Berger .224" 80.5 fullbore or 82 Gr?

[10 x]

Hello Everyone!

I am looking to switch to Berger's 80.5gr fullbore or 82 gr .224" bullet. I was just wondering what experiences everyone has had with these bullets? I am looking for the most tolerant bullet to load for. If they are very finicky on seating depth etc I am not interested in them as I do not want to chase lands etc. Also is there any real world difference in BC between the two?

Rifle is throated for long bullets, 30" tubed Palma rifle 1:7.7 twist.

Thanks for your help!

 

[r bose]

I've shot a ton of both and love them. Neither are very fussy. 20K off the lands and go. Out of a 30" tube expect 2950-3000 with the proper powder. There's probably a dozen that will easily work. 2000MR, R-15, tac, varget, IMR 4895, IMR3031, AA2520, etc. I've used 24.5g R-15 with great success.

 

[aloreman]

either or is great in the service rifle

 

[22BRGUY]

In 22BR, the 82's seem to have a very slight edge at 400 yards for me.

 

[10 x]

Hey r Bose

How was IMR 3031 to meter? It looks like a great powder but worried it would be a pain in the butt. Right now I'm using N135 under 77gr laupa. Great round but goes subsonic between 700-800 yards.

 

[nbkky71]

either or is great in the service rifle

+1 to that. I'm shooting a Berger 82gr over 23.3gr ARCOMP/CCI450/LC brass in my A2 service rifle and it's very accurate. The best I've ever shot with that load was 197-12X at 600 yards with irons.

FYI: that load is a little on the warm side, so I use a carrier weight with it.

 

[rebs]

+1 to that. I'm shooting a Berger 82gr over 23.3gr ARCOMP/CCI450/LC brass in my A2 service rifle and it's very accurate. The best I've ever shot with that load was 197-12X at 600 yards with irons.

FYI: that load is a little on the warm side, so I use a carrier weight with it.

what is a carrier weight ?

 

[10at6]

I think the 82 is no longer made

 

[m1jeff]

This is an early 2015 dated thread, but yes, the 82s are discontinued.

A carrier weight is a round piece of metal that fits into the tail of an AR15 bolt carrier. The extra weight slows down the unlocking time of the bolt, sometimes allowing hotter loads to be run in an AR than one would normally be able get away with.

I’m not sure they are made any longer.

 

[nbkky71]

Yup, an old thread for sure! you are correct that the carrier weights are no longer made. Tubb discontinued them a few years back.

I didn't know that the 82's were discontinued either. I still have a few of them left in my stash so I hadn't looked into buying any more. Last year I gave Hornady 80gr ELD-M bullets a try in my service rifle, so the Bergers have been sitting on the shelf. Thanks for the heads-up

 

[m1jeff]

I’m hearing good things about the ELD-M. I’m stocked up on a couple of different Berger’s for awhile, so I’ll have to experience them vicariously through y’all.

 

[garandman]

MY experience? I bought some 80.5s cuz I heard good things about them. I ordered a bolt 224 V and am looking forward to loading / testing them myself. But from what I've read, yer on the right track. I went with a bolt gun as to not be limited by AR mag length (I've explained this in detail in another post, i.e. its NOT about case volume, its about seating depth) )

I've always had good luck with Bergers.

I also got some 88 ELD-Ms for the same reason.