View Full Version : 308 using varget and smk
firemanjoe
01-31-2013, 11:53 AM
I'm loading 168gr Sierra match kings on top of varget for my Remington 700 sps tactical with 20" heavy barrel. Is anyone else running this combination and if so, how many grains of varget are you using?
Bill Steele
01-31-2013, 12:13 PM
My favorite gun seems to favor hotter loads and has a 26" barrel, so YMMV.
I load 46.0gr of Varget with 168gr jacketed bullets (SMK and AMAX). That is with Lapua and Hornaday brass, not mil-surp like LC and FC.
46gr's of Varget is a compressed load with that combo of brass and bullet. That is pretty close to max, so start lower and work up to it if you decide to go that way.
Good luck, have fun.
snowdog650
01-31-2013, 12:45 PM
I load 45.5GR varget over 168GR SMK using Lapua brass. Not quite max ... best sweet spot for me.
I use it in my Rem 700 5R ... so that is a 24" barrel with a slightly faster twist rate.
gau17
01-31-2013, 12:45 PM
Start at 43.0 gr. and work your way up in .2-.3 increments. Look for pressure signs.
Spyder
01-31-2013, 4:23 PM
44.0g varget under a 175 SMK out of my Surgeon w/ 18" Kreiger cut with .308 Bisley chamber works wonders. 2490 fps, with +/- 5fps variation.
firemanjoe
01-31-2013, 4:31 PM
Thanks for the input! I think I have a good starting point
jvpark
01-31-2013, 10:33 PM
Very popular combination. I love 45 grains
tangocharlie7
02-01-2013, 4:25 AM
OP, this link might help you as they list a ton of compeition loads. I use 45 gr Varget with my 168SMK and it's a great load.
http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html
firemanjoe
02-01-2013, 6:38 AM
Great link! Thank you
jvpark
02-01-2013, 9:01 AM
In the future, take a look at he Hornaday A-max (168). Little cheaper than the SMK and I have had similar results.
Bill Steele
02-01-2013, 9:09 AM
In the future, take a look at he Hornaday A-max (168). Little cheaper than the SMK and I have had similar results.
I agree with this advice. AMAx's used to be available on sale for a significant discount to SMK's. The gap seems to have closed a good bit lately, but they are still less. My best groups have been with AMAX's, although the SMK's ae not far behind.
I just bought 500 168gr AMAX's from Powder Valley, roughly $.25/bullet.
repomanNWP
02-01-2013, 7:54 PM
I load 45grs Varget behind a 168gr Berger VLD in my Remington 700 SPS, it works very well for me. Like others have said, work your way up, invest in a chronograph, it really answers a million questions.
damndave
02-02-2013, 1:58 AM
My SPS Varmint 26" barrel loves 44.2-44.4 gr Varget seated 0.02 off the lands. Best 5 shot group with this load was .306, and shoots great out to 600 yrds. I haven't taken it out further than that as I use my 178gr AMax loads for 700-1000 yrd shots.
CobraRed
02-02-2013, 11:46 AM
26" GcGowen barrel on a Savage here, 44.85 is the sweet spot. Seated .01 onto the lands. Loves Amax and SMK
Pete1979
02-02-2013, 1:05 PM
Unless you shoot past 300 yds on a regular basis, you don't need to load very hot. My best Varget load for my SPS Tactical 1/12 twist was 42.5gr with the Sierra seated at 2.885. The throat on that rifle is super deep, lots of free bore in there. 5 shot groups about 1/2" - 5/8" at 100 with a bag or rest just in front of the floor plate and a protektor rear bag.
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