Berger bullets for hunting

[Dachande]

I apologize if this has been discussed here before. I couldn't find anything on it. I've had some modifications done to a rifle & it loves Berger bullets now. I'm wondering how it does with hunting & meat bruising. Has anyone got any stories to share on this subject?

[tinhorse]

Shot placement! Don't hit bone or you'll have hamburger. They kill fast and drop game quickly but are made and do expand/explode on impact. If they are the most accurate out of your gun, go for it. I've shot some but have switched to nosler etips or hornady inter bonds as they both also group very well for me.

[Jetboater]

They work well for me. I don't get too upset if I was a little extra rib meat.

[Dachande]

Thanks for the comments. I'll make sure to aim carefully. Happy hunting.

[.264winmag]

over 3000fps things can get a little messy, they really come into their own between 2500-2000 fps. They work well for me.

[SR80]

I loaded some up last spring to try, kill a bear, and 3 deer last fall and they performed great. I wouldnt say there was any more meat loss with these bullets than any other bullet.

[Piperdown]

over 3000fps things can get a little messy, they really come into their own between 2500-2000 fps. They work well for me.

I knew you were using them for salmon:wink:

[Stresd]

Rem 300 ,168 VLD exit, 300 yds - Wolf

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g86/Stresd/P1040154_zpsrcpbwvlg.jpg (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/Stresd/media/P1040154_zpsrcpbwvlg.jpg.html)

[russm86]

Simple answer... Berger = Burger... They even sound the same and only 1 letter off...

[Cody1771]

I run the Bergers, my gun loves them. I have yet to shoot an animal with them but i've heard they do fragment. even know they claim to not? i'm pushing 165's out of my 30.06 and it's a tack driver

[Good Old Outdoors]

Almost gutted, dressed and boned out that wolf in one shot lol good shootin'

[russm86]

I run the Bergers, my gun loves them. I have yet to shoot an animal with them but i've heard they do fragment. even know they claim to not? i'm pushing 165's out of my 30.06 and it's a tack driver

Not sure where you've seen or heard them advertised as not fragmenting but everything I've ever seen for them has advertised something like "explosive" expansion. They are designed for long range use and so expand at lower velocities which means high velocity at close range they will likely disintegrate. If you are shooting at long distances where they have time to slow down then they will likely perform better. Still not my choice.

[Dachande]

I've always shot controlled expansion style bullets, but cannot deny that my 6.5 55 loves these Berger bullets. Can't wait to try them on a deer this fall. Thanks for the input.

[375shooter]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding of Berger as a company is that they had never intentionally tried to design a bullet specifically for hunting. Instead what happened was that a well known gun writer tried one of their target designs on game and found out that they worked. They would penetrate 2 to 3 inches, then completely fragment, providing satisfactory results for behind the shoulder shots. A new hunting bullet was born. There best application is for long, to extremely long range hunting.

[Harv]

Shot a blacktail with 7-08 last year 140 gr berger doin 2925fps, about 40 yards small entrance, but of bruising on opposite inside ribs but no exit, theyve worked awesome for me

[Cody1771]

Not sure where you've seen or heard them advertised as not fragmenting but everything I've ever seen for them has advertised something like "explosive" expansion. They are designed for long range use and so expand at lower velocities which means high velocity at close range they will likely disintegrate. If you are shooting at long distances where they have time to slow down then they will likely perform better. Still not my choice.

huh i stand corrected, for some reason i remember being told they have high weight retention, but after reading the site that is absolutely not the case. i'm going to use them for my moose hunt and elk hunt this fall, i don't want to do a whole load work up this late in the game right before hunting season. but i still might switch next season.

[hoochie]

I am going to use them this year. they are very accurate in our rifles.
A few years ago, we took 2 deer with an 87gr Hornady varmint bullet out of a .243 The results were instant. The deer(s) did not run, one dropped instantly; the other took 2 side steps then fell over.
Results with other bullets such as Hornady Interbond, SST, Sierra game kings; all resulted in the animals being able to run away after being hit. The Berger bullets will perform the same as the varmint bullet, (from everything I have read and heard about them)
This will be my first year hunting with Berger. I have chosen 130gr VLD in .277, and have high expectations.

[Ltbullken]

I run the Bergers, my gun loves them. I have yet to shoot an animal with them but i've heard they do fragment. even know they claim to not? i'm pushing 165's out of my 30.06 and it's a tack driver

They are supposed to penetrate approx 3" then start 'explosively' expanding. It is a frangible bullet - period!

[hoochie]

They are supposed to penetrate approx 3" then start 'explosively' expanding. It is a frangible bullet - period!

how does meat loss compare to shooting the front shoulder? I had more meat loss from a soft point exiting a shoulder than I did with a frangible bullet hitting the heart/lung.

[Jetboater]

everything I ve shot with them has died instantly so I have no complaints..ya there is a wound channel ya they blow apart a bit but nothing that really worries me...

[Ltbullken]

how does meat loss compare to shooting the front shoulder? I had more meat loss from a soft point exiting a shoulder than I did with a frangible bullet hitting the heart/lung.

I have yet to take an animal with a Berger, though I've got them loaded as my sheep load (7X57AI, 140 gr Berger). Very accurate and cranks the 400 and 500 M gongs very consistently and where I intend to hit. Basically shooting a hand print out to 500. I'm thinking the onside hit should be pretty clean but off side might be messy. Placement in lungs is the best shot with these bullets I think.

[1/2 slam]

My rifle does not like them. strings them out in a 5 inch line.

[chris]

my hunting partner uses them on deer. The deer drop in there tracks when you hit the boiler room. He shoots a 270 but not sure what grain bullet. I'm not to sure about penatration on larger animals though as they usually don't even exit a deer.