80gr. Berger Varmint bullets for groundhogs

[ARW]

I'm considering these in my 9tw. 6x47 Lapua imp. for groundhogs and was wondering if anyone was using them. I believe the accuracy will be there but am not really sure about their killing or stopping power on groundhogs. I'm hoping to get around 3500-3600 fps.

Any input would be appreciated.

Alan

 

[mikeinct]

I used to use that bullet Berger #24022 80 Gr Match Grade Varmint...The one ten twist 6mmbr really liked it & It hits w a nice thwack sound..I have switched to the 88 grain flat base Berger just to reach out a bit farther...Say 500M....Mike in Ct..... I hunt in Pa

 

[ARW]

Thanks Mike, did you have many crawlers with the 80's or were they mostly DRT.

Alan

 

[mikeinct]

Not unless you gut shot a really big one way far out..I said that HP hits with some authority ..You made a good choice in bullet there..mike

 

[Tommie]

You might not hit that velocity.

 

[savagedasher]

You might not hit that velocity.

I agree but depend on barrel lingth .
Larry

 

[MrMajestic]

I run the 88's in my 24" 8tw 6X47l and have had them to 3350 fps however at that you really have to hate your brass! If the 80's are constructed the same as the 88's I agree with the "keep them north of the diaphragm" statement. Chucks are tough and I seen belly hits with larger caliber explosive bullets at hypervelocity disgustingly crawl away. Nobody wants that.

 

[mikeinct]

One tip for hunters, I made a small index card laminated right on to my rifle stock..Drop chart shown in 50 yard increments matched to my scope with that 80 grain bullet loading..This really helps to have that info handy..I use bold type for the 200 300 500 yard settings..Quick & easy to dial elevation right on to the varmints...Mike in Ct

 

[A_Gamehog]

That 80gr Berger is the most accurate bullet in my 12 Twist 6BR out to 600 yards. Very good coyote load and chucks are always a one shot kill. Inside of 250yards it's head shots.

 

[ARW]

Thanks everybody for the info. so far. Like I said in my initial post, I believe the accuracy of these bullets will be there, but groundhogs are very tough critters and can be hard at times to anchor on the spot. From the experience shared it sounds like good solid hits will do the job nicely and that is exactly the type of information I was looking for.

Alan

 

[Phil]

Might have to try some of these in my 12 twist Dasher for grins......

 

[AckleymanII]

80g Sierra Blitz and a 80g Nosler are more explosive.

 

[MarkS]

I'm considering these in my 9tw. 6x47 Lapua imp. for groundhogs and was wondering if anyone was using them. I believe the accuracy will be there but am not really sure about their killing or stopping power on groundhogs. I'm hoping to get around 3500-3600 fps.

Any input would be appreciated.

Alan

Alan,
I shot the 80gr in a 6mmAI a few years back I think 3600 f/s+. I shot them in a 12tw 6br also see http://www.6mmbr.com/Schronce600.html The Berger work great as well. The killing power is very good. The bullet I use now is a 87gr Vmax they are not as accurate as Bergers, but impact is more than 80gr.

Mark Schronce

 

[Tommie]

I agree with Mark regarding the 87 grain V-Max. Hits like Thor's hammer.

 

[Phil]

I agree with Mark regarding the 87 grain V-Max. Hits like Thor's hammer.

This is what i`ve been using in the Dasher.............^^^^^

 

[potatoe]

He has been trying (and wanting) the 87 vmax's to work but his results are much like mine were with my two dashers which was they are too inconsistent for good groups (I know thats subjective but they just never did cut it for my liking-his neither). We have both seen a friends gun that likes them and heard of others success but we have tried in at least four guns (maybe five or six) and they just don't want to shoot well all the time, which honestly sucks because they are one of the most impressive damaging bullets we've ever seen - the old sayin' theres no free lunch.

What he is looking for is real word experience with this specific bullet on groundhogs, I underline that because the real groundhog hunters know that these are not as easy to kill as some believe or think a hit is a kill - we only count and accept DRT anything else is not the most polite to the groundhog plus it honestly p!$$es us off. I've never been a big fan of berger's varmint bullets (him neither) but just looking for an option before switching calibers.

 

[AckleymanII]

500 yards is not a long shot. I had rather eat a rat than shoot 80g bergers, not explosive enough....better choices.

 

[Phil]

He has been trying (and wanting) the 87 vmax's to work but his results are much like mine were with my two dashers which was they are too inconsistent for good groups (I know thats subjective but they just never did cut it for my liking-his neither). We have both seen a friends gun that likes them and heard of others success but we have tried in at least four guns (maybe five or six) and they just don't want to shoot well all the time, which honestly sucks because they are one of the most impressive damaging bullets we've ever seen - the old sayin' theres no free lunch.

What he is looking for is real word experience with this specific bullet on groundhogs, I underline that because the real groundhog hunters know that these are not as easy to kill as some believe or think a hit is a kill - we only count and accept DRT anything else is not the most polite to the groundhog plus it honestly p!$$es us off. I've never been a big fan of berger's varmint bullets (him neither) but just looking for an option before switching calibers.

I remember you guy`s having "issues" with the 87 Vmax, we talked about it before...

It`s really a shame that you haven`t been able to get them to shoot for you, just goes to show how different things can be between rifles.....

 

[rebel]

The 80 gr Berger proved to be super accurate in one of my 243's. Never tried them on a critter. My 6x45 shoots the 87 vmax reasonably well and as said, hits a ton. I shouldn't gripe about .5 MOA at 300 but I know some of it is me. They take a ghog's head OFF at 100 yards.

 

[AckleymanII]

80g Sierra Blitz BT hits with a louder plop than any 80g bullet I have ever shot, this is a VERY accurate bullet, also. You don't have to worry about lot to lot jacket concentricity with the sierra bullets.