My latest acquisition

[slowyellow]

Berger's like to be just touching the lands or barely off them which usually means you will not be able to use the magazine.

Correct, the VLD's actually like to be on the lands. When I load with those, I don't come close to making mag length. If I want that, I use the 175 gr SMK's. I really like the sierra bullets for an all around bullet.

[dee]

Correct, the VLD's actually like to be on the lands. When I load with those, I don't come close to making mag length. If I want that, I use the 175 gr SMK's. I really like the sierra bullets for an all around bullet.

Try the Nosler Custom Competition's for a cheaper alternative to the MK's, they usually are cheaper and most people get same POI with them.

[slowyellow]

I'll have to try that. I have about 110 SMK's left and maybe I'll try those. Just FYI, berger does make another bullet that will fly without being on the lands. It's just that the VLD's ogive design doesn't do well unless it is seated on the lands.

[dee]

Is that their hunting bullet? I don't use Bergers at all anymore since I don't shoot good enough to justify their higher price than the Hornady Amaxs I'm using for my 7mm now.

[slowyellow]

Is that their hunting bullet? I don't use Bergers at all anymore since I don't shoot good enough to justify their higher price than the Hornady Amaxs I'm using for my 7mm now.

They call it their hybrid bullet. Its a combination of a secant and tangent ogive, kind of best of both worlds. I know that they do have a hybrid hunting bullet, but don't know if they have it in 7mm. But yeah, their prices are higher than giraffe pussy!

[HOOCBB]

Good looking gun. What is the twist rate? Before I started hand loading my 308 rounds I used the federal gold match 168 grain ammo and it worked very well. Depending on your twist rate you might be able to run what I do. But I haven't found a better bullet than the 185 gr Berger VLD's. Great bullets but they are very sensitive to seating depth.

Bullet design/length is more important than weight along with twist rate. I believe those savages have a 1:12 twist so it should be good up to 175gr stuff. A reloader can do very well with the 155gr Sierra's or Lapua's can be loaded to perform just as good, they just need 2850fps to be better.

Like CJ Black Hills is really good stuff, they have very food QC.

I believe this one is a 1:10 twist. The closest model I can find on Savage's site is the 10 FCP-K, which is a 24" fluted and threaded barrel in an accustock. The serial number on this one comes back as a 10 FCPXP, but does not have the features to be the nice one. It seems this one is a Dick's exclusive where they rebarreled a 10 FCPXP with the fluted barrel and put them in a cheap stock. I don't care about the stock, since I will be replacing it in the future. I have read where these models are shooting 1/2 MOA out of the box.

[YALE]

I believe this one is a 1:10 twist. The closest model I can find on Savage's site is the 10 FCP-K, which is a 24" fluted and threaded barrel in an accustock. The serial number on this one comes back as a 10 FCPXP, but does not have the features to be the nice one. It seems this one is a Dick's exclusive where they rebarreled a 10 FCPXP with the fluted barrel and put them in a cheap stock. I don't care about the stock, since I will be replacing it in the future. I have read where these models are shooting 1/2 MOA out of the box.

It should love 168gn-175gn federal gold metal match, if you want an off the shelf load.

[dee]

It should love 168gn-175gn federal gold metal match, if you want an off the shelf load.

168's are only good inside of the 650-800 range depending on the rifle before the start to go unstable.