How come so much love for ELDMs and not as much love for Berger’s ?

[Robobiss]

The reason is to find out for yourself. Might be more gooder, might not. We'd all be using Corelokts if we never tried anything else.

You’re right, I like experimenting, and I think they look cool. I probably will someday after I shoot through the metric F-ton of TMK’s and ELD-M’s I have kicking around.

But I’m talking averages here. I don’t think most people have a good reason to try them when you factor in the cost and drastically less visibility/marketing. Hornady is absolutely everywhere you look.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

With the factory Hornady 143’s my ES is pretty consistently 60-70 FPS and SD 16-20 FPS. Is that normal/acceptable?

Talking to a more experienced buddy I get the impression that’s outside the acceptable range for factory ammo.

When I get the 6cm barrel I might have to try some of those Berger 108’s

 

[WeiserBucks]

You’re right, I like experimenting, and I think they look cool. I probably will someday after I shoot through the metric F-ton of TMK’s and ELD-M’s I have kicking around.

But I’m talking averages here. I don’t think most people have a good reason to try them when you factor in the cost and drastically less visibility/marketing. Hornady is absolutely everywhere you look.

Who cares about marketing and visibility? Use the best product available for your application.

 

[Robobiss]

Who cares about marketing and visibility? Use the best product available for your application.

I don’t think you’re smelling what I’m stepping in.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I don’t think you’re smelling what I’m stepping in.

You're probably correct.

 

[V35B]

I have had good results with Bergers on Deer. The 156 EOL has been my go to bullet for a few years now. A couple of examples from my 2024-5 season.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

I use what my rifles prefer. A few dimes here or there doesn’t matter in the long run.

My 300 WM loves the 190 Berger and has been lethal on everything up to grizzly. No tip.

My 6.5 PRC prefers the 147 gr ELD-M; barely edged out the 156 gr Berger. It’s been lethal on everything up to oryx. Red tip.

My 6.5 CM liked the 147 gr ELD-M and the 129 gr ABLR. I went with the ABLR. It’s been lethal on deer and predators. Grey tip.

As long as it still meets my requirements, I can go with a different bullet if it can reduce the likelihood of an idiot grabbing or using the wrong ammo in my rifles.

 

[pacoalcracker]

Guys shooting 4, 5, 6 and 7K big dollar rifles complaining about the price differences between Hornady and Berger. Give me a break already. If you have to, ask your boss(wife)for a bigger allowance.

 

[rclouse79]

Berger 115’s were the first bullet I tried out of my new 25-06. The groups were small enough that I just ordered 500 more of them.

 

[PanhandlePilgrim]

I've killed most of my animals with Bergers. All but one of my rifles certainly shoot them better so that's what i primarily use. I catch a bit of hell at elk camp about using them but I am pretty sure their "knowledge" of them not performing is more hearsay than actual experience. I have yet to see an animal walk away after being hit by one.

 

[Chad E]

I've shot a lot of bergers through a few different rifles with great results. A 215 hybrid out of a 300 rum and a 180 hybrid out of a 7 saum have preformed really well for me with good accuracy and on game performance. I am doing some load development with eldms in a 6 creedmoor and they look very promising as well.
I've had good luck with bergers and the price difference isn't great enough if you shop around to make me weigh that very heavily.

 

[ACHILLES]

It seems like the ELDMs are so popular with people here on rokslide. Don’t get me wrong I think They are awesome bullets. Im just curious why more hunters don’t use Berger’s? Berger’s seems to always shoot better for me in my guns. I understand how the tipped ELDMs open immediately and Berger’s go in a few inches before they open. Berger’s are little more price but seem
To be more consistent

I’ve had great luck using Berger Elite hunter bullets on critters. Just curious why they aren’t more popular?

I think it simply comes down to price for most.
I’ve had great success hunting with bergers in multiple calibers. The 140hvld running at 3250fps out of my old 6.5SS bbl always had full pass throughs with 1.25-1.5” exits on pigs and deer and animals only went 10-20yds after being hit. From 50-1107yds and every distance in between. Even got a full pass through on a WT doe on the 1107yd shot and bullet hit rib on both sides. Hit her in the heart, she went 10yds and dropped. Only time I didn’t have a pass through was on a 150lb pig at 718yds. Bullet was stuck in the hide on the offside. Pig ran about 20yds in a ravine and dropped. That being said I’ve had good success with all of them in multiple calibers with eldms,eldx’s, SMK’s, tmks, bergers. They all work as long as you hit the vitals. I do like the bergers for the long shots though and almost all the game I’ve shot past 600 yards was with bergers and SMKs

 

[hereinaz]

With the factory Hornady 143’s my ES is pretty consistently 60-70 FPS and SD 16-20 FPS. Is that normal/acceptable?

Talking to a more experienced buddy I get the impression that’s outside the acceptable range for factory ammo.

When I get the 6cm barrel I might have to try some of those Berger 108’s

ES matters starting at 500, which is past most hunter’s max range, as it should be…

Here is 60 fps difference at 2990 and 3050 with a 108 ELDm.

It’s a tenth mil at 500 and two tenths at 600. Thats not nothing.

Add in BC variation and using the Bergers matter more.

 

[waspocrew]

I’ve shot a few animals with Bergers and it’s been totally fine. Same with the ELDM. Really just depends on which rifle I’ve been shooting with more at the time. For my 6 CM, I have plenty of 105 Hybrids to load, but the easy button has been feeding it 108 ELDM factory ammo since it shoots so well.

 

[chindits]

Guys shooting 4, 5, 6 and 7K big dollar rifles

Why would I do that when a paltry factory rifle and 16 lbs a powder will last me the rest of my hunting days. More to my life than spending money on this sport.

 

[General RE LEE]

Availability

I have 3 retailers in my area I can pick up a box of 140 ELDms in person on a whim. No need to order online and wait for availability like Berger.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Most likely it was the introduction of the 6.5 Creedmoor and its absolute domination of the hunting market with eld m factory ammo.

 

[huntnful]

I love them both.

ELDM is cheaper, precise enough and consistent enough. Great, immediate terminal performance on impact.

Berger is more expensive, normally more precise and always more consistent. Great, slightly delayed terminal performance.


I shot 2 aoudad at 400 & 600 yards with 180 ELDM at 3160fps. Both ran about 20-30 yards.

I then shot 2 aoudad at 400 & 550 yards a 156 Berger at 3040fps. Stoned them both.

So both great bullets

 

[dirtytough]

I had inconsistent results with the 180 ELD on game. So I swapped to Bergers and results have been consistent.

 

[Ucsdryder]

It’s the rokslide way. A vocal few will push something and a pile of people will jump in.