Can Berger hunting bullets take down large African Plains Game?

[rwj387]

Continue to see lots of questions in online forums regarding performance or adequacy of Berger hunting bullets on North American Elk and wanted to share my experience with Berger bullets on Safari in South Africa and solicit the experience or thoughts of others.

My experience has been overall very good shooting the 168 gr hybrid hunter out of a 7mm Rem Mag and the 210 gr VLD hunting bullet out of a .300 Jarrett. Both rounds were absolute hammers with the nod going to 210 gr VLD with the higher BC and velocity generated by the .300 Jarrett.

Pros - Berger bullets are incredibly accurate and both rifles shoot sub 1/4" MOA (it should be noted that the Federal Berger hybrid hunter was the only factory ammunition that I could get to group sub 1.5" MOA out of the 7mm Mag), high BC's performed well in the wind and with proper shot placement all animals dropped to the shot or were recovered within 30 yds.

Cons - Rapid expansion and bullet fragmentation on a high shoulder shot can result in drop to the shot that stuns the animal with the need for a second follow-up shot to anchor the animal. Not ideal for steep quartering away shots on large African game where penetration up through the stomach to reach the vitals is needed.

Animals and performance

Canada Moose (168 gr) high shoulder short dropped to shot, second anchor shot upon walking up to animal

Waterbuck (168 gr) double lung recovered 30 yds no tracking required
Burchell Zebra (168 gr) top of triangle dropped to shot, second anchor shot when stallion attempted to pick up his head
Red Lechwe (168 gr) high shoulder shot, DRT
Kudu (168 gr) high shoulder shot, DRT
Gemsbok (168 gr) double lung, second shot to anchor as he bled out
Nyala (168 gr) high shoulder shot, DRT

Gemsbok (210 gr) high shoulder dropped to shot, second shot to anchor
Blue Wildebeest (210 gr) frontal shot, 30 yds and recovered no tracking required
Blue Wildebeest (210 gr) quartering away, DRT
Kudu (210 gr) frontal shot, DRT
Hartman Zebra (210 gr) top of triangle, DRT
Sable (210 gr) bush deflected bullet low into chest cavity, second shot quartering away, recovered 30 yds
Gemsbok (210) quartering towards, dropped to shot, second shot to anchor

Nyala (210 gr) double lung, recovered 20 yds no tracking required
Red Lechwe (210 gr) high shoulder, DRT
Hartman Zebra (210 gr) top of triangle, DRT
Kudu (210 gr) high and back from crease of shoulder, DRT

Shots ranged from 120 yds (Blue Wildebeest) out to 731 yds (Hartman Zebra)

In my experience the Berger HUNTING bullets perform very well with proper shot placement AND an understanding of the mechanics of how they work.

The 2-3" of penetration followed by rapid expansion and bullet fragmentation are devastating on game. Care should be taken to avoid steep quartering to or away on large African game where deep penetration is required to reach vitals and be ready to take a second anchoring shot anytime an animal drops to the shot. My experience has been that if an animal attempts to pick their head back up after dropping to the shot a second anchoring shot should be immediately sent.

Both Gemsbok on my last Safari went down hard on the first shot and got back up as we were walking to recover them. Shots were textbook high shoulder shots and both didn't run far before stopping but could have easily been avoided with a second anchoring shot. Gemsbok are incredibly tough and I have developed a deep sense of respect for the impact that they can absorb and get back up. In our videos the Gemsbok are absolutely hammered on impact and I can be heard saying how did he get back up in disbelief as I take the second shot.

Moose I took in Canada did the same thing, drop to shot and attempted to pick his head up when we walked up to him.

As my good friend and PH Stix once told me, there is no perfect bullet for all situations and while I wouldn't even think of shooting a Berger at thick skinned heavy boned animals like Cape Buffalo, I wouldn't hesitate to send one down range on BIG plains game presenting broadside or frontal shots.

And as my second PH Johnny is apt to say, "you can shoot him in the chest!"....

 

[375Fox]

I’m glad it worked for you, but I don’t think Bergers have any place in hunting. Most African hunting will be inside 300 yards. Bonded bullets designed to retain mass will give predictable results every time. Berger bullets designed to fragment won’t. I think it’s taking a significant risk on larger plains game species particularly on a shoulder shots at close range.

 

[BryceM]

I use Berger HVLDs quite a bit here in the US. I've had fine results on elk, deer, and pronghorn, and I don't worry about them opening up at long range. I prefer Barnes for most situations, but certain guns shoot the Bergers exceptionally well. Precise bullet placement trumps pretty much anything else. So, for a few rifles it's Bergers and for most it's Barnes. Bergers can make a bit of a mess if used in high-velocity magnums at close range. Barnes bullets love to be driven FAST.

The real point, that you might be alluding to, is to know the mechanics of your bullet, place your shots accordingly, and it works out. From a broadside, with Bergers, I'll be aiming to tuck the bullet just behind the shoulder. With Barnes, low, precisely on the shoulder, with a goal of smashing through the vitals. In a suboptimal presentation, I've got more confidence in the Barnes' ability to penetrate through bone and guts, if necessary.

For the US, except for perhaps elk, bison, and big bears, rapid expansion is perfectly fine. Moose are not hard to kill. As others have said, a good swat with a rolled up newspaper would probably work. In Africa at typical safari ranges, MOA accuracy is good enough, and I tend to favor penetration. For that, a monolithic is pretty hard to beat.

That said, there's something about a rifle that you absolutely know will shoot 1/4 inch groups. If you are an adept field marksman, you could use anything from cast lead bullets to solids for PG and it would probably work.

I wouldn't want to try a frontal shot on something big/rare/exceptional/expensive with a Berger. To many ways it can go wrong.

So, while it can work, I'd guess your success had much more to do with your shooting than it did your bullet selection.

 

[1dirthawker]

I wouldn't hesitate to send one down range on BIG plains game presenting broadside or frontal shots.

i have to disagree, you need penetration on a frontal shot, especially with BIG game.

I wouldn't want to try a frontal shot on something big/rare/exceptional/expensive with a Berger. To many ways it can go wrong.

+1

 

[Kevin375]

Interesting report.
My experience with Berger bullets is limited because I only used the Elite Hunter 300 gr in my .338 Lapua magnum for hunting. The accuracy was very good, but I didn't like this bullet for hunting purpose. I shot many foxes and in Africa, several impalas, warthogs, a waterbuck cow and a blue wildebeest bull.

I saw several time the bullet exploded at the impact at short range and if on "small" games, it's not a big issue, except for meat, when the animal is bigger, it can be a disaster. I had a faillure on the wildebeest bull and after that, I decided I will not use them anymore on something bigger than a impala and only in last resort.
The wildebeest was side on at 100 meters and my bullet hit him perfectly behind the shoulder. He ran off, which is a bit normal, but usually they don't go far with such placement. But that time, this tough antelope kept running in the big open area and after a big loop, I decided to shoot him again at more than 400 meters because I had a serious doubt about this first shot. I was lucky enough to touch him twice (one in the body and one in the leg), and he went down.
The entrance wound was very strange and I asked to the worker to find my bullet if it was possible.

He told me the bullet only touched one lung and it completely exploded with a very small penetration inside the chest.
I have shot a lot of wildebeests with calibers from .25-06 up to .458 Lott, but this one remembered me how important is the bullet choice despite a very powerful caliber.
Very often, we hear about sectional density but we must remember the internal structure of the bullet is also very important to insure a good and reliable work in the animal. In that case, the number on the paper was huge (0.375) but it doesn't make all. In this caliber, I prefer my Nosler Accubond 250 gr that always performed well on games with their bonded core, or even the classic cup and core Sierra Game king 250 gr bullets that were tougher than the Berger.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Have had guys use them with great success down here. From 6.5 PRC up.
Things don't generally go far and they don't often exit.
They refer to them as Berger Bombs, and for good reason.

 

[sgt_zim]

Can they work? Obviously, yes.

Are there better choices? Absolutely, at least a dozen or so. John Nosler didn't come up with the Partition design on a lark. Then in 1982, Bill Hober went one better than Nosler on the same mechanical design, but bonded the lead core to the jacket, giving us the Swift A-Frame.

The name of the game is predictability and consistency. Bonded core like Swift, Norma Oryx, Federal TBBC and Terminal Ascent, Woodleigh Weldcore, North Fork SS; and monometals like Barnes, Hammer, and CEB will always provide more consistent, predictable results.

Remember, this is a sliding scale of probability from 0 to 1. Nothing provides absolute certainty, but bonded premiums and momometals will always be closer to 1 than simple cup-and-core bullets, the latter of which is a design that's been around since the 1880s when 2400 fps was blazing fast.

Inside about 250 or 300 yards, a high ballistic coefficient really is a meaningless number in terms of both arc and retained energy. Yeah, higher BC will be flatter and faster at distance than lower BC, but not enough to make a practical difference in either arc or energy, and no animal will ever know the difference at those distances.

 

[Philip Glass]

To answer your question - yes. So can a .22lr. I am sorry but Berger are target bullets not hunting bullets regardless of what some people say. We have a trend these days where accuracy on paper trumps bullet performance on game.
From my experience I recommend folks use TSX, A-Frame, or Accubond for Africa. It will save much heartache!

 

[Russ16]

I think what others have said is right. They certainly can but that doesn’t mean they’re the best tool for the job. You can use a Ferrari as a daily driver but it isn’t necessarily the beta choice for sitting in a carpool lane with your kid spilling goldfish in the passenger seat.

 

[uplander01]

I've seen them work, but, I personally would not use them on anything dangerous or at close range. Blowing up lungs at 200+ yards is one thing, breaking bones on something that would want to bite or gore you is another thing entirely. Granted I have somewhat tainted views on caliber choice, and I don't hunt game farms in SA. I personally wouldn't walk around in the wilds of Africa with anything other than minimum 375.

 

[375Ruger416]

I agree that Bergers can work, but are not ideal especially with inside 200 yds, when you can’t wait for a broadside presentation, or on thick skinned tough game.

When they penetrate into the vitals and tumble/come apart they give very fast kills from all accounts. In fact, in many cases faster than a deeper penetrating bullet. However, adequate penetration to the vitals from all reasonable shot angles is uncertain with the Bergers. Any bullet can fail, but penetration to the vitals, accurate shot placement, and expansion for tissue destruction are ALL essential. If a bullet doesn’t pass through the vitals it doesn’t matter how much it expands.

I’ve killed a pronghorn with a 147 gr ELD-M - lightning fast, deer with an SST (same thing), moose and deer with a TSX, and used a 208 gr LRX out of a 300 prc for my safari. Despite broadside shots through the lungs I did not get pass through penetration on my eland (stopped under the offside hide), or kudu (broke the offside humerus). I did get pass-throughs on my oryx, baboon (lol), and springbok.

IMO, Bergers, ELD-M’s and similar thin-jacketed rapidly expanding bullets are excellent for varmints, predators, and can work extremely well on limited shot angles at further distances especially on thin skinned games. In other words, they have specialty applications IMO. As a general hunting bullet, however, especially for Africa, I believe there are superior choices. Which leaves me the problem of what to do with my stockpiled ELD-M’s for 6.5 CM, PRC, and 300 PRC. Just kidding - I’m going to shoot them of course!

As someone else said, knowing your bullet design and using it appropriately is very important. For POSSIBLE quartering, frontal, and through the shoulder shot I’d take a deeper penetrating bullet. A rapidly expanding bullet is likely to result in inadequate penetration, significant soft tissue damage and a long tracking job. OTOH, a monometal at a distance where its velocity is below the recommended minimum for expansion through the lungs is going to result in a slow kill and some tracking.

Pick the right bullet for the job and use it within its design parameters.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Late to the party.

 

[khesser]

I always love reading the replies whenever someone posts about using Berger Bullets to hunt with. My own experience of hunting with Berger Bullets is everything I have shot with them has been a one and done shot. In my 338 Lapua I use the Berger 300gr OTM bullet. This bullet does have a thicker jacket than their hunting bullets. I have dropped a Kodiak Brown bear at 250 yards, multiple Caribou from 300 to 500 yards, and recently a Gemsbok at 570 yards and Red Hartebeest at 400 yards. Exit wound has been consistent at around 1 inch in diameter. Have yet to recover a bullet. I would use it to take a Cape Buffalo if it was legal.

Bullet went through ribs and spine. You can see the exit wound in the photo.

 

[gbflyer]

They only work in the US. Not on the armor plated animals in Africa.

 

[gillettehunter]

There are lots out there that don't like them. For me they just flat out kill. Here is a thread I started on them a few yrs ago:

Thread 'Berger bullets in Africa'

Oct 9, 2019

I promised Mike (Livingthedream) that I'd start this thread. He wanted me to title it the efficacy of Berger bullets in Africa. I thought that might start an argument right off the bat. I will start this with a few observations. All bullets are designed with a use in mind. There is no one size fits all in bullets. I have no problems with other bullets. I have taken Barnes TTSX's and Nosler accubonds to Africa. Both have served me well. This last trip I took Bergers. I usually get extremely good accuracy and good results with them. Bergers are often used in longer range hunting and are...

• gillettehunter
• Replies: 48
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

• 

Since this thread I've been back to Africa again and used them with excellent results. Use some common sense and always check the tips and they work very well. I've killed 3 eland with 4 shots. Thats with a 7 SAUM and a 180 grain bullet. Hard to do much better for most folks I'd think.
To each their own.
Bruce

 

[Russ16]

I always love reading the replies whenever someone posts about using Berger Bullets to hunt with. My own experience of hunting with Berger Bullets is everything I have shot with them has been a one and done shot. In my 338 Lapua I use the Berger 300gr OTM bullet. This bullet does have a thicker jacket than their hunting bullets. I have dropped a Kodiak Brown bear at 250 yards, multiple Caribou from 300 to 500 yards, and recently a Gemsbok at 570 yards and Red Hartebeest at 400 yards. Exit wound has been consistent at around 1 inch in diameter. Have yet to recover a bullet. I would use it to take a Cape Buffalo if it was legal.

View attachment 651854
Bullet went through ribs and spine. You can see the exit wound in the photo.

I’m glad they have worked for you. Your story is an example why our experiences are different. I won’t shoot at an animal over 250 yard and wouldn’t do that for one the size of a brown bear. That’s my choice not at all critical of anyone who does. Long shots just aren’t what I find interesting and enjoyable in hunting. If you do that’s awesome and I hope you enjoy all your hunts and trophy’s.

But you and I are inevitably going to experience different bullet performance in our chosen hunts.

 

[Longwalker]

Bragging about how far away game was shot with Berger bullets as a way or justifying using them for big African game shows a profound misunderstanding of matching bullet to task. Barnes bullet are quite accurate compared to some. So what. Ultimate accuracy is NOT required for most African hunting. And almost all really large African game is shot at fairly short range. Certainly shorter range than the current fashion as promoted by Berger bullets, various Sniper movies, the current crop of Adjustable turret scopes, etc, etc. Most bullets of controlled expansion design can be placed well enough that target grade accuracy is not a notable advantage. I'm far more concerned with what happens to a bullet IN game.
A combination of close range and high muzzle velocity causes fragile bullets to blow up and penetration is sacrificed. But shoot far distant game with a fragile bullet and you may actually have an advantage because the extra expansion at low velocity does more damage than a tougher constructed bullet.
For example, I'd bet good money that a Berger bullet would have resulted in a lost animal for two of the three eland I've taken so far. The exception was shot far away, nearly 300M and my aim was not quite up to the task. A marginal hit on the edge of one lung just might have been better done with a Berger than a Barnes. That eland did require a tracking job and follow up shots. But for the others, shot at less than 150M and in brush, a Berger bullet would likely not even reached the vitals. Barnes TSX and Swift AFrames did the job, and did it very well.

 

[Safari Dave]

At least 1/2 the mental exercise of an African safari always goes into this sort of thing. And, that is absolutely FINE.

But, every plains game animal that will be shot, can be taken (very ethically) with a .30/06 Springfield with factory 180g Remington Core-Lokt bullets.

Of course, we all want to "overthink" it.

and:

- decide on obscure cartridges
- work up special loads
- develop special loads for specific animals under specific condition, etc...

And, of course, we can, but we really don't need to...


Everything from a dik-dik to an eland can be taken with a .30/06 Springfield with factory 180 grain Remington Core-Lokts, if your rifle will shoot them accurately.

It can be very simple, or as complex and you want to make it.

It's YOUR safari!

 

[Newboomer]

Bragging about how far away game was shot with Berger bullets as a way or justifying using them for big African game shows a profound misunderstanding of matching bullet to task. Barnes bullet are quite accurate compared to some. So what. Ultimate accuracy is NOT required for most African hunting. And almost all really large African game is shot at fairly short range. Certainly shorter range than the current fashion as promoted by Berger bullets, various Sniper movies, the current crop of Adjustable turret scopes, etc, etc. Most bullets of controlled expansion design can be placed well enough that target grade accuracy is not a notable advantage. I'm far more concerned with what happens to a bullet IN game.
A combination of close range and high muzzle velocity causes fragile bullets to blow up and penetration is sacrificed. But shoot far distant game with a fragile bullet and you may actually have an advantage because the extra expansion at low velocity does more damage than a tougher constructed bullet.
For example, I'd bet good money that a Berger bullet would have resulted in a lost animal for two of the three eland I've taken so far. The exception was shot far away, nearly 300M and my aim was not quite up to the task. A marginal hit on the edge of one lung just might have been better done with a Berger than a Barnes. That eland did require a tracking job and follow up shots. But for the others, shot at less than 150M and in brush, a Berger bullet would likely not even reached the vitals. Barnes TSX and Swift AFrames did the job, and did it very well.

My limited experience with Bergers was with my kudu. I was using my PHs suppresed Win .243 with Berger 97gVLD. I really questioned his rationale and he said it was what he used for culling.
My kudu was running straight away from me away up a bank at about 80 yds when I shot. Hit him between the shoulders in the spine and flattened him right there. One more in the back of his head to finish.
Call it luck, good shooting, adequate equipment, whatever. I wouldn't recommend it for that size game on a regular basis.

 

[Wooster]

Lack of penetration thru to the vitals on hard quartering shots on heavy game where shoulder knuckles or paunch come into play is bad. Bullets with higher weight retention make a big difference in these circumstances and others where heavy bone or other dense matter is encountered. If you have the self discipline to hold off on taking a shot (even at the animal of a lifetime) at such an angle, then more power to you. Hunt with a frangible bullet. If you want to be as prepared as possible for any shot presentation, a tough bullet is the better choice.