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Previously (3 years ago), I tried out some Berger VLD-Hunting 130 gr. for my 6.5 Grendel. They did not perform as advertised at Grendel velocities, but they were an outstanding hog killing bullet. That is to say, the bullet did not explode inside of the hogs with limited penetration and killing (in part) with hydrostatic shock. Instead, it tended to penetrate very deeply, usually over penetrating with massive wound channels and no hydrostatic shock. Now, I am trying out Berger's AR Hybrid OTM 130 gr. loaded for me by Custom Reloads of Dallas. As they list it as a tactical/competition round, I didn't find any specific information from Berger on its actual terminal performance in animals. My one previous use of this bullet was on a coyote and the bullet performed well, exiting with a larger permanent wound channel. http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showt...-AR-Hybrid-OTM
It is not tough to kill coyotes, however, and during that hunt I lost an opportunity to shoot a good-sized hog that I really wanted to use to test the bullet's performance. So I returned last night and found the same hog on a different part of the property. My initial impression of the bullets' performance as CRD loaded them is excellent. Accuracy wise, both rounds impacted where intended. The first round passed through the neck directly behind the skull and under the spine, leaving a gaping exit wound, not just through the musculature, but in the hide as well, which I find very impressive. The hog went down, but was not out, the bullet not actually directly impacting any vital structures. A finishing shot entered and exited the skull with a portion of the bullet being recovered in the neck.
Hopefully, I will get to test this round on more hogs soon, but so far, I have no complaints about its terminal performance.
It is not tough to kill coyotes, however, and during that hunt I lost an opportunity to shoot a good-sized hog that I really wanted to use to test the bullet's performance. So I returned last night and found the same hog on a different part of the property. My initial impression of the bullets' performance as CRD loaded them is excellent. Accuracy wise, both rounds impacted where intended. The first round passed through the neck directly behind the skull and under the spine, leaving a gaping exit wound, not just through the musculature, but in the hide as well, which I find very impressive. The hog went down, but was not out, the bullet not actually directly impacting any vital structures. A finishing shot entered and exited the skull with a portion of the bullet being recovered in the neck.
Hopefully, I will get to test this round on more hogs soon, but so far, I have no complaints about its terminal performance.
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