308 WIN Berger 210 gr VLD

[Tim McCoy]

I really do not have any field experience with the Nosler ABLR bullets. My favorite bullet for my 7mm Remy is the regular 160 Accubond which has performed exceptionally well but I got take in by the High BC of the 168 LR. Turns out I won't have any good field results with the ABLR since I could not get it to shoot worth a hoot. Back to reg. 160 Accubonds where I should have stayed in the first place. Had the same result with my .280 Remmy with the 150 ABLR. Printed more of a pattern than a group! Back to regular 140 Accubonds that shoot lights out. Really, unless you're looking to shoot extreme long range, maybe way past 600 yds. I just can't see a big advantage to the LR versions.

Was just wanting more sectional density a 150 offers vs 140. So possibly I'd have a bit more bullet there if elk became the target. But it appears the lighter construction tips the scales toward a regular AB. For up to sheep sized game, I'll probably hunt with what it
shoots best.

 

[Tim McCoy]

The VLD'S are designed to go in about 3-5 inches inside the animal (past all the bone) then fragment like a bomb going off. This creates a massive primary wound channel and the fragment are dispersed away from the primary wound channel creating additional wound channels. The Berger is designed to lose (fragment) 40-90% (depending on velocity) of its mass inside of the animal. This transfers more of the bullets energy inside the animal and it's not wasted by penetration all the way through the animal. Personally I would rather have that bullet expand and fragment throughout the chest cavity of the animal in all directions then to retain the majority of its weight and get full penetration. It's like shooting something with a FMJ or a M855. Great penetration and weight retention but you won't get that massive wound channel and dump all that KE inside the animals vital organs.

To each their own. Your description of a VLD is exactly what I don't want. If I am a little off in shot placement, the grenade effect will cause more meat damage than I want, or if I hit the knuckle on a shoulder, may not end things as quick as I want. I want max meat from my kills. Heaven forbid if the bullet has a manfu defect and just blows up too soon. I just need more margin of error for my comfort. Keep in mind if energy was the end all be all, arrows would not kill. Nothing against VLD's or their users, I just want a different performance envelope. Apologies to the OP for my intrusions here on his thread.

 

[WapitiBob]

Go heavy for caliber with Bergers and light with Barnes. You'll be just fine.

 

[bdan68]

Go heavy for caliber with Bergers and light with Barnes. You'll be just fine.

Good advice there. That's exactly how I look at it.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Good advice there. That's exactly how I look at it.

Agreed. My challenge is 280 velocities in heavy or light for caliber choices out to 600 yards. About any hunting bullet will work for my sheep hunt at elevation, but I was hoping for that elusive one do it all load, including elk. Be fun to see what the new rifle likes and go from there. I've had great luck with 150 partitions for decades, but that is not an ideal bullet at 280 velocities at the max range I want, so wanted to try a new bullet. Appreciate all the thoughts and advice.

 

[stevevan]

I'm with Tim on his read concerning the fragmenting effect for a game bullet. I myself much prefer a controlled expansion bullet with decent weight retention. For a long time I used Nosler partitions exclusively with great results. Everything from Coues deer to Alaska Yukon moose. Really had no reason to switch to anything else 'til Nosler introduced the Accubound. Now that seems to be my bullet of choice although now days most of my hunting is for antelope/deer sized game. Should I ever get a chance to hunt anything bigger I'll probably drop back to the partitions or Swift A frame.