Berger 195 eol

[gabenzeke]

What is the consensus on this bullet as a hunting bullet? I've seen some older threads in other forums saying this bullet doesn't perform real well. But I'm not sure if that was a velocity issue or if there were some kinks that have been worked out since it was introduced. Would a guy be better off using the 180s?

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[B23]

I just wonder if you can launch the 195's fast enough to get them to out perform the 180's.....

Throated properly and shot from a 24-26 barrel the 7WSM, 7 Rem mag, 7 Blaser mag, and now the new 7 PRC can all send 180's out the muzzle at 3000-3100 fps. The BC of bullets like the 180 Berger's and especially the 180 ELD-M is pretty impressive and shot in that 3000-3100 range, the ballistics speak for themself.

 

[Hill Difficulty]

Have a 7WSM w/1:8 rot that shoots 195s like a laser beam.

No comment on 195 hunting performance cuz I don't know since abandoning the 195 idea for loading 165 Bondstrike bullets, which are faster/flatter/tougher + are going to expand best whether short or long range. If no Bondstrike, I'd be hunting w/165 TGKs or 175 Accubonds. Quitting on 195s also allowed me to go from a LA receiver to a med-length. None of this means that I'm being critical of the 195, just much better off where I'm at. After all, we sort of build a rifle based on a bullet preference or bearing surface length, and 195s are one of a kind for a 7mm.

I geek out on meat care/prep. Can avoid Berger grenading/damage using smarter options (tho 195 velocities aren't fast enough to frag like other Bergers). Generally, just too many messy outcomes when using Bergers in fast-velocity calibers. I do shoot Berger 55s in my 20 cal cuz the fly awesome and never explosive.

Hope this helps!

 

[CC11]

Depends a bit on what you're wanting to shoot them out of I think. Sounds like plenty of animals being taking with the 195s out of the 28 nosler, I know some guys that love them. I'm shooting the 190 hybrids out of my 28 with a load that isn't overly hot and am pushing those just over 3000fps

 

[doverpack12]

I have a box to finish working up a load with but am waiting for my next brass cycle. I am considering bumping down to gain some stability. Twist rates could be factoring into performance on game.
Shooting from an STW so I can push them plenty fast.
180 hunting vld performed terribly on game, must have been too much velocity.
Currently 143 hammers are awful tough to beat.

 

[bluetick78]

The 195's have worked really well on 2 elk, one moose and a mule deer so far. 28 nosler @ 2920 ish fps. The elk were both taken at 200 yds +/-. The 195's made a small entry, grenaded The lungs, and shrapnel exited. Neither took a step. The deer was about the same, but shot distance was closer to 300 yds. The moose was 555 yds, dropped at the shot, tried to get back up, then rolled and died. Destroyed the lungs and tattered the heart. I've been impressed, but the sample size is only 4 animals so far. I have noticed, oddly, that between 3-500 yds I'm not sure if I could tell the difference between an animal shot broadside with a 28 launching 195's or a 6.5 PRC launching 156's. Both are extremely effective.

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Like blue tick says,
Small sample size, but I have liked shooting the 195 between a 28 nosler running only 2900(22" barre) and a 7-300 norma at 3085 for now. They kill. This year with 7-300 a bull at 852 through the heart never went more then 10 yards, a doe at 200 dropped in tracks. And in past couple years with 28 bang flops on white tail at about 700 yards.

I have always liked how bergers fly, but yes some times unpredictable what happens when they get there. Keep the velocity and rpms up and they should do what they are supposed to.

Picture below is 195 recovered from the bull just under the off side hide.