SHOT Show 2026: New from Berger & Lapua, Emil Praslick

Published on January 31, 2026
Duration: 24:32

Emil Praslick of Berger Ammunition discusses new product developments at SHOT Show 2026, focusing on expanding their loaded ammunition offerings and new projectile designs. Key introductions include a 69-grain .223 projectile for AR platforms, new 7mm PRC offerings with 175 and 195-grain bullets, a 150-grain 6.8mm hybrid bullet for the military's next-generation rifle, and high-performance loaded cartridges in 300 and 338 Norma Magnum. The discussion also touches on reloading philosophies, the importance of bullet selection for specific applications, and the challenges of high-velocity projectile performance.

Quick Summary

Berger Ammunition is expanding its loaded ammunition offerings with new projectiles for various calibers. Key introductions include a 69-grain .223 projectile for AR platforms, 7mm PRC options with 175 and 195-grain bullets, and high-performance bullets for 300 and 338 Norma Magnum cartridges, all designed for precision and specific applications.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction and SHOT Show 2026
  2. 00:44Berger's Focus on Loaded Ammunition
  3. 01:01New 69 Grain .223 Projectile
  4. 01:15Performance of 77 OTM in .223
  5. 02:07Evolution of .223 Ammunition Offerings
  6. 02:29Applications for the 69 Grain Bullet
  7. 03:38New 7mm PRC Offerings
  8. 03:56175 and 195 Grain 7mm Bullets
  9. 04:487mm PRC Suitability for Long Range and Hunting
  10. 05:03Rationale Behind Cartridge Family Design
  11. 05:40Army's 6.8 Caliber Rifle and Ammunition Evolution
  12. 06:07Evolution of 5.56 Ammunition (Mk 262)
  13. 06:44New 150 Grain 6.8mm Hybrid Bullet
  14. 08:11New Loaded Cartridges in 300 & 338 Norma Magnum
  15. 08:23245 Grain LRT for 300 Norma Magnum
  16. 09:23338 Norma Magnum for Army Sniper Rifle
  17. 09:51300 Grain Hybrid Bullet for 338 Norma Magnum
  18. 10:49Commercial Off-the-Shelf Cartridges
  19. 11:13Parallel Development with Military Needs
  20. 13:33Bullet Integrity at High Velocities
  21. 15:35Optimal Application for Bullets
  22. 16:40Reloading Philosophy: Bullet Selection and Load Workup
  23. 17:10Audet Method vs. Modern Reloading Approach
  24. 18:30Preference for SAAMI Chambers
  25. 19:13Importance of Hit Probability and Ballistic Solvers
  26. 20:14Conservative Pressure Philosophy in Reloading
  27. 21:05Reliability and Small Groups Win Matches
  28. 22:14New Lapua Products: TRX Bullet
  29. 22:40TRX Bullet Design for Low Velocity Expansion

Frequently Asked Questions

What new .223/5.56 projectiles is Berger introducing?

Berger has introduced a new 69-grain projectile for .223/5.56 applications. This complements their existing 73 and 77-grain options, which were optimized for magazine length in AR platforms. The new 69-grain bullet is designed for precision and caters to specific weight requirements in this caliber.

What are the new 7mm PRC offerings from Berger?

Berger is expanding its 7mm PRC line with loaded ammunition featuring a 175-grain bullet and a heavier 195-grain bullet. These are intended for long-range shooting and big game hunting, with the 195-grain option being particularly noted for its substantial ballistic performance.

What is the significance of the new 150-grain 6.8mm hybrid bullet?

The 150-grain hybrid bullet in .277 caliber (6.8mm) is designed to support the U.S. Army's next-generation rifle cartridge (6.8x51mm). It's optimized for seating depth within the case, offers a good ballistic coefficient of approximately 0.367, and is intended for precision applications.

What is Emil Praslick's reloading philosophy?

Emil Praslick prioritizes reliability and small groups over extreme velocities, advocating for a conservative approach to pressure. He believes that consistent accuracy and dependable performance are key to winning matches, rather than pushing the limits of pressure and velocity.

What are Berger's highest performing bullets?

Berger's highest performing bullets include the 77 OTM, known for consistent sub-MOA accuracy in .223 trainer rifles, and the 7mm 180-grain bullet, which is a dominant choice in F-Class 7mm competition due to its exceptional precision and performance.

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