The twist on my Browning would NOT shoot the 160+
Went with a 150 and all is well. Wasted box of bullets.

Are Berger bullet's that good?just curious I haven't tried them.

I’ve only used their match/tactical stuff. Never hunted them. They were plugged as violent expansion and often not exiting, by many that did hunt them....but maybe that’s changed? They’re very consistent, uniform, and slippery....which is why they’re popular in match, target, and long range circles. SOF use the VLDs in some things, and are testing/using the mono ELRs in the big stuff...375/411/50

On a deer to 3/400, I doubt there’s a lot of point to the extra $

Barnes Proves Why Berger Hunting VLDs Work on Game

Setting aside the “who is acting ethically” question for a moment the Barnes’ bone in gelatin test is meant to show terminal performance on impact with bone and tissue. Barnes specializes in deep penetration and high weight retention bullets. This is something they have been doing for a long time. They don’t want to consider that there are other ways hunting bullets can be successful. Instead of evolving, Barnes will stay focused on convincing hunters that their way is the best and only way hunting bullets should work.

It is our position at Berger that an enhanced alternative option to this type of bullet is a bullet that penetrates the first inches of tissue and bone and then dumps its energy through fragmentation into the vital area of the animal. Barnes’ tests prove that their bullets still work the same as they always have and that our bullets perform exactly as we describe.

You can clearly see from Barnes’ images of their bone in ballistic gelatin that the Berger Hunting VLD penetrates through bone and then fragments into the area of the animal’s vital organs. This action cuts through tissue (internal organs) and transfers the bullets energy as this fragmentation occurs. This transfer of energy produces tremendous hydrostatic shock (much more so than a lower BC bullet that arrives on target with a reduced velocity). When the hydrostatic shock and the torn tissue (from the fragments) combine it creates a consistently lethal and larger wound cavity deep inside the animal’s vital organs area.

The extensive tissue and organ destruction along with higher levels of energy dumped into the internal tissue usually puts the animal immediately into shock which drops them in their tracks. They quickly succumb to blood pressure loss and/or multiple organ failure. Those animals that manage to stay on their feet after impact from a Berger Hunting VLD will not last long with this amount of internal destruction. This is why we say that “They won’t run away from a Berger.” Some might call this slogan marketing hype but it is in fact a brief description of the actual results you can depend on when using a Berger Hunting VLD.

From the beginning we have promoted Berger Hunting VLD as an alternative option. Bergers do not act like Barnes or Swift or any other deep penetrating and high weight retaining bullet. A Berger Hunting VLD does not dump its energy into the ground or tree on the other side of the animal. Our bullets do not create an exit wound (exit wounds can occur depending on animal size and impact velocity) for the specific purpose of creating a blood trail so a hunter can track their wounded game. We prefer that hunters enjoy their results immediately by watching the animal go to the ground when it is shot. We also prefer that the animal die quickly with a minimal amount of needless suffering.

Final Thoughts

Game hunting is done by an individual or with a few close friends. We understand that it is a very personal and frankly spiritual experience. Each hunter knows what type of experience they are looking for and each hunter should go into the field completely confident that their gear will get the job done the way they expect it to work. We understand that every hunt has the potential to be a once in a lifetime experience.

If you feel you need a deep penetrating, high weight retaining bullet to have the best experience then by all means please shoot Barnes or any of the many others brands that produce the same result. If you understand how the Bergers work differently and this performance appeals to you then give the Berger Hunting VLD a try. Based on the overwhelming number of positive feedback we are getting from hunters who already use them on game I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

Eric Stecker
Master Bulletsmith

Shot and hunted with the bergers for about 10 years. Only time I did not get an exit was with a 25-06 shot head on. deer folded. I would have no hesitations on hunting with them if you chose those projectiles. Just get the hunting ones.

Which rifle are you getting chambered in 308?

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