Berger Flat Base Varmint Bullet Test

Doug had been raving about the Berger 52 Grain Flat Base Varmint bullet, claiming that it was an excellent choice for both the 223 Remington and the 22-250. Intrigued by his endorsement, I decided to test them out for myself today. I had heard that Berger bullets were high quality, so I was eager to see how they would perform in my rifle.

Upon inspection, the Berger 52 grain Flat Base Varmint bullet appeared to be a work of art. Its shiny, glass-like exterior gave it a golden appearance, and its hollow point design was accompanied by the label “match grade rifle bullets” on the box. The bullet’s specifications include a ballistic coefficient of .201 and a tangent ogive, with Berger’s part number being 22309. As of April 2023, 100 of these bullets can be purchased for approximately $39. For a detailed breakdown of its features, see the full specifications below.

According to Berger’s website, “Berger Varmint Rifle Bullets feature Match Grade quality construction and have a large hollow point that produces rapid expansion when used for varmint hunting. Each Rifle Bullet is made with thin nosed J4 Precision Jackets which are renowned by competitive target shooters and custom Rifle Bullet makers worldwide. Berger Varmint Rifle Bullets use a tangent ogive design making these easy to load, tune, and shoot accurately. J4 Precision Jackets have a Total Indicated Runout (TIR) of +/- .0001 and extremely tight manufacturing tolerances. Berger Varmint Rifle Bullets provide match-quality construction and accuracy, increasing your hit percentage and extending your effective lethal range.”

Berger Varmint Bullet Range Test

KRG Bravo Stock Available from AMAZON
Leupold Scopes Available from AMAZON

I selected the Tikka T3X in 223 Remington for its accuracy, as it is the most precise rifle I have in this caliber. The rifle remains mostly unmodified, except for the addition of threading for my suppressor and a KRG Bravo stock.

While the above photo showcases my Leupold VXII 4x12x40AO scope, I utilized a Leupold VX5 3-15 X 44 for testing purposes. This hunting scope features a relatively thick reticle but still performed admirably in testing hunting loads. For additional information regarding the Leupold VX5 scope, please scroll down.

During my initial trip to the range, I loaded some once-fired Hornady brass with a near-maximum charge of Accurate 2230 powder and Winchester standard small rifle primers. The Tikka clocked a velocity of 3225 FPS, and I found this load to produce positive results in the past when used with other bullets of the same weight. However, I had no idea how the shots would perform on a windy afternoon in Georgia.

I began by firing three shots at 100 yards to gauge their impact point, which was about an inch or so high. Interestingly, this impact point was similar to that of my 53gn Nosler Varmageddon loads. With that out of the way, I proceeded to fire the Berger Flat Base Varmint bullets.

To my amazement, my first three shots formed a single hole. It had been a while since I had achieved that level of accuracy at 100 yards, and my second group was a half MOA, which I consider exceptional. I could hear Doug saying, “I told you so!” And indeed, those two groups were sufficient to persuade me of the deadly accuracy of the Berger Flat Base Varmint bullets.

This is just half of the test. My next step is to acquire Mr. Coyote in the crosshairs to test the bullets’ performance in the field. Doug has already taken down many coyotes with this bullet, so we are aware of its efficacy. I’m excited to test it out myself during my upcoming coyote hunt, and I invite you to return in a few weeks to see if we manage to bag a couple of yotes.

About Berger Bullets

Berger Bullets is a company that specializes in the production of precision bullets for long-range shooting. The company was founded in 1955 by Walt Berger, who was an accomplished competitive shooter and a tool and die maker.

Initially, Berger Bullets started as a small operation in Walt’s garage, where he began making custom bullets for himself and his friends. Over time, the company grew, and Walt started producing bullets for other shooters as well.

In the 1970s, Berger Bullets began to gain a reputation for its high-quality bullets, and the company started to expand its product line. By the 1980s, Berger Bullets had become one of the most respected names in the precision bullet industry.

In the years that followed, Berger Bullets continued to innovate and refine its bullet designs, using state-of-the-art technology and materials to create bullets that were more accurate and consistent than ever before.

Today, Berger Bullets is one of the leading manufacturers of precision bullets for competitive shooting, hunting, and tactical applications. The company produces a wide range of bullets, including match-grade bullets for competition shooting, hunting bullets, and bullets designed for military and law enforcement applications. The company’s products are used by top shooters around the world and have set numerous records in competitive shooting events.

Leupold VX-5 3-15×44 Fire Dot Rifle Scope

See Leupold VX5 and Other Leupold Scopes on AMAZON

The Leupold VX-5 3-15×44 Fire Dot Rifle Scope is a high-quality scope that is designed for hunters and shooters who demand the best in performance and accuracy. This scope is built with advanced features that make it easy to use and highly effective in a variety of hunting and shooting scenarios.

One of the key features of the Leupold VX-5 3-15×44 Fire Dot Rifle Scope is its variable magnification range. With a range of 3-15x, this scope is ideal for a wide range of hunting and shooting scenarios, from close-range shots to long-range shots. The scope’s magnification can be easily adjusted using the smooth-turn power knob, which allows you to quickly and easily zoom in on your target.

Being able to start at 3X was key to selecting this scope. I wanted a scope I could use in the woods and still have the top end magnification for shots across bean fields. The side focus is also handy when evaluating the age of a deer or size of his rack at long range.

The Leupold VX-5 3-15×44 Fire Dot Rifle Scope is also built with a 44mm objective lens. This large lens provides excellent light transmission, which is important for hunting in low light conditions. The lens is also coated with Leupold’s proprietary Twilight Max HD Light Management System, which provides enhanced clarity and color fidelity in a variety of lighting conditions.

Another key feature of the Leupold VX-5 3-15×44 Fire Dot Rifle Scope is its illuminated FireDot reticle. This reticle is designed to provide a clear and precise aiming point, even in low light conditions. The reticle can be easily adjusted using the scope’s illumination control, which allows you to adjust the brightness of the reticle to match the lighting conditions in your hunting or shooting environment.

The Leupold VX-5 3-15×44 Fire Dot Rifle Scope is also built to be durable and reliable in the field. The scope is constructed from high-quality materials, including aircraft-grade aluminum, which is both lightweight and strong. The scope is also waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, which means that it can withstand a variety of environmental conditions and recoil forces.

The lifetime warranty is good if you are the first or last owner of the scope. I bought this scope used, but the lifetime warranty is good for me as long as I have the scope. That warranty also adds to the resale value if I choose to sell it.

Overall, the Leupold VX-5 3-15×44 Fire Dot Rifle Scope is an excellent choice for hunters and shooters who demand the best in performance, accuracy, and durability. With its variable magnification range, large objective lens, illuminated FireDot reticle, and durable construction, this scope is designed to help you make accurate shots in a variety of hunting and shooting scenarios.

22 Caliber 52 Grain FB Varmint Rifle Bullet

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