Anyone have Berger reloading manual?

[jtc62]

If you have a Berger reloading manual, please let me know. I would like to see what they have listed for their .224 70gr. VLD without having to purchase the entire manual.

Thanks!

 

[jcm24m]

What caliber rifle ? I have the manual.

 

[jtc62]

Rem .223
I was also wondering if Berger lists a “best/most accurate load” similar to how Sierra manual does?

 

[BW]

 

[jtc62]

BW, Really appreciate your help. Berger load data is quite a bit different versus Hodgdon minimum and maximum load range. I have CFE 223, Varget and H322 on hand. Undecided on which to use at this point, thought the Berger manual would help bring me closer to a decsion, but it’s actually had the opposite effect ! LOL>

Thanks again and for quick response.
j.t.

 

[joshb]

I use H335 and Varget. Try the Varget first.

 

[jtc62]

Would you mind sharing the following information:?
Acheived or your target Velocity/FPS:
Grains of pwder (Varget):
Barrel twist:
My twist is 1:8 24”

 

[joshb]

Hi. I shoot the Berger 80 VLD, Sierra 77 or the Hornady 75 BTHP. With the 80s, 21.6 to 21.9 grains Varget, CCI 400, Lapua brass. Touching the lands. 7 twist Brux.
With the 75 Hornady, 22-22.2 grains Varget worked well.

In another gun, Bartlien or Krieger 8 twist, Sierra 69 BTHP, Lapua brass and CCI 400, I use 22.5 to 22.8 grains H335.

I use the target. Haven’t chrono’d them tho I just got a Labradar for Christmas.
I’ll be using it this spring on everything!

 

[BW]

I would also start with Varget. I've messed with a number of powders with the 70 and 80gr bullets in a 223 and now a 223ai. Varget always seemed to be the best accuracy and acceptable velocity in my gun. Good luck.

 

[dolek]

Another vote for Varget,I tried many other powders for the 69-70s and always come back to Varget ...H4895 also works well for me.

 

[Texas10]

I have a Criterion 8 twist match chamber. I'm shooting 69 Lapua Scenars over a case FULL of Varget. If I don't use a drop tube to pack the charge in as tight as I can, I can't hold the CBTO I want. It's a max load and if I move into the lands, it starts blanking my cci400 primers. So i'm jumping .005 and getting some pretty impressive groups without a lot of cratering.

When it starts warming up in Spring, I may have to drop down to a lower node or switch powders if I start blanking primers again, or switch to a BR-4 or CCI 450. More barrel life lost to reworking a load

 

[watercam]

Not sure where to start but right off the bat I find the Berger manual VERY cautious to say the least. I have found the Hodgdon info much closer to reality. I shoot .223 80s jumped .035" over 25 gr. of Varget for close to 2900fps w/ Lapua brass.
No pressure signs and my brass is working just fine, showing no signs of stress.

 

[jtc62]

Not sure where to start but right off the bat I find the Berger manual VERY cautious to say the least. I have found the Hodgdon info much closer to reality. I shoot .223 80s jumped .035" over 25 gr. of Varget for close to 2900fps w/ Lapua brass.
No pressure signs and my brass is working just fine, showing no signs of stress.

Yes, I would certainly agree about the Berger manual, WAY different than Hodgdon and Sierra as well (more conservative) Maybe due to testing in Finland? LOL.
I see you are shooting 80grainers ( as are most of my shooting group are doing) Which for some unknown explaination on my part, I want to shoot 70gr. We all have 8 twists, and same barrels. I guess I’m hung up on acheiving higher RPMs, not necessarily Velocity, however the 70 is traveling faster than the 80gr can be loaded. My thinking is (70gr) will have a higher RPM, resulting in better accuracy (under 400 yards, we do not shoot any farther). Heavier bullets are more accurate once you reach out past 500 and upto 1000yrds. but that’s not what we’re doing nor am I trying.
There’s not a lot load data on the 70gr vld’s, and I’m hoping to piggy back off another reloader to get me close into .5 MOA without having to work up all the loads and fire testing. Unfortunatley, I do not have quick access to a range w/ that yardage, secondly work gets in the way to much - free time.

I’m convinced that the VLDs do perform better with jumping .003-.004 off lands and that’s my goal. It’s just arriving at the correct velocity (RPM) and powder that will acheive that. You appear to be jumping your 80gr further, I’m guessing your are less than .5moa @ 100yrds?

thanks.

 

[watercam]

I share your view on jumping the VLDs a bit. I, too, found that the Berger 70s liked about .009" off for me and were definitely viable to 600 yds.. I can not remember my Varget charge for them but 25.5 gr. and work up is certainly is a place to start.