.308 +Varget+ sierra MK 168 + 1:10 twist. what works?

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AKD

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I usually use 748 powder but am just sitting down at the bench and got some varget. Just to save a bit of time and wasted rounds does anyone have a gn that they can recommend ? its a 24" barrel with 1:10 twist, .308 cal, first time loading with varget, 168gn smk bullets.

If anyone can post some #'s on a grain weight that works well ide appreciate it thx.
 
You absolutely must work up the load for your rifle. No two rifles will shoot the same ammo the same way. There are no short cuts.
Hodgdon gives 42.0 to 46.0(compressed) of Varget for a 168 grain bullet. They just happened to use an SMK. Don't worry about compressed loads either.
Make sure your brass is all the same length to start too.
 
the way i usually work up a load is 3 or 5 rds at .5 gaps. than take the closest groop and go .2 gaps. im just looking to see if anyone has a # that worked for them and if so ill put some closer #'s around there.

im going out 2moro but than wont be able to make it to the range again for a hella long time. would be fun to shoot some 800m targets as well rather than just sit at 100m load testing.
 
Use 5 and up by a half grain myself. There'd only be 9 loads with Varget. Although, a mag load per powder charge works too. Wouldn't load 20 if 20 round mags weren't evil though.
When you get that far, you'll have to learn to read the wind and mirage to shoot at 800. Mind you, a 175 grain match bullet would be better at that distance. 168's are best out to 600. Either distance is a long way.
 
sunray said:
Hodgdon gives 42.0 to 46.0(compressed) of Varget for a 168 grain bullet. They just happened to use an SMK. Don't worry about compressed loads either.
Click to expand...

46gr Varget and a 168 TSX isn't compressed in my loads...Nor is the 180gr...;)
 
sunray said:
Use 5 and up by a half grain myself. There'd only be 9 loads with Varget. Although, a mag load per powder charge works too. Wouldn't load 20 if 20 round mags weren't evil though.
When you get that far, you'll have to learn to read the wind and mirage to shoot at 800. Mind you, a 175 grain match bullet would be better at that distance. 168's are best out to 600. Either distance is a long way.
Click to expand...


sunray or sir. dont mind my post count. im not a new shooter.
 
"...isn't compressed in my loads..." It is with SMK's, according to Hodgdon. Doesn't matter anyway. Compressed loads are no big deal.
"...not a new shooter..." Sorry. Using the 748 at 800?
 
yes. I mostly shoot 748 because for the longest time it was the best i could get my hands on. Its not bad stuff tho. Ive had great results. I only got 3lb of varget and I all ready loaded and fired off 60rds of 190gn smk's.

The batch i was getting ready tonight i just threw out. They were reloaded 5 times so they were pretty close to scrap anyway but I think the 190's were a little hot last time. Found a high average of loose primer pockets.
 
You need to work up a load for your rifle. 46gr Varget with a 168gr might be good in someone else's rifle,but I get excess pressure indications with that load in my M700,while 45gr is OK.

Varget is good in the .308 and I've used it in the .308 and others since it was introduced back in 1994/95. It is by no means a "miracle" propellant though,and I've had equally good results with all of IMR3031/4064/4895,W748 and BLC2. In fact my best .308 loads with either 155 or 168 gr bullets come with Olin WC755,a fine commercial ball propellant that Higginson was selling 12 yrs ago.

Over the yrs I've always been amused by the marketing and gun mag hype that comes out with every new rifle,cartridge,propellant,and bullet. Through it all there are some classic combinations that continue to work very well; IMR4895 in the .308, IMR4064/4350 in the .30-06, H4831/IMR4350 in the .270,IMR4350/W760 in the 7x57,etc.
 
I'm shooting 168's out of Rem 700P (1-12" twist) using a load of 44.0gr. of Varget. Gives me 2700fps in a 26" barrel and is .25MOA accurate when I am in the mood to cooperate.

Have shot this load to 600yards with .50MOA accuracy, past 600yards I use a 175gr. SMK with 43.0gr. Varget.

Win cases, Fed 210M, loaded to 2.83" COL.
 
My 10FCP does not like factory 168 SMK's. They it the paper sideways:( 155 SMK's reloads pattern like a shotgun:confused: but 178 A-Max's work awesome!!! I can't make sense of why 168's won't stabilize but I found something that works and that's what I'm going with.
 
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