I have no experience with Bergers but I consider a bullet that fragments desirable for things such as minimal pelt damage on a coyote or explosively killing varmints. I would not consider that type of a bullet for large game such as elk. I exclusively shoot Nosler Partitions from my 340 WBY on elk and have no desire to change as they simply work well. I am slow to change and am still on the fence about Accubonds as well.
.270 cal 140 gr.berger hunting vld
- Thread starter droptine
- Start date
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
WY ME,
I know many hunters have become accustomed to standard gunwriter rhetoric about bullet construction and the near-invincibility of elk. I was skeptical about Bergers too, with the same worries as you. However, after seeing repeated one shot kills on elk from various distances with Bergers, those concerns have evaporated for me.
I have noticed that most discussions of Bergers for elk hunting see most of the criticism start with something like this:
I know many hunters have become accustomed to standard gunwriter rhetoric about bullet construction and the near-invincibility of elk. I was skeptical about Bergers too, with the same worries as you. However, after seeing repeated one shot kills on elk from various distances with Bergers, those concerns have evaporated for me.
I have noticed that most discussions of Bergers for elk hunting see most of the criticism start with something like this:
If you have confidence in the Partitions, by all means keep using them. They are a good bullet. I don't use them anymore due to the significant accuracy and BC advantage of the Bergers and Accubonds for me.
JimP
Administrator
Perhaps also the better reason for not going to a Berger bullet is that I think that I have a better bullet that performs better than I could possibly expect from a Berger at the ranges that I shoot. My load for my .340 Weatherby is a Barnes TTSX 225 grain bullet at just under 3000fps. It shoots sub moa at 200 yards and is still just under a moa at 600 yards.
Why would I want to change what works for me and in my opinion a better bullet for large game.
Why would I want to change what works for me and in my opinion a better bullet for large game.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
You wouldn't. Sounds like fantastic performance from a very good bullet. I would stick with it with that kind of performance too. I use TTSXs in my 7-08. It is a great bullet.
Your opinion of the Barnes bullet seems rooted in your experience with it. That has a lot of value.
I think there is some misunderstanding about my posts.
I am not trying to dissuade your bullet choice, Jim, but rather offer the OP my actual experience with the bullet asked about in this thread.
My second point was related, and that is most critical evaluations of Berger's hunting bullets are not founded in field use.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
I was a Nosler Partition and Trophy Bonded Bear Claw guy for years. We killed two grizzlies, a few moose and several elk with these bullets using .270 Winchesters.
I then began to hunt with my 300 WSM and most game was killed with Federal Premium factory loads shooting Barnes bullets. The rifle shot around 0.6 MOA and the bullet performed very well. Hunted with this set-up for several years.
I then began hand loading with Accubonds for the 300 WSM and we have used them almost exclusively the past several years. A lot of game killed. No bad situations I can recall with this bullet. Accuracy was still near 0.6 MOA.
Last fall I was very low on handholds and we went back to the factory loads I still had on hand (Federal Premium Barnes bullet). Three deer, a 435 lb black bear and an elk. One deer had to be tracked (heavy blood trail) for around 80 yards, the others didn't take a step. Overall I've always liked this bullet.
I am currently building a 28 Nosler to shoot the Berger 195 grain EOL Elite Hunter (7 mm), my desire is to take advantage of the high ballistic coefficient (for better retained energy at longer ranges) and the accuracy Bergers are know for. My goal is basically an "across the canyon" elk rifle.
Interspersed over the past 30 years we also shot a LOT of game with Remington Core Lokts. They shot quite accurate out of several .270s in the family, they were cheap and did the job well.
Just my experience. There are a lot of good hunting bullets out there.
I then began to hunt with my 300 WSM and most game was killed with Federal Premium factory loads shooting Barnes bullets. The rifle shot around 0.6 MOA and the bullet performed very well. Hunted with this set-up for several years.
I then began hand loading with Accubonds for the 300 WSM and we have used them almost exclusively the past several years. A lot of game killed. No bad situations I can recall with this bullet. Accuracy was still near 0.6 MOA.
Last fall I was very low on handholds and we went back to the factory loads I still had on hand (Federal Premium Barnes bullet). Three deer, a 435 lb black bear and an elk. One deer had to be tracked (heavy blood trail) for around 80 yards, the others didn't take a step. Overall I've always liked this bullet.
I am currently building a 28 Nosler to shoot the Berger 195 grain EOL Elite Hunter (7 mm), my desire is to take advantage of the high ballistic coefficient (for better retained energy at longer ranges) and the accuracy Bergers are know for. My goal is basically an "across the canyon" elk rifle.
Interspersed over the past 30 years we also shot a LOT of game with Remington Core Lokts. They shot quite accurate out of several .270s in the family, they were cheap and did the job well.
Just my experience. There are a lot of good hunting bullets out there.
This is really some good info. Thanks everyone for your input, I really appreciate it. I bought a box of berger and a box of accubonds, both in 140 gr.
Tomorrow I'll be trying both with a variety of powder and seating depth combinations to see which one gives the best results. I figure it'll take me all week or even longer. Thanks again everyone
Tomorrow I'll be trying both with a variety of powder and seating depth combinations to see which one gives the best results. I figure it'll take me all week or even longer. Thanks again everyone
troybackman
Active Member
I've had good luck seating all Berger's .002-.005 off lands if magazine allows. Accubonds I seat .015 - .030 off lands if allows but ain't nearly as finicky so mag length has treated me good too. Good luck and cross your fingers you find a good load timely cause it can be soooo frustrating at times
. Keep us posted on results.
. Keep us posted on results.
Well here it is. Very first load I tried is the top pic. Was sceptical so I loaded three more of the same, adjusted my cross hair and set up the chrony. The result is the bottom pic. Easiest load I ever developed!! Lol but I like to say. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!
Not quite as fast as I expected, but I don't think the deer and elk will care either way. 140 gr. Berger VLD Hunting OAL 2.835 62 gr. IMR 7828 ssc. 2817 fps. Only 10 fps between the 3 rounds
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Very nice droptine!
Looks like accuracy won't be a problem.
Keep us updated on how they do, if you would.
Looks like accuracy won't be a problem.
Keep us updated on how they do, if you would.
troybackman
Active Member
Man!!!!! Some guys have all the luck. Haha. This is good to know since I have a 270wsm project coming up this summer and I got a lot of 7828ssc. That powder has always been great for me in my 300s and 7mms too. Keep us posted as you start stretching out your range.
TCFELK1
New Member
Shooting a weatherby series 2 in 270wsm those work fine...depending on your distance...look at the woodleigh in the 150 gr pp sn they work better in bucking the wind on 400 to 600 yard shots, they haved served me well over the years