Thread: Berger VLD Hunter and Hunter classic

We had several problems with VLD Hunter a few years ago, in 7mm out of two Rem Mags. Probably 2011 or thereabouts. No expansion and penciling through, on fallow, at medium ranges (300-500m). There was one really really bad day when we had to go back and fetch the dogs cos two of us shot two bloody good bucks at the same time... 1, 2, 3, BANG...THWOP!!! they both jumped and took off into the bush. Both had good hits in the top of the heart but tiny wee wound channels and slow bleeds. Took bloody hours to find them. Then it happened again to my shooting buddy and that was enough thank you very much.

We cut some bullets in half and to our way of thinking the ogive jacket was too thick and the hollow point diameter too small.

So we complained to NZ Ammo and if memory serves me correctly there was a full refund for several boxes and a sorry letter (I'd have to check on exactly what happened with my business partner who went into battle on our behalf.)

Anyway again if memory serves, there was a problem with a production run of Berger VLDs a while back, that caused an overly staunch ogive and consequent lack of expansion. Something along those lines. Someone here with probably knows more about it. I think there was quite a big problem in other markets as well and so they didn't put up a fight at all, just went straight to accepting there was a problem, which is unusual in life!

Subsequently I've heard blokes we hunt with in Aus and NZ say they're getting very good results and I am led to believe the problem has been fixed. Whether it extended to other calibres I don't know. Though as posted earlier the VLD Hunters are regarded as pretty damn explosive.

Anyway, in .30cal and 6.5mm I'm using ELD-X and I doubt very much I will ever change as I find them bloody excellent for what I do (deer and long-ish range goats). Here's a couple of photos from Sunday, this spiker was shot downhill (-27°) at a bit over 300m, in through the spine between the shoulders, roughly in line with the front of the foreleg, straight down through of the lungs, autonomic plexus, arteries and into the brisket, which is where I recovered the remains of the bullet's jacket from. A perfect bang-flop in steep country, just the ticket. About a 1" radius of meat damage in the lower neck.