Berger Bullets Tumbling

[Jhconnected]

I’ve read and seen videos/gel blocks where Berger bullets tumble or start to expand further deeper than the 2-3” stated.

I don’t consider ballistics gel the end all be all because ultimately it’s different than an animal.

Has anyone seen this in the field?

 

[wapitibob]

no

 

[idahodave]

No

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Nope

 

[Matt5266]

No. I've seen devastating results from 185 classic hunters out of my 300WSM

 

[Jhconnected]

I’ve read a lot of good things on the forums but some videos not so much.

I’m wanting to use the 156 EOL in my 6.5 PRC. Everyone says it’s deadly but some of the videos I’ve seen don’t line up.

 

[wapitibob]

I’ve read a lot of good things on the forums but some videos not so much.

I’m wanting to use the 156 EOL in my 6.5 PRC. Everyone says it’s deadly but some of the videos I’ve seen don’t line up.

I like heavy for caliber Bergers (195's now) and prefer frontal or back a ways behind the crease, no issues. I learned my lesson with 180 vld and a higher high shoulder shot on a Pronghorn that blew a softball size groove thru the spine, tops of the scapula's, and back straps. I would shoot the 156 without hesitation if you have the barrel twist.

 

[Jhconnected]

I like heavy for caliber Bergers (195's now) and prefer frontal or back a ways behind the crease, no issues. I learned my lesson with 180 vld and a higher high shoulder shot on a Pronghorn that blew a softball size groove thru the spine, tops of the scapula's, and back straps. I would shoot the 156 without hesitation if you have the barrel twist.

Sure do. 1-8”

 

[WeiserBucks]

"They ca

I’ve read a lot of good things on the forums but some videos not so much.

I’m wanting to use the 156 EOL in my 6.5 PRC. Everyone says it’s deadly but some of the videos I’ve seen don’t line up.

"They can't put anything on video on the internet if it isn't true."

Abraham Lincoln Feb 30th 1729

 

[DenimChicken]

No. I've seen devastating results from 185 classic hunters out of my 300WSM

Same results with same bullet out of a 300 WM.

 

[ManBun]

I had a 215 hybrid look like it tumbled on a cow elk at 350 yards. I recovered the bottom half of the bullet where the top third was gone and looked as if it bent off vs mushrooming. I shot her in the brisket and recovered the bullet on the right side shoulder with the base of the bullet facing the hide.
It still did the job as she just did the death wobble and dropped in her tracks.

 

[Jhconnected]

"They ca

"They can't put anything on video on the internet if it isn't true."

Abraham Lincoln Feb 30th 1729

There was a Meateater one where they had a high speed camera and could actually see the Berger tumble.

 

[WeiserBucks]

There was a Meateater one where they had a high speed camera and could actually see the Berger tumble.

There was this one time I killed deer and elk at all sorts of ranges with Bergers. Actually it was a couple dozen times.

My personal experience is more valuable to me than influencers.

 

[Jhconnected]

There was this one time I killed deer and elk at all sorts of ranges with Bergers. Actually it was a couple dozen times.

My personal experience is more valuable to me than influencers.

Yeah, that’s why I asked everyone’s opinion.

 

[SDHNTR]

Some folks like a bullet that tumbles.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Were they shooting it into clear gel? I haven’t seen the episode.

If so, clear gel is totally bunk which is why it is not used by any serious lab. It’s synthetic with no water in it; there is a reason 10% calibrated ordinance gel is the standard. Clear gel is just easy because it’s basically temp stable and relatively cheap. But it does not replicate what happens in animals… 10% calibrated gel technically doesn’t either, but it’s the best analog there is.

Another potential issue is having a clogged tip. Bergers can have their little tip filled with material from the factory and that changes their exams in properties, however that typically results in penciling based on what I have read.

Can you post a link to the episode?

 

[Dmoua]

I don’t know if they tumble but I do know I have killed a ton of game with Berger bullets.

 

[Jhconnected]

Were they shooting it into clear gel? I haven’t seen the episode.

If so, clear gel is totally bunk which is why it is not used by any serious lab. It’s synthetic with no water in it; there is a reason 10% calibrated ordinance gel is the standard. Clear gel is just easy because it’s basically temp stable and relatively cheap. But it does not replicate what happens in animals… 10% calibrated gel technically doesn’t either, but it’s the best analog there is.

Another potential issue is having a clogged tip. Bergers can have their little tip filled with material from the factory and that changes their exams in properties, however that typically results in penciling based on what I have read.

Can you post a link to the episode?

It’s clear gel.

Here is another one of the bullet expanding late:

 

[Jhconnected]

I don’t know if they tumble but I do know I have killed a ton of game with Berger bullets.

Tumbling can be very deadly. I prefer consistent performance and I’m not sure tumbling is that.

 

[repins05]

I shoot berger 156, 175, 195, 215, and 245 out of 5 different rifles. Have not experienced any tumbling with any bullet yet. Death range at 25 yards to 1200 yards.

Other factors could be involved perhaps? Powder loads, barrel twist, barrel length?