BERGER PUTS 30 CALIBRE HYBRID BULLETS INTO PRODUCTION
Thirty calibre match bullets have been poor relations to their 6, 6.5 and 7mm rivals, so far as new models go in recent years, no doubt because of the explosive growth in the use of smaller calibre cartridges like 6.5- 284 Norma, 284 Winchester and 7mm short magnums in long-range competition.
Then there have been the ‘baby’ sixes and six-fives that have recently gained worldwide popularity in various rifle disciplines – 6mm BR and its improved siblings, 6.5X47 Lapua, 6.5mm Hornady Creedmoor and even that slow-burner - the 260 Remington has finally burst into flame and been ‘discovered’.
The ‘thirties’ maybe suffered too because they were apparently so well catered for already, a huge range of models provided by all of the big US bullet producers but most of which are now elderly designs.
Whilst acting as an independent ballistics consultant, Bryan Litz argued that the available 30s were far from optimal in their external ballistics performance relative to more modern designs in smaller calibres.
We recognise the 139-142 grain bullet to be the optimum for a 6.5mm/264 and the 175-180 grain bullet the same for a 7mm/284 but, the equivalent ‘scaled’ 308 bullet would weigh 229 grains! The only models close to that weight are Sierra’s antediluvian 220 and 240gn MatchKings. Then too, many ‘thirties’ had relatively short, blunt nose sections to the detriment of their form factors and ballistic coefficients. (If interested, see Brian’s article What’s Wrong With .30 Caliber? http://www.
appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/30cal_fullVersion. pdf )
With Bryan now working full-time for Berger Bullets, he has obviously been given carte blanche to implement his thoughts on this issue resulting in an entire new range of bullets in the calibre - six models covering 155gn to 230gn, each with a class-leading BC value. Berger has introduced the sextet in pairs, starting with the lightest models and by the time you read this, it’s likely the final pair in 215 and 230gn weights will just be entering the market. The other feature of these new products is encapsulated in their generic title – Hybrid. For those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to an amalgamation of two previously distinct nose-forms, secant and tangent ogive shapes. Secant ogive designs, often referred to as VLD (Very Low Drag) models have very long nose sections with marginal curvature and an
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abrupt nose to shank junction. They have low drag, but often prove difficult to ‘tune’ in handloads needing to be seated hard into the rifling to give small groups and small MV spreads. Tangent ogive bullets have a shorter and more rounded nose section, are easy to
The new 30 calibre ‘Hybrids’ in 155, 168, 185, 200, 215, and 230gn Weights
tune – often referred to as jump-tolerant – but suffer more drag in flight, thanks to the blunter shape. The Hybrid design amalgamates the two forms, a long secant-form nose turning into a tangent curve just above the nose to body junction. Bingo! Low drag and length tolerance together!
Berger importers, Norman Clark Gunsmiths Ltd. in Rugby, and Hannams Reloading Limited near York have yet to see any 30 Hybrid models in any weight and in fact have many existing Bergers on back-order such is the huge demand for the company’s products. They expect to see the first deliveries late this year or early next. In the meantime, our handloading man Laurie Holland has acquired a couple of examples of each, thanks to the good offices of Berger Bullets’ Michelle Gallagher and will give a preliminary report in next month’s Handloading Bench which will compare them to similar bullets from other manufacturers as well as Berger’s existing VLD and BT Long-Range designs. Whilst on the subject of the Hybrid bullet type, 6mm calibre fans should be delighted to hear that a new 105 grain 243 ‘Hybrid’ is about to be launched and is currently undergoing range evaluation in the hands of some top US shooters including 243 Win guru and multiple winner of the US NRA High Power National Championship matches, John Whidden, whose reaction is enthusiastic.
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