175gr SMK powder used
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Re: 175gr SMK powder used
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Biner626</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget </div></div>
This. Lapua brass, 44.4gr Varget, CCI BR2 primer, 175gr SMK seated at 2.820"
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Biner626</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget </div></div>
This. Lapua brass, 44.4gr Varget, CCI BR2 primer, 175gr SMK seated at 2.820"
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
I am liking the varget too. Used reloder at first, but got better results with varget.
I am liking the varget too. Used reloder at first, but got better results with varget.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
42.5 H4895, LC brass Wolf Mag primer. Its not my primary load, but a good one. I prefer RE15, or even more so 44.3 of the LR surplus pull down powder. Its sorta RE15, but not the cannister version.
42.5 H4895, LC brass Wolf Mag primer. Its not my primary load, but a good one. I prefer RE15, or even more so 44.3 of the LR surplus pull down powder. Its sorta RE15, but not the cannister version.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rickp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I guess Varget it is.
Thanks guys
</div></div>
The only PITA with Varget is metering. I use a Uniflow powder measure and get a lot of crunched powder.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rickp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, I guess Varget it is.
Thanks guys
</div></div>
The only PITA with Varget is metering. I use a Uniflow powder measure and get a lot of crunched powder.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
The majority here will recommend Varget, and rightfully so, because it gives good velocity and is temperature stable. I shot some great groups with it.
BUT I settled on Alliant 2000MR, because I got accuracy nodes at 2750 FPS (46.2 gr .010 off lands) and 2825 FPS (47.7 .010 off lands). I stayed with the 2750 FPS node because I got one sticky bolt at the faster one. It is shooting less than half MOA out to 1100 yards in a bone stock Savage FCP-K! And the word on the street is that it is close to Varget in temperature stability, plus it meters MUCH smoother.
I can set my thrower, and as long as I'm repeating my motions, I'm never more than .1-.2 grains off desired charge. With Varget, the variance can be double or triple that. Oh yeah, that and a pound of 2000MR runs me about $21 even down at Sportsman's Warehouse in Lexington.
In a nutshell, 308 is a GREAT cartridge for handloaders. I'm glad I switched over to that caliber for my introduction to handloading. Very noob friendly.
That being said, I'm seeing some great published numbers for this new Hodgdon CFE 223 stuff for 308 loads (2750+ with 175 SMK), as well as 223 loads. I'm hankering to find a pound of it and try out. It may very well end up being my single "go-to" powder for both my 223 and 308 heavy AND light bullets.
The majority here will recommend Varget, and rightfully so, because it gives good velocity and is temperature stable. I shot some great groups with it.
BUT I settled on Alliant 2000MR, because I got accuracy nodes at 2750 FPS (46.2 gr .010 off lands) and 2825 FPS (47.7 .010 off lands). I stayed with the 2750 FPS node because I got one sticky bolt at the faster one. It is shooting less than half MOA out to 1100 yards in a bone stock Savage FCP-K! And the word on the street is that it is close to Varget in temperature stability, plus it meters MUCH smoother.
I can set my thrower, and as long as I'm repeating my motions, I'm never more than .1-.2 grains off desired charge. With Varget, the variance can be double or triple that. Oh yeah, that and a pound of 2000MR runs me about $21 even down at Sportsman's Warehouse in Lexington.
In a nutshell, 308 is a GREAT cartridge for handloaders. I'm glad I switched over to that caliber for my introduction to handloading. Very noob friendly.
That being said, I'm seeing some great published numbers for this new Hodgdon CFE 223 stuff for 308 loads (2750+ with 175 SMK), as well as 223 loads. I'm hankering to find a pound of it and try out. It may very well end up being my single "go-to" powder for both my 223 and 308 heavy AND light bullets.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
Hodgdon H4895 and IMR XBR8208 are also "extreme powders" suitable for a broad temperature band. Try em all and see what happens. I couldn't get a varget groups to touch the groups I have with H4895 and 8208 maybe im not driving them hard enough.
Hodgdon H4895 and IMR XBR8208 are also "extreme powders" suitable for a broad temperature band. Try em all and see what happens. I couldn't get a varget groups to touch the groups I have with H4895 and 8208 maybe im not driving them hard enough.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
Varget!
178 BTHP - Same load for 175 SMK's
05 LC/LR brass trimmed to 2.005
44.0 Gr Varget
5 shot group at 100 yards
Varget!
178 BTHP - Same load for 175 SMK's
05 LC/LR brass trimmed to 2.005
44.0 Gr Varget
5 shot group at 100 yards
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rickp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey guys what Hodgdon powder are you guys using to load a .308 175gr SMK round.</div></div>
A more interesting question is who has used Varget and has changed because they found something better? Anyone?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rickp</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey guys what Hodgdon powder are you guys using to load a .308 175gr SMK round.</div></div>
A more interesting question is who has used Varget and has changed because they found something better? Anyone?
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
Again I started with Varget because it is so popular and friendly. I switched to 2000mr because it was giving better velocity and meters better.
Again I started with Varget because it is so popular and friendly. I switched to 2000mr because it was giving better velocity and meters better.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
I use 44.0 gr of Varget and a littl less IMR4895 with very good success. I toyed around with the 4895 and have stayed with Varget due to its consistency.
I use 44.0 gr of Varget and a littl less IMR4895 with very good success. I toyed around with the 4895 and have stayed with Varget due to its consistency.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jimlaw83</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> BUT I settled on Alliant 2000MR, because I got accuracy nodes at 2750 FPS (46.2 gr .010 off lands) and 2825 FPS (47.7 .010 off lands). I stayed with the 2750 FPS node because I got one sticky bolt at the faster one. It is shooting less than half MOA out to 1100 yards in a bone stock Savage FCP-K! And the word on the street is that it is close to Varget in temperature stability, plus it meters MUCH smoother.
</div></div>
I've been using Varget, but always was at best "almost happy" with my groups that wouldn't quite break 0.75MOA. I'll have to try the 2000MR to see if it'll improve things.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jimlaw83</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> BUT I settled on Alliant 2000MR, because I got accuracy nodes at 2750 FPS (46.2 gr .010 off lands) and 2825 FPS (47.7 .010 off lands). I stayed with the 2750 FPS node because I got one sticky bolt at the faster one. It is shooting less than half MOA out to 1100 yards in a bone stock Savage FCP-K! And the word on the street is that it is close to Varget in temperature stability, plus it meters MUCH smoother.
</div></div>
I've been using Varget, but always was at best "almost happy" with my groups that wouldn't quite break 0.75MOA. I'll have to try the 2000MR to see if it'll improve things.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hookman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget!
178 BTHP - Same load for 175 SMK's
05 LC/LR brass trimmed to 2.005
44.0 Gr Varget
5 shot group at 100 yards
</div></div>
No calipers needed!! Fantastic group!
Oh, and I load Varget too!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hookman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget!
178 BTHP - Same load for 175 SMK's
05 LC/LR brass trimmed to 2.005
44.0 Gr Varget
5 shot group at 100 yards
No calipers needed!! Fantastic group!
Oh, and I load Varget too!
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
Known OCW's are (WORK UP TO THESE LOAD AS THE 8208 IS OVER MAX:
42.4 IMR 4895, 175g, 2.805, winchester brass
43.2 IMR 8208, 175g, 2.805, winchester brass
44.5 Varget, 175 2.805, Lapua brass
45.0 Varget, 175, 2.805, Winchester brass
The IMR 4895 is a smooth shooting recipe I moved from it to IMR 8208 for velocity reasons. I'm getting 2685 at 2800' ASL with IMR 8208 out of a 21.75" barrel.
Known OCW's are (WORK UP TO THESE LOAD AS THE 8208 IS OVER MAX:
42.4 IMR 4895, 175g, 2.805, winchester brass
43.2 IMR 8208, 175g, 2.805, winchester brass
44.5 Varget, 175 2.805, Lapua brass
45.0 Varget, 175, 2.805, Winchester brass
The IMR 4895 is a smooth shooting recipe I moved from it to IMR 8208 for velocity reasons. I'm getting 2685 at 2800' ASL with IMR 8208 out of a 21.75" barrel.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
My chrony is saying over and over again 2730ish fps using 44.5 grains varget, lapua brass, 175 smk, remington 9 1/2 lr p seated at 2.825". Gun is a GAP with a 23" bartlein barell. Does this sound right to you guys? I know it sounds crazy but i plugged it into a jbm computer and it was dead on! No signs of op either. thoughts???
My chrony is saying over and over again 2730ish fps using 44.5 grains varget, lapua brass, 175 smk, remington 9 1/2 lr p seated at 2.825". Gun is a GAP with a 23" bartlein barell. Does this sound right to you guys? I know it sounds crazy but i plugged it into a jbm computer and it was dead on! No signs of op either. thoughts???
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My chrony is saying over and over again 2730ish fps using 44.5 grains varget, lapua brass, 175 smk, remington 9 1/2 lr p seated at 2.825". Gun is a GAP with a 23" bartlein barell. Does this sound right to you guys? I know it sounds crazy but i plugged it into a jbm computer and it was dead on! No signs of op either. thoughts??? </div></div>
That's just about right with a match barrel and all, what's your elevation? ~3000' ASL?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My chrony is saying over and over again 2730ish fps using 44.5 grains varget, lapua brass, 175 smk, remington 9 1/2 lr p seated at 2.825". Gun is a GAP with a 23" bartlein barell. Does this sound right to you guys? I know it sounds crazy but i plugged it into a jbm computer and it was dead on! No signs of op either. thoughts??? </div></div>
That's just about right with a match barrel and all, what's your elevation? ~3000' ASL?
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
Wow...well if you aren't experiencing any pressure signs just roll with it!
Wow...well if you aren't experiencing any pressure signs just roll with it!
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
2554 f/s out of a 20" for me at 580ft. 44.5 Varget, 2.80 oal, Winchester case, Federal match primer.
2554 f/s out of a 20" for me at 580ft. 44.5 Varget, 2.80 oal, Winchester case, Federal match primer.
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
Keep this going, my winter project is to get my FNH SPS in .308 up and running to save barrel life in my other rifle. Does anyone recommend a better long range load / bullet combo?
Keep this going, my winter project is to get my FNH SPS in .308 up and running to save barrel life in my other rifle. Does anyone recommend a better long range load / bullet combo?
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
I have worked up loads for 5 different FN A5-M SPR rifles.
They all love 175 SMKs with 42.0 - 44.5 grains of RE15, 210M primer, and either Lapua or LC-LR brass.
Work up your own loads using appropriate loading techniques to identify the "Node" that your rifle likes.
One thing to keep in mind, you can forget about ever being able to get close to the lands on an FN.
(Unless it has been re-barreled.)
I have worked up loads for 5 different FN A5-M SPR rifles.
They all love 175 SMKs with 42.0 - 44.5 grains of RE15, 210M primer, and either Lapua or LC-LR brass.
Work up your own loads using appropriate loading techniques to identify the "Node" that your rifle likes.
One thing to keep in mind, you can forget about ever being able to get close to the lands on an FN.
(Unless it has been re-barreled.)
Re: 175gr SMK powder used
Again, not Hodgdon but 2000MR, 47.5grs, CCIBR, Win. brass, 178HPBTs, Ill take blame for the flyer, the 4 shots went 7/8". 200yds.
Again, not Hodgdon but 2000MR, 47.5grs, CCIBR, Win. brass, 178HPBTs, Ill take blame for the flyer, the 4 shots went 7/8". 200yds.
