175 smk 308 velocity

Out of a 16" gas gun, 2400-2500fps is kind of the normal. Yes, you can run a bit hotter but it's often not worth it because you can tear up your brass and sometimes the most consistent loads aren't the fastest.

Someone else can analyze your groups...

To give you some perspective, my 20" bolt gun runs about 2520 with the 168 gr. Pushing 2500 in a 16" gas gun is going to waste brass and will probably beat the action up pretty good unless you have an adjustable gas block.

I would pick 1,2 and 3. By the way 42 gr of Varget/IMR 4064 is a known node.

Concur with the above man. Go with what your rifle likes. 2,400 will get you out a little ways.

41.8 (41.75) was the IMR-4064 charge weight for Federal GMM with the 175gr SMK. Not sure if that is still the case or not.

My M24R runs 42.6 - 42.8gr of Varget best. 42.7 gives me 2,575 FPS on a 24" barrel for comparison.

20" AI using 308 FGMM 168 Factory Load 2558 FPS
20" AI using Creedmor Sports factory load 175gr Lapua Bullet 2566 FPS

2400- 2430 FPS for a 16" is about right.