Hooked on Bergers

[Archis]

Up to this point I had yet to try Berger's in any of my rifles. I started with whatever I could find at my LGS, which was mostly Hornady and Sierra. I had reasonably good success with most rifles averaging around .75MOA. I finally decided I needed to try some Berger's and see what the fuss was about.

Holy Cow...After doing preliminary load workups on a 6.5x47L (using 140gn VLD's) and .223 Rem (using 64gn FB), I finally see the light.

The 6.5x47L groups, over the span of 3gn of IMR 4350, shot nothing larger than .5" at 100yds, with a couple promising groups at .3".

The .223 Rem was the real eye opener. It is a bone stock Rem 700 SPS Varmint (except for Magpul Hunter stock), 12 twist with a 4-14 Zeiss scope. Halfway through load workup (started at 22gn, in ,3gn increments) I wind up with a .171" group!

Had to keep from giggling like a little school girl while on the line. This rifle has always shot decently but the best I had gotten from it to date was .4" using 52gn Barnes Matchburners. I'll be loading up more of these to see if it was a dumb luck fluke or if I have found the "holy grail" load for this gun. Load was 23.2gn of Varget, .005" off the lands at 2900fps and the bullets had been HBN coated.

Apologies, its probably old news to most that Berger's make such a huge difference but I am still in shock at the difference.

 

[Shynloco]

Archis,
If I may say, don't get hung up on brand names when it comes to accuracy. Your rifle will tell you what she likes. Yes Berger makes fine bullets. But I have excellent results with Bergers in some rifles, and even better results with Sierra's or Barts in another. So don't let the name business get into your head too much. Test, test, test and you'll know when you are there. Good luck and have fun.

Alex

 

[fourpower]

Up to this point I had yet to try Berger's in any of my rifles. I started with whatever I could find at my LGS, which was mostly Hornady and Sierra. I had reasonably good success with most rifles averaging around .75MOA. I finally decided I needed to try some Berger's and see what the fuss was about.

Holy Cow...After doing preliminary load workups on a 6.5x47L (using 140gn VLD's) and .223 Rem (using 64gn FB), I finally see the light.

The 6.5x47L groups, over the span of 3gn of IMR 4350, shot nothing larger than .5" at 100yds, with a couple promising groups at .3".

The .223 Rem was the real eye opener. It is a bone stock Rem 700 SPS Varmint (except for Magpul Hunter stock), 12 twist with a 4-14 Zeiss scope. Halfway through load workup (started at 22gn, in ,3gn increments) I wind up with a .171" group!

Had to keep from giggling like a little school girl while on the line. This rifle has always shot decently but the best I had gotten from it to date was .4" using 52gn Barnes Matchburners. I'll be loading up more of these to see if it was a dumb luck fluke or if I have found the "holy grail" load for this gun. Load was 23.2gn of Varget, .005" off the lands at 2900fps and the bullets had been HBN coated.

Apologies, its probably old news to most that Berger's make such a huge difference but I am still in shock at the difference.

I was just like you. 5 years ago I was asked to try bergers and my whole world changed! I used to shoot whatever bullet was cheap and hope for the best than I shot a berger. my first gun went from moa shooter to a 1/4moa shooter! next gun I had just put together now shoots under 1/2moa @ 1000yds. the light in my old head finally came on and I said why would I shoot and shoot all the brands. as I have way to many rifles anyway I would sell the ones that wouldn't shoot the bergers. well I haven't sold any yet! I have 6 guns that all shoot 1/2moa or better. my 6.5x47 scored 4 out of 5 shots on 18in plate @ 1400 yds. 7mm mag won a shoot as only gun to hit 18in plate @ 1820yds. as a hunter for over 60 years I have never had a bullet that takes game so fast(dit) dead in tracks. one was at 958yds! went to Africa with new 300rum I built and outfitter couldn't believe that I took 6 large animals with 6 shots and took all them off there feet! shots out to 400yds. at my range .223 holds the 900yd record with .485 5 shot group with 70gr berger. long story short if my guns wont shoot bergers I wont waste money they will be gone!!

 

[Steveasba]

I've had similar returnes with Berger.
Except the .485 @ 900

 

[Tim Singleton]

Now that your world has changed you need to try some
Bart's Bullets

http://www.bartsbullets.com