Berger 108s

[kelbro]

Picked up a 500ct box of Berger 108BTs on sale. I want to use this in a long throated 6BR 29" barrel.

Is there a 'favorite' load and/or powder for this bullet?

Thanks

 

[urbanrifleman]

Picked up a 500ct box of Berger 108BTs on sale. I want to use this in a long throated 6BR 29" barrel.

Is there a 'favorite' load and/or powder for this bullet?

Thanks

Lots of them. You have a caliber in mind?

 

[kelbro]

Lots of them. You have a caliber in mind?

Yes, it's a 6BR Norma.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Yes, it's a 6BR Norma.

29.5 ar COMP or h4895
30 Varget or n140

Jump 20 to 30

There's probably a dozen.

 

[kelbro]

Thanks. I have quite a few different Hodgdon powders to work with. Varget, Benchmark, H4895, H4350, Also IMR4064. Don't have any VV powders right now but it's pretty available around here.

I have another 6mmBR barrel and H4895 works a little better than Varget with the 107SMK, 105 Amax, and 105 H-VLD bullets.

The 105 H-VLDs like to be just kissing the lands and the others liked to jump.

I may start with those loads and move a little up and down and in and out.

It's interesting to me how the different ogive technologies like different jumps.

 

[ShootDots]

I have not had a 6BR in quite some time. It is an excellent round. I have shot RL-15, Varget, etc... out of the BR. However, the most accurate powder I found was VV N150 and 30.3grs. I have found the Berger 108s "8 out of 10" times likes them right at 7 thousandths INTO the lands. The other 2 times right at 17-18 thousandths off. Now here is a caveat. I know a few years ago Viht "reformulated" their powders. I can not swear that N150 NOW is like the N150 of yesteryear. I know for a fact, N540 is nowhere near as "virulent" as the OLD N540 was. N150 may not be "quite the same" powder as it once was. I just don't know..

 

[urbanrifleman]

I have not had a 6BR in quite some time. It is an excellent round. I have shot RL-15, Varget, etc... out of the BR. However, the most accurate powder I found was VV N150 and 30.3grs. I have found the Berger 108s "8 out of 10" times likes them right at 7 thousandths INTO the lands. The other 2 times right at 17-18 thousandths off. Now here is a caveat. I know a few years ago Viht "reformulated" their powders. I can not swear that N150 NOW is like the N150 of yesteryear. I know for a fact, N540 is nowhere near as "virulent" as the OLD N540 was. N150 may not be "quite the same" powder as it once was. I just don't know..

8 thou into, or 20 to 30 jump were my magic numbers.

 

[ShootDots]

8 thou into, or 20 to 30 jump were my magic numbers.

Close enough for "government work"!

 

[HTSmith]

I have another 6mmBR barrel and H4895 works a little better than Varget with the 107SMK, 105 Amax, and 105 H-VLD bullets.

They should work good for the 108's also. I switched to N150 a while back due to the cost and availability of Varget. It is a very tolerant bullet much like the Sierra. I bet you'll like them.

 

[jpjulian]

I have mostly used the Berger 108 in both of my 6mm Creeds. It flies pretty darned well.

 

[DHD]

I only read this particular forum (6BR, 6BR Improved & Wildcats) as I do not have any BR's, but I have multiple calibers all around the BR.

The question about the 108 BT made me want to post though. I agree with HTSmith comparing the 108 to the 107 SMK. In my experience the 108 BT, and 105 BT, are even easier to tune than the 107 SMK. I always try either the 105 or 108 .020" off first, but if rarely necessary, I will jam them +.010" and one of those measurements will work.

I can fine tune a 105 VLD and find they can provide a more gilt edge accuracy, but depending on throating on a particular caliber I have, may not allow the VLD to work for that barrel. A 105 Hybrid can also work very well, but I have to test for it. I enjoy the experience of tuning and 90% of the time will find a recipe that works well for the secant ogive bullets. However, the BT Target Bullets tangent ogive will work for me in the -.020"/-.030" or +.010" seating depth.

Truly an easy button in the 6mm's for me. They aren't as sexy as the Vapor Trails, VLD, Hybrid, A Tips, etc etc, they are the golden retrievers of bullets IMHO.