175smk & Varget, plus need some input on pressures

[EricF517]

Well I took out the rifle to see what the Varget would do with the 175smk. I started my loads at the 42g and worked up to 45g. I tried to get the chrono up and running but the little bit of rain would not allow it to work properly. I also did some pressure testing and want to see if anyone can see any signs of pressure, as I do not nor did I have any stickyness of the bolt or hard lifting of it. They went up top to bottom, left to right.

Groups

 

[EricF517]

Re: 175smk & Varget, plus need some input on pressures

I am thinking that the range from 44.4 down to 43.8 are very interesting to do more testing on. Seems like that was a very good accuracy node to play with. I will do some more loads in that range and take it to 200yds and see how they do. I hope that next time I can get the chrono working. Going to do some work ups of the brass from the pressure tests to see if I can find another node.

 

[Swan]

Re: 175smk & Varget, plus need some input on pressures

The node would appear to fall around the 44gr range, but, might I suggest shooting 5rd groups next time? You can easily pull two shots while shooting 3rd groups and basically your data would be pointless.

It's also a bit difficult to discern pressure signs from those pics/angle you took them. I'd think you might get some primer flattening around 45gr or so, maybe a bit lower. Which may be due to high pressure.

 

[EricF517]

Re: 175smk & Varget, plus need some input on pressures

I will try to get a more angled picture of the primer pockets but the bunch above are these

I didn't go for 5's as I was unsure that there were enough bullets to do a 5 shot string of each. Which I was correct, but the wife picked some up for me today when she was out shopping at Cabela's. So tomorrow I am going to get another 2 of each and throw them out there.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: 175smk & Varget, plus need some input on pressures

I use 45gns varget and get primers that look pretty much like yours. A little flow from the big primer hole in the remington.

Out of my 26" Rem 700 I was getting 2700FPS with 175SMK, 45Gn's Varget, and CCI BR primers.

 

[wfjames22]

Re: 175smk & Varget, plus need some input on pressures

44.1 works for my rig.

 

[EricF517]

Re: 175smk & Varget, plus need some input on pressures

I get primers with those marks from the firing pin at all charges. I cannot believe that I am 0.8 above with no sticky bolts or flat primers

 

[woodspider]

Re: 175smk & Varget, plus need some input on pressures

43.6 of (2575 average) Varget worked for me, I was getting pressure signs above 44.5. Got fast but accuracy went bad and pressure seemed to be a problem at those higher grain levels.