150gr SMK's

[gillamboy]

Anybody have a max load for 150gr Sierra Match King's, using Varget powder in a 308? I'll start low as always but I can't find a max load so I don't go too far. Thanks.

 

[prosper]

who cares about max? You're looking for most accurate. Each rifle it a law unto itself, there are no shortcuts; you have to do the load work yourself.

A chrony is a must have

 

[p-17]

Personally, I'd start out with something like 44 grains and work up until 47 (at the most).

 

[smak_daddy]

Personally, I'd start out with something like 44 grains and work up until 47 (at the most).

I agree. 44 seems like a good spot to start. work up. I use 46 grains of varget with 155 SMK.

 

[gillamboy]

Thanks p-17, thats the info I was looking for.

 

[gillamboy]

who cares about max? You're looking for most accurate. Each rifle it a law unto itself, there are no shortcuts; you have to do the load work yourself.

A chrony is a must have

I agree, but isn't it nice to have some numbers to work around to give you starting points??

 

[Boomer]

Ok, 44 grs of Varget is your starting point, so now what? The safest method of finding your maximum load is by shooting across a chronograph. One of three things will happen; your accuracy will drop off and you'll loose interest in proceeding further, you will reach 2900 fps where you should stop as this is the maximum velocity listed for Varget with a 150 gr bullet in several manuals (assuming you have a normal length barrel), or your velocity increase will plateau. This indicates that the maximum pressure is near, in which case you should consider half a grain below this load is maximum in your rifle.

 

[gillamboy]

I should of made my original post clearer. I wanted a published max load so I may take 10% off for my starting point. Then work up my load, looking for accuracy and signs of over pressure. I do not have a chrony so I cannot use speed as a measurement, yet. As I approach a published max load (if I even get that high), I load in 1/10th grain increments to avoid over pressure. Again, I'm just looking for some numbers to base my work up on, I don't know what I have insinuated here.

 

[darxtar]

Hogdons website lists for a 150 GR. NOS BT 44.0gr @ 2788fps 43,300 CUP starting load and 47.0Compressed @ 2937fps 50,300 CUP maximum load

 

[darxtar]

From Sierra Infinity v5.1

308 Winchester
Primer: Fed 210M Test Firearm: Savage 12VSS
Case: Federal BBL Length: 26"
Twist: 1x10" Trim-to Length: 2.005"
Bullets:
#2190 .30 Caliber/7.62mm (.308) 150 gr. HPBT Match OAL 2.775

Varget Powder
41.4gr = 2600fps
43.1gr = 2700fps
44.8gr = 2800fps