Great but seemingly boring trip to the range this morning. Took both my .308’s (Kimber 84M CC and Winchester M70 Extreme Weather). I loaded 100 rounds of WW brass, 150 grain Hornady SST, 41.2 grains of Varget and WW lrp. I knew that the rifles seemed to favor this load when I shot a couple rounds each thru both on a previous trip BUT, I did not know they liked this load that much. Both rigs shot ragged one-hole groups 1” high at 100 yards once I got them dialed in (it did not hurt that I was very relaxed and having one of those good shooting days). It is exciting and also turns boring when a rifle gets tuned that well (plus as a bonus, that load has a mild recoil). I will stock up on Varget and SST’s.
Varget/SST Range Report
- Thread starter Steve S.
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My manuals say 44 gr of Varget is the minimum load for that bullet.
BTW I have both a Kimber and EW in 308 as well. I'm loading 47 gr for just under 2900 fps in 22" barrels and getting the same accuracy. I'd also recommend trying the Scenar's too. Not much more expensive, a little more accurate, and hold velocity better at distance. I use the SST's for cheap practice.
BTW I have both a Kimber and EW in 308 as well. I'm loading 47 gr for just under 2900 fps in 22" barrels and getting the same accuracy. I'd also recommend trying the Scenar's too. Not much more expensive, a little more accurate, and hold velocity better at distance. I use the SST's for cheap practice.
I load a Nosler 150 gr BT or Accubond with 45 gr of Varget in a 22" barreled Howa 1500 with F-210 primers at 2.80" COL
This load shoots well in this rifle three shot groups are 3/4" or better, velocity averages 2850 fps.
This load shoots well in this rifle three shot groups are 3/4" or better, velocity averages 2850 fps.
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I hope that I am not exposing myself to a “detonation” using this load. It is 2.8 grains below the book starting load but well above the 50% area where (theoretically) detonation lives. I will certainly have to do some more homework on that concern. The SST’s are accurate enough for 100 yard deer shots (especially when they produce ragged holes at that distance) but I am always open to trying new reload combos. I am an avid gun enthusiast but a casual shooter; the results I achieved on my range trip yesterday were perfect for me - in turn, I am not at all confident that I can shoot better than that even with the best loads and equipment - the best I could do is shoot a smaller ragged hole - I guess I could aim for a certain valve in a deer’s heart rather than the heart itself - I think that I have hit diminishing returns.
IndianaBoy
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I think you have to get low enough on charge volume that the ignition flame from the primer can propagate along the top of the entirety of the powder column (picture the cartridge laying horizontally and less than halfway full). I am not any kind of expert but I think OP is safe.
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