by crbutler on Wed Jul 27, 2022 11:12 am
The problem with Berger hunting bullets are that they are very soft, and are essentially repurposed target bullets.
They work within velocity and penetration constraints, and are quite accurate once you find the OAL that the rifle likes- which may require handloading if you are wedded to a certain bullet. Weight alone does not guarantee good results.
The Weatherby rounds, being essentially proprietary (yes, they are SAAMI now, but the vast majority are Weatherby rifles) means limited commercial ammo availability. The rifle IS a powerhouse, but to make it most effective, you need ammo tailored to your use. The Berger VLD bullets are high BC long range bullets. If your intent is to shoot game 600 yards plus out there, that load may well be your huckleberry; but at shorter distance and larger animals you will need a bullet that holds together to ensure adequate penetration. Nosler partition, swift a frame, or one of the monometal designs (like your 7mm RM) are better.
Now, my experience is that all a magnum gets you is more range. The .300 WBY is no better killer than the .30-06, except in the sense that your point blank range now is a lot longer, and it opens up more options for a shot as far as distance. I’ve killed elk with an 06 as easily as my .300, but if I want to be able to do raking shots on elk, or if I’m after moose or big bear, I go for a larger bullet instead of more velocity. Your .300 caliber has killed every game animal that walks the planet- before the establishment of good hunting regulations in Africa, folks killed elephant (using steel jacketed solids) with the .300 WBY. It will do for everything in NA. Other than ammo price and recoil, no reason to use the 7mm RM if you have the Weatherby. The 7 will work pretty much as well for North America, but I’d like more bullet for brown bear or moose.
Get a small bore varmint rifle (like a .243) and you have everything covered for North American big game hunting.