105vld thick

[gemmellsc]

Just got my new 105vld thicks in and have some questions. I did not change the setting on my Wilson seater, but notice that the new thick bullets are measuring about .003' shorter for oal when seated,using stoney point comparator). I thought the dimensions where going to be the same for the new thick jackets? Is anyone else seeing the same thing? What seating depth adjustments have others been making if any?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[TonyR]

Try measuring the overall length of a bunch of bullets from the same box. I trim my bullets to unform OAL before running them through a pointing die and I have seen OAL variation of .007 in samples I have taken. I think most if not all of this variation is in the tip of the bullet which would give you a different Cartridge Overall Length for the same Cartridge Base to Ogive measurement.

 

[alf]

Different lot numbers. Nothing to do with thin vs thick.

Al

 

[gemmellsc]

Tony,

I was measuring at the ogive, and the Wilson doesn't seat using the tip. I did get all of my new bullets from the same lot so I guess I just need to check my seating depth w/ a gauge again. Only talking about .003', so I guess they are still well into the lands. Just wanted to verify that the exterior dimensions and shape of the thick version were the same as the old.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[TonyR]

Sorry for the confusion on my part. According to Eric Stecker at Berger, there is no exterior dimensional difference between the thin and thick jacket bullets. You could try a couple of tests with your loaded rounds that might help explain your .003. Whatever step your just completed do it again and see if there is a difference. I use the Wilson seaters for most of my reloading, and I have found that the seating depth does vary a bit from round to round. Sometimes I get a different reading if I turn the loaded round 90 degrees and run it through the seater again. I also have found that the repeatability of the comparators has room for improvement. It may be that these issues are greater with the VLD bullets than the conventional boat tail.

 

[gemmellsc]

Just thought I would give everyone an update on my first outing with the Berger 105gr VLD 'thick', part # 24429. I settled on 30.4gr of Varget seated .015' in the lands. This is producing around 2950fps out of my 30' 8 twist McGowen. I went up to 30.9, but started seeing pressure signs around 30.7grs. Temp was around 70F. Shooting in the high 1s and low 2s at 100. This is from lot #1770. I did have to seat the bullets about .020' further out than the previous lot of 105 'thins' I was using. I did a ladder test at 200yds.

I started out with a clean barrel and went in .1gr increments from 29-31grs of Varget,note:new lot of Varget... clocked about 50fps faster than last lot w/ 'thin' 105VLD).
Ladder went as follows:

Grains: Velocity:
29 2768
29 2818
29 2810
29 2811
29 2822
29.1 2819
29.2 2829
29.3 2838
29.4 2849
29.5 2861
29.6 2861
29.7 2876
29.8 2888
***5 minute break***
29.9 2880
30 2903
30.1 2915
30.2 2937
***Chrono quit working due to lack of sunlight***
30.3 ERROR
30.4 ERROR
30.5 ERROR
30.6 ERROR
30.7 ERROR ***SLIGHT STICK ON BOLT LIFT***
30.8 ERROR ***SLIGHT STICK ON BOLT LIFT***
30.9 ERROR ***STICKY BOLT... ENDED TEST***
31 ***DID NOT FIRE THIS ROUND***

last 9 rounds in bold went into .45 @ 200yds.
All 29gr loads were fired for sighters and foulers.
All 19 rounds fired for group went into 1.41' @ 200yds.

 

[GentleBen]

OK, I just got in some Berger 105 VLDs -- but I have no idea if they are 'thin' or 'thick.' What is the difference? Where do I measure to find out, if anywhere? What gives here? Please advise.

 

[TonyR]

At this point, the 'thin' are labeled 'Hunting' and the 'thick' are labeled 'Target'. The only difference is the jacket thickness. BCs and quality are the same. I think there was a transition period where the name 'Thick' was added to the label on the Berger box for some sizes but I don't think that any of the 6mm bullets were labeled that way. What does the label on your box say?

 

[GentleBen]

OK, the box says Target, so that means they're 'thick' or like we say down here in Cajun land,'tick.'

I guess that means they are better for BR shooting, sorry, I am new to 66mmBR. My 1:8, 28-inch McGowen barrel that is due in a week from today has a .237 bore.

I have read where some skinny VLDs had some problems in .237 bores.

 

[gemmellsc]

Ben,

I have a 30' McGowen on the Savage target action, and I'm having pretty good luck with both of the 105vlds. I am getting good results .015' in the lands and 30.4gr of Varget. Shooting in the high 1s and 2s @ 100. I'm just a weekend warrior so that's probably as good as I can hope for right now. I have been to the range twice now with this load and average .75' @ 300 when the wind is down.

Take Care,
Bill