Catfish,
Welp got to tinker a bit this weekend and post some results. I am getting closer. Seems I wasn't shooting them fast enough. My 160 Sierra's like about 3200 fps. I bumped the 180 gr Bergers up to 3200 and she started to close in. I'm getting almost 2 in one hole and a 1/2 inch "flyer"
I shot this load a few times and each one produced the exact same results, in the same hole. Pretty impressive when you line all the targets up and look at a 9 shot group. Pretty much 6 in one hole and 3 a half inch out.
No signs of pressure at all. My load is on the low end for those 160's 91.5 gr of Retumbo and I'm getting about 3204 fps. Guess what the magic load is for these 180 gr Bergers? 91.5 gr of Retumbo! I'm pushing them around 3210 average. I'm getting some inconsistant spikes which doesn't make sense, but I am using new brass. I was finding around 86-87 grains I was getting around 3000 and I guess my gun just doesn't like it. Anyhow I'm going to start from here and change a couple little things and hopefully I'll get them all shooting right in there. Still it's getting close to where I am, and If I can get it there, I'll use them.
I don't have much time to field test, so I need to hurry. Anyhow, with your question of "do they expand?" The answer is MOST DEFINITLY YES! Attached is a picture of 6, 180 gr Berger VLD I pulled from my sand box, next to one that hasn't been shot. These are all traveling around 3200 fps and they litteraly explode. Pretty similare to a balistic tip actually. I'll bet they'll rip a deer in two
Sometimes a picture tells a thousand words. I may be shooting them too hot, but that's what my gun likes. I'd like to see what a bullet looks like at 500 yards and beyond, since that'll be my minimum range for this round. I'll load it into my Exball program to see what kind of energy and speed I got at those distances. I'll bet she holds together a little better once it slows down.