Berger 90 Gr 223 data?

Tim R · May 12, 2008, 06:42 PM

I'm working on loading up some 1000 yard loads for my SR with a 7 to 1 Kreiger. I got some Berger 90 gr. VLD's to try. I going to be using Lake City brass and Rem 7 1/2 primers. I plan on using Reloder 15 unless some one has a better idea. Any one have any luck with the Bergers and combo?

Jim Watson · May 12, 2008, 06:53 PM

I have shot almost entirely Varget since I gave up on 90 gr SMKs and went to JLKs and Bergers.

But 22.4 Re 15 + 90 gr SMK = 2524 fps from my 28" Krieger .223.
Federal primers, Winchester brass.
You ought to be able to get in the ballpark from that.

23.0 Varget + 90 gr Berger = 2566 fps
24.0 Varget + 90 gr Berger = 2698 fps
That is in a long throat, the latter a rather top load, you will want to sneak up on it.
OAL 2.617, which jammed into the lands .010".

Tim R · May 12, 2008, 10:26 PM

Thanks Jim. I didn't have very good luck with Federal match primers. They pierced with a 77 gr. SMK load which is safe with other primers and I have gotten 10 reloads out of the brass. I know there has to be more guys out there who shoot or want to shoot the heavies besides you and me.

Tim R · May 12, 2008, 10:48 PM

Jim, I did come up with a question for you. You said you were .010 into the lands. I assume you measured and then loaded .010 longer, is this correct?

By the way if the Bergers shoot as good as they look, this should not be too hard. I might have to try some JLK's too.

Jim Watson · May 13, 2008, 08:18 AM

Yes, I used a Stoney Point gauge to measure to the ogive against the lands and seated .010" deeper. So that OAL is approximate and only good for my barrel. If your throat is shorter, you will want to sneak up on those loads.

I did not have any trouble with Federal primers... but am now using CCI BR because they are easier to find.

(Stoney Point is now Hornady, similar also available from Sinclair.)

Tim R · May 13, 2008, 10:38 PM

Yeah, Jim, I've got all of that and more. Mines a Sinclair.

My 6 1/2 twist Pac Nor is a little long, 80 gr. SMK's don't quite fill the case neck when seated. On the other hand my 7 twist Kreiger is still pretty fresh.

May 12, 2008, 06:42 PM	#1
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Berger 90 Gr 223 data? I'm working on loading up some 1000 yard loads for my SR with a 7 to 1 Kreiger. I got some Berger 90 gr. VLD's to try. I going to be using Lake City brass and Rem 7 1/2 primers. I plan on using Reloder 15 unless some one has a better idea. Any one have any luck with the Bergers and combo?

May 12, 2008, 06:53 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,186	I have shot almost entirely Varget since I gave up on 90 gr SMKs and went to JLKs and Bergers. But 22.4 Re 15 + 90 gr SMK = 2524 fps from my 28" Krieger .223. Federal primers, Winchester brass. You ought to be able to get in the ballpark from that. 23.0 Varget + 90 gr Berger = 2566 fps 24.0 Varget + 90 gr Berger = 2698 fps That is in a long throat, the latter a rather top load, you will want to sneak up on it. OAL 2.617, which jammed into the lands .010".

May 12, 2008, 10:26 PM	#3
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Thanks Jim. I didn't have very good luck with Federal match primers. They pierced with a 77 gr. SMK load which is safe with other primers and I have gotten 10 reloads out of the brass. I know there has to be more guys out there who shoot or want to shoot the heavies besides you and me.

May 12, 2008, 10:48 PM	#4
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Jim, I did come up with a question for you. You said you were .010 into the lands. I assume you measured and then loaded .010 longer, is this correct? By the way if the Bergers shoot as good as they look, this should not be too hard. I might have to try some JLK's too.

May 13, 2008, 08:18 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,186	Yes, I used a Stoney Point gauge to measure to the ogive against the lands and seated .010" deeper. So that OAL is approximate and only good for my barrel. If your throat is shorter, you will want to sneak up on those loads. I did not have any trouble with Federal primers... but am now using CCI BR because they are easier to find. (Stoney Point is now Hornady, similar also available from Sinclair.)

May 13, 2008, 10:38 PM	#6
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	Yeah, Jim, I've got all of that and more. Mines a Sinclair. My 6 1/2 twist Pac Nor is a little long, 80 gr. SMK's don't quite fill the case neck when seated. On the other hand my 7 twist Kreiger is still pretty fresh.