308 semi reloading with varget or cfe233

[TheM4chef]

Hey guys I got a bcl102 on order and want to start some load development. Im looking to use varget or cfe233 anyone had any experience with either of these powders.

Im looking for a plinking load using hornady 150gr fmjbt
And a hunting/ target load using sierra 165g hpbt

I load 168gr hpbt match with 44.5gr varget in my tikka currently.

 

[cr5]

I've used Varget without issues but 4895 is probably the best burn rate for a 308 semi. Keep your projectiles under 170gr though, these are not bolt guns, there is more to consider than what powder you have in the gun room. The heavier the projectile the faster your carrier will travel which is harder on the gun and can also cause reliability issues. Best place to go for reloading data would be the service rifle section of the Hornady manual, there may be other manuals out there with service rifle data but my Hornady manual is the only one I have with it (Nosler manual does not).
Also, keep your expectations realistic, you are not buying a rifle with a match grade barrel, if you find a load that is consistently under 2 moa you're doing well.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...or-BCL-102-Accuracy-for-Sierra-168gr-MK-added

Good luck

 

[TheM4chef]

Thanks cr5 as long as I'm getting minute of deer I'm fine with that. Well I'd prefer better but I don't expect match grade accuracy. I'll stick to the bolt fun for high precision. Guess I'll be looking to get some 4895 in the near future.

 

[Markit]

I am getting very very close to MOA with my load development in my 102.

I am using RL15 which is very close in burn rate to Varget.

Thus far my best loads have been with
155gr AMAX and 45gr of RL15 and
168gr HPBT Match with 42.5 gr of RL15.

The 155 AMAX loads are showing better potential than the 168 gr pills.

 

[walleyed99]

IMR 4895 just plain shoots in all 308, both my gas guns and my bolt guns love it. TAC has also been good, but was a lot more work to find what load the gun liked and seemed the best with 175 Gr bullets. But 4895 was excellent with 150's, 168's and 175's. Other notable powders for me have been H4895, IMR 3031, 748 win, and of course Varget in my 308's. All were ok to good but the IMR 4895 was always the best. In my 10Tr 42.7 Gr under a Sierra SMK 10 thought off was killer at 100-500 under. 5 MOA capable if I do my part, and under 1moa out to 500.

My match springer if my memory serves me likes 41.6Gr of IMR under the SMK 10 though off and is also 1moa capable of I'm not shaking... Good luck with the load workup!
Cheers W99

 

[cr5]

Thanks cr5 as long as I'm getting minute of deer I'm fine with that. Well I'd prefer better but I don't expect match grade accuracy. I'll stick to the bolt fun for high precision. Guess I'll be looking to get some 4895 in the near future.

See how the Varget does in your rifle, as long as your not trying for bolt gun velocities you'll be ok, I've used Varget without issues in my M305 and my Modern Hunter in 6.5CM and it works well in both as long as you don't go too hot. Start at the lower end close to min loads and watch for pressure signs as you work up and also feel your rifle when shooting, if you don't see signs of pressure but feel the carrier slamming into the end of the buffer tube you may need to find a heavier buffer spring or an adjustable gas block in order to slow things down.
Hopefully the results Jerry is getting in the link I posted earlier can help you take some shortcuts to a good load. He noted that it has a tight chamber so always full length size, make sure your brass prep is good and test your brass in the chamber before loading. If the brass is tight in the chamber you may need a small base sizing die.