308 varget

[kestak]

Greeting,

After a few months away, i am back, alive and in one piece!!

First time using varget here.

I am handloading 308 with 44.0 grains of varget according to lyman 49 th (42.5-47) for hornady amax and sierra 2130 . Both 150 gr bullets.

I noticed the powder goes just over the shoulder of the case, almost into the neck. The book does not stipulates it is a compressed load. And it will be slighly compressed.

Am i doing a major mistake or does it looks right?

 

[MtnCreek]

Check your scale once more to be sure it's right. All my Varget loads in .308 are compressed. 44grs is no problem; I've loaded that charge w/ 175gr HPBT's.

 

[Funshooter45]

It will depend somewhat on the brass capacity that you are using. The last Varget load test I did was using Winchester brass. I don't think it started compressing until about 46.0, but 45.0 was definitely pretty full. If you are using a different brand of brass, it might indeed start compressing a bit at 44.0. No worry though.

 

[guzzi]

Varget

Alive and in one piece! Now that is what I would call good news.

And, your choice in Varget for the 308 is also good news. My wife likes 45 grains of Varget with a 150 grain bullet for her 308. In her shooting log that load is listed as very accurate. Also, there is no mention of it being a compressed load.

 

[redbullitt]

Should be just fine. I would suggest working up to it if you havent.

I am using just about 44 grains on my 168 smks and 43 grains on my 175 smk.

 

[MEHavey]

44gr VARGET in my Winchester cases comes right up to the bottom edge of the shoulder. In my Lapua cases it comes just "a tad" higher up that shoulder. Neither is unusual.

 

[918v]

Use a long drop tube and pour it in slow. The powder will settle better.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have had great luck with Varget in two .308's. Had a Ruger M77 that dialed in at 44.4 grains and a CZ that dialed in at 45 grains. Both with 165 grain Hornadys.

While you are at it look up optimum charge weight and give it a go. You basically load up 10 or so rounds about 3 tenths of a grain apart and shoot at a target 200 yards out. Start with the lowest loadings and your rounds will walk up the target. At some point two or three of em will group and that is the load range that is "ringing your barrel" just right. Then load ten more a tenth of a grain apart from the low to the high of the two or three that grouped.

I have done this with crimped rounds at standard length and got incredible and repeatable results. You may find that the charge that works best is not the fastest but who cares if you can get it to shoot right.

 

[Zak Smith]

FWIW, I load more than 46 grains of Varget in Lapua cases with 155's (Lapua). It crunches a little bit upon seating.

 

[918v]

Had a Ruger M77 that dialed in at 44.4 grains

My remmy LTR likes that charge weight as well with 168's.

 

[dagger dog]

Hodgdon# 27 shows 44 grs Varget as the starting load for 150 gr Nosler BT bullet and
a compressed 47 grs as max.

Nosler 5th states 44.5 grs as a starter with @ 90% load density and the max as 48.5 grs @ 98 % density and it groups the 150 and 155 gr bullets with the same loads, so I would say your safe .Looks like your right on the money for a starter load.

 

[MtnCreek]

Use a long drop tube and pour it in slow. The powder will settle better.

918v has a good point. When the powder companies do their testing, what do they consider the natural 'poured in the case' density of Varget to be? Maybe your charge as poured in the case reaches the shoulder. Now put your finger on to on the mouth and give the case a couple of light taps on the bench; where does to charge come to now; probably below the shoulder. Also, with long match boat tails, the boat tail can touch and compress the charge even when there is still some case capisity left around the projectile. Think of it this way, it would be possible to take this same charge/projectile and turn it upside down while completing the bullet seat and you would not feel any powder compression. Not that any of this really means anything; just thinking out loud!

 

[amlevin]

Use a long drop tube and pour it in slow. The powder will settle better.

OR

If you have a vibrator case cleaner, just put the powder in the case, put your finger over the case mouth, and hold the filled case against the running case cleaner. It will shake the powder down and compact it as much as possible without compressing it.

 

[hancjamk]

My favorite load is 45.2 gr. Varget 168 SMK CCI BR-2 Winchester brass. No excessive pressure signs.