Berger .223 Bullets-80 vs 80.5

[yukonal]

What is the difference between 80gr VLD Match (which is what I shoot), versus 80.5gr Match Fullbore bullets?

 

[r bose]

In general, a VLD style bullet has a secant ogive shape and is more sensitive to seating depth. I find VLD's shoot their best jammed in the rifling 10-20 thousands.

A Long range, fullbore, boat tail, non VLD style type bullet has a tangent ogive. It's Less sensitive to seating depth and usually, in my experience, shoots better off the lands 15-20 thousands. Most boat tail magazine length bullets have this shape also.

Hybrids have both shapes incorporated in their design and look to have the highest BC's.

I suggest you visit Berger's website and read "Lines and Designs". Gives data on all of their different shape bullets.

Hope I've helped .....

 

[yukonal]

You have, thank you, and I'll go there and read up.

 

[yukonal]

So it's a cross between the VLD and the Hybrid?

Has anyone switched from the 80 VLD to the 80.5 Full Bore and had better results?

 

[r bose]

Berger doesn't make any hybrid .224 cal bullets yet. I usually try to get a non VLD bullet to shoot well in my rifles first because they are less finicky to deal with. At one time VLD bullets were worth the extra effort because they had higher BC's but now days, the 80.5g (.436 bc) and the 82g (.444 bc) is so close to the 80g VLD (.445 bc) I try to use either the 80.5 or 82 first.....(and usually get outstanding results)

That being said, I use the 90g VLD in 2 of my rifles because of the high BC (.551) but they are not made for just any rifle out there. They require a fast twist/long throat to function properly. If you have the proper setup, they are worth the extra effort.

 

[fm1947]

I been breaking in two new guns, 1st AR15 Stag Varminter .925 barrel 1/8 twist the 77 gr Match OTM Target , great bullet, under 1/2 moa 5 shot group 100 yards, 2nd savage target action with shilen barrel 26 inch .252 neck 1/7 twist 82 gr Match Long Range BT Target, ladder test at 200 yards under 1/2 moa, great bullets

 

[Crackerbacks]

So what is the most common heavy people mag feed? The 77 or 80.5?
I know people do wierd things and probably even try 90s but I mean by burgers actual design

 

[r bose]

77g is the heaviest bullet specifically made to mag feed. Sierra, Nosler, Lapua, and Berger make a 77g. Hornady makes a 75g to mag feed. I've never tried to mag feed anything heavier. The 80g+ bullets are all made to reach up to or into the lands and are shot single feed.

I know of some shooters that experimented with the 82g Bergers mag feeding them. It works, but you have a lot of bullet in the case taking up powder capacity and giving up velocity. For XTC shooting in your rapids at 200 and 300 yds, I'd rather use the 77g's and switch to an 80g+ for 600. I don't know of anyone who stuck with the 82's mag fed.

As mentioned below, the 80.5g is a fullbore bullet and with it's short bearing surface it can be pushed very hard. I know of a shooter getting 3100 FPS out of a 30", 7.7 twist bolt gun where the 82g with a longer bearing surface, I can get no more than 2950 FPS, same barrel length.

 

[fm1947]

Berger shows 2.260 COL for every bullet, that is mag length but like he said it will be deep in the case, try that 77 otm, you will like it, easy to tune in with varget

 

[r bose]

Speaking of mag length bullets, I'm waiting for someone to post their experience using the new Sierra 77g polymer tipped bullets. They advertise a very high BC (comparable to the 80's) for that weight bullet and might be the answer to anyone wanting to use mag length bullets and shoot long distance.

At one time I believe the AMU team shot the 77g non polymer tipped bullet XTC. These new Sierra's might be the "one size fits all" answer.

 

[XTR]

I'm waiting to see someone (BL) do some real testing to validate Sierra's BCs. They are putting up some really high numbers for their plastic points.