Virtus / Yew tree comparison

[charlieboy-shooter]

Hi,

Has Anyone done a comparison between the Virtus ( Eagle or Merlin ) and Standard Yew tree bullets for Carcass damage on the same calibre ?? Ideally I am interested in .30 cal
Looking at the Virtus info I suspect the Merlins are nearer in performance to the standard Yew tree and the Eagles more frangible.

I know Yew Trees bullets are good and work well and the carcass damage is acceptable to me, albeit in other calibres.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Rural Management Services]

Not an exact answer to your question but I use 119gr 308’s from Yew Tree and I am very happy with the performance and damage. Sample size few hundred now.

 

[flytie]

I've tried both and settled on Yew Tree bullets, in both 6.5mm and 7mm. Very happy with my choice.

 

[Jagged77]

Not an exact answer to your question but I use 119gr 308’s from Yew Tree and I am very happy with the performance and damage. Sample size few hundred now.

What powder are you using just out of interest?

 

[Rural Management Services]

What powder are you using just out of interest?

N135

 

[devon deer stalker]

@big ears you have used both and settled on virtus?

 

[big ears]

@big ears you have used both and settled on virtus?

I have in deed. In the 6.5x55 the Vurtus osprey have been the one I’ve chosen.
Yewtree are as accurate but just a bit more explosive than my tastes.

 

[devon deer stalker]

I have in deed. In the 6.5x55 the Vurtus osprey have been the one I’ve chosen.
Yewtree are as accurate but just a bit more explosive than my tastes.

I have another 50 yew tree to get through, by the time I finish I expect you will have a few more examples of the virtus before I go back to Barnes in the Swede

 

[charlieboy-shooter]

I've tried both and settled on Yew Tree bullets, in both 6.5mm and 7mm. Very happy with my choice.

I use the Yew tree in the 6.5mm and 7mm too and am not looking to change. However, I wanted to use a British made bullet in the .308win as well and if I was going to develop a load wondered if the Virtus may be a little more damage with the Merlins or Less with the Osprey's, compared to the Yew Tree's. Considered the Osprey's but having messaged Vern regarding my 6.5 & 7mm he advised that I mat not get enough speed for the Ospreys as all my rifles have 20" barrels.
I have been using N133 with the .308 and it worked fine with 150gr Game kings ( which I don't want to use any more ) and the Fox classic hunter.
Thanks for the reply's so far.

 

[Wessex4291]

I have another 50 yew tree to get through, by the time I finish I expect you will have a few more examples of the virtus before I go back to Barnes in the Swede

I've got a similar choice between the osprey, yew tree and fox bullets in a 6.5x55 and .270, out of interest what species are you shooting and why do you think you'll change back to Barnes?

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

I've got a similar choice between the osprey, yew tree and fox bullets in a 6.5x55 and .270, out of interest what species are you shooting and why do you think you'll change back to Barnes?

Interested in the answer to this too....

 

[devon deer stalker]

I've got a similar choice between the osprey, yew tree and fox bullets in a 6.5x55 and .270, out of interest what species are you shooting and why do you think you'll change back to Barnes?

The Yew Tree kill, no question, and extremely accurate in my Swede, I shoot roe/fallow/reds, but on occasion they are too explosive, I have had more than one deer shot through the lungs and when I gralloched them found shards of copper have pierced the stomach, and yet sometimes they perform perfectly.
The Barnes, in my experience have never fragmented, so ultimately back to Barnes for me.

 

[Acm]

The Yew Tree kill, no question, and extremely accurate in my Swede, I shoot roe/fallow/reds, but on occasion they are too explosive, I have had more than one deer shot through the lungs and when I gralloched them found shards of copper have pierced the stomach, and yet sometimes they perform perfectly.
The Barnes, in my experience have never fragmented, so ultimately back to Barnes for me.

I’ve had this too, and in one of my rifles (Sako 75 .243)
I get the occasional flyer. Not enough to be a problem but it will put 3 shots in a cloverleaf with yew tree and if I continue to take it to a ten shot group I’ll get atleast one flyer out by about an inch. Not enough to miss a deer but still annoying.
More than likely down to my rifle as it is an old girl but still annoying. Hornady cx and sierra game kings don’t do this for me.
Yet to try the Barnes in .243 but love them in the 6.5x55 and the .30-06

 

[Utectok]

I’ve had this too, and in one of my rifles (Sako 75 .243)
I get the occasional flyer. Not enough to be a problem but it will put 3 shots in a cloverleaf with yew tree and if I continue to take it to a ten shot group I’ll get atleast one flyer out by about an inch. Not enough to miss a deer but still annoying.
More than likely down to my rifle as it is an old girl but still annoying. Hornady cx and sierra game kings don’t do this for me.
Yet to try the Barnes in .243 but love them in the 6.5x55 and the .30-06

Sounds like the barrel is on the way out to me ?

 

[Acm]

Sounds like the barrel is on the way out to me ?

Yes very well could be

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

I’ve had this too, and in one of my rifles (Sako 75 .243)
I get the occasional flyer. Not enough to be a problem but it will put 3 shots in a cloverleaf with yew tree and if I continue to take it to a ten shot group I’ll get atleast one flyer out by about an inch. Not enough to miss a deer but still annoying.
More than likely down to my rifle as it is an old girl but still annoying. Hornady cx and sierra game kings don’t do this for me.
Yet to try the Barnes in .243 but love them in the 6.5x55 and the .30-06

That sounds a different issue to the one devondeerstalker is describing to me.

He's describing excellent on paper/deer accuracy but the bullets tendency to shed copper petals (which it's designed to do)- occasionally they go far off- ending up in the stomach or liver etc (despite good shot placement).

Unlike yours- his issue wouldn't show on paper- only on carcass.

 

[Selous]

I was underwhelmed by the performance on game by the Virtus. The Yew Tree work well especially at longer distances and are good in the wind. For on game performance sub 300m I prefer the non fragmenting Barnes TTSX

 

[Acm]

That sounds a different issue to the one devondeerstalker is describing to me.

He's describing excellent on paper/deer accuracy but the bullets tendency to shed copper petals (which it's designed to do)- occasionally they go far off- ending up in the stomach or liver etc (despite good shot placement).

Unlike yours- his issue wouldn't show on paper- only on carcass.

Gotcha, but if you re read my comment I’m saying I’ve also found that, and I’ve had the accuracy issue on top of that in one rifle, which I agree is more likely to be a rifle issue.
I wouldn’t actually describe what you get as petals, more likely fragments, the virtus does give you petals.

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

Gotcha, but if you re read my comment I’m saying I’ve also found that, and I’ve had the accuracy issue on top of that in one rifle, which I agree is more likely to be a rifle issue.
I wouldn’t actually describe what you get as petals, more likely fragments, the virtus does give you petals.

Ah ok my mistake yup fair enough re fragments/petals. I found a petal in a liver once- can't remember if it was S&B or Fox ?

 

[Jagged77]

I’ve just found a superbly accurate load using 148 TLR Yew Tree’s in my .300 WM. Effect on a large Roe Doe was decisive. Look forward to trying it on Reds. I have some Virtus to try out of my .308 when I get a load sorted.