Why I shoot Berger Bullets

[tripcrow]

Dear Sirs,
Let me start off by saying, as I’m sure you already know, that your VLD bullets are the very best there is for 500 meter shooting. They’ve won our local club’s last 2 Groundhog Shoots in 2 different classes with a 284 & a 223 for me. Your efforts at quality are very much appreciated.
But the real reason I’m writing this is because today I was sorting, by bearing surface, using a pair of Stoney Point bullet comparators, 3 boxes of 75g VLDs. All 3 came from the same lot #********. The first 2 boxes sorted into a .005” range with only 2 or 3 measuring .385” & 4 or 5 measuring .389”. All the other 190+ bullets out of 200 fell into a .003” range. The third box was all together different. It had over a dozen measure .384”, that’s shorter than any previous bullet, and had an extreme spread from .0383”-.0390”. That’s both shorter and longer than anything in the other 2 boxes. Almost as bad as Sierra Match Kings! I double and triple checked my findings and the caliber hadn’t drifted.
This got me to wondering just what “lot” means in Berger terms? Guess I’ve assumed it meant that bullets of the same lot were made in the same run with the same “lots” of lead and jackets? And was wondering if you’d be so kind as to spend the time to inform my inquiring mind just what Berger’s lot numbers really mean.

Thank you,
Bill Slattery Jr.


Dear Bill,

Thank you for bringing this situation to our attention. What you have found is outside of our allowable tolerance. To correct the situation I will ask you to contact Carla *****************. Carla will provide you with an RMA number so that we can exchange the bullets you have with bullets that have been made more recently.

Our lot numbers designate a run that has been made using the same materials and set up. What you have found should not have occurred. I will forward your finding to our production staff so that we can insure that this does not happen again. To thank you for taking the time to make us aware of this situation I would also like for you to give Carla your shirt size so that we can send one along with the replacement bullets.

Regards,
Eric Stecker
Master Bulletsmith
Berger Bullets
______________________________________________________________________

I shoot 48 of these today testing a couple different powders before this email came. At 500 meters my 7 & 8 shot groups averaged 4.56”. The best a 2.47” 7 shot group and the worst a 6.40” 8 shot group. These from a factory stock 12BVSS-S Savage 223.

I got the RMA# from Carla. And from the looks of the number, I may be the first person ever to return a Berger bullet.

 

[ArtinNC]

Either no one checks them, or do as I do, put them in groups and don't mix them when shooting a groups. But this is a pain. Art

 

[RoyinNC]

This sounds more like "why NOT to shoot Bergers" to me

 

[Dubya]

Dear Sirs,
Let me start off by saying, as I’m sure you already know, that your VLD bullets are the very best there is for 500 meter shooting. They’ve won our local club’s last 2 Groundhog Shoots in 2 different classes with a 284 & a 223 for me. Your efforts at quality are very much appreciated.
But the real reason I’m writing this is because today I was sorting, by bearing surface, using a pair of Stoney Point bullet comparators, 3 boxes of 75g VLDs. All 3 came from the same lot #********. The first 2 boxes sorted into a .005” range with only 2 or 3 measuring .385” & 4 or 5 measuring .389”. All the other 190+ bullets out of 200 fell into a .003” range. The third box was all together different. It had over a dozen measure .384”, that’s shorter than any previous bullet, and had an extreme spread from .0383”-.0390”. That’s both shorter and longer than anything in the other 2 boxes. Almost as bad as Sierra Match Kings! I double and triple checked my findings and the caliber hadn’t drifted.
This got me to wondering just what “lot” means in Berger terms? Guess I’ve assumed it meant that bullets of the same lot were made in the same run with the same “lots” of lead and jackets? And was wondering if you’d be so kind as to spend the time to inform my inquiring mind just what Berger’s lot numbers really mean.

Thank you,
Bill Slattery Jr.


Dear Bill,

Thank you for bringing this situation to our attention. What you have found is outside of our allowable tolerance. To correct the situation I will ask you to contact Carla *****************. Carla will provide you with an RMA number so that we can exchange the bullets you have with bullets that have been made more recently.

Our lot numbers designate a run that has been made using the same materials and set up. What you have found should not have occurred. I will forward your finding to our production staff so that we can insure that this does not happen again. To thank you for taking the time to make us aware of this situation I would also like for you to give Carla your shirt size so that we can send one along with the replacement bullets.

Regards,
Eric Stecker
Master Bulletsmith
Berger Bullets
______________________________________________________________________

I shoot 48 of these today testing a couple different powders before this email came. At 500 meters my 7 & 8 shot groups averaged 4.56”. The best a 2.47” 7 shot group and the worst a 6.40” 8 shot group. These from a factory stock 12BVSS-S Savage 223.

I got the RMA# from Carla. And from the looks of the number, I may be the first person ever to return a Berger bullet.

Eric, you are not the only one that has sent bullets back. About a year and a half ago I sent 105 VLDs straight to Mr. Berger himself,, as did a friend of mine,sent 140s). The bullets were replaced as yours were, but darn, we did'nt get a shirt:nono:
Good luck,
Gary.

 

[Forum Boss]

Lynn are those the Berger BT "Match",formerly "LTB") you're shooting, OR the Berger 105 VLD?

A lot of guys get confused about that. They both shoot well, but they are very different bullets.

105 Match to left of cartridge, 105 VLD on the right.

 

[rhino]

I like Bergers in my 6.5x55 as well, however my TIkka's throat is way to long and Berger's won't tolerate a .020 jump...I tried!


RHINOUT!

 

[tightneck]

I agree with Roy, why buy bullets that you might have to send back. Used to be that Bergers were a very highly sought after brand of bullet in the shortrange game. Dont think they've been on an equipment list for many years. Thats because they have basically become a factory bullet. I guess if you dont mind spending the time to do a lot of measuring and sorting......I personally like to spend my time shooting.