Nosler BT vs Berger VLD ???

[remingtonman_25_06]

I would stick with the 115g NBT. Its a good alternative. I have shot plenty of mule deer through the shoulders, not lungs, and have never had any problems with the bullet not making it through the other side. My shots have been usually 200 yards and more which is where the NBT starts to shine. They were never meant for close shots, they work great for the longer ones though. I"ve used the 115g NBT to take a muley at 604 yards and a couple in the 500 range. It always made a mess of things and they usually went down pretty quick. This was coming out of a 25-06 at 3100fps as well.

I haven't tried the berger VLD 115g. Its on my list of bullets to try, just haven't got around to it. I have shot a box of the 125g ULD RBBT's and they are very accurate, but dont give exactly the same terminal performance as btips. Btips start to expand right away, while I have found the ULD's to start to expand about 3-4" into the media. This was found true with Berger VLD's as well. Once they start to expand though, the channel is quite large. However, on deer, I prefer the quick expansion a ballistic tip delivers. It always results in a pretty quick kill. And when used properly within there parameters, they can break shoulders on deer no problems and keep on going to the next country side.

[Rooster 50]

I am not critizing anyone else for using Nosler BT's for hunting I am just saying I will never use them again. I lost over 40lbs of meat off a cow Elk that I shot at 200yds with a 180gr Ballistic Silvertip out of my 30-06. Worst part was how much she suffered before I reached her for the finishing shot.

Thanks for the load can't wait to try it.

[Jerry Ricker]

I have also used the BT's and liked them, then I tried the 115 VLD's and I've shot nothing else since and probably won't. Pushing them from a 26" 25-06 at 3200fps, 1/2moa or better if I try hard enough. Devastating on varmints and critters, I got a groundhog today after work at 426 yd with this load, extremely accurate with great terminal ballistics. Haven't had the opportunity to try these on game but after hunting with VLD's in 30 caliber I'm confident they'll do just fine.