BERGER VLD's and loading issues

huntokanogan

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Mar 7, 2011
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Washington state
I have a 7mm stw that I just got and haven't loaded a single round for yet. I have a buddy with a 7mm WBY and he swears by Berger VLD's. Though he will be the first to tell you he can only load them one at a time if he seats them out far enough to touch the rifling since they are so long.
My question: Is that a common problem with the vld's? I want to load some for my .270 and 6mm but not if i'm going to have that problem.
If I seat them back far enough to load into my clip will I loose much accuracy?
 
I read Eric Steker's article a while back, and had to re-read it again. It is excellent and right on the mark. I shoot VLD's only in competition for the very reason he suggests - in general, they shoot best when jammed into the rifling and this is not recommended in a hunting rifle or any box magazine rifle. VLD's can be very tricky. Some rifles like them, others just do not. I use them in three different calibers, but put in a lot of range time to get them down to half MOA. If you have the time and equipment to do this, by all means go for it. If you are trying for utmost accuracy in a hunting rifle, either try the Berger hunting VLD's or go to some other non-VLD bullet.
 
Gene the Hunting VLD is no easier to get shooting right than the target VLD. But when you find the spots they are on. I have found that there will be two seating depths where you get excellent accuracy with them, at least in 6.5mm and .308. One will be very deep/way off the lands, the other on the lands or close. My Savage LRH feeds fine with them jammed in the lands so I shoot it that way. I have another 6.5-284 that requires me to back them off a bit to feed well, Same with my .300 win mag.
 
My question: Is that a common problem with the vld's? I want to load some for my .270 and 6mm but not if i'm going to have that problem.
You should load a dummy round for your guns to see what the situation is. Your friends Weatherby may have more free bore than your guns.
 
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