168 VLD versus 180 VLD

jweigel

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2013
Messages
157
Location
North Dakota
Is there really much to gain with the 180 Berger VLD over the 168???

These are factory loads but I will assume relative in their load potential when compared to each other.

HSM 168 VLD muzzle velocity of 3205 versus HSM 180 VLD muzzle velocity of 3080


Stats provided by HSM.

Bullet, Muz, 200, 500, 700, 1000
168 Energy, 3833, 3128, 2256, 1789, 1233
180 Energy, 3793, 3121, 2287, 1836, 1292

168 Elevation, -1.6, 0, -30.03, -77.94, -206.86
180 Elevation, -1.6, 0, -32.32, -83.37, -219.29

168 Windage, 0, .75, 5.57, 11.75, 26.6
180 Windage, 0, .79, 5.63, 11.75, 26.31


Maybe HSM loads there 168 hot and the 180 not, but energy seems about equal, 168 shoot flatter, and wind is about a draw.

Just got a gun and will start shooting both to see when the gun likes better.

Eventually will reload but for now, will try the factory HSM. They shoot really good in my 7RM Sendero.


Thanks for any advice.

jjw
ND
 
How do the velocities of these two factory loads compare to custom loads you all are getting.

If they ballistics are not to far off, there does not appear to be much to gain going with the 180 over a 168.

Thanks for any advice.

jjw
ND
 
I have used both. I prefer the 180 because g7 bc=.337 versus the 168 g7 bc=.316. Granted not much difference but is another hair too split. I've killed a 7x7 bull with 168gr @ 3250 out my 7mm stw factory sendero barrel at 790 yards one shot kill with a high shoulder shot and had no problems at all. The load was at the top end for pressure knowing I was going to rebarrel with a hart 26" barrel. My load now is the 180 gr berger @ 3186 being pushed by 74.0 grs of 7828 and nosler brass. Very little pressure sign= very small ejecter mark on the case head, no sticky bolt lift. Most of the time it will hold 1/2" or better @ 100yds. Out to 1080 I shot a 4.5" 3 shot group under epic shooting conditions.

Corey
 
Out to 600yds the 168 wins, beyond that the 180 would be the better call.

Don't believe published velocities, chrony them yourself or verify your drops out to 600 and run them through a calculator to come up with the actual velocity to build your drop cards from.

No two rifles are alike so in the end be willing to try several different factory offerings and then shoot whatever your rifle likes best rather than buying a big lot of a single offering that may or may not shoot well in your rifle.

When you do find one it likes though, load up on the same lot number and then when you are ready to start reloading you'll have a good supply of once fired brass already fireformed to your chamber.
 
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