I am having a hard time finding accurate loads with the VLD bullets. I tried to follow Berger manual which I have but many times I am stopped at magazine length and can't get to start at ten thou off lands. I have no trouble with TSX or accubonds getting half inch groups and in short order. I know a lot of you love the Berger so if any one has any tips fire away. I want to shoot some animals with the VLD I just can't get the accuracy
Loading bergers
- Thread starter gerryb
- Start date
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Broz
Well-Known Member
What caliber , rifle and load are you using?
Broz
Well-Known Member
Well, you are tougher than me. I only work one load up at a time. If I had a load for them I would share it, but the only one would be a 7 rem and I use H-1000 and a 215 Federal with 168 VLD's in them and they are pretty easy to work up. Mine were 700 sendero's
Jeff
Jeff
Broz
Well-Known Member
I never measure COAL as it is irrelevant. But I can tell you I started with them -.040" off the lans and the last one ended up at .030" off the lans.
kcebcj
Well-Known Member
Just start at your mags length and set deeper. I kinda followed the statement below with the 190gr Berger and finished at .070 off. Shoots pretty good.
Statement from Berger:
Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a hunter (pulling a bullet out of the case with your rifling while in the field can be a hunt ending event which must be avoided) or a competition shooter who worries about pulling a bullet during a match:
- .010 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
- .050 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
- .090 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
- .130 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
Shoot 2 (separate) 3 shot groups in fair conditions to see how they group. The remarkable reality of this test is that one of these 4 COALs will outperform the other three by a considerable margin. Once you know which one of these 4 COAL shoots best then you can tweak the COAL +/- .002 or .005. Taking the time to set this test up will pay off when you find that your rifle is capable of shooting the VLD bullets very well (even at 100 yards).
Broz
Well-Known Member
How do we know this will not be a jammed load? In a 7mm Sendero with a 168 it sure could be. I still have not heard what the rifle is.
Jeff
Broz
Well-Known Member
I would start -.030 or .-040" off the lans and then follow the suggested procedure from Berger. I did have one in 7-300 win that was so so until I got to .-100 off the lans and it tighten right up to a 1 hole group. This was with 180 VLD's
Jeff
kcebcj
Well-Known Member
Good point Jeff. I was assuming by his post that he could not get to .010 off because of the mag restrictions and that also tells me he knows the seating depth at the lands.
I am happy to see that you can get accuracy away from the lands it just seems like most say they are touching or even jammed which I really did not want to do. I have not shot the bergers in Africa hurt but would like to try them on my next few hunts.
aushunter1
Well-Known Member
Hi gerry, the VLD's are very tempremental little things. They can either like to be jammed of have a big jump.
Have a look at the following link, within the link download the berger tuning tips page.
Its a very interesting read & may solve your issue.
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/03/berger-tips-for-loading-vld-bullets/
Aus.
