??Berger Hybrids not for hunting??

[Derek M.]

Guess I should have looked into it a bit more. Received 400 bullets today: 6.5mm 140 Hybrid and 7mm 180 Hybrid Bergers. Box says not recommended for hunting.

I guess I thought with all the chat on here they were ok for hunting.

No?

Anyone kill any game with them? I drew for CO mulie and wanted to try them but not if they aren't going to perform. Or is this like other "target" bullets not recommended for game but work anyway?

 

[FullDraw84]

I recently ordered some and have those exact same concerns. I believed that they were fine for hunting based on some of the discussions I have read on here. Look forward to hearing some feedback from others who have experience with them. Great question.

 

[kiwi3006]

They have a thicker jacket than the hunting ones, depending on how fast you send them or what you shoot with them, they might be just right.
I have heard of the .284 180gr being sent at 3400 fps and shooting big bull tahr with them at ranges past 500yds with no problems.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I do recall a gent who posed that very question to Walt Berger, his reply was (i'm paraphrasing):

The reason they are not labeled as recommended for hunting is because Berger had not conducted sufficient testing to ensure their effectiveness. He also went on to state that he would have no issue with using then himself in a hunting situation.


I sure hope they work! I have a box of 6.5mm 140 Hybrids awaiting my 6.5WSM

I would expect them to work.... but i've been wrong before..... once....

 

[C.O. Shooter]

Derek

PM Sent!

 

[Derek M.]

replied to PM. I'm most likely going to just keep my fingers crossed and go with these hybrids. Hopefully I'll get a buck this fall in CO.

 

[HARPERC]

I believe, but I may be wrong. Labeling for hunting takes them out of the law enforcement, and military market. I can't speak to their performance. Mostly I'm hoping if the thread survives a while Berger may clarify.

 

[Frank7mm]

I had some 338 Hybrids and they did not work well on whitetail at any range.

 

[Edd]

I believe, but I may be wrong. Labeling for hunting takes them out of the law enforcement, and military market. I can't speak to their performance. Mostly I'm hoping if the thread survives a while Berger may clarify.

Berger isn't going to clarify it. Their position is... They could work for hunting but there is a possibility they could pencil right thru an animal.

 

[bigngreen]

I had some 338 Hybrids and they did not work well on whitetail at any range.

What about them didn't work? I shot a few this last season and thought they were stellar, though a little brutal close.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

What about them didn't work? I shot a few this last season and thought they were stellar, though a little brutal close.

Iwould bet! Should be a sight to behold though Almost a guarantee there isn't a tracking issue lol

 

[Frank7mm]

There was no expansion at all. One whitetail at 125yds and one at 650yds. They were leaving the muzzle at 2700fps. Penciled rite through.

 

[Broz]

There was no expansion at all. One whitetail at 125yds and one at 650yds. They were leaving the muzzle at 2700fps. Penciled rite through.

Were these the 300 / .338 Hybrids? Lets see some pics please. With over a dozen one shot kills on elk, deer and antelope none have required a second shot and all were pretty much DRT. I would love to see the .338 sized exit you speak of.


Here was an antelope from some of our first testing of the 338 Hybrids. Antelope are pretty soft animals and I use them to test expansion as it is pretty hard to loose one in the open terrain. This shot was from 500 yards and a MX of 2800 fps.

Entrance inside the rib cage.

Exit far side rib cage. No tracking was required.

The results of the 338 Hybrids for us on elk and deer were spectacular at distances from 400 to 1000. All the exits were consistant 1 1/4 to 1 1/2" and usually every vital organ between were destroyed.

 

[Derek M.]

Walt Berger returned my email. He said simply the hybrids are not for hunting but some hunting hybrids are in the works. powder valley inc wants 10% restocking fee.