Berger hybrids for hunting? 180 7mm

[upacreek]

Since i can't locate any 180 vld's close to me i decided to order some hybrids. There is talk regarding the 30 caliber hybrids and mixed reviews on the 7mm. Not much real world experience can be found online. I am working on loads for this elk season where all my shots are 350 to 600 yrds. I have been very happy with fail safes and 162 SST's. With my new barrel just wanted to step it up a little. Have I moved the wrong direction?

 

[Mateo]

I've heard of guys annealing the tips of the hybrids. Just enough to change the colour. 8-10 seconds with a torch. It helps with expansion.

 

[MudRunner2005]

If i get a chance to do some LR hunting this year, I'll be able to tell you, since I use them in my 7mm STW.

 

[AZShooter]

There isn't much out there. Bet there will be more later this fall.


http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/180-berger-hybrid-hunt-results-so-far-80995/

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From 24 campfire:

Re: Gunwerks VLD or Hybrid VLD

c_ne_elk

Loc: Out West...

This past fall my buddy and myself used both bullets on mule deer and elk. We have almost identical guns (7 LRM's) mine is built on a Stiller action and his is built on a Winchester action. We shoot identical powder and powder weights in our handloads. I was shooting the 7mm 180 g VLD Hunting Bullets and he was shooting the 180 g Hybrids.

I shot my mule deer at 348 yards and it never took a step and was a complete pass through. My buddy shot his mule deer at 302 yards, was a complete pass through and the deer went 1 step before falling dead.

Both deer suffered massive internal damage.

We both shot cow elk out of the same herd at the same time. (the old shoot on 3, is that on 3 or 3 shoot?) Distances were almost identical, approx. 100 yards. Both cows went down instantly. Both bullets were lodged against the hide on the off side with MASSIVE internal damage. The VLD Hunting bullet weighed 48 grains and the Hybrid weighed 42 grains.

From our results this year, they appear to almost be identical in performance on animals.
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[Len Backus]

550 yard antelope buck. Huge exit wound.

180 Hybrid, 3100 fps

 

[MudRunner2005]

550 yard antelope buck. Huge exit wound.

180 Hybrid, 3100 fps

Len, what was the size comparrison? Baseball? Softball? Cantelope? Was it bigger than the VLD's? I know the 7mm 168 VLD's leave about a 2-3" exit traveling that fast.

 

[Len Backus]

Cantelope

 

[MudRunner2005]

Cantelope

That's a big exit wound! Definitely a lung-shot bullet, that way you don't ruin any of the good shoulder meat.

 

[eshorebwhntr]

Personally I didn't have great luck with them expanding reliably if I didn't hit bone on entry. I've shot probably 20-25 whitetail with them. Few flop, most run, 2-3 ran a long way. If I had the choice I prefer the VLD Hunting.

 

[Broz]

My results mirror what most have already stated. We have hunted with both from the 7mm-300's and muzzle velocities between 3000 and 3175. We also found the Hybrids to be more expansive that the VLD. And I am talking strictly 180 gr Bergers here to be exact. The Hybrids killed just as fast as the VLD, most fell in their tracks. But on softer game like antelope or a coyote, 500 yards and in, the exits were huge. One coyote in particular almost became two.

Jeff

 

[upacreek]

Thanks for the input everybody! I have hybrids on their way and looking for more. I built the gun around the 175 and 180 bullets and will primarily use it for elk 800 and less. Right now 600 is about the limit of my comfort, but as loads are coming together for this rifle 800 might just happen. Hoping to shoot another batch of loads tonight.

 

[MudRunner2005]

My results mirror what most have already stated. We have hunted with both from the 7mm-300's and muzzle velocities between 3000 and 3175. We also found the Hybrids to be more expansive that the VLD. And I am talking strictly 180 gr Bergers here to be exact. The Hybrids killed just as fast as the VLD, most fell in their tracks. But on softer game like antelope or a coyote, 500 yards and in, the exits were huge. One coyote in particular almost became two.

Jeff

Jeff, did yall ever make any lung shots (ribs, right behind the shoulder), or were they all shoulder shots? Just wanting to see exactly how they would work with my shot-placement of choice.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Broz]

Jeff, did yall ever make any lung shots (ribs, right behind the shoulder), or were they all shoulder shots? Just wanting to see exactly how they would work with my shot-placement of choice.

Thanks for the input.

I never take a shoulder shot if I have a clear shot in the crease. I seek the most direct route to the vitals and for me that is tight in the crease behind the shoulder if possible.

Jeff

 

[Len Backus]

Ditto, Jeff.