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Feb 12th, 2024
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 .308 & Varget
#4585248
09/20/13 01:37 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,308
Precision_Shooter
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,308 |
I'm still in trial and error phase with my new Savage 10-PSR. Last time out I tried 5 of each bullet and the below powder charge all seated at .050" off the lands using 150gr SST and 155 Berger VLD:
43.5gr
44gr
44.5gr
They all felt pretty light compared to factory ammo, and shot 3-5 inches low of factory ammo.
After talking to some others who load .308 using Varget, and looking at other reloading manuals and max charge weights, I took the average max of 47.8gr and reduced by 5% and loaded some rounds starting at 45.5 working up in .3 grain increments to max of 46.7 all seated .020" off the lands using 155gr Amax and 155 Berger VLD. I’m hoping that this next range trip will yield some better results and one of the loads will stand out above the rest.
What charge weights have you found to work the best for you in your rifle?
Thanks for any insight you can give,
PS
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: Precision_Shooter]
#4585278
09/20/13 01:44 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219
dee
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,219 |
I used a healthy dose of Varget with 155 Sierra Palma bullets and with good results. Just remember the vld bullets don't like jumping and are very sensitive to length unless you are using a hybrid.
"A vote is like a rifle; it's usefulness depends on the character of the user" Theodore Roosevelt
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: Precision_Shooter]
#4585382
09/20/13 02:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,157
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,157 |
178 gr A-max, even with the lands, 44.0 to 45.0 gr of Varget. Everyone knows this. 
![[Linked Image]](http://www.precisionriflehunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/garvey.jpg) 800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: J.G.]
#4585385
09/20/13 02:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,157
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,157 |
Because BC trumps MV every time.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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 Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: J.G.]
#4585656
09/20/13 03:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,308
Precision_Shooter
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,308 |
I was lucky I found 155 Amax. The VLD's are hybrid target/hunting. The 178amax has a BC of .495 The 155 Berger is .439... Trying to work with what I have on hand and can find at a reasonable price. 
Last edited by Precision_Shooter; 09/20/13 03:44 PM.
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: Precision_Shooter]
#4585920
09/20/13 04:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 294
HTDUCK
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 294 |
Running the 155 SMK Palma in my rifle.
BC is .504 and MV is 2955 out of a 26 inch barrel.
Load is 47.8 grs of Varget.
Lapua brass.
Fed 210 primers.
Ladder test at 500 yards I had less than 1/2 inch vertical.
You probably have room to go up in charge weight.
Work up in .3 gr increments.
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: HTDUCK]
#4586064
09/20/13 04:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,308
Precision_Shooter
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,308 |
HTDUCK,
How compressed is your load with 47.8 grs of Varget? How deep are you seating your bullets?
With 46.7grs and seating .020" off the lands, I could feel the powder compress when seating the bullets. OAL for the Bergers is 2.870" and the Amax is 2.802". I know some compression is ok, just worry I won't be able to seat them deep enough to fit in my chamber if I go much more than 46.7grs.
Last edited by Precision_Shooter; 09/20/13 04:42 PM.
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: Precision_Shooter]
#4586194
09/20/13 05:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 294
HTDUCK
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 294 |
How compressed is it? I don't know.
I worked up to this load from 45.5 grs .3 grs at a time.
I have shot all the way up to 48.5 grs of it, but the accuracy node was at 47.8.
My rifle is a Remington 700 VSSF and it has a lot of throat in it. As in magazine length is 2.825 and I'm loading to 2.820 OAL.
I hit the lands @ 2.855 with the 155 Palma.
Each rifle is different, start working up and look for pressure signs.
As for the Berger VLDs, I have had better accuracy with them jammed into the lands rather than jumping the bullet.
However I wanted a load I could feed through the mag, not a single shot.
When I first started shooting them I contacted Berger.
Their advice was to shoot 4 three shot groups.
1st group have the bullet touching the lands.
Each subsequent group seat the bullet .040 shorter.
Somewhere in there you should find a " sweet spot " for OAL.
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: HTDUCK]
#4586206
09/20/13 05:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,308
Precision_Shooter
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,308 |
My mags will hold the Bergers at max OAL of 2.890" with the bullets touching the lands.
I'll try to find a charge weight that is the most consistent then play with seating depth to fine tune it.
Thanks for all the info.
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: HTDUCK]
#4586224
09/20/13 05:34 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,243
matt bohac
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,243 |
44 grs of varget and on the vlds they are very picky on the OAL for each gun. when you find it the sweet spot i had some of my best groups with them.
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: Precision_Shooter]
#4587720
09/21/13 02:22 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 62
hou270win
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 62 |
I'm still in trial and error phase with my new Savage 10-PSR. Last time out I tried 5 of each bullet and the below powder charge all seated at .050" off the lands using 150gr SST and 155 Berger VLD:
43.5gr
44gr
44.5gr
They all felt pretty light compared to factory ammo, and shot 3-5 inches low of factory ammo.
After talking to some others who load .308 using Varget, and looking at other reloading manuals and max charge weights, I took the average max of 47.8gr and reduced by 5% and loaded some rounds starting at 45.5 working up in .3 grain increments to max of 46.7 all seated .020" off the lands using 155gr Amax and 155 Berger VLD. I’m hoping that this next range trip will yield some better results and one of the loads will stand out above the rest.
What charge weights have you found to work the best for you in your rifle?
Thanks for any insight you can give,
PS
Rifles are all individuals, and so are bullets, cases, and lots of powder. Get a chronograph, and you'll be closer to knowing if your load is really hot, or not.
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: hou270win]
#4590353
09/22/13 04:51 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,016
SingleShot85
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,016 |
175smk over 44.5grns of Varget has worked for me, in many different rifles..... the ultimate test will be when my GAP 10 arrives next month....
currently, out of my 24" AIAE i'm getting 2680fps
Last edited by SingleShot85; 09/22/13 04:52 AM.
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Re: .308 & Varget
[Re: SingleShot85]
#4590633
09/22/13 01:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 588
Poke81
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 588 |
I have had many many different 308 rifles and the 175SMK over 44.5 has been a solid 3/4" or less in almost every one of them. One of the ones it didn't work in was a XCR Long Range Tactical 308 and that is because it was to hot. Went down to 43.5 and it was a solid shooting rifle.
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