7mm Elk Bullets- Berger Alternates

We have used the 162gr SST with great results, in 7mm-08, 280 Rem, 7RSAUM and 7mm Rem Mag. Kills have been between 100 yds to just under 500 yds, impact speeds between 2,700 fps and a just over 1,800 fps, and it has worked great every time. Doesn't blow up at close range and it expands perfectly at long range, with pass throughs almost every time.

Yes, not the highest BC bullet, but very efective and reliable, and depending on the load and elevation, with a 7mm Rem Mag you'll be good out 800 yds or more.

Nathan Foster talks a lot about this bullet and its effectiveness in the 7mm Rem Mag.
Nathan Foster is bad arse!
 
Now now, everyone knows energy is irrelevant so dont go confusing the OP with all this bullet energy dump mumbo-jumbo. 😁😁😁😁😁😁

But seriously, some good info offered so far in this thread 👍
I know many non-believers are out there, and frankly, I do not care, but the laws of physics cannot be denied. Whether they believe it or ignore it, energy transfer (energy dump or whatever terminology is used to get the point across) happens regardless.

 
I just can't get over "2-3 inch penetration, then rapid expansion".
I believe this is what you will find with any heavy bullet. If it's heavy, it takes a couple inches to pry that thing open.

Plus, the stuff you want to pulverize is a couple inches in anyway.

I think you are splitting hairs trying to get ballistic tip expansion on a heavy bullet with 100% weight.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
My buddy has a 28 nosler gunwerks with 180 berger vld hunting bullet. He has missed once in over 40 kills. Kills including grizzly at 550 and moose at 450. Both pass through with massive wound channels. Good luck finding something better than that. Especially when you start stretching past 500 yards.
They perform well. There is good and bad in them all.
 
Hard to beat the Berger bullets.
The VLD are one of my go to bullets.
The other being the Nosler Ballistic Tips.

My daughter took a nice 6pt a few years ago with my Ruger 77 MKII in 257 Roberts using the 115gr Berger VLD at about 70 yards.
"He kinda puffed up, went straight legged and fell over."

Multiple deer at different distances with multiple cartridges and calibers, haven't had a pass through yet with the VLD.
Usually find the jacket under the off side hide.

I've never not had a pass through with the Nosler Ballistic Tip.
Still do lots of internal damage.

I tried the 150gr ABLR with my 7mm Rem Mag.
At 35 yards I was surprised at the lack of damage done compared to the Ballistic Tip.

I was planning on using the Berger 150gr Classic Hunter in my 7mm Rem Mag and 7mm WBY Mag, if i can get an elk tag this year.
Then i found a box of 168gr Classic Hunter that I forgot I had.
 

I'll second the McGuire's. I'm currently using the 143 7mm in 7 saum. The 160 & 168 gr models would be my choice for "long range" and to fill that space of a tue long range 180-195 gr projectile. For size comparison the 143 is similar profile to a 180 Hybrid, and the 160 is similar profile yo a 195 EOL. The 168 is massive.
 
Looking for all the berger traits( quality, heavier (175-195 range), higher BC) but not bergers. I just can't get over "2-3 inch penetration, then rapid expansion". I'm looking for something that keeps most of its weight.

Only thing I know of for long-range is ABLR's, but I'm becoming less than impressed with Nosler's consistency lately. What other options are there?
What's your concern / issue with 2-3 inch penetration, then rapid expansion" specifically? Have you had failures? Just trying to understand what is the problem you are trying to solve for.
 
When I lived in the south and traveled to the northwest to hunt elk and mule deer at first I used Nosler Partition but at one time they became hard to find so I switched to Nosler Accubond 180 gr 30 cal bullets and have never gone back to Partitions.Never recovered an Accubond,all pass through's and enough damage that I have recovered all animals I have shot with them so far.
 
Looking for all the berger traits( quality, heavier (175-195 range), higher BC) but not bergers. I just can't get over "2-3 inch penetration, then rapid expansion". I'm looking for something that keeps most of its weight.

Only thing I know of for long-range is ABLR's, but I'm becoming less than impressed with Nosler's consistency lately. What other options are there?
I shoot a custom 7WSM and I am lucky enough to have two super accurate bullets. Number one is 180 Berger Vld.and the other is Barnes 168 LRX. I wanted to have one solid to go along with the Berger just in case. Both have killed animals, but probably 95% have been with the Berger's. I have never lost a single animal with Bergers. 14 elk, 6 mulies, 3 black bear, 1 Rocky Mtn big horn , 1 dall sheep Most of these are 1 shot kills the others I put another in for good measure but they were standing dead anyway. I've only witnessed 1 pass through on a muley. The rest are found in pieces on the opposite side with internals looking like soup.
I get some don't like this but dead is dead and I cannot deny the results I've had. Good luck in your decision.
 
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