.308 Load Data question (168gr SIE HPBT Varget)

[jvpark]

I want to ask what I am missing?
I went to the Hodgdon website and downloaded load data on 168 grain Sierra HPBT using Varget and came up with
42grains Starting Load
46grain Max Load.

I also had purchased a load book from Loadbooks USA (from the Angeles Crest Reloading shop) and it had slightly different information
38.7 grain to 43.5 grains

Hodgdon had 42 grain with a Velocity of 2,520fps
Loadbooks had 40.3 grains with a Velocity of 2,500fps

I loaded at 42 grains, so I should be fine, but wondered about the difference info.
Loadbooks identified the Sierra bullet by model number (#2200).
What did I miss?
I will try to snap some pictures of the printouts.

[Pete1979]

It really depends on what rifle the test loads were fired out of and also how far out the chrono was placed. I read somewhere that the military puts the chrono at something like 78ft from the muzzle, most of us would put it about 15 ft away, close to the bench.

I use 42gr for just about every powder in that burn range, Varget, 4064, Rl-15, 4895, N140 ect... and have very little to no poi change between powders out of my Remington 700. I think the Sierra data was tested out of a 26" Savage 12fv, I would never get those velocities out of my 20" 700 unless I stoked up the charge substantially.

[damndave]

I would go by what Hogdon says.

When I did my load development for the 168gr SMK I started at 42.5 and went up to 45. I found my sweet spot at 44.2. This was with my R700 SPS-V. There was probably 1 more node higher in there, but was getting consistent .4moa and sometimes .3 so I decided to stop. I loaded them 0.015 off the lands, so the velocities were a little less.

[Californio]

I did my load development for the .308 in cooler weather. I pierced primers at 46.0 grains of Varget in Lapua brass when the weather warmed. 45.5 gr. is max for my .308. Do a ladder, load 5ea starting at 42.0 and go up in .5 jumps.

Look for pressure signs and see how they group. My 308 likes 45.5gr of Varget with a 168 SMK, each rifle is unique.

I load .223 with 25.0 gr. of H335, old load data, now days 23.5 is max but 25.0 has always worked in my Mini-14.

Start at 42.0 and go slow, find the sweet spot for your rifle.

[G-forceJunkie]

It depends on the brass, bullet seating depth as well. I prefer to go with the data provided by the powder manufacturer over any 3rd party. Naturally, its up to you to work your way up and watch for pressure signs. That said, 43.5-44.0 grns of Varget is a pretty standard load for the 168 or 175 SMK bullets.

[jvpark]

It depends on the brass, bullet seating depth as well. I prefer to go with the data provided by the powder manufacturer over any 3rd party. Naturally, its up to you to work your way up and watch for pressure signs. That said, 43.5-44.0 grns of Varget is a pretty standard load for the 168 or 175 SMK bullets.

I went with 42 grain and 44 grain and was much happier with the 44 grain.

[sbmunshi]

I'm using 45gr and have been getting great results. Max is 46gr compressed.