Problems with VLD?

[jonsidneyb]

I have been looking around trying to get a good understanding on BC here and other places.

I have read some places about the troubles with VLD bullets but it was mentioned in a way that I only thing an seasoned person would know a problem existed.

What kinds of special problems are there with VLD bullets?

 

[Cheechako]

jonsi

I would not exactly label them as "problems". More on the line of "high maintenance". Kinda like women, I suppose.

Vld's require a twist that is usually faster than needed for conventional bullet shapes. They are sometimes more finicky in regard to seating depth and may require a little more fine tuning. In other words, they can be less forgiving. On the plus side, they are very pretty.

Ray

 

[EricStecker]

Jonsi,

Ray explains it very well. The VLDs take more tweaking,primarily with OAL) and are less forgiving than the non-VLD. Once the VLDs are dialed in they are very tough to beat. Keeping them dialed in can also be a challenge. You might think "then why bother"? The short answer is that the drop and drift advantage can be the difference between first and third place. The VLD provides a trajectory advantage that is not massive but is present. When you are looking to squeeze every possible advantage out of your gear they can make a difference.

Having said all that, we are going to produce a full range of heavy non-VLDs in every caliber. These non-VLD bullets will be for those who do not want to,or need to) put the extra effort into tweaking the VLDs. They will not have as high a BC as the VLD but will be less sensitive.

Setting all that aside the VLD is proving to be very good on big game. The sharp nose allows the bullet to punch through the initial tissue so that it can expand deep inside the vital area sending schrapnel into the surrounding tissue,very lethal). The hunter is not looking for the same accuracy level as the target competitor so they are not conserned with the sensitivity of the VLD. The sub 1 MOA they get from loading the VLD at magazine length is better than the accuracy level other premuim hunting bullets can produce and the lethality of the VLD is proving to be much better than the others as well.

Regards,
Eric Stecker

 

[expiper]

VLD's are very finnacky ....but hey what worth havin isnit ...cars-women-etc....One hunter,neighbor of mine just shot a deer at 200+ yds with his 6mmBR ..8"twist Krieger....using a 95 gr Berger VLD ....it mushroomed just like in all the gun rags....and retained 60% of its weight....shot the deer in the usual heart lung area ...it droped in its tracks....massive tissue damage...just like a gun shot shuld be.....great bullet....he will be sending pics to uuu Eric....Roger

 

[EricStecker]

Roger,

Thanks for the feedback. I will enjoy seeing the pictures. We are putting quite a collection together. They can be sent to eric.stecker@bergerbullets.com.

Regards,
Eric

 

[jonsidneyb]

From what I have been reading. I am guessing that inside 300 yards you are not gaining much with VLD? The inital velocity is lower but it takes distance to make up for starting out slower?

Perhaps if all I am going to try and do will be 300 yards or less VLDs are not a big asset?

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

From what I have been reading. I am guessing that inside 300 yards you are not gaining much with VLD? The inital velocity is lower but it takes distance to make up for starting out slower?

Perhaps if all I am going to try and do will be 300 yards or less VLDs are not a big asset?

Right. Any well made bullet that is accurate in your barrel should work for you if the range is 300 yds. or less.

 

[Clarence]

ALL:
I will state that the LTB of Berger will handle anything I need and will shoot right along with the SMK's as has been stated the VLD's are a bit of a pain.

Clarence

 

[jonsidneyb]

Ah, you are with Berger?

I rode in many an elevator at the shotshow in Vegas and the last one in Florida surrounded by Berger shirts and badges. I am not in the firearms trade but in the flashlight business.

Perhaps I saw you at the shotshow. I have too many interests that I can't focus on all of them but shoting is one I want to spend more time with...I don't plan on getting into the gun business but I rub shoulders with gun people alot.

I am a caver, backpacker, tinkerer, climber and such. While being a shooter for for awhile I am not a precision shooter but I would someday like to become one but I thought I better learn a bit before jumping into something I have little understanding of.