.284 bullet comparison?

[Kracken McGraw]

Those of you that shoot the Berger 180 hybrid bullet(28407) in something like a .284 Win, is there a substitute bullet that will also work pretty close? I was looking at the 175SMK(1975). I don’t even have the rifle, just starting to plan for the future and was looking to see what was available and what will work. Thank You!

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Those of you that shoot the Berger 180 hybrid bullet(28407) in something like a .284 Win, is there a substitute bullet that will also work pretty close? I was looking at the 175SMK(1975). I don’t even have the rifle, just starting to plan for the future and was looking to see what was available and what will work. Thank You!

I shoot both the 180 gr. Berger Hybrid and the 180 gr. Berger VLD with great results in a 30" HV contour in 280 Ackley Imp. - Jumping the Hybrids & Jamming (approx. 0.007 in) the VLD's.
The 175 gr. Sierra is a good bullet but IMO not as good as the Berger's. - There's also the 184 gr. Berger Hybrid (F-class) which I've yet to try which may (If you can acquire some) may also be another good prospect to try.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I shoot both the 180 gr. Berger Hybrid and the 180 gr. Berger VLD with great results in a 30" HV contour in 280 Ackley Imp. - Jumping the Hybrids & Jamming (approx. 0.007 in) the VLD's.
The 175 gr. Sierra is a good bullet but IMO not as good as the Berger's. - There's also the 184 gr. Berger Hybrid (F-class) which I've yet to try which may (If you can acquire some) may also be another good prospect to try.

Thanks!
I also probably should have stated if I got the rifle chambered to shoot the 180 hybrids would the 175 SMK fit in the case right, above doughnut but still enough neck to hold bullet.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

Am I correct to assume you are running a .284 Win. ? - If so I believe if your chamber is throated for 180 Berger Hybrids & you are above the neck/shoulder junction then the 175 SMK should also stay above the dreaded-donut area. - The 175 SMK is approx. 0.090 shorter in OAL but I haven't done a check to see where it sits in comparison to the Berger's. - I'm not up to speed on how much bearing surface the 175 SMK has, but by looking at pictures it looks to be somewhat close. - I know if I was in your situation I'd be looking for the 180 Berger VLD as I know where they are currently available at & at a decent price. (If you can't find the 180 gr. Hybrids)

- All The Best !

 

[KenOath]

I shoot both the 180 gr. Berger Hybrid and the 180 gr. Berger VLD with great results in a 30" HV contour in 280 Ackley Imp. - Jumping the Hybrids & Jamming (approx. 0.007 in) the VLD's.
The 175 gr. Sierra is a good bullet but IMO not as good as the Berger's. - There's also the 184 gr. Berger Hybrid (F-class) which I've yet to try which may (If you can acquire some) may also be another good prospect to try.

^^^^ My findings also but with straight 284, haven’t shot the 184....yet.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Am I correct to assume you are running a .284 Win. ? - If so I believe if your chamber is throated for 180 Berger Hybrids & you are above the neck/shoulder junction then the 175 SMK should also stay above the dreaded-donut area. - The 175 SMK is approx. 0.090 shorter in OAL but I haven't done a check to see where it sits in comparison to the Berger's. - I'm not up to speed on how much bearing surface the 175 SMK has, but by looking at pictures it looks to be somewhat close. - I know if I was in your situation I'd be looking for the 180 Berger VLD as I know where they are currently available at & at a decent price. (If you can't find the 180 gr. Hybrids)

- All The Best !

Thanks for all the great information!
Just trying to get my ducks in a row to start on a .284 Win project. I will probably start with components and dies first and sometime try to get the chief financial adviser on board! LOL!

 

[ShootDots]

I have found that in the 6mm (Br and Dasher) and a few 7mm and a couple of 30 cals, the Berger 180 VLDs are an exceedingly accurate bullet, once the seating depth "sweet-spot" is found! It also has been my experience that VLDs "generally" like to be seated INTO the lands, somewhere in the vicinity of 7-12 thousandths. When I first started in F-Class, the 284 and 284 Shehane were the "kings of the mountain" and everyone shot the Berger 180VLD! The "Hybrid" design was not conceived as of yet. I have seen some mighty incredible shooting at 1000 yards with those VLDs! In my opinion, you are NOT giving up anything by going to the Berger VLDs..

 

[Willow]

Berger 184gr hybrid is what I run in my Shehane, and 280AI before that. Really fond of this bullet, it has proven easy to tune in 3 barrels now.

 

[ebb]

I have a 7 RUM that when first built had ignition problems. The Bergers didn't exist then and 162 Amaxs would not get to the target every time. I never had a 175 sie fail to make it to the target. They have a heavier jack than a lot of 7m bullets Ive been told. The problems have been solved and i have been shooting Bergers, but i keep some 175 sie on hand, they are good bullets.

 

[rogina]

Those of you that shoot the Berger 180 hybrid bullet(28407) in something like a .284 Win, is there a substitute bullet that will also work pretty close? I was looking at the 175SMK(1975). I don’t even have the rifle, just starting to plan for the future and was looking to see what was available and what will work. Thank You!

I shoot a 284 and it likes the 180 grain Sierra Match the best. 2 inch 5 shot groups at 1000 yards and I shot one 11 inch four shoot group at 2000 yards. Most of my groups at 2000 yards are around 20 inches. 9twist Kreiger barrel.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I shoot a 284 and it likes the 180 grain Sierra Match the best. 2 inch 5 shot groups at 1000 yards and I shot one 11 inch four shoot group at 2000 yards. Most of my groups at 2000 yards are around 20 inches. 9twist Kreiger barrel.

Thanks!
I saw the 180’s listed and wondered how they compared to the 175SMK. The 175’s seem to be more available right now.

 

[idahoorion]

Kracken, with my LA 284 and in my 7mmRM, subbing the 175 elite hunter for the 180 hybrid is very successfull. same POI and same dope. I use the same die and powder etc. . YMMV, good luck
Idahoorion

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Kracken, with my LA 284 and in my 7mmRM, subbing the 175 elite hunter for the 180 hybrid is very successfull. same POI and same dope. I use the same die and powder etc. . YMMV, good luck
Idahoorion

That’s really great to hear, I have noticed the success of the Berger elite hunter in other caliber’s and hadn’t even thought about it for the 284.

 

[FeMan]

I have also shot the 184 Hybrids and the 180 ELDM. Both have shot very well. I shoot mostly the 184s now.

The 180 ELDM is tougher to stabilize and needed a 8.5 twist for me at sea level. It had a lower BC than than the Bergers (like 0.330 vs 0.355 as I recall) and started blowing up once I got some alligator hide in the barrel. Shot very accurate though before the blow ups started.