204 Berger Varmint Match

[Ttocs]

Happy New Year all.
Any one using or used 35 gr Berger Varmint Match in their 204/20 cal.? I’m about to start reloading for my Tikka T3X Lite 204, it shoots factory 32gr Vmax .25” groups but I get a few ‘splashes’ on foxes so thought I’d look for sometinng slightly less explosive but not a through and through round. Top priority is minimum ricochet potential and clean kills (fox).
Any other thoughts?
Cheers
Ttocs

 

[20-250]

Tried them. Found them too hard. I use 40 grain VMax exclusively now.

 

[Muir]

Great rifle. I have the same and it is very accurate. I won't shoot Berger bullets due to the cost (every bullet is a "match" bullet??) But I think that the earmark of a 204 is the splash. Try a heavier bullet. I like the Noslers and V-Max 40 grain~Muir

 

[Neoublie1]

Always used the sierra 39g blitskings, homeloads and getting 3815fps seems to do the trick.
Bergers are expensive, if I didn't use I would say the same as Muir and used V-max 40's.

 

[palo]

I have used 39 Sierra and 40 grain hornady for years and never had a runner.
I had some 35 and 40 grain Bergers but I never got them to shoot as well as the others so I didn't use them. A lot of guys in the USA use the 35 grain Berger for coyotes so they might be worth trying.

 

[Remmy6.5]

39grn blitzkings all day long

 

[purdeydog]

39 sbk, they just fall over and don’t move. But do fancy trying a berger bullet.

 

[Twts]

I use 35g flat base and the 40g boat tails in my sako 85 varminter I find them consistently accurate and have never had a splash with them, but I could say the same about the other makes I have used (honady, nosler) I have some pics of berger 32g fox kills if you want to see the results with them but only via pm.

 

[Cyres]

39 BK in mine deadly if you put bullet in correct place. Dumps all energy on target and mostly does not exit when used on fox's.

D

 

[Shootowtthatmoves]

Happy New Year all.
Any one using or used 35 gr Berger Varmint Match in their 204/20 cal.? I’m about to start reloading for my Tikka T3X Lite 204, it shoots factory 32gr Vmax .25” groups but I get a few ‘splashes’ on foxes so thought I’d look for sometinng slightly less explosive but not a through and through round. Top priority is minimum ricochet potential and clean kills (fox).
Any other thoughts?
Cheers
Ttocs

Did you get any replies? And how did you find them, picking some up myself tomorrow to try in my Tikka 204 on fox

 

[Ttocs]

Hi, ended up using 32gr Blitzkings and have been very pleased with them. I‘d be very interested to hear how you get on with the Bergers as I’d still like to give them a go.
Cheers
N

 

[Shootowtthatmoves]

Hi, ended up using 32gr Blitzkings and have been very pleased with them. I‘d be very interested to hear how you get on with the Bergers as I’d still like to give them a go.
Cheers
N

I’ll let you know, running 32SBK myself and 39SBK and tried 40VMax but wanted just one round I could use in all conditions.

 

[Ttocs]

My load development for 32 & 39gr SBK (5 shot 100y groups on 1cm graph paper)
N

 

[Blind Pugh]

39gr SBK above 3000 fps at target "Jellify" the internals. No pass through.
Below 3000 fps ish have less jellification & small exits. I assume bits of the bullet?
Never had one that survived more than a couple of seconds.
Best BC of any, so will have marginally more energy at range and less wind effect.

Loaded some 32gr Hornady (because I was given them) down to 2500 ish (same POI less than 200yds) for bunnies, seem to work, less destructive Quiet

Ricochets at these energy levels???? I dont think, never seen or heard one, but I always ensure a backstop.

 

[old keeper]

39 SBKs, I go for accuracy rather than velocity, but providing I do my bit they will do a very efficient job on foxes

 

[Neddle]

Happy New Year all.
Any one using or used 35 gr Berger Varmint Match in their 204/20 cal.? I’m about to start reloading for my Tikka T3X Lite 204, it shoots factory 32gr Vmax .25” groups but I get a few ‘splashes’ on foxes so thought I’d look for sometinng slightly less explosive but not a through and through round. Top priority is minimum ricochet potential and clean kills (fox).
Any other thoughts?
Cheers
Ttocs

39gr Sierra Blitzking

 

[the prowler]

39g blitzing. And get very few pass through shots.

 

[Shootowtthatmoves]

Hi, ended up using 32gr Blitzkings and have been very pleased with them. I‘d be very interested to hear how you get on with the Bergers as I’d still like to give them a go.
Cheers
N

Settled for 28grns of XBR8208 at 3720fps on my ladder test, 1/2 MOA 4 shot groups @ 100yds, also settled for 26grns of Benchmark, little less velocity @ 3610fps but again 1/2 MOA, just thought I would let you know, trying on fox shortly

 

[Blind Pugh]

XBR8208 .................Fiery

Have a read and download the spreadsheet............ run the numbers. Surprising....
(Accurate shooter..... Barrel life prediction, Excel spreadsheet)

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I have found that using the lowest calorific value powder that burns correctly gives the longest barrel life.

Bit academic if like me you don't shoot that many foxes (Hungry country). However I rather start with a powder that will potentially allow longevity.

 

[tac20]

5 shot group of 35 bergers in my 20 tac at 200 yds excellent