Pet loads for 308 and Varget

[Papaclaude]

I was out at the range today, trying out different loads in my 308 (a factory SPS 700 Varmint with Hogue stock). I've been trying a bunch of different loads, and the best I've found so far is 45.6 gr. Varget behind a Hornady Match 168 gr., seated back about 5 thou from the rifling. I've found that it liked hot loads, but at 46 groups started to open up a bit, but no signs of pressure. Anyone else have similar results?

 

[HeadDamage]

44 to 45 grains of Varget and 175gr SMK bullets usually works well.

 

[maynard]

46.0 of Varget and any 155 gr bullet, velocity is around 2940-2950 out of a 30" tube.

 

[Melnibonean]

46g Varget under 168gr SMK, WLR primers and range pick up brass. My Savage 10TR prefers this.

 

[Lefty Dick]

46.0 of Varget and any 155 gr bullet, velocity is around 2940-2950 out of a 30" tube.

Yup, mine too.

This load works fine for 150's in numerous flavours, for hunting rigs too.

 

[Kevan]

46.0 of Varget and any 155 gr bullet, velocity is around 2940-2950 out of a 30" tube.

Thats my pet load, very competitive for 300 & 500 yd. matches.

 

[Papaclaude]

Good to know I'm in the ballpark. Maybe I'll try 46 gr. again in case I was to blame for the groups opening up. It was extremely windy today - so much so that the rifle itself was getting moved by the wind in the rest.

 

[WhelanLad]

hi mate I am using 44gr of AR2208 in Rem cases and Fed primers behind 150gr Accubond pp/bt projectiles for Hunting.

in a Tikka t3 that's a pretty confident load in my book.

WL

 

[chalkriver]

44.4 grains of varget , Hornady 168 gr HPBT works well in my rem 700 SPS Tactical with a 20 in barrel

 

[Fusilier]

Tagged for interest. I haven't reloaded for my .308 in too long.

 

[Brutus]

46.0 of Varget and any 155 gr bullet, velocity is around 2940-2950 out of a 30" tube.

I use this formula for my own hand load in the Wichita.

But for my Remington Varmint and the Polytech I use 42.0 gr of IMR 4064 with a 170 gr bullet. This milder load won't beat up the semi-auto too much and it's too long for the Wichita bullet throat.

With both handloads I use Federal 210M.

 

[JIP911]

46.0 of Varget and any 155 gr bullet, velocity is around 2940-2950 out of a 30" tube.

44.4 grains of varget , Hornady 168 gr HPBT works well in my rem 700 SPS Tactical with a 20 in barrel

both charges shoot incredibly well with 155 scenars... With 46.1 I am seeing 2710FPS out of a 20" tube...

J

 

[spatrick]

44gr of Varget with SMK 175gr, 0.012" jump. Very accurate load in my TRG-22.

 

[hoytcanon]

I'm shooting my preferred load of 46.5 grains lightly compressed under 150 SST/IB's... Win brass and CCI 200 primers.

 

[maynard]

Thats my pet load, very competitive for 300 & 500 yd. matches.

Works out to 1000 yards too.

 

[Andy]

46.0 of Varget and any 155 gr bullet, velocity is around 2940-2950 out of a 30" tube.

X2, and I use 47.0 over 150 gr.

 

[Lastgun]

Good to go out to 1000 yards with 46gr. Varget, Lapua brass, BR CCI primer...Spinning a 155gr Scenar out at 2900fps with my 22" Rock barreled ATRS tack driver.

 

[ericrose]

This is interesting as I just started working up a load for my M700 SPS Varmint. Today's loads were 40, 41,42 and 43GRN's pushing 168 GRN Hornady's. The 43 GRN load was very tight at 100yds. I had heard that 43.5 GRN's was the sweet spot for this rig but having read what you guys are doing I will push it a bit higher. Sounds like I should buy some 150 GRN bullets as well.

 

[PatD]

I was using 43.3 grains behind the Hornady btsp 165 in an XCR-M. Worked pretty well.

 

[StoneHorse]

Where are you guys seating the bullets? Jammed, touching or jump?