140’s for 6.5CM. Shot a 20lb bobcat that was walking straight towards me. Hit him perfect right through the chest. He was at 110 yards. He went 15 yards and that was it. To my surprise though the bullet did not pass all the way through, I really thought it would have. Is that normal for a VLDH? I’m asking because I planned on using it for deer...
Berger VLDH penetration.
- Thread starter Kramerica
- Start date
KMart
Gold $$ Contributor
Did you attempt to recover the remains of the bullet? If you did, what was the condition of the projectile?
The length of a bobcat is not that much different than the width of a mule deer. On a broadside lung shot of a deer, the bullet rarely exits.
timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
The answer is that depends. It depends on where the bullet strikes and what angle. This year's whitetail kills included a mature buck definitely over 200 pounds shot broadside from about 50 yards into the front shoulder with a 6 Dasher, 105 grain HVLD'S. Bullet blew up inside, no pass through, no blood trail. He probably went about 50 yards into the brush. He didn't even dump any blood where he lay dead. Another kill was same rifle-bullet combination on a mature doe. 135 yards, in one side of the rib cage and exiting out the other side. She probably went 35 yards. For my hunting terrain I like the HVLD'S. If you absolutely require a good blood trail, they may not be for you. IME they most often tend to dump all of their energy inside of a deer.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
When did a target bullet become a good hunting bullet?
timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
When Berger developed the HVLD.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
ive killed a ton of different critters with bart’s 68gr ultra hunting bullets. And the hammer hunting bullets are good too. That was easy
HTSmith
Silver $$ Contributor
I've shot three does broadside just behind the shoulder with the 105VLDH's. All were dead right there. Only one was a pass-thru. In a situation where you have to take whatever semi-decent shot is presented on big deer, I would be using a real hunting bullet. (I like the Nosler Accubonds) Das jus me.
Jalen ,
Short answer is yes :"The Hunting bullet line is proving to be the most lethal big game hunting bullets available. All of our Hunting bullets are made in the VLD or Hybrid designs. These designs incorporate a sharp nose and slightly thinner jacket that allows the bullet to penetrate 2” to 3” before it starts to expand. After the bullet starts to expand it will shed 40% to 85% of its weight as shrapnel into the surrounding tissue (internal organ). The combination between the shrapnel and the hydrostatic shock produces a massive wound cavity within the vital area (internal organs) that will be 13” to 15” long. This massive wound cavity results in the animal dropping fast since most go into shock after such a tremendous blow. Those animals that don’t go down immediately will soon succumb to blood pressure loss and/or organ failure producing a quick ethical kill. Our bullets don’t poke through like an arrow (high weight retention, deep penetration bullets) but instead dump their energy where it is most effective, inside the animal".
Thanks for using our bullets guys!
effendude
Gold $$ Contributor
I have used the 140 VLD out of my 6.5-284 on desert mule deer and coyotes in Sonora, MX. No exits and all but one animal, a heart shot buck that ran 25 yards, were DRT. 5 Alaskan wolves, no exits, 4 out of 5 DRT, and the 5th was hit a little far back and required a second shot but didn't go anywhere. Minnesota whitetail just drop. Alaskan moose had final shot with the 140 VLD and dropped at the shot. Same results with the 7mm 195gr bullet on Russian Boar, whitetail and desert mule deer.
I have had the same results with the hybrids in all calibers including a grizzly and black bear in Alaska this August with my 338 Lapua. I wouldn't hesitate to use the Bergers on any animal in North America.
Scott
I have had the same results with the hybrids in all calibers including a grizzly and black bear in Alaska this August with my 338 Lapua. I wouldn't hesitate to use the Bergers on any animal in North America.
Scott
natdscott
P100, HM, DR, experienced beginner.
No, and I wish I would have. My parents wanted the fur so it went right to the taxidermist. I was also thinking the depth of a bobcat vs a deer would be comparable.
Fair enough, guess I was using the archery side of my brain lol
natdscott
P100, HM, DR, experienced beginner.
Totally get it. XX75 2413 and a 125 from 65+ lb bow = mostly pass through.
But a CF rifle possesses such power that if it is correctly applied and dumped into the body cavity, ZERO to very little tracking should ever be needed. That is, if you choose the rifle correctly for the game, and keep the shots within the effective range of that bullet and cartridge.
I've only shot 1 coyote with my 6.5x55 with the 140VLDH. Hit him on the front right shoulder angling back to left hip at 200 yds. Bullet exited somewhere in the gut area. It was too messed up to tell where. DRT
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.