Hey guys, how many of you use the Lapua 105grn Scenar and 105grn Berger for long range varminting on Pdogs or Ground Squirrels. I will be shooting them out of a 6BR with a Bartlein 28", 1-8 twist, .236 bore barrel. I would like to hear your opinions and experiences with them. How did they perform for you on varmints at longer ranges such as 500 to 800 yards?
105grn Lapua Scenars and 105grn Berger VLD'S for varminting
- Thread starter 6BR
- Start date
I tried the 105 berger VLD`s on pdogs w/ my 1:8 Krieger 6br and although I could make the hits at ranges past 400yrds I proved to myself what most everyone else has found which is they just dont expand well enouph to make a clean kill. They just poke right through with a 50/50% instant kill. Even the 105Amax doesnt always quite get it. Short range shoots are a different story but the 87Vmax`s got them beat. Still, use what you want but dont expect too much "splat". I`m sure at some point past 600yrds the 87 would lose it`s punch too. Thats how far I`ve ever pushed it...
One other thing I saw with the VLD`s was really bad ricochet. Belive me, them things zip, zang,& zing down the road pretty far so you REALLY got to pay attention to "whats down the road".
One other thing I saw with the VLD`s was really bad ricochet. Belive me, them things zip, zang,& zing down the road pretty far so you REALLY got to pay attention to "whats down the road".
Patchound, thanks for the info. I am going to use the 87grn V-Max for shots from 0 to 400 yards. However, I am going to use one of the VLD's for shots from 450 to 1000 yards. The higher BC bullets give me a better chance to hit the target in windy conditions. I wish they could make a 6mm bullet that would expand and have the BC and uniformity like the Berger or Lapua 105grn bullets.
What about the Berger 88grn Flat Base Match bullet. It's listed on Bergers site in the varmint bullets section. The BC is .395 and I have heard they are very uniformed bullets and much more uniformed than the 87grn V-Max. I have heard the 87grn V-max are very inconsistent from box to box. I read one thread where a fellow separated 500 87grn V-Max bullets and he came out with around 340 good bullets and the rest were not uniformed. Can someone give me some advise on the 88grn FB Berger bullet too. How does it work on varmints?
What about the Berger 88grn Flat Base Match bullet. It's listed on Bergers site in the varmint bullets section. The BC is .395 and I have heard they are very uniformed bullets and much more uniformed than the 87grn V-Max. I have heard the 87grn V-max are very inconsistent from box to box. I read one thread where a fellow separated 500 87grn V-Max bullets and he came out with around 340 good bullets and the rest were not uniformed. Can someone give me some advise on the 88grn FB Berger bullet too. How does it work on varmints?
I have used 87 gr. V-Maxes to 1,020 yards out of a 6x284, and the bullet totally disintegrated and knocked the PD over the top of the hole and four feet back. Bullet path was through both front shoulders, so it had some resistance to open the bullet up.
I used the 95gr VLD Berger, and it is a wonderfully accurate bullet in my 6x284, but doesn't open up like the V-Max or A-Max.
I used the 95gr VLD Berger, and it is a wonderfully accurate bullet in my 6x284, but doesn't open up like the V-Max or A-Max.
I forgot to mention the 105 A-Max is the best mix between long range and frangibility. It really seems to resist drop at 3200 FPS out of my 6x284 with a light charge. I tried 3400 with the A-Max, but it wasn't accurate. 3200 was surprisingly a very good speed for death, destruction and accuracy. Best of luck.
6br, the 88FB are far more acurate than 87`s but I didnt get good results w/ the pd`s. I think the 105VLD`s did better at killing `em at ranges under 300yrds than the 88`s. Man, I wish too that Berger could make a high bc varmint bullet that expands good and is consistant. Sorting out bullets for varmint shootin kind of sucks...Still I rather make a clean kill and miss a few than watch a bunch of hurt poodles roll around and die slow,kinda). Maybee bigger is better for long range pd shootin if you want explosive results but the acuracy and longevity is w/ the 6br, we just need a better bullet.
Patch, I will probably stick with the 87grn V-max and 105grn A-Max for my varmint hunting. How uniform are the 105grn A-Max's?
I spoke with a fellow who uses the 105grn Lapua Scenar for his long range squirrel hunting here in California. He said they work very well and seem to kill with no problems. The California squirrel is pretty small compared to a Pdog, so maybe that's why he had good results with the Lapua Scenar. However, I am with you, I'd rather miss than have a wounded squirrel or Pdog running around.
I spoke with a fellow who uses the 105grn Lapua Scenar for his long range squirrel hunting here in California. He said they work very well and seem to kill with no problems. The California squirrel is pretty small compared to a Pdog, so maybe that's why he had good results with the Lapua Scenar. However, I am with you, I'd rather miss than have a wounded squirrel or Pdog running around.
Just about every lot of 105Amax I`ve got has been pretty good, about +/-.003 or less average. A lot better than the 87`s. If you do your bullet shopin at a store, look for lot#-0604 for the 87`s, its the best Ive ever used.
The way I solved the problem w/ no kill`s at long range was to use a bigger gun. That 7SAUM I had built for F-class,I never got to shoot) filled that roll real good. I just try not to get carried away and let the bbl get too hot but you`d be amazed how for you can reach a pd w/ a 120 Vmax @3400fps on a typical 15mph day. BC, smeecy, Its like hitting them with a lazer and the result gives a whole new meaning to "over penetration"
The way I solved the problem w/ no kill`s at long range was to use a bigger gun. That 7SAUM I had built for F-class,I never got to shoot) filled that roll real good. I just try not to get carried away and let the bbl get too hot but you`d be amazed how for you can reach a pd w/ a 120 Vmax @3400fps on a typical 15mph day. BC, smeecy, Its like hitting them with a lazer and the result gives a whole new meaning to "over penetration"
Patch, I would love to build another rifle, but I can only afford one at this time. I spent alot of money on my 6BR build. I used top notch components and optics to build it, so it will be awhile before I can build another rig. This is why I went with the 6BR because it's so versatile and is very accurate out to 1000 yards. I am thinking the majority of my varminting will be done from 0 to 600 yards, so I should be fine with 87grn V-Max and 105grn A-Max.
I know how you feel, I didnt do half the shootin I wanted to this year let alone think of a new project. One thing to consider if you make a trip to pd land is a second gun. If you never gone it, even a 6br will heat up after a bit so it`s good to have one to fall back on. If not a high dollar custom, a good 17HMR will work good for close shots and save ammo too. Just a thought.
Yea, I know I am going to need more than one rifle. I am in the process of building up a Rock River AR-15 Varmint rig. I have the Stock, Lower and Tactical Grip. I am in the process of saving for the Upper, Trigger and Optics. I should have it completed by next Pdog season, so I should be good for rifles during the trip in 09. I also have a nice Ruger 10/22 with Volqurtzen Barrel and stock and topped with a nice Leupold VX-I 4x12x40 Scope so that should cover the 0 to 100 yard shots.
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