Long Jumping the Berger 109gr Hybrid Target bullet

[JAMER Consulting]

As many of us who handload have noticed, the Berger 109gr Hybrid Target, a great bullet, when loaded for a standard magazine, leaves us with a long jump to the lands in a SAAMI chambered barrel. So, rather than window my magazine or buy a custom short freebore barrel, I decided to see if this tangent/secant ogive bullet likes to jump like Berger says it does.

Guess what? This bullet likes to jump really large gaps and does it with ease. I tested 21 different jump lengths, three shots each, all magazine compatible, in my Howa barred action mounted in an Oryx Chassis with a JAMER Benchrest Bag Rider. The test results can be seen here.

Berger Hybrid Bullets and the Long Jump — JAMER (TM)

If you hand load for the 6mm Creedmoor like we do you have noticed something inconvenient; for a cartridge over all length (COAL) that fits in a typical magazine, there is a long jump to the lands with a SAAMI chamber. In our case, in our stock Howa barreled action (in an Oryx chassis), after carefu

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[Jud96]

Great article and test! Long jumping of bullets really interests me. Great work!

I’m curious to know what your velocity average would be at the longest jump vs the shortest jump.

 

[JAMER Consulting]

I was not using my chronograph for this test but that is a good question. IIRC that is discussed in the article I linked to in my blog.

 

[Steve Blair]

I was not using my chronometer for this test but that is a good question. IIRC that is discussed in the article I linked to in my blog.

I have a Rolex that is certified accurate to two seconds per day, but I don't call that a chronometer. When I'm measuring bullet velocity, I use a chronograph.

 

[JAMER Consulting]

Ha I always mess that one up. No idea why since I know better of course. Fixed, thanks.

I'll bet that is one of at least two reasons a lot of people refer to them as a 'chrono' because they have trouble getting it right as well.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Not the 109 Target but,..
I'm having NO issue's loading, the Berger 108gr. Elite Hunters ( a Hydrid design ) in my 6 XC, RemAge Criterion barrelled, Rem 700.
My Max load ( pressure / Velocity, wise ) of 41.3 grains of StaBall, @ 2,975 FPS did NOT shoot "well" seated close in, @ .015 / .020 off, the lands but, when "Jumped" .045 groups shrank,.. notably ( Clover leaf's now, in the 3's and 4's ).
I will be trying .070 off when, the weather gets better. The velocity should speed up a bit, as I only have about 50 rds thru, the New barrel so far. Repeatable accuracy is of, the utmost importance, to me.
Velocity is NICE,.. but !

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Great Test, by JAMER consulting, THANK you !
I do wish that, you would have started at, .020 "off" to say about .070 off in .005 increments for my curiosity sake, as to WHEN, the Hydrids actually "start" to, group, better. I do know that, "Closer" IN with, the near Max powder charges, was a waste of, a few Bullets for, me. But I did learn something,.. they DO "Jump", very well !

 

[JAMER Consulting]

The problem starting with a jump that short for this test is they would not have fit in my magazine without cutting a window in it.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I'm testing, Berger's 108 gr. Elite Hunters ( 1.285 Long, / .408 Bear Surf. ) at, .045 and .070 "Jump" in my 6 XC and LIKING, what I see, so far ! I will, Fine "Tune" when, "close" on, best accuracy window.
At .020 off, accuracy was only "good" with, the lighter Powder charges of, StaBall 65.
Used .020 off, ( COAL of 2.725 ) to find my,.. Max Velocities / Pressures, for Rifle.
Then, i moved back to 2.700 coal and now,..my New Criterion Barrel is, Cloverleafing in, the .3's and .4's with, all holes touching, 4 shot groups at, 100 yds.