Quote:
Originally Posted by wyomingblizzard
Broz I read your report on the 230 berger hybird. Which do you prefer for hunting, the 210 or 230? I was thinking about trying the hybird do to less sensitivty to seating depth. My 300wm is a factory gun, so I am limited by mag length. My fear has been that either the 210 or 230 will be to far off of lands. Any thoughts? I have been shooting 180 barnes and it shoots them well, butI wanted to try a heavier, higher bc bullet to extend my range. Thanks
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Well, I really like the BC and wind abilities of the 230 but since I have been using the 210's for so much longer with great success I can not really say I have a favorite at this point. But I can tell you we switched my sons 300 win over from the 210's to 230's and he hunted with 230's last season. The numbers showed that even though the 230 started out slower by 1000 yards they were almost matched in velocity and the 230 carried 130 lbs more energy. He took his bull in 40 mph winds at 511 yards with perfect placement and the bull never stood up. I am getting ready to start testing the new 215's in my rifle and may hunt with them next season. All I am hoping to gain is less wind drift.
I have loaded the 210's in many factory Sendero's and was always able to get to the lands and still fit in the mag box. So depending on what rilfe you have that may help with your question there. That said, I have also loaded the 210's in many 30-378's and even though we were close to .200" off the lands they still shot 1/2 moa. So I would not worry about seating depth until you have tried them in your rifle.
If your factory rifle has a prety smooth bore and does not foul quickly with the Barnes, many shooters like them. I would recommend you always place a Barnes in the shoulder to aid in expansion. The problem I have is that when you move to longer shots you are limited in percentage as to whether or not you can get them in the shoulder or not. The Bergers at long range are more likely to expand and do severe damage in the shoulder or anywhere in the vital area. So I feel this has aided in our success with one shot kills. In 2010 I was off on my wind call. The shot on this bull was 803 yards. The 210 Berger landed at the rear of the rib cage maybe one rib in. When hit, the bull turned around to go back in the timber and I could see a good sized exit and blood running drown his side. I marked the tree where he went back in. Upon arriving up there 30 minutes later I found the dead bull right there maybe 10 yards in. The bullet fragments made it into the vitals and saved my butt from a long tracking job and probably a lost bull. This is one reason I like heavier bullets so even though it fragments it still has enough bullet left for a full pass through. The best of both worlds I say and I feel they increase my odds for animals going down fast.
Don't take my word for it. Do a little test. Load up a few 210's or 230's. Then go out on a steady windy day and place a large target at long range. Shoot the Bergers and then shoot your old Barnes load. See which drifts less and is most accurate. Then you will know which you feel you can place better on game in marginal hunting conditions. The farther you are shooing the more the Bergers will shine in both drift and expansion.
Jeff
"Its not Rocket Surgery.....'
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