Green Bullet Report post Posted September 27, 2015 hey guys, as mentioned in a previous post, i'm going to start reloading. i heard good things about the Berger 168gr hunting VLDs so lets consider that the starting point. what powder, brass, primers, and load are you guys using? i was going to buy the Berger reloading manual and start reading up on the details there but if i can get a head start with your best known methods that'd be appreciated. thanks miles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CJ Long range Report post Posted September 27, 2015 I've heard good things about the 168 vld on rl22. Personally I haven't developed it to perfection yet but I shoot the 168 vld on imr 4350. I can't remember the charge amount. I keep it under a moa with that load to 350 yards. Might take a look at h-1000 on the 168 or 180 vld. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n2horns Report post Posted September 27, 2015 Powder, primer and bullet is a graduated or ladder test. All will act/print differently. The barrel harmonics all vary with load, just start ladder test and see which group size is best. Anything you do like open or close break while test will have affects. I use RL22 with 168 VLD with CCI BR2 primers somewhere in the 62 range, using Nosler ABLR 168 powder is low 63 range. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossislider Report post Posted September 27, 2015 I've been working on a load for a Tikka 7mm mag I picked up this spring, and just this past week finally got it figured out. It will be different for every rifle but my recipe is: 168gr Berger Hunting VLDs 71.0gr Retumbo Norma brass Federal Premium Gold Medal Large Magnum Rifle (215M) Primers These primers seem to be the toughest of these components to find right now. If anyone has 200-300 extra to sell, I'm looking. I'd be willing to buy or trade some large or small rifle Federal Premium Gold Medal primers. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roninflag Report post Posted September 27, 2015 what rifle? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CraigK Report post Posted September 27, 2015 168 Berger hunting vld 70.6 of h1000 Rem brass Cci 250 .005 off I really had great results with Hornady 162 sst also 71gr h1000 .020 off Both loads were on the top end, no pressure signs in my rifle, but obviously could differ for other rifles. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcdinaz Report post Posted September 27, 2015 I had basically the exact same load Craig is working with and it worked really well. But continuous tinkering has me shooting this one now. Ramshot Magnum 70gr Nosler LRAB Nosler brass Ball powder sure does make loading easier and a little quicker. Also do yourself a favor if you still have to buy brass and buy the Nosler stuff. You will get already prepped brass (flash hole, trim, mouth) that is really great stuff. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
khmer6 Report post Posted September 28, 2015 162gr SST and bthp have worked great. Also 160gr Bonded boat tail bullet of "Un named" manufacture has done me good too. Using winchester LRM and surplus wc860 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreeneMachine Report post Posted September 28, 2015 I just finished a bunch of load testing for my 7mag using 168g vld. If you email the customer support address from bergers web site they will send you all the recommended loads (no need to buy their reloading manual). In my research, it seemed RL22, H1000 and Retumbo were some of the most commonly used powders. I settled on 71.0gr of Retumbo. I'm getting just under 2900fps from my 24" barrel. You could prob get that bullet going a bit over 3000fps pretty easily. I settled where I'm at because it's shooting so well. When using the vlds, the seating depth is important. Berger will send you the intel on how to find the right seating depth for your particular rifle. I tested the way they recommended and 0.04" difference made a noticeable difference. My best seating depth turned out to be 0.01" off the lands. Most important, that vld will slap a deer! That's why I switched to it. I haven't downed anything with it myself yet, but the last two coues that my bud took with it had nice holes in them! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted September 28, 2015 Winchester brass CCI 250 mag primer 64.2 gr. RL22 168 Berger HVLD .0040 Jump 2945fps from a 24" barrel About .8 MOA (Best I have seen my cousin's rifle ever shoot though) We are about out of time, with his mule deer hunt in less than a month, so we are done tinkering for now after a couple months of leisurely load development. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roninflag Report post Posted September 28, 2015 Green that looks like a big buck in the pic. looks cold too. where? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Green Bullet Report post Posted September 29, 2015 Green that looks like a big buck in the pic. looks cold too. where? southern Indiana last year. Muzzleloader buck...freezing cold...right when that Alaskan freeze blew through the country... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Green Bullet Report post Posted September 29, 2015 what rifle? a custom rem 700 in a 7mm Rem Mag caliber. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
