question of reloading 308 win with varget

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meterus

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Hi,
I am reloading 308 win with hornady 150 gr sp bullets and varget powder. On the hornady reloading book, the max. load is 44.9 gr, but the data given by hodgdon is 42.3~46.5 gr. It's a big difference. I currently load 44.5 gr, with my 20" barrel rem700, the velocity seems low, just a bit above 2600. Is it safe to try a higher load? For example, 46gr? Over the max. of the Hornady book, but lower than the hodgdon's max. Thanks.
 
42.5gr with 168bthp is my 308 target loading, shoots great in every rifle I've tried it in.
Accuracy isn't always at max loads.
 
I’m getting 2820 FPS on 44.2 gr Varget with Berger 168 Hybrid Target, but out of a 28in barrel.

The safest route would be to gradually increase load in 0.2 gr or 0.5 gr increments from your current load, watching carefully for pressure signs. Do some research so you are confident in what constitutes a pressure sign. As soon as those levels are hit, be prepared to pull bullets from any load over that level. Remember a load developed in winter may produce excessive pressure in warmer conditions, though Varget is pretty good for temperature stability.
 
I'm new in reloading. Learnt a lot today. As 6MT said, work up my load. Thanks for all replies. Have a good new year!
 
I use 45 gr Varget with the hrndy 150 gr fmjbt. Very accurate out of a remmy 700 and a RA xcr-m. Don't have a crony, just ladder my way up and see what works; accuracy without over pressure signs.
 
OP, you did not mention what brass you were using.

Assuming you are using commercial brass (not military) keeping testing hotter loads. Watch for the slightest hint of a sticky bolt or a mark on the case head from the ejector hole on the bolt face. If you reach that pressure, back off a full grain and call that MAX.

I expect your rifle will handle up to 46.5 without any problem.

Load 10 of each in 0.5 gr increments and test. be prepared to bring some home, unfired.

If you use military brass, drop the loads given by 2 grains.
 
45.5 Varget under a 165 nosler partition is my most accurate load from my Vanguard S2. Accuracy was sub par until i hit 44 grains, then improved up to 45.5, dropped off at 46 and 46.5. I did not test higher but no pressure signs even at 46.5.

You will obviously have to work up a load for your rifle just though i would share what worked for me.
 
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My best Varget load with 150's in my Ruger M77 MKII and No.1 is 48.0 grains @ 2.820"... this is slightly long, lightly compressed and over "new" book max, so work up from 45.0 and locate your lands.
 
my 20" savage lightweight was pushing a 150 ttsx at 2761 fps using 45.5 grns varget.....would group under an inch at 220yds

Chris
 
Lee and Hornady have big differences for max varget loads in 308. I've often wondered if I was foolish to work up loads past another published book's data.
 
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