I'm working on developing a load using a 175gr SMK for SPS tactical. Bullets came in the mail today so not wasting any time loaded up some rounds and off to the range I went.
Here are the details:
New Lapua brass, full length sized
COAL 2.8 in
Remington primer
Varget powder 44 gr 44.5 gr and 45 gr
CFE223 powder 46.5 gr 47 gr and 47.5 gr
Here is a picture of the groups at 100 yards. (Far left and center columns, far right is a 223)
I guess my question is why did I get such an extreme flyer out of 47.5 gr CFE223 charge? First to shots are touching, velocity on them was 2756 and 2758 fps, but the third shot was way out and velocity on it was 2779. So obviously something was wrong. Ether the powder charge was a bit more then the other two (sight...) or something else.
After seeing that kind of test group from first 3 rounds would you load 5 more with a different primer just to see what it would do? The velocity on that 175 grainer is smoking fast for a 308 with a 20 inch barrel, which is great, especially if that load will shoot consistent 3/4 MOA. The primmer did crater slightly, but no other sings of pressure, edge of the primer still nice and round, bolt not sticky, and brass extracted nice and easy.
On the other hand I'm very happy with 45 grain Varget charge. Group measured ~0.3 or there about. Velocity on first round was 2698, but the other two rounds chronograph decided not to read. I'm gonna load 10 more of those for this weekend to see how three 3 round groups will shot, hopefully chrony will cooperate.
Here are the details:
New Lapua brass, full length sized
COAL 2.8 in
Remington primer
Varget powder 44 gr 44.5 gr and 45 gr
CFE223 powder 46.5 gr 47 gr and 47.5 gr
Here is a picture of the groups at 100 yards. (Far left and center columns, far right is a 223)
I guess my question is why did I get such an extreme flyer out of 47.5 gr CFE223 charge? First to shots are touching, velocity on them was 2756 and 2758 fps, but the third shot was way out and velocity on it was 2779. So obviously something was wrong. Ether the powder charge was a bit more then the other two (sight...) or something else.
After seeing that kind of test group from first 3 rounds would you load 5 more with a different primer just to see what it would do? The velocity on that 175 grainer is smoking fast for a 308 with a 20 inch barrel, which is great, especially if that load will shoot consistent 3/4 MOA. The primmer did crater slightly, but no other sings of pressure, edge of the primer still nice and round, bolt not sticky, and brass extracted nice and easy.
On the other hand I'm very happy with 45 grain Varget charge. Group measured ~0.3 or there about. Velocity on first round was 2698, but the other two rounds chronograph decided not to read. I'm gonna load 10 more of those for this weekend to see how three 3 round groups will shot, hopefully chrony will cooperate.