Berger 6.5mm 130 gr VLD Die Mix Up

[EricStecker]

It is our standard practice at Berger Bullets to use one die for all lots of a given bullet until that die wears out. Unfortunately, this critical procedure was not followed in the making of five lots of 6.5mm 130 gr VLD.

To be clear, the "wrong" die that was used is a VLD die used to make the 140 gr VLD. The resulting difference is in the distance from the base of the case to the end of the rifling of around .020.

I want to thank the sharp eyed shooter who caught this difference and brought it to our attention. I have said before that we work very hard to make the best bullets. If we do something wrong I will admit it and do everything I can to make it right.

The following is a list of 6.5mm 130 gr VLD lots that were made using the wrong die:

Lot 377
Lot 378 Moly
Lot 763
Lot 784
Lot 994

All lots after 994 are made on the proper die. If you have bullets from the lots listed above and wish to exchange them for 130 gr VLD made on the correct die please contact me directly at eric.stecker@bergerbullets.com.

If you have these lots and they shoot well for you,meaning you don't want to exchange them) all you need to do is make sure you change your seating depth before using any other lots.

I apologize for the confusion and difficulties this situation has caused.

Regards,
Eric

 

[lmorrison17]

I just ran across this post. Back in the spring I bought 1000 of these bullets in anticipation of a 6.5x47 build. I Sorted them all and boxed them in sub lots to shoot together. I've expended 374 rounds trying to find a load. My best load for each RL15 and H4350 are slower than what others are reporting for similar loads. Typically they don't shoot great. But I did get a load for each that wants to shoot. The best being with the 4350. But it's about 100-125 FPS slower than what others are getting, hence come match time I'm gonna get shoved around worse by the wind. The thing that's getting me is all the time, powder and barrel life I wasted getting a load. So would I be better off using what I got or take chance and send say 500 back and start all over testing and use up that much more of my barrels life in hopes that they shoot better? by the way these are lot #994. Are the correct bullets .020 longer or shorter on the ogive measurement?

 

[280man]

The lots that I have are .055 different base to ogive using a Sinclair comparator

old lot # 784 1.682
new lot # 1354 1.737

I measured about five of each and they were all real close +/- .001

 

[Bolo]

Thanks for letting us know about this Eric. Good thing I slowed down on my shooting. I got 20 boxes of the 994s. Guess I'll have to find some time to go by the shop to switch them out.

Steve