I think I am ready to try reloading.

Dimitri

Dimitri

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So I think I may try making a bunch (50-100 rounds) of "match" ammunition.

Seems to me that the max charge for Varget is 46gr per Hodgdon and Lee's manuals. So I'm thinking I'll just make a bunch of these.

  • 168gr Sierra Match King
  • 43gr Hodgdon Varget
  • Norma Brass Case
  • Win LR Primer

At 43gr of Varget its 7% or so under the max load, and its also 92% of the useful volume of the 308 case so it should preform well no matter how much its been "shaken" unlike many light loads.

It seems to me most popular loads are 44-45gr of Varget from my research online. Since my Envoy has a .307" bore slightly tighter then the normal .308-.3085 bores for the 308Wins. So I'm doing as suggested and backing off a grain.

Since my rifle has a 29" Barrel I think I may just need to get a Chronograph once I do get the loads ready (Depending on the responses to my emails if its in stock). I should get a nice velocity out of this round. :)

What are your thoughts? :confused:

Dimitri
 
Make up 3rds every 0.3gr from your start load to where you think the max load will be. Shoot each group monitoring velocity and group size.

The groups will start big, shrink, expand, and shrink again. If all goes well, this will be where max velocity is expected. With the longer barrel, you might get a bit more velocity but watch for pressure signs.

Retest with 2 3rd groups 0.2gr steps starting 0.4gr under the best load to 0.4gr above. Odds are you not see a huge difference in group size but there will be groups that show more vertical then others. You want the load that looks like a football on its side.

Take that load and test as far as you can (I actually like to do all testing at least 200yds). Look for consistent small group size and lack of vertical. VOILA, go have fun.

Jerry
 
Mystic,

I was sort of hoping of finding a "Sweet" load for 2 rifles by making a generic load with a close to max volume capacity ammunition. Cause this will also be fed through my M1A which can eat Varget. Originally I was going to go with a GMM load, but I decided I'd rather have the temperature insensitive Varget over the IMR 4064 that the GMM uses.

By the way PM inbound.

Dimitri
 
DOUGLAS D said:
New brass or once fired through your gun?
Click to expand...

New Brass, cause it would be eaten by both my M1A and my Envoy, and when reloading it will be FL resized. But due to the considerations of the Envoy's smaller diameter barrel I am worried about pressure spikes on it then I am on the M1A.

Dimitri
 
Dimitri said:
New Brass, cause it would be eaten by both my M1A and my Envoy, and when reloading it will be FL resized. But due to the considerations of the Envoy's smaller diameter barrel I am worried about pressure spikes on it then I am on the M1A.

Dimitri
Click to expand...


Sorry when I read the first post I didnt think of it as one load for two rifles.
You know what you're doing Pard and sounds like you're on the right track.:)
 
I'd try all the test rounds in both guns and then settle on the one that gives the best results for both or choose best two different loads for each gun.
 
blacksmithden said:
So, you went to the store to buy factory ammo for the first time in 6 months and nearly had a heart attack over the prices, right ???
Click to expand...

Nah I'm doing decently well I think when it comes to the ammunition count, still have a couple of SA battle packs, a half dozen boxes of UMC FMJ's and the like.

But spending 40$ a box for GMM seemed alittle expensive. Not too bad mind you, but I really want to practice this year and next spring for SR competition and maybe actually compete by next summer. Depends how much range time I get with going back to college in September. :redface:

Dimitri
 
Treat the bolt rifle and semi as two completely different animals. The bolt load may be tough on the operating system in the M1A and the M1A ammo may not be in tune for the bolt rifle.

If you want the best possible performance, load separate ammo.

If you want to compromise and just have blasting ammo, load specifically for the m1A. You shouldn't use Varget in a M1A.

Jerry
 
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