Berger 6mm 88 gr. flat base match bullet

[mikeinct]

Finally got back down to Pa to test a few match bullets on live targets....300 yds laser checked...The 88 gr match bullet w flat base knocked the stuffing out of a huge GH...A just below the shoulders, side facing shot resulted in about a quarter size exit hole...The big grey puff & nice thump sound coming off the big boy..did not leave much doubt...The visual inspection proved it is very humane & accurate for use as far as we can shoot with that 243 winchester & a just slightly over max load of IMR 4064...that gun has thumped a few past 700 yds using the hornady 87 gr V-Max using the same powder charge..The Berger shoots groups into less than half what the V-max can do with no unexplained fliers..Hope you guys put this info to good use..normally I'm not interested using match bullets on varmints But this Berger flat base match grade bullet is the exception to the rule ...Mike in Ct

 

[stosh]

Mike,
Interesting stuff, I will try some 88's on woodchucks in August when I go to NY for a couple weeks. I talked with a friend yesterday that just returned from a PD hunt with the same load I am shooting, both in 6x47 Lapua at 3400fps. He said he had no trouble with PD's running off and he had some pretty dramatic pics to prove it.

I have no doubt the vmax would be better in the terminal ballistics department but you have to hit them. So far the Vmax's in this gun just don't want to shoot. I am going to try some 80 gr Noslers but if they aren't as good as the 88's I will use the 88's for varmints

I'm done typing, when I've done some more shooting I'll do some more typing.

Stosh

 

[mikeinct]

Good shooting & good luck to ya....Before you load all the ammo for your trip..Take the 88 gr berger for a test drive...If you know the ground you will be hunting & the distances of most of your shots.. It is a no brainer for my bullet choice...All the shots past 300 yds...I'd be using the match grade bullet..It so outperformed the avg. hunting bullet in accuracy I just had to find out if they were effective on GH's...No bout-A-Doubt it...It is a winner in my barrels..I tried weight sorting the V-max bullets & it helped some..but the groups never settled down to that confidence building ragged one hole..I shot only a few of those heart breaking 4 out 5 shot groups were the norm...One other thing I've been impact plating the bullets with Tungston DiSulfide "WS2" The gun went 107 shots in a row no cleaning & fired a 200 yd 5/8" inch group at about 90 shots down the barrel...It was stinkin Squeaky filthy when we cleaned it..But it was shooting just fine..Next trip to the range it will be interesting to see if the gun performs when clean..Mike In Ct

 

[stosh]

Mike,
Already decided to take the 88's. Some of those alfalfa fields where I hunt in NY are 1200 yds long by 500 wide, plenty of room for the new gun to streatch it's legs!

Will provide feedback upon my return.

Stosh

 

[voldoc02]

Hey guys=
I have been using the 87gr VAXs in both my 6x47L and my 6BR
for PDin' last two years== 87's are the most dramatic
air time and acrobatic bullets I have ever had.. or used
in both rifles-- The rub I cannot get them to shoot under 1/2 MOA which is perfectly adequate for PD's but me being
the anal BR shooter, that I am, I'm can't be happy with that, so I tried the 88 Bergers and they shoot
1/4 MOA or less== awesome accuracy but hate ot give up the
PD olympics== has anyone used them for PD's??
advise and thanks
Doc Stone

 

[stosh]

I have had the same experience with 87vmax that you've had. I tried weighing a few and they were all over the place and averaged 88 gr not 87. You say that ain't a big deal, well if they can't keep there bullets within 1 gr weight, what do you think there center of gravity tolerances are? Just can't get then to shot good in my guns, have tried in my new 6x47L and my 6AI.

I truly wish Berger would put a ballistic tip on there 88! I got a response from Berger on whether or not the 88 would work as a varmint bullet, they said yes but designed for Coyotes and G-hogs not P-d's. They don't open up quick enough for them.

But I saw some pics from a guy that just returned for a P-D shoot with the same load I am shooting and they look pretty torn up. Not explosive but looked pretty effective just the same. He said there were no problem with cripples.

Stosh

 

[stosh]

Go to West Custom Rifle and loo at the 2008 PD slide show, these were all taken with Berger 88's from a 6x47 L

Stosh

 

[voldoc02]

Thanks for the info and I went to the pics you
directed me to..not the carnage I'm used to== I'm still very concerned that the
88 Bergers just won't do what I have come to expect
from the 87 VMAXs.. They will literally pick up PD's
and launch them 4+ ft high w/ helicopters and Red Mist
a plenty.. I just can't get them to shoot < 1/2 MOA and as you said
the wild flyers for no explained reason drive me nuts.. Maybe someone can add more info on the 88 Bergers as they will bughole for me..
thanks
Doc Stone

 

[patchhound]

As for the 87`s, I use a compariter to separate the +.012 diff. down to >.002. Normally I get between .564-.575" depending on the lot but if you seperate them it will help with verticle a bunch. Find where they like to shoot and set the whole lot there... My 6br likes`em jumped 20 thou. I dont see much good with the 88`s past 300yrds. Every pd I shoot past that just penciled through, them and the 105`s. I think they just peter out... Close shoots can be pretty inpressive but not worth the RICOCHET. I wish like hell Berger would come out with a LR varmint bullet, the acuracy is there but for a clean kill I`de rather blow`em up.

 

[voldoc02]

Patch,
My findings agree w/ yours.. Wish Berger would
put a plastic tip on just one good shootin' 6MM bullet for us hard core Varminters w/ the BR mind set
thanks for the input
Doc Stone