morning made me a believer in the VLD Hunting bullet.
I actually made a 275 yard shot last week on a doe, high shoulder with a 140 Amax and it took awhile to recover. She traveled near a hundred yards. The Amax IMO needs to put through the lungs, I'm not going to purposely make anything but lung shots here on out with the Amax. Not knocking the Amax's capability since I have used them with success in my .308 but VLD is more suited to fit my expectations for a hunting bullet.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RyeDaddy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm switching from the 140's to the 130's in my 260 Rem because they all blow fist sized holes out the other side, but all my shots have been within 250 yards. Deer dropped right? That's what I want them to do, I'm a believer in energy transfer. </div></div>
Yep! They went down almost too quick for the naked eye to see! I was concerned yesterday when I did not get an exit at 493 yards on the doe but this morning made me a believer in the VLD Hunting bullet.
I actually made a 275 yard shot last week on a doe, high shoulder with a 140 Amax and it took awhile to recover. She traveled near a hundred yards. The Amax IMO needs to put through the lungs, I'm not going to purposely make anything but lung shots here on out with the Amax. Not knocking the Amax's capability since I have used them with success in my .308 but VLD is more suited to fit my expectations for a hunting bullet.
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