Alternative to discontinued Berger 30cal 135gr flat base?

[ImBIllT]

I have a wonderful load in an HBR rifle using Berger 135gr flat base bullets. Does a similar bullet exist today? Yes I know there is the 115gr Berger, and 125gr Matchking, but I was wondering if a custom bullet maker was making 135gr bullets with an ogive similar to the 135gr Berger. If not I’ll just have to switch completely. Not the end of the world.

 

[762plinker]

134 from BIB

 

[ImBIllT]

134 from BIB

Apparently also discontinued.

 

[barefooter56]

Apparently also discontinued.

Try the BERGER .30 CAL 150gr FB TGT bullet. (30407)

 

[ImBIllT]

Try the BERGER .30 CAL 150gr FB TGT bullet. (30407)

Obviously I couldn’t use the same load and seating depth with that bullet, which is what I was trying to do. Lots of great bullets out there, I was just hoping there was one that was basically identical.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Speer 130 hp, 125 gr tnt.

 

[SGT. Slaughter]

Sierra 135 grain varminter.

 

[762plinker]

me thinks most of you are missing the point
this is a competition rifle and need competition bullets

 

[AlNyhus]

I have a wonderful load in an HBR rifle using Berger 135gr flat base bullets. Does a similar bullet exist today? Yes I know there is the 115gr Berger, and 125gr Matchking, but I was wondering if a custom bullet maker was making 135gr bullets with an ogive similar to the 135gr Berger. If not I’ll just have to switch completely. Not the end of the world.

The 135 Berger was built on the 1.080" J4 jacket, which is no longer available even to custom bullet makers. When they were available, I made some 132's on the 1.080 jacket and they shot very well in bigger cased HBR rigs.

Short of finding someone with a stash of 1.080's, your best bet is to going to be changing to the 1.00" jacket and moving your program that direction.

The BIB 7 ogive on the 1.00" jacket would be my suggestion. They tune up easily and just hammer into a hole with twist rates from 1:14 to 1:17 and freebore lengths from zero to what would be used for most 1.080 based bullets in the 7 ogive range...which is what the 135 Berger was.

Truly the Gold Standard of .30 Benchrest bullets.

Hope this helps. -Al

 

[David Conder]

I think I have some 30s 1.080 serria jackets if some one can use them

 

[ImBIllT]

The 135 Berger was built on the 1.080" J4 jacket, which is no longer available even to custom bullet makers. When they were available, I made some 132's on the 1.080 jacket and they shot very well in bigger cased HBR rigs.

Short of finding someone with a stash of 1.080's, your best bet is to going to be changing to the 1.00" jacket and moving your program that direction.

The BIB 7 ogive on the 1.00" jacket would be my suggestion. They tune up easily and just hammer into a hole with twist rates from 1:14 to 1:17 and freebore lengths from zero to what would be used for most 1.080 based bullets in the 7 ogive range...which is what the 135 Berger was.

Truly the Gold Standard of .30 Benchrest bullets.

Hope this helps. -Al

This helps a LOT!

 

[AlNyhus]

This helps a LOT!

Give Randy a call. If anyone has some 1.080's J4's, he might. Before you call, measure how much of the shank of the bullet is in the case neck at your current seating depth...this will help him guide you in the process.

BIB: (515)438-4010

With the current jacket situation, I'd not linger...... -Al

 

[ImBIllT]

Give Randy a call. If anyone has some 1.080's J4's, he might. Before you call, measure how much of the shank of the bullet is in the case neck at your current seating depth...this will help him guide you in the process.

BIB: (515)438-4010

With the current jacket situation, I'd not linger...... -Al

I don’t have bullet making dies, so I’m not sure the jackets will help me. He replied to my request for 134 BIBs by saying that he no longer made them due to demand.

 

[AlNyhus]

I don’t have bullet making dies, so I’m not sure the jackets will help me. He replied to my request for 134 BIBs by saying that he no longer made them due to demand.

Check with him and see if he has any 1.080" still left...maybe he could make some for you if he does. Sorry for not clarifying that. -Al

 

[762plinker]

or he may make some if you find some jackets...

 

[762plinker]

bob c in california made a 30 cal 135...no loger with us, ask around maybe you will find some( thats how i got my 1k of them)