XCR Range Report

Wally

Wally

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So I took the XCR to the range today for the second time with some hand loads.

Gettin my huntin loads ready to go.

Remington Brass, Federal Large Rifle primers, worked up from 43gr to 46gr of Varget under a 165 Nosler Accubond.

Here's the best I could do with it. The group is .72" Average Velocity was 2567FPS out of a 20" pipe.

DSC02187.jpg


The Varget Bottle lists 46gr as a max load with 168gr SMK and Federal 210M primers so I wonder if I could stuff a little more powder into that case....?
 
I find the Hodgdon loads to be pretty much max for Varget, with Lapua cases anyways. With lighter brass like remington or winchester you might be able to stuff a little more powder in, but watch for pressure signs for sure. That load is probably already a grain or two over what lots of books would list as their max.
 
BeerBaron said:
I find the Hodgdon loads to be pretty much max for Varget, with Lapua cases anyways. With lighter brass like remington or winchester you might be able to stuff a little more powder in, but watch for pressure signs for sure. That load is probably already a grain or two over what lots of books would list as their max.
Click to expand...

i found sierra's data to be WAY under hodgdon's data (for 308win that is)
 
Yeah, I checked their website and they have a load table. It lists 46 as the max for the 165 too so I probably won't screw around. I don't need a grenaded action.

Hopefully I can get some match bullets to clover leaf with this load. I have a limb saver on the rifle now too and it REALLY helps with recoil. There isn't that much from the .308 but mild discomfort has turned into feathery awesomeness.
 
Try working up from 41 grains of Varget to 43. The top match ammo tends to be slower. That is if you're looking for accuracy.
 
I use IMR 4895 in my 20" .308's, and with 165gr IB's they run 2700... Have tried Varget also, but the groups are tighter with the 4895
 
Good ideas, thanks guys. I've been thinking about getting some IMR but I've been told that it's more temperature sensitive.... thoughts?

the hodgedon website shows a starting load of 42gr. is there a risk of flashover with low loads?
 
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blargon said:
I use IMR 4895 in my 20" .308's, and with 165gr IB's they run 2700... Have tried Varget also, but the groups are tighter with the 4895
Click to expand...

That's good to know. I need a load to mimick the 168 Lapua ammo that my DPMS rifle likes (2690 fps). May give that one a try. How is the accuracy?
 
Wally said:
Good ideas, thanks guys. I've been thinking about getting some IMR but I've been told that it's more temperature sensitive.... thoughts?

the hodgedon website shows a starting load of 42gr. is there a risk of flashover with low loads?
Click to expand...

Haven't tried it myself. Have read of guys using 41.5 grains of varget with 175 SMK to good results. But that's only internet based, not real world testing.

Here's a Federal Gold clone load, I picked up off the internet. I've been in the process of a few moves lately or I would have tried it out:

Federal Gold clone: 168 SMK 43-43.5 grains of IMR-4064
 
Epoxy7 said:
Haven't tried it myself. Have read of guys using 41.5 grains of varget with 175 SMK to good results. But that's only internet based, not real world testing.

Here's a Federal Gold clone load, I picked up off the internet. I've been in the process of a few moves lately or I would have tried it out:

Federal Gold clone: 168 SMK 43-43.5 grains of IMR-4064
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll give that one a try. Lemme know how it goes if you get to it before I do.
 
blargon said:
I use IMR 4895 in my 20" .308's, and with 165gr IB's they run 2700... Have tried Varget also, but the groups are tighter with the 4895
Click to expand...


Ive just started running 42 grains of IMR4895 with 165gr SSTs out of my VTR and they have been shooting great. Tightest groups ive got out of this gun yet.
 
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