BradY, I agree that the Berger VLDs all across the range have inconsistent length due to meplat variation. I also agree with SpencerC that it does not matter much at all. I dont bother pointing Berger VLDs anymore because it requires meplat trimming first to get all the bullets the same length. I now shoot them as they come from the factory with their differing meplats and they still shoot great.
Berger will be addressing this problem with their new hybrid bullet design which will have more open meplats but with a consistent bullet length resulting. Read about this in the Celebrity Shooter article where Bryan Litz talks about this and much more. http://www.safclass.com.au/celebrity3.html
I'm sure you are measuring OAL for bullet seating using a bullet comparator on the ogive to ensure consistency but if your not then invest in a Hornady bullet comparator for all the calibres you shoot. I measured the first group I shot using the 30.5gr load of Varget (AR2208) and it measured 0.516" to the extreme edges and when you take 0.224" for the bullet diameter you end up with a 0.292" five shot 100 yard group. Not bad with only 20 bullets down the barrel!
I took the rifle and the rest of the new brass loaded with the 90gr VLDs to the Monarto range and at 700 metres in a 8 moa cross wind, shot a 59 out of a possible 60 to get the highest score for F-Open in the first relay. It rained that hard in the second relay I opted out of the shoot. It shot so well that it will get some more use even at the longer ranges so I can get a feel for how well it compares to my 6.5x47L. I guess for the American shooter's I should point out that the 59 was shot on a ICFRA target and the score could compare to 100.?X on your targets.
Ian
Berger will be addressing this problem with their new hybrid bullet design which will have more open meplats but with a consistent bullet length resulting. Read about this in the Celebrity Shooter article where Bryan Litz talks about this and much more. http://www.safclass.com.au/celebrity3.html
I'm sure you are measuring OAL for bullet seating using a bullet comparator on the ogive to ensure consistency but if your not then invest in a Hornady bullet comparator for all the calibres you shoot. I measured the first group I shot using the 30.5gr load of Varget (AR2208) and it measured 0.516" to the extreme edges and when you take 0.224" for the bullet diameter you end up with a 0.292" five shot 100 yard group. Not bad with only 20 bullets down the barrel!
I took the rifle and the rest of the new brass loaded with the 90gr VLDs to the Monarto range and at 700 metres in a 8 moa cross wind, shot a 59 out of a possible 60 to get the highest score for F-Open in the first relay. It rained that hard in the second relay I opted out of the shoot. It shot so well that it will get some more use even at the longer ranges so I can get a feel for how well it compares to my 6.5x47L. I guess for the American shooter's I should point out that the 59 was shot on a ICFRA target and the score could compare to 100.?X on your targets.
Ian
