Berger Selects 108gr 6mm for Production

Over the past few weeks, Berger Bullets has been evaluating three new tangent ogive (non-VLD) bullets, in 105, 107, and 108 grain weights. Berger sent samples to many top shooters, including Forum members Danny Reever, James Phillips, and Wm. Roscoe. The 107s shot the best for James (see Test Results), but Danny and many other shooters reported great results with the 108s, which seems to have a slightly shorter boat-tail than the other two prototypes. Here’s one of Danny’s targets, shot with an 8-twist 6BR with a .104″ freebore:

Yesterday, Michelle Gallagher of Berger announced that the 108-grainer had been selected as the design that will go into production. The 108s will start rolling off the bullet presses for general consumption very soon. The specs on the 108gr Berger are: 1.225″ OAL, .712″ base to ogive, .533″ bearing surface length, and 108.08 grains average weight (Measured with Acculab MXX-123).

Why is Berger bringing out this new bullet when the existing 105 VLD shoots so well? A tangent ogive bullet is generally considered to work well jumped (i.e. seated away from the lands), whereas secant-ogive VLDs typically (but not always) prefer to be seated in the lands. This new bullet should offer optimal performance for shooters who prefer to jump their bullets. Berger’s Eric Stecker has explained: “All VLD bullets (any brand) are made using a secant ogive. This results in a more abrupt transition into the ogive radius as compared to a tangent ogive (non-VLD of any brand). This abrupt transition on the secant ogive (VLD) bullets means that the ogive contacts the lead angle differently than a tangent ogive (non-VLD) will.”