digging the Varget!

[rumblebee]

Started off with H4895 and it's a real good powder (posted some of the groups here last week). Got a 1lb of Varget to try and below are the results. (100 yard, bench\bipod..no rear rest)

.223
20.4gr Varget/COL:2.295(mag)/Horn 75gr BTHP/CCI primer

.606 5 shot group


.308
39.4gr Varget/COL:2.840(mag)/Horn 168gr BTHP/CCI primer

.673 5 shot group


I'm selling all my factory ammo

[Sub95]

That great shooting/reloading.

seems very light on the powder weight for the .308, any reason why so low?

hodgdon site, low side .42.gr

168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 42.0 2520 41,200 CUP 46.0C 2731 50,600 CUP


for the .308 i use varget 44grs coal 2.810 with ttsx168 cci 200 primers taper crimped and shoots 3 shots @ .264" 10 shot group was a under .750"

[damndave]

Nice shooting there.

What kind of rifle you shooting the 308 from?

On my 168 SMK loads I load them to 44.2gr Varget, but only 0.02 off the lands (R700). Super accurate.

[rumblebee]

I should have posted, I'm 4 weeks noob into relaoding...So, I am going by the 8th Edition "You'll shoot your eye out, Ralphie" Hornady loading manual.

There was actually a 44gr load in there (largest one it lists) and I had it, but ran out of time to shoot it. I figure I'll stick to the manual for a little while and then venture out when I feel I'm ready. Trust me, I look at Hornady's starting points and then see Hodgdon's and it's a large differnece.

Thanks for that info....I will try the 44gr loads this weekend!

That great shooting/reloading.

seems very light on the powder weight for the .308, any reason why so low?

hodgdon site, low side .42.gr

168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 42.0 2520 41,200 CUP 46.0C 2731 50,600 CUP


for the .308 i use varget 44grs coal 2.810 with ttsx168 cci 200 primers taper crimped and shoots 3 shots @ .264" 10 shot group was a under .750"

Decent shooting, but thank you

It's a Rem700 XCR Tac Long Range 1/12" twist w\26" barrel. Seems like ~44gr of varget with 168gr is gold! I'm on it this weekend

Nice shooting there.

What kind of rifle you shooting the 308 from?

On my 168 SMK loads I load them to 44.2gr Varget, but only 0.02 off the lands (R700). Super accurate.

[GeoffLinder]

20.4gr Varget is a pretty light load for .223. My best accuracy load for the SMK77 with Varget is 24.5gr at 2.255" OAL (magazine fit length in AR-15). With that longer OAL and low powder charge you are using I am thinking your velocity is nowhere near what it ought to be to get the best downrange performance from that bullet. The SMK77 likes to move out at around 2650 fps or better to be any good at longer ranges. 24.5gr gives me 2725 fps in my 20" AR.

[rumblebee]

I agree..it's a very light load and is fun to punch holes in paper at 100yds...but, I will need more velocity, especially since the Tikka .223 is a varmint smacker.

To give you an idea of how the Hornady 8th lays out, below is their reccomendation for H4895 and 75gr BTHP-

Powder Charge
19.3gr
20.1gr
20.9gr
21.7gr
22.5gr

As you can see, the manual is very conservative. I will venture out to the bigger loads soon enough, as I am no where near seeing any warning signs on brass\etc.

Right now, I'm learning the basics, as every noob should

20.4gr Varget is a pretty light load for .223. My best accuracy load for the SMK77 with Varget is 24.5gr at 2.255" OAL (magazine fit length in AR-15). With that longer OAL and low powder charge you are using I am thinking your velocity is nowhere near what it ought to be to get the best downrange performance from that bullet. The SMK77 likes to move out at around 2650 fps or better to be any good at longer ranges. 24.5gr gives me 2725 fps in my 20" AR.

[thmpr]

44 grains works well for me behind a 168 or 175 grain.

[G-forceJunkie]

I run 43.5 under a 175 for my .308, comes in at 2640 out of a 24" 5r remington barrel.

[gau17]

20.4gr Varget is a pretty light load for .223. My best accuracy load for the SMK77 with Varget is 24.5gr at 2.255" OAL (magazine fit length in AR-15). With that longer OAL and low powder charge you are using I am thinking your velocity is nowhere near what it ought to be to get the best downrange performance from that bullet. The SMK77 likes to move out at around 2650 fps or better to be any good at longer ranges. 24.5gr gives me 2725 fps in my 20" AR.

+1. I use 25.0 grains under my SMK 77. Used on MK12 Mod 0, 18" Douglas barrel, 1:8 twist.

Caution: A bit on the hot side.

[gau17]

Also look here. Some good reading.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=54716

Be safe.

[rumblebee]

Thank you for all the suggestions, very much appreciated!

gau17....I've spent a good deal of time reading that thread (good stuff). I'll venture out into that area, after a little while.

[Point of Impact]

I run 43.5 under a 175 for my .308, comes in at 2640 out of a 24" 5r remington barrel.

My load as well. Accurate all day long if I do my part.

[rumblebee]

Loaded the below for range time tomorrow-

COL: 2.840 w/ 44gr and 43.5gr Varget
COL: 2.835 w/ 44gr and 43.5gr Varget
COL: 2.830 w/ 44gr and 43.5gr Varget

All with Horn 168gr BTHP, CCI primer and LC brass

These will all be mag loads, as COL: 2.840 is max seating in my mag.

I'm looking forward to running the big boy loads. Thanks for the info!

[ronas]

[NRAhighpowershooter]

That great shooting/reloading.

seems very light on the powder weight for the .308, any reason why so low?

hodgdon site, low side .42.gr

168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 42.0 2520 41,200 CUP 46.0C 2731 50,600 CUP


for the .308 i use varget 44grs coal 2.810 with ttsx168 cci 200 primers taper crimped and shoots 3 shots @ .264" 10 shot group was a under .750"

nothing wrong with the light load for the 308.. 39.5gr Varget with the 168gr SMK, 2.850 OAL, is the only load I used in my M1A for NRA HighPower matches out to 300yds and is my go to load out to 300yd as well in my Rem 700. Here's a 300yd target shot 2 months ago at Sac Valley with my , bone stock Rem 700VS that has about 5K rounds down the pipe.


The only time one really needs a lot of velocity is to go out past 600yds. shorter than that and you are just wasting powder and barrel wear.