Berger Classic Hunters on Game?

[General RE LEE]

I’ve got a heat seeking handload with 168 grain Berger Classic Hunters over some Varget.

I’m not sure I want to hunt with grenades though. Are Berger Classic Hunters a safe bet?

 

[Lawnboi]

I don’t like what bergers do specifically on deer.

The rapid expansion isn’t bad, but it dosnt happen for a few inches. Versus a tipped bullet, which I prefer, starts to expand much quicker, seems to do a better job.

In general that’s why I prefer a tipped bullet for game, atleast for deer. I cannot comment on bigger as I just don’t have the experience.

That said they work. And I tend to think a Berger is more consistent than what Iv fired from Hornady and Sierra.

 

[doverpack12]

Depends on the speed. In the right velocity window for performance on game they work well.
What is your speed?

 

[General RE LEE]

Depends on the speed. In the right velocity window for performance on game they work well.
What is your speed?

2620 FPS (20” barrel 308).

Berger list their hunting bullets at 1800 FPS for the minimum terminal velocity

 

[ikeG]

I shoot 185 berger classic hunters out my -06 at the same velocity as your 308. They are devastating on deer, absolutely devastating. Haven't shot at an elk with them yet, hopefully this fall.
My brother dropped a bull with 175 hunter vld's out of his 300wsm a few years ago. Pleased with that performance.

Sent from my SM-G990U2 using Tapatalk

 

[doverpack12]

2620 FPS (20” barrel 308).

Berger list their hunting bullets at 1800 FPS for the minimum terminal velocity

They will perform excellent at point blank to as far as you want to shoot with that muzzle velocity.

 

[SouthPaw]

5 bucks in the past 2 years with Berger Classic Hunters, from 125-442yds / 2100-2800fps impacts, using the 135g 6.5 and 140g .277. All five bucks died within 20 yards of impact with devastating wounds. 4 of 5 had exits.

 

[Sandstrom]

Last year I shot 3 antelope with Berger 168 hybrid hunters out of a 308 (federal premium factory). I believe those are the same as the classic hunter you are asking about. 1 at 420 yards broadside, ran 30 yards. 1 at 565 yards broadside, ran 30 yards. Both had vitals that sounded like soup, I didn’t look, did the gutless method. 1 at 200 yards head on, ran 30 yards. I found the bullet in the rear quarter, it looked like tumbled. The one at 565 yards was just below 1800 fps if I remember.
Ryan

 

[rootacres]

Bergers are designed to break up on impact and have around 50% weight retention. If you are wanting/expecting an exit hole, Bergers likely won't be the answer.

That said, I would use the classic hunters with confidence. Ive watched a few bulls fall to the Classic hunters and a few more to the VLDs. Hopefully I am adding to that list this year. Bergers have performed well for me. Just know the limitations of the cartridge/velocities. If I was hunting game larger than elk I may move to a mono or bonded bullet of some kind.

 

[Archer86]

I wouldn't hesitate to use the classic hunters . My kids have killed lots of deer with the 95grain classic hunter out of a 243 and I have used the 168 out of a 7 rem mag with out issue on deer and elk I can only think of one deer that didn't drop instantly.

They work well but they can do some damage. I have got a couple exits out of them but most do not exit in my experience