Berger 180 Hybrid vs Berger 180 VLD hunting, clear ballistics expansion test

Accuracy and expansion testing of both bullets at 300 meters.
This was the first time I tested the Hybrid, and I used the same load for this as my standard load for the VLD. I am quite happy with the accuracy I achieved since this isnt a developed load but my first try with this bullet. :)
We used clear ballistics as our testing media

[@davidlindler3534]

The 180 vld out if a 7mm mag kills like lightening on deer . Deadly accurate. Golfball to tennis ball sized exit wounds. Massive tissue damage and bucks of blood for a blood trail.

[@f16jack]

I changed from 175 grain Nosler Partitions to the Berger 180 VLD Hunter about 6 years ago. Since the change I've taken 7 elk. 6 dropped where they stood, single shot. One walked 10 yards so I took a 2nd shot. Much better field performance than the Noslers. Furthest shot was 350 yards. Takk for filmen.

[@Randy_Savage_ohyeah]

Found that my Christensen Arms Ridgeline in 7mm loves the 168gr Hybrid Hunter that Federal loads in it's premium line. Shot a Cow Elk with it 10/16/22 just behind left shoulder at 304yrds. She didn't go 10yrds and was done. No exit wound and massive internal damage...she soaked every bit of energy. So impressed I bought 3 more boxes today.

[@SeriousSchitt]

Thanks for the video and accompanying explanation. 'Seeing' something practical like this helps in bullet selection!

[@johnturner1544]

Excellent video. Factual and very well done without any annoying intro music like so many gun channels.I was just looking at a 28 Nosler using a 195 grn Berger. MV 3050 fps. Stays supersonic just past 2000 yards......not that I'd actually hit anything beside a barn door at 2000 yards but anyway... Just amazing BC on that bullet.Bergers can require a bit of load testing to get dialed in esp the VLD but the Berger manual goes into great detail on just how to do that.

[@fz671]

I've never tried the vld, but I've been using the hybrid from day one. The hybrid is a very impressive bullet, super accurate, and every big game animal I've shot with them has dropped on the spot.

[@RockinRack]

Good to know. Put a 175gr hybrid in a hogs neck. Did not recover the hog but found chunks of him. Not gonna rule out the ammo until I try again as it could have been a bad shot or just one of those unlucky mishaps. Seen a hog take a 300wm between the eyes and get up and run off pouring blood like a water hose. Definitely will give the hybrid another chance

[@usarmyfl1]

Impressive results. Thanks for the video!

[@jwgaz71]

Thanks for the video. If you will check your slow-mo video of the VLD hunting bullet you will see the bullet fragment exit the top of the gel. Not sure if this has been said already, but I noticed that on the super slow-mo of that bullet.

[@freedomfighter0011]

Nice vid. I really like the accuracy of the hybrid and considering they opened at around the same distance i would put my money on the hybrid as i would be shooting large deer in Australia and you might even get a pass through.

[@MrBrentles]

Fantastic video. I've taken goats, pigs, deer with VLD hunting and they perform every time. Dead first shot. Never tried the hybrids though. Really interesting to see. Thanks for the video

[@billybobsnorton9196]

This as a good home type effort of a bullet review. The photography was good. The sound was good. And most importantly in my estimation, no goofiness! The only criticism I have is you never mention what you are shooting. You never mentioned chambering. I am a lifelong shooter and reloader. I began reloading for magnum centerfire rifles in 1976. I reload 180gr Barnes triple shock for my 300WBY. I know from browsing reloading manuals and websites that 180gr bullets are available in .277, 7mm, 7.62mm, 303, 311, 8mm, and maybe 33cal. Going back I can see that it appears that you are shooting a 7mag. 7mmRM was the first magnum centerfire that I reloaded for. I now reload for 340WBY, 300WBY, 6.5x284, 30-30, 223, 6.5x55, 44mag, 44spl, 357mag, 380. I don't own a custom action like yours, but I do own a Cooper MDL 22, a heavy barreled, single shot varmint rifle in 6.5x284. The next best thing. Very, very accurate rifle. I have on my very best day, shot a 1" 10 round group at 300yds. It is very heavy though. You are not alone in omitting this information. I have noted this omission on sites like Forgotten Weapons and others that I can't remember off the top of my head. The group with the Hybrids was an excellent group at 300meters for a sporter type rifle. This is why I'm always curious about the rifle, the chambering and the loads involved. Maybe next time you could mention this information.

[@chunkyfather29]

Very well made video. I thank you for your time in making it. I totally agree with bigger game for these bullets. I shot a big body deer and it pencil right thru

[@scratchninja]

Thank you very much Chunky, and sorry about this late reply, Yes in my opinion the expansion is a bit to slow with the Bergers that I think you are risking the bullet just penciling through unless its a big enough animal. We havent been doing much shooting lately because we just has summer time, and its been a bit to hot here, but we are hoping that there will be a lot more testing now during fall/winter. I am currently working on some subsonic hollowpoints for my 9,3x62 which might be interesting to see the performance with in ballistic media. Regards! /S

[@Dagger4]

Really long neck length is what stands out to me here. I expected something much less, tbh.

[@elliottg4984]

The terminal performance from the hunting bullet is impressive to say the least, seemingly performing exactly as advertised. I plan to load some 130gr 6.5mm bullets for my first hunt - the rifle is a much more thrifty 96 mauser! I have been more interested in range shooting and tuning loads, so that's where my money goes. Speaking of tuning loads, you should experiment with the seating depth of those VLDs as they should be capable of much better accuracy - my 308 likes VLDs at an 80 thou jump.

[@Bushmasterpilot]

Elliott G get the 140grain hunter elite bergers. RL 17 around 42-42.5 grains, CCI BR2, load .015 off the lands. I get 2850+ in my X-bolt pro long range 1-7 twist. I wont brag about MOA, but trust me, you will be happy with that bullet. Shot a 55” bull moose at 300 yards this year, heart shot dropped in tracks after 30 seconds. Good luck! ;)

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Very interesting. Thank you

[@njgrplr2007]

I can recommend 190g VLD hunting bullets for coyotes as long as you don't care about pelt damage. The exit hole is typically around 6 inches.

[@MrLongrange]

Snygg jobbat med filmen! Blev riktigt bra :)

[@waltermakowski5793]

MrLongrange j

[@Bushmasterpilot]

5th shot of the VLD went just to the left of the bottom red tape, about half way up.

[@dajhrm]

Looks like that gun needs some tuning, I know surgeons are decent but you need some better load development or the gun is sloppy, you should be inside a golf ball at that range with a tuned rifle and proper load development, can I ask why you aren't shooting 147's out of the 7mm, its clear from the video your gun doesn't like the heavier stuff or you have the wrong twist on the BBL for them.

[@scratchninja]

its nothing wrong with my gun. But keep in mind that these shots were shot without any wind flags on a windy day. I agree that the second target wasnt good, but that doesnt mean that its anything wrong with either the load or the gun. I have on many occassions shot 5-shot series under an inch at this range, with the same load. shit happens

[@KrisSays]

Good slow motion video!

[@scratchninja]

Thank you :)

[@001JohnAC]

7mm Remington Magnum?

[@scratchninja]

John C Yes it is, I forgot to write that in the description. :)

[@joshuatate5671]

What was your O.A.L on the VLD hunter? I hear that a longer OAL gets better accuracy from them.

[@stephanustlm3797]

Cheers

[@Bushmasterpilot]

How can i trust someone who puts a target on, upside down?

[@TeensierPython]

Reuben Gullackson - maybe he’s from Australia so it looks right side up?

[@lavazza8031]

bonjour 7 rem magnum ???

[@billpeirce7127]

U can tell u dont favor the vld bullet. My 7mm mag from 200 to 400 yards gets 1/2" moa groups. From 500 to a 1000 yrds it gets 1" to inch and a quarter inch groups.

[@Bushmasterpilot]

Bill Peirce i doubt very much you get 1” groups at 1000 yards. B.S.