We only make match grade rifle bullets for Varmint, Target, Hunting and Tactical. When we say “Match Grade” we mean that the highest quality copper and lead available is used in a process focused entirely on consistency rather than speed. The copper is made into the J4 Precision Jacket, which is recognized around the world as having the best concentricity available. We don’t just claim to make jackets that measure .0003 or less variation in wall thickness, we actually do it with every lot. More often you will find that J4 Precision Jackets measure .0002 or less. This can easily be verified and is the reason why handmade custom bullet producers use J4 Precision Jackets exclusively. We make all of our J4 Precision Jackets and bullets on one set of dies to insure that all of the bullets in each box are as consistent as possible. Consistency is the key to precision and accuracy and no one makes bullets as consistent from lot to lot and within a given lot as Berger Bullets.
Our Varmint bullet line includes those bullets that are most commonly used by precision oriented varmint hunters. These bullets are proven in the field to provide exceptional accuracy and a level of expansion that best suits a given varmint or predator application. The J4 Precision Jacket is thinner at the nose. These jackets are cut to size by a process known as pinch trimming. This pinch trim produces a bullet tip that is very thin and will expand quickly (impact velocity and animal size will effect expansion results). Our Varmint bullets are made with the same materials and process as all of our bullets. This produces a level of consistently that directly impacts a varmint hunter’s ability to get more hits in the field.
Target bullet line is made up of the many legendary bullets that have been winning matches and setting records for decades. Berger Bullets was started because Walt Berger wanted better results while competing in target shooting matches. Making Match Grade bullets for target competition shooters is our core competency. All of our success as the producer of consistent bullets for Varmint, Target and Hunting stems from the efforts we have made to produce the best bullets available for the extreme, precision focused, target competition shooter. There is a tremendous amount of pride knowing that we make a product that competition shooters all over the world trust when they go to the firing line. There is no better test of a bullets quality than to be used in a match where everyone is shooting to win. As competition shooters ourselves we understand all the tough challenges and considerable effort it take to be an active target competition shooter. It is our thorough understanding of this effort that heavily influences all the bullets we make.
The Hunting bullet line is proving to be the most lethal big game hunting bullets available. All of our Hunting bullets are made in the VLD or Hybrid designs. These designs incorporate a sharp nose and slightly thinner jacket that allows the bullet to penetrate 2” to 3” before it starts to expand. After the bullet starts to expand it will shed 40% to 85% of its weight as shrapnel into the surrounding tissue (internal organ). The combination between the shrapnel and the hydrostatic shock produces a massive wound cavity within the vital area (internal organs) that will be 13” to 15” long. This massive wound cavity results in the animal dropping fast since most go into shock after such a tremendous blow. Those animals that don’t go down immediately will soon succumb to blood pressure loss and/or organ failure producing a quick ethical kill. Our bullets don’t poke through like an arrow (high weight retention, deep penetration bullets) but instead dump their energy where it is most effective, inside the animal. Using the Berger VLD will result in an animal that goes down fast so you can enjoy the results of your hunt without having to track the wounded animal after the shot. You owe it to yourself to see how accurate and deadly the Berger Hunting VLD will be on your next hunt. To order a free 30-minute video (free domestic shipping, $10 handling fee for international orders) that provides more detail on the bullets, cartridge and velocity used to take several animals at a variety of ranges call 660-460-2802.
Our Tactical bullet line bridges the gap between functionality and the highest possible ballistic performance. Each Tactical bullet is designed with a specific cartridge in mind that is used most commonly in tactical competition and against bad guys. Bryan Litz analyzed the cases and the rifles shooting that case. He then designed the bullets so that they are functional in these rifle’s magazines while still being capable of superior ballistic performance. Additionally, these bullets are made with thicker jackets allowing them to perform reliably under the most abusive conditions found in tactical competition, tactical situations and in combat. The ogive design for these bullets are optimized for their specific application and rifle, which means some have a Hybrid nose while others have a pure tangent ogive. The Hybrid design incorporates two shapes that work together to produce the best trajectory performance while at the same time they do not have to be tuned to a specific seating depth like the VLD bullets. Tactical bullets will be successful at either magazine feedable lengths or loaded long for single shot firing situations which can allow for more powder capacity and higher velocities. These bullets truly give the Tactical user the best possible results for whatever situation in which they find themselves.
Berger produces a full line of flat base bullets in several calibers. We consider the flat base bullet a staple of extreme precision bullet makers. These bullets are used most often by short range target and varmint shooters who are focused on the tightest possible accuracy. The ability for a bullet maker to produce very accurate flat base bullets is a significant indicator of how focused that bullet maker is on consistency. Flat base bullets are the easiest to make consistent since flat is always flat. No boat tail tooling or considerations during the manufacturing process need be made. The vast majority of flat base bullets are made with a tangent ogive which is easier to produce than the secant ogive. The tangent ogive is also easier than a secant ogive to make shoot well. A tangent ogive of the same length as a secant ogive will not perform as well in the wind however these bullets are used primarily for 300 yards or less so this is of little concern.
The bullet design that we refer to as our “boat tail” or “BT” or “non-VLD” is a design that includes a boat tail of course but more importantly these bullets include a tangent ogive. This is an important distinction because our VLD design includes a boat tail but is made with a secant ogive. The tangent ogive boat tail bullet is a common design among many manufacturers. These bullets are easy to make shoot accurately and can perform very well as a dependable target and varmint bullets. The tangent ogive does not cut through the wind like the secant ogive of a similar length but it more than makes up for this with precision that is easy to achieve in most rifles. Some of our Long Range BT bullets are made with extra long tangent shape noses which makes them perform better in the wind however these extra long nose BT bullets must be used by those who have a clear understanding of COAL layouts, changes, chamber dimensions, how these things are measured and how they influence precision.
Our Long Range BT bullets were designed for long distance competitive target shooters. These bullets are made with extra long tangent ogives. This gives these bullets the combined advantage of a high BC while at the same time, they are easier to make shoot than bullets with a secant ogive. The Long Range BT bullets are a recent addition to our line, but they have already proven themselves by setting records and winning major competitions all over the world.
We make a few bullets which will be listed on the box as “HighBCFB”. These are bullet are made with a special design that works best as a short to medium range varmint/predator bullet. These bullets are available only in 6mm (.243 diameter). They are made using a flat base and a secant ogive just like our VLD bullets. Those who like using the 6mm for predator hunting at ranges past 150 yards find that these bullets are very effective.
The VLD (Very Low Drag) bullet design was born from a request made by the US 300 Meter Shooting Team. It was determined that they were dropping points late in the matches due to recoil fatigue. Bill Davis and Dr. Lou Palmisano were asked to design a bullet and case combination that shot flatter than the 308 case and 168 gr bullets the team was using at the time. After a design was created Walt Berger was approached to make the bullet. The 6mm 105 gr VLD was born and shot by the US 300 Meter Shooting Team using a 2” PPC (modified 220 Swift). This combination shot with less felt recoil and a flatter trajectory than the 308 case using the 168 gr bullet and higher scores were the end result. This successful bullet design soon found its way into all long range target competition and the VLD shape spread into all other calibers.
Our Hybrid design blends the best of both worlds by incorporating two different shapes within the nose. As the bearing surface ends, a tangent ogive begins. This tangent section of the ogive results in the bullet being much less sensitive to seating depth. As you move forward along the tangent portion, the shape changes into a secant ogive (the shape used on the VLD bullets). This shape is very efficient in the wind and is why the VLD became so popular. The key to all this is not just the combining of these two shapes but also the partnership between the ballistician and the bullet maker. Berger’s Chief Ballistician, Bryan Litz uses his expertise to combine the appropriate shapes for optimum performance.
For the first time in Berger’s history, we have purposefully designed a line of hunting bullets that conform to the restrictive dimensional standards set by SAAMI. These bullets were designed for hunters that shoot factory rifles and load at magazine lengths. The Classic Hunter bullets are made with a shorter Hybrid shape nose that comply with SAAMI standards; providing hunters the highest ballistic performance possible in factory rifles and standard magazine lengths.
Like the Classic Hunters, these Elite Hunter bullets combine the best of both tangent and secant ogive features, resulting in high ballistic performance with less sensitivity to seating depth. The Elite Hunter bullets are not limited to SAAMI standards, so they have much longer noses than the Classic Hunter bullets to provide hunters with the highest ballistic performance possible.