Berger VLDs for Sakos

[ishawooa]

For the last six years I have shot more Berger VLDs than any other brand. I normally get very tight groups, spectacular performance on animals up to elk, and they are effective as close as 52 yards as as far as 1006 yards. The latter shot was on a rather large jackrabbit from a custom Sako. Last time I checked Berger still had not produced the long promised reloading manual although Walt Berger will reply to regarding suggested loads. I loaded some .270 Weatherbys with VLDs for a friend who went to year before last and killed 23 head of plains game, all one shot. Do any of you shoot Bergers in your Sakos or customs built on Sako actions?

 

[lepcur]

I'm assumeing you're using the hunting vlds, correct? Mike

 

[steve_]

I have also had very good luck with Berger hunting VLDs in both my 30.06 L61R (3/4 MOA) and my Tikka T3 300wsm (1/2 MOA). I get fliers occasionally, but both guns are fairly consistent shooters and I rarely get a group over 1 MOA. The guns are better than their owner, I suspect. I would recommend Berger bullets to anyone.

 

[brbonar]

I've used 140 gr. Berger Hunting VLD HPBT's in my AII 7mm-08 full stock carbine the last two years.
2900 fps.

Very good accuracy and effective on game. (One shot kills)

Bullet performance is interesting... apparently by design; there is initial penetration and then fragmentation.
It works but not with the 95% + weight retention I'm used to looking for.

I'd definitely recommend them.

 

[roninflag]

i load the 168 in my 30-06's and my 7 rem mag.

 

[lhsako]

are bergers bonded? what type of weight retention do they normally have on game?

 

[kennygss]

They are designed to fragment for wound value. Not much wieght retention.

 

[d500lnn]

I LOVE the on game performance of VLD hunting bullets. I've used them in .243 at 95gr and 6.5 creedmoor at 140gr. Awesome wound channels and one one kills. White tails never left my sight! Accurate on both counts. The .243 is a 75 finnlight and shoots one jagged hole.

 

[Blades356mm]

I've tried loading bergers and haven't found a good spot..? In my rem 700 I'm shooting sub moa no problem but my 'new to me' sako AIII is all over the place my first set of loads :-( it was pretty disappointing. Any suggestions on depth? Do sakos need them jammed or off the lands? Any rules of thumb or just keep loading and trying until I find the spot?

 

[stonecreek]

I've tried loading bergers and haven't found a good spot..? In my rem 700 I'm shooting sub moa no problem but my 'new to me' sako AIII is all over the place my first set of loads :-( it was pretty disappointing. Any suggestions on depth? Do sakos need them jammed or off the lands? Any rules of thumb or just keep loading and trying until I find the spot?

What caliber and what weight bullet? The Berger VLD's are very long for weight, so a heavy-for-caliber Berger may not stabilize in a "normal" twist barrel. I very much doubt that seating depth is at the root of your problem.

 

[Blades356mm]

7mm mag and I'm loading the 180 gr bergers. I haven't checked the twist on my sako. You might be right, it might be too slow. I'm not near the box but they do talk about a min twist rate. I know I checked the rem 700 before buying the bergers. I know the sako's are metric but I'll still check tonight when I get home and have time.

This rifle is NOT a collector, being that, do many rebarrel the actions and if so then do they need to be trued like a rem 700 or are they on the whole very well put together? If I can't figure a good load soon I'm thinking of rebarreling the action.

 

[stonecreek]

I'd be very surprised if a Sako 7mm Rem Mag factory barrel would stabilize a 180 Berger -- those puppies are looooong! They probably need a 1-8" twist or so.

If that's the bullet you insist on shooting, then you really have no choice other than to rebarrel. "Truing" and action is nothing more than assuring that the receiver face against which the barrel abuts is 9o degrees from the axis of the threads and is even all around (perfectly flat). I suspect that a Sako action is closer to 90 degrees than a gunsmith can measure, so there is little to gain by "truing".

 

[Blades356mm]

Sorry about hijacking this thread but I like the heavier bullets as they tend to drift less. It's easier to adjust for drop then it is to dope the wind.. The box says 1:9 twist. I loaded some lighter bullets and will give them a try.

As for truing the action, I thought I had read that somewhere and was hoping it was true. If I can't get the lighter bullets to group then I'll give rebarreling some serious thought.

One more quick question. Seating the action, I read something about where to push the lug. Is t all the way towards the front like you do with a scope or towards the butt? I got this rifle from a kid who thought he was a gun smith but didn't believe in researching anything. Any advice would be great!