In light of a discussion that was had recently about high Ballistic Coefficient bullets failing on game and the confusion about ballistic coefficient, it finally came to light that the "offending" high BC bullets in question were actually Berger Hybrid Target bullets and not designed to be used on game at all.

Berger offers a HUNTING VLD as well as a TARGET VLD.

The TARGET bullets are in a YELLOW box.

The HUNTING bullets are in a ORANGE box that clearly says VLD HUNTING.

And since some of us are using Berger bullets and recommending them for hunting, I remembered an article written by a founding member of Berger about the differences and the "accident" that caused Berger to offer 2 different bullets.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/match-grade-berger-hunting-vld-history-1.php

I've always found it interesting how great things are sometimes found out by accident and then prove to be state of the art items. Seems like this one happened that way.

You are correct! The VLD-H (hunting) bullets come in an orange box. The Berger target bullets have a much thicker bullet jacket to hold together better with the faster twist barrels.

I thought it was interesting how they (Berger) were cautioning against shooting game with the 1st generation of the "target" bullets when they were actually doing a quite good job.

My one and only kill with a VLD H, 7mm Rem Mag, 3025fps at muzzle, 100 yard shot at whitetail deer. Entrance.

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Wow. So much for the theory that they penetrate 2-3" before detonation. I think I will stick to Nosler Ballistic Tips.

Exactly!

Ice had nothing but DRTs with VLD-Hunting bullets.

VLD-H are all I hunt with and target shoot with for the past 7 years or so, 308,270,30-06 and just loaded up some 210gr for my new 300 wm. Never had a bullet be so accurate shot after shot and kill animals with ease.

I tried the Berger Hunting VLDs a couple of years and have since switched back to Nosler for hunting bullets due to lack of consistency from the Bergers. I might also use some Hornady SSTs or AMax if I hunt with a couple calibers this year. Lack of penetration was my biggest gripe with the Bergers, most of my shots are inside 250 yards so don't really have to have that high a BC to get there.

I love Berger's. I shoot them in both my 25-06 and my .308. My experience has been very positive. They are, by far, the most accurate rounds for my 25-06, and I tried almost every round made. In my .308 they have been very consistent and have taken many axis, several WT, and a whole slew of African game, including waterbuck, kudu, Bushbuck, blesbok, wildebeest and zebra.

That being said, I found that in very high speed light rounds (25-06), they work better at distance. At short ranges under 100 yards, the 25-06 tends to either pass through or explode shortly after impact, causing massive damage. Some years ago, when culling does, I had one darn near blow the far side leg off and another blow heart and guts out of a fist sized exit hole. But again, these were close shots at 60-70 yards and only with the 25-06.

Never had an issue with longer shots or with the .308 - well, I take that back. One time with the .308 I took an extreme quartering shot and was off the mark (my bad). The bullet hit the scapula and "ricochet" down and back and exited the very bottom of the belly, spilling guts. But this was probably due to poor judgement, rushed shot, and a bad shot - not so much the bullet.

In Africa, my PH was very skeptical and didn't want me to use them - but since it was all I brought.... but the end of the trip, the PH changed his mind and grudgingly admitted they worked pretty good.