Berger VLD Bullets

**kiltedguard** · April 14th, 2011, 08:34 AM

Now...has anyone used these as a hunting load? I'm interested in working up a 30-06 round chambering this round for both deer and moose. (I don't like to track). Most of what I'm reading say this bullet sheds anywhere from 40-80% of it's mass in the target animal. That sounds like just about what I want, but i wanted to reach out there and see if anyone reccomended another bullet out there?

**Buckster** · April 17th, 2011, 01:49 AM

I love these bullets for the most part. The accuracy is great. I started using them while trying to build an elk load for mu 300 mag. Never got the elk hunt though. My on and only terminal test was a small doe this year at about 10yds. 168gr bullet at that range right about 3000fps never passed through and only small pieces were recovered. The part I didnt care for was the meat loss. I shot the deer quartering towards in the right front shoulder. Every rib was broken and both front legs were broke. I had to waste about half of that deer. There was no tracking involved with that hunt. Dropped right there. For deer I will go back to using Barnes T-TSX. But I will have this load if I ever get a chance for an Elk. Good shooting. Another thing you can email Berger for load data.

**hornady** · April 17th, 2011, 08:14 AM

Everyone has there own idea of what a hunting bullet should do. Personally this would be my last choice for Moose or Elk.
These are a match grade bullet, and are not designed for hunting. If looking for a bullet for a clean kill, I would be looking for much deeper penetration and bullet retention of at least 80%, with an exit wound.
But this is a form, and everyone has an opinion.

**Tim Ault** · April 17th, 2011, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by hornady

Everyone has there own idea of what a hunting bullet should do. Personally this would be my last choice for Moose or Elk.
These are a match grade bullet, and are not designed for hunting. If looking for a bullet for a clean kill, I would be looking for much deeper penetration and bullet retention of at least 80%, with an exit wound.
But this is a form, and everyone has an opinion.

I'm with Hornady on this one there are many, many choices in 30 cal that would fit the bill better than a thin jacketed match bullet for bigger game animals.If your looking for something with a high BC I assume why you chose the VLD take a look at the hornady SST or Nosler ballistic tips in the 180 gr flavor