Hunting with Berger Match Hybrid target bullets

[JLDavid]

Has anyone done any big game hunting with the Berger Hybrid bullets? I like the VLD's but have been told the Hybrids are easier to find a good load for and are a little easier to shot at mag length. I hunt deer and elk so I need reliable expansion at close and extended range. Any info would be appreciated.

Have a great 4th of July weekend.

David

 

[JRS]

You'll find that they don't expand…. they explode ;D

 

[swampshooter]

Historically target bullets have extremely thin jackets. Berger does make a hunting bullet line which are Hybrids. Nosler partitions would probably meet your requirements better than anything else. They just aren't very new and sexy but they work, and easily hold MOA in a good rifle.

 

[Changeling]

Exactly what " swampshooter " said, Partitions always work!

 

[DR1586]

I used their 105 VLD 6mm hunter and it worked well on white tails, but the expansion was extremely fast. I like that it transfers all it's energy into the animal, but I would worry about it failing to penetrate on larger critters. That being said, the VLDs were very accurate and easier to tune than a lot of people think.

My go to is still my 30-06 with 165gr Sierra HPBT Game Kings. Very accurate and reliable expansion without explosion. Easy to make shoot and not very expensive.

 

[hogpatrol]

You'll find that they don't expand…. they explode ;D

Yes they do, and with proper shot placement, in an extremely lethal way. In a 6.5x47, I used the 6.5 130 hunting VLDs out to 600+ yds. Nothing lived very long after getting hit. This guy WALKED about ten yards before falling over dead after taking one at 394 yards.

 

[effendude]

Historically target bullets have extremely thin jackets. Berger does make a hunting bullet line which are Hybrids. Nosler partitions would probably meet your requirements better than anything else. They just aren't very new and sexy but they work, and easily hold MOA in a good rifle.

When did Berger start making Hybrid hunting bullets? Only the OTM and the Elite Hunter bullets in .338 are hybrids. The Classic Hunter bullets for SAAMI chambers are not really labelled hybrids. I believe all the other Hybrid bullets are target bullets.
Scott

 

[wapiti25]

My hunting buddies and I have killed 2 bull moose 2 bull elk and a bunch of antelope with 7mm Bergers all but one were one shot kills and no tracking. My bull moose got a second round in about 5 seconds after the first shot because he was not on the ground, just weaving and it was getting dark. the shot was at about 200 yds, the jackets were under the hide on the far shoulder. The bullets were the hunting VLD's. My guide said "never saw the insides turned to jello like that". You can make VLD's shoot either at the lands or deep seated, go to there web site and they will give you the info. Two of our rifles came from GunWerks/Best of the West and I built mine, these were bought/built for long range hunting and are in the 7mm Rem Mag using the 168 hunting Berger. The one bull elk was at about 150 yds and the bullet went thru making a good sized hole, traveled about 15 yds after the shot. The buddies moose was at 512 yds and just went down, his 330" BC bull elk went 3yds and plowed into the ground (426 yds). My moose was entered into the Colorado Outfitters contest and got first place (339 3/8 SCI). As of two years ago the GunWerks guys had shot 40 bull elk at over 400 yds and all were one shot kill's using the Berger hunting VLD's. Buy a box and try them, they are cheaper than Noslers and shoot more accurate for me. This has happened in the last three years for us. In 2007 I shot a bull moose in Wyoming with a 338 Win Mag at 80 yds broadside using a 225 gr Sierra, thru the heart and he went 100 yds thru the brush and the bullet was imbedded in the upper leg bone on the far side. Our rifles shoot less than 1MOA at 600 yds. (3 shots)

 

[Minesweeper3433]

http://www.bergerbullets.com/new-berger-classic-bullets/

Hunting hybrids from berger themselves. Why use a target version when they make a hunting version of the hybrid.

 

[seymour fish]

The hunting bullets are simply the Old target bullets, and thinner jackets than the New Target bullets. Then, there's the nosler partition, which will disintegrate on the neck of a Nilgai, but otherwise good. Then the Old Barnes X, which will pinhole on anything except a gator, nilgai, or big hog through the gristle. Seymour

 

[JRS]

You'll find that they don't expand…. they explode ;D

Yes they do, and with proper shot placement, in an extremely lethal way. In a 6.5x47, I used the 6.5 130 hunting VLDs out to 600+ yds. Nothing lived very long after getting hit. This guy WALKED about ten yards before falling over dead after taking one at 394 yards.

I'll call BS on that one. I have hunted SA on 3 occasions with Gary Reeder. NO PH in SA is going to allow you to hunt any type of large game with a match bullet!!!

 

[K22]

I've never used Berger Bullets and see no need to since the Sierra Pro Hunter and Game King bullets do the job just fine especially in 30 caliper. They have a proven track record on big game.

For top of the line premium bullets, I agree with the other posters, the Nosler Partitions are top notch and would be my choice for Elk. Again this is a proven bullet.

When faced with potential the opportunity of a life time at a monster buck or Elk, I'd go with a bullet that has a long history of success in the field.

Keep in mind that no bullet, no matter how well designed and constructed will make up for poor marksmanship.

 

[hogpatrol]

You'll find that they don't expand…. they explode ;D

Yes they do, and with proper shot placement, in an extremely lethal way. In a 6.5x47, I used the 6.5 130 hunting VLDs out to 600+ yds. Nothing lived very long after getting hit. This guy WALKED about ten yards before falling over dead after taking one at 394 yards.

I'll call BS on that one. I have hunted SA on 3 occasions with Gary Reeder. NO PH in SA is going to allow you to hunt any type of large game with a match bullet!!!

Don't know if you read the post but the VLDs I used were the hunting types. If you still think that's BS, I'll wager as much as you can muster out of your net worth against my claim. Hog

 

[trailrider121]

JLDaivd,

I have no experience with the Hybrid target bullets on game. Going to find out this year on deer and bear. I have read lots of good reports with Target Hybrids on game. I came across a post stating the Hybrids nose is the same as a VLD in thickness, until you hit the bearing surface and that is where is gets thicker jacket.

 

[JRS]

You'll find that they don't expand…. they explode ;D

Yes they do, and with proper shot placement, in an extremely lethal way. In a 6.5x47, I used the 6.5 130 hunting VLDs out to 600+ yds. Nothing lived very long after getting hit. This guy WALKED about ten yards before falling over dead after taking one at 394 yards.

I'll call BS on that one. I have hunted SA on 3 occasions with Gary Reeder. NO PH in SA is going to allow you to hunt any type of large game with a match bullet!!!

Don't know if you read the post but the VLDs I used were the hunting types. If you still think that's BS, I'll wager as much as you can muster out of your net worth against my claim. Hog

How much money can you borrow ;D

Quote from the Eric Stecker interview regarding the VLD hunting bullet:
"Autopsies from these animals would confirm what we observed in the media test, that the bullet penetrates 1"-3" of tissue and bone depending on impact velocity and then quickly fragments". End of quote!

I'll put my trust in the word of Eric and Walt Berger. They were the ones hunting with the bullets, and also present during the autopsies.

 

[hogpatrol]

JRS, You lost me.

 

[Changeling]

Someplace here I posted that on Bergers web site there hunting style bullets were designed to go in 3-4 inches then literally blow up and fragment.
That is NOT the kind of hunting bullet I want to use!

 

[seymour fish]

To the original OP question, If you want an all around great hunting bullet you must make the necessary compromises. Generally means sacrifice BC. Excellent choices then become Sierra Gameking Hollow point boattail (the Big hollowpoint), Nosler Partitions, Sierra Gameking Softpoint boattail, etc. Never had an elk go 10 steps with the GK SP out of a 270. Plenty accurate out to 600 on whitetail and drops em. Seen elk killed at close range with 168 berger hunt vld chest shot. Was DRT, but....leery if hit big bones first. There is no 'perfect', all is trade-offs. Matching projectile expansion characteristics at speed on impact, thus distance, is good start.

 

[PAshooter20BR]

Bergers work and work well. There are combinations out there that just work. 6.5x47 with a 140 VLD works time and time again. It’s the right combination. I use 80 grain TTSXs out of a 257 wby and it kills lights out. Proven over and over. Read how many people report negatives about TTSX in other calibers and Weight. There are guys using the 215 30 cal hybrid and have killed more animals than I will ever dream of with one shot kills. Others report they have had Bergers Fail to perform in 7mm. I can’t explain it but Find a combination that works and use it. Sometimes you gotta lead the pack and determine what’s right for you. I swear as I cross off kills with combinations they start working better, probably the confidence boost in the setup. I have never lost a Whitetail to a well placed shot with any bullet wether a hornady, Berger, Barnes or Sierra.

 

[timeout]

Someplace here I posted that on Bergers web site there hunting style bullets were designed to go in 3-4 inches then literally blow up and fragment.
That is NOT the kind of hunting bullet I want to use!

Try it, you'll like it. Leaves a real path of destruction inside a Whitetail!