Berger Precision Projectiles

Berger only make match grade rifle projectiles for Varmint, Target and Hunting. When we say “Match Grade” we mean that the highest quality copper and lead available is used in a process focused entirely on consistency rather than speed. The copper is made into the J4 Precision Jacket, which is recognised around the world as having the best concentricity in the business. We don't just claim to make jackets that measure .0003 or less variation in wall thickness, we actually do it with every lot. More often you will find that J4 Precision Jackets measure .0002 or less.

This can easily be verified and is the reason why handmade custom Projectiles producers use J4 Precision Jackets exclusively. We make all of our J4 Precision Jackets and Projectiless on one set of dies to insure that all of the Projectiless in each box are as consistent as possible. Consistency is the key to precision and accuracy and no one makes Projectiless as consistent from lot to lot and within a given lot as Berger Projectiless.

Target Projectiles

Our Target Projectiles line is made up of the many legendary Projectiless that have been winning matches and setting records for decades. Berger Projectiless was started because Walt Berger wanted better results while competiting in target shooting matches. Making Match Grade Projectiless for target competition shooters is our core competency. All of our success as the producer of consistent Projectiless for Varmint, Target and Hunting stems from the efforts we have made to produce the best Projectiless available for the extreme, precision focused, target competition shooter. There is a tremendous amount of pride knowing that we make a product that competition shooters all over the world trust when they go to the firing line. There is no better test of a Projectiless quality than to be used in a match where everyone is shooting to win. As competition shooters ourselves we understand all the tough challenges and considerable effort it take to be an active target competition shooter. It is our thorough understanding of this effort that heavily influences all the Projectiless we make.

Varmint Projectiles

Our Varmint Projectiles line includes those Projectiless that are most commonly used by precision oriented varmint hunters. These Projectiless are proven in the field to provide exceptional accuracy and a level of expansion that best suits a given varmint or predator application. The J4 Precision Jacket is thinner at the nose. These jackets are cut to size by a process known as pinch trimming. This pinch trim produces a Projectiles tip that is very thin and will expand quickly (impact velocity and animal size will effect expansion results). Our Varmint Projectiless are made with the same materials and process as all of our Projectiless. This produces a level of consistency that directly impacts a varmint hunter’s ability to get more hits in the field.

Hunting Projectiles

The Hunting Projectile line is proving to be the most lethal big game hunting Projectiless available. All of our Hunting Projectiless are made in the VLD design. The VLD design incorporates a sharp nose that allows the Projectiles to penetrate 2” to 3” before it starts to expand. After the Projectiles starts to expand it will shed 40% to 85% of its weight as shrapnel into the surrounding tissue (internal organ). The combination between the shrapnel and the hydrostatic shock produces a massive wound cavity within the vital area (internal organs) that will be 13” to 15” long. This massive wound cavity results in the animal dropping fast since most go into shock after such a tremendous blow. Those animals that don’t go down immediately will soon succumb to blood pressure loss and/or organ failure producing a quick ethical kill. Our Projectiless don't poke through like an arrow (high weight retention, deep penetration Projectiless) but instead dump their energy where it is most effective, inside the animal. Using the Berger VLD will result in an animal that goes down fast so you can enjoy the results of your hunt without having to track the wounded animal after the shot. You owe it to yourself to see how accurate and deadly the Berger Hunting VLD will be on your next hunt.

Very Low Drag Projectile

VLD Projectile Design

The VLD (Very Low Drag) Projectile design was born from a request made by the US 300 Meter Shooting Team. It was determined that they were dropping points late in the matches due to recoil fatigue. Bill Davis and Dr. Lou Palmisano were asked to design a Projectiles and case combination that shot flatter than the 308 case and 168 gr Projectiless the team was using at the time. After a design was created Walt Berger was approached to make the Projectiles. The 6mm 105 gr VLD was born and shot by the US 300 Meter Shooting Team using a 2” PPC (modified 220 Swift). This combination shot with less felt recoil and a flatter trajectory than the 308 case using the 168 gr Projectiles and higher scores were the end result. This successful Projectiles design soon found its way into all long range target competition and the VLD shape spread into all other calibers.

The VLD Projectiles design is a combination of two very specific features. The first is a boat tail which is common on long and heavy Projectiless. The second and most important design feature is the long secant ogive. It is this ogive shape that allows the Projectiles to experience less drag as it flies to the target. This reduced drag is how the VLD shoots flatter and is less affected by wind (less drift) than other Projectiless. Reduced drag also translates into higher retained velocity. These are important results if you want your Projectiles to help improve your accuracy by requiring less sight adjustments when conditions change.


High BC Flat Base Projectile Design
We make a few Projectiless which will be listed on the box as “HighBCFB”. These are Projectiles are made with a special design that works best as a short to medium range varmint/predator Projectiles. These Projectiless are available only in 6mm (.243 diameter). They are made using a flat base and a secant ogive just like our VLD Projectiless. Those who like using the 6mm for predator hunting at ranges past 150 yards find that these Projectiless are very effective.

Flat Base Projectile Design
Berger produces a full line of flat base Projectiless in several calibers. We consider the flat base Projectiles a staple of extreme precision Projectiles makers. These Projectiless are used most often by short range target and varmint shooters who are focused on the tightest possible accuracy. The ability for a Projectiles maker to produce very accurate flat base Projectiless is a significant indicator of how focused that Projectiles maker is on consistency. Flat base Projectiless are the easiest to make consistent since flat is always flat. No boat tail tooling or considerations during the manufacturing process need be made. The vast majority of flat base Projectiless are made with a tangent ogive which is easier to produce than the secant ogive. The tangent ogive is also easier than a secant ogive to make shoot well. A tangent ogive of the same length as a secant ogive will not perform as well in the wind however these Projectiless are used primarily for 300 yards or less so this is of little concern.

Boat-Tail Projectile

Boat Tail Projectile Design
The Projectiles design that we refer to as our “boat tail” or “BT” or “non-VLD” is a design that includes a boat tail of course but more importantly these Projectiless include a tangent ogive. This is an important distinction because our VLD design includes a boat tail but is made with a secant ogive. The tangent ogive boat tail Projectiles is a common design among many manufacturers. These Projectiless are easy to make shoot accurately and can perform very well as a dependable target and varmint Projectiless.

The tangent ogive does not cut through the wind like the secant ogive of a similar length but it more than makes up for this with precision that is easy to achieve in most rifles. Some of our Long Range BT Projectiless are made with extra long tangent shape noses which makes them perform better in the wind however these extra long nose BT Projectiless must be used by those who have a clear understanding of COAL layouts, changes, chamber dimensions, how these things are measured and how they influence precision.

.17 .20 .224 .243 .257 .264 .284 & .308 calibres available in MATCH, VLD, GAME or VARMINT profiles. See the full calibre listings, up to date ballistic coefficients and recommended twist rates at the Berger Projectiless website.