Berger classic hunter VS VLD hunting can I reload them the same as each other

[schwabdog]

quick question, I just got some Berger classic hunter but rally wanted the VLD hunting, is there a difference wen loading them??

I don't really want to send 100 rounds down the tube only to change to the vld..... or are the classic a better bullet!


would the setting depth be the same?
would they shoot the same at distance?

thanks

 

[benchracer]

I would not consider them to be interchangeable. The advantage of the Classic Hunter is that it is not sensitive to seating depth like the VLD. When I loaded my .30 cal 185g Classic Hunters, I chose a seating depth and did a powder charge workup only. I found a VERY accurate load without testing for seating depth.

I would recommend loading your bullets to whatever seating depth you prefer and doing a powder charge workup (that normally takes me 25 rounds or less). You will then have to establish your zero and downrange adjustments. I would not expect your settings for a VLD to be the same because the velocity and bc are going to be different for the Classic Hunter.

Better bullet? That's hard to say. That depends mostly on how you load and what you are using the bullet for. Load development is easier. Depending on which bullets you are using, your bc may be lower with the Classic Hunter.

 

[Boss Hoss]

I never could get Bergers to work for me in sporters or competition so I shoot a different pill. That being said a bullet is a bullet except!!!! Make sure the jackets, cores and the actual bearing surfaces are the same plus other differences. The short answer is not they are not.

 

[Planenut]

It can also vary with caliber.
In 270, the 130 classic hunter has a better BC as well as the hybrid nose design. No downside in my opinion.
In 7mm, the classic hunter gives up a small amount in BC but gains the hybrid nose and should be more forgiving with reloading depth. It is also short enough to gain the use of the magazine compared to some of the longer heavier 7mm choices.

 

[bboswell]

I just came upon the Classic Hunter after being frustrated with the VLD's. I haven't found a rifle that will cycle from the mag and group well with the VLD.

The Classic Hunter is supposed to be the fix for this, it comes close in BC to the VLD in every bullet I checked except for the 168g 30 cal that I'm shooting where it actually has a better BC than the VLD which appears to be a win win.

I just recieved my Classic Hunters yesterday and will be working them up from scratch soon

 

[jrsolocam]

My experience with both has been the Classic Hunter is easier to get to shoot....the VLD's have really performed better at terminal velocity though. I know it shouldn't, but that's my experience.

My lone experience with the classic hunter 168g (7mm @ 3060) wasn't pretty. It completely blew up on the shoulder of a 230lb WT Buck at 505 yards. My multiple experiences with the VLD's were very good however.

So take this with a grain of salt. But the VLD's do kill......

 

[rcoody]

My experience with both has been the Classic Hunter is easier to get to shoot....the VLD's have really performed better at terminal velocity though. I know it shouldn't, but that's my experience.

My lone experience with the classic hunter 168g (7mm @ 3060) wasn't pretty. It completely blew up on the shoulder of a 230lb WT Buck at 505 yards. My multiple experiences with the VLD's were very good however.

So take this with a grain of salt. But the VLD's do kill......

Took me 3 months to get the Berger Hunting VLD to shoot. If I load VLD's 0.01 into the lands they shoot 1 hole but that is not what you want in a hunting rifle. You want mag length. I had given up until I read the article posted here about how to find the berger jump. tried it kind of half heartedly not expecting much and it worked.

In the mean time I had ordered the classic hunter bergers. Loaded them up with three different powders and a series of powder charges and found a load in one weekend.

must admit the VLD shoots a better group but you never know when a VLD will go wild. Still leaning towards the VLD.

 

[Ozy]

I know this is an Old Thread. I would like to share my experience with the Berger VLD's. My lad has a Rem 700 SPS Stainless 30.06 which not matter what we shot down the barrel it would group at around 3" at 100 yards. Got me some 155 grain Berger VLD's and I loaded them with AR2208 ADI powder, a varget equivalent here in Australia. Loaded 5 rounds with 49grn 50grn 51grn and 52 grn, went to the range and wamo she shot 5 rounds and only got 4 holes. One was a flier my fault I moved. Not counting the flier, my grouping was .477" at 100 yards. This rifle had never shot under 3" groups even with quality ammo like Winchester silver tips. 50 grain of AR2208 powder federal LR primers and coal, SAAMI specs. We were about to get rid of the Rem but now she is a keeper. I have attached proof of the groupings. Now to see if my Ruger 7mm Rem Mag can shoot as good or better.