.308 185gn Berger hybrid w/ varget issue

[QuantuMechaniC]

Hi all,
I am having a problem with a load development on 185 hybrids, I am starting 41gn varget. I measured my lands to be at 2.286" from oglaive (~2.993" not oglaive). I wanted the round to fit into PMAG 5 AC but has a OAL of 2.900". The smallest I can load to feed properly is 2.870 OAL is this pretty far off the lands? greater than ~.123. Anyway any help would be great, I am wondering if I should switch to a smaller bullet length but most I am looking at are pretty long the ELD-X 178 is even longer than the hybrid.

Surgeon Action .308
Bartlein 24" 1:10
Cadex Defense Chassis

 

[QuantuMechaniC]

Side note from berger, nose portion is .831 on that load which is measured from ogive forward which means the actual OAL would be approx 3.117 at lands and if I backed off .020 would be 3.097... very very long.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I load mine at 2.85 and they jump very well. Shoot under .5 moa. I use 2000mr.

 

[jsthntn247]

Why did your smith use a reamer with a throat soo long? The biggest reason for getting a barrel chambered is to match the throat with the intended bullet(especially if mag feeding) and you screwed that up right off the bat.

 

[shoot4fun]

I load mine at 2.85 and they jump very well. Shoot under .5 moa. I use 2000mr.

This is my load as well and it will provide .5 MOA when I am able. It is a bit less temp stable but the extra FPS is worth that to me. This combo is good out to 1,000 yards in my AIAW regularly and I've even gotten them to shoot well at 1250. The Hybrid is not really picky on jump length.

 

[agbm]

This is my load as well and it will provide .5 MOA when I am able. It is a bit less temp stable but the extra FPS is worth that to me. This combo is good out to 1,000 yards in my AIAW regularly and I've even gotten them to shoot well at 1250. The Hybrid is not really picky on jump length.

How many grains of 2000mr?

 

[ballisticdaddy]

If you were to utilize the aftermarket magazines from Accurate Mag you can fit a bit longer loaded round almost to 3.0" The Berger hybrids are designed to have a bit of jump and actually prefer it, these are much different than the jump sensitive VLD's. It is difficult to take advantage of the high BC projectiles and still have them short enough to fit magazine length.

 

[JZimm9mm]

Have you determined that you really need to seat the bullet closer to the lands, or are you just assuming right now? I've had success with Varget and 185 Juggernauts with a COAL of 2.800" in my semi auto. I'm know that's nowhere near the lands. I ended up at 43.5 grains in Winchester cases. Make sure you work up and all that....

 

[QuantuMechaniC]

Ultimately I would like to see the round pushed to 2700 however I am at 43.5gn varget and its looking pretty stable... OAL was 2.875 and ogive OAL was 2.245 I plotted my shots I worked up to 43.5 gn from 42 gn in increments of .3.

Avg FPS	2502.8	2506.2	2529.666667	2544.4	2556.2	2566.8
Med FPS	2504	2506	2522	2546	2553	2566
SD	8.352245207	9.887365675	13.02134999	5.782732918	7.222188034	3.6
ES	24	31	29	16	20	8

Sorry for formatting took it off excel. I am going to work up some more I have no signs or feeling of pressure yet. I will probably test up to 44.2 I was wondering if anyone has already. 43.5 had ideal SD/ES

 

[QuantuMechaniC]

Why did your smith use a reamer with a throat soo long? The biggest reason for getting a barrel chambered is to match the throat with the intended bullet(especially if mag feeding) and you screwed that up right off the bat.

I'm confused a little could you clarify?

 

[Shoots 700's]

47.4 of 2000mr

 

[djarecke]

My "go to" load with Berger 185's is 44 grains of Varget, but it shot well at 43, 43.5 and 44 as well.

I also did seating depth tests and they essentially confirmed what everyone is saying - the Berger hybrids are very tolerant to jump variations.

 

[shoot4fun]

How many grains of 2000mr?

I am sure you know, of course, the standard liability waivers/warnings but I shall repeat them.
This is my data and has been proven she in my firearm. Reduce the max data by at least 5% and work up carefully.
My load is 47.5 in Lapua brass (not Palma) ahead of Federal Gold Medal Primers.
I've shot it in 40˚ to 95˚ F with humidity way higher than the human comfort level. It is MAX so approach with caution for your conditions/firearm.

 

[skulldragr17]

My go-to load for the 185s with large primer brass is 44.0 gr Varget. I've recently switched to small primer brass and I'm still working on the load, but it looks like 44.5 gr Varget is working the best. What's the max you guys have jumped the 185s and still have success?

 

[j-dubya]

Are the 185's worth pushing from a 16" gas gun in the listed charge weight range (Varget) or would that realistically be too much on the brass and gas system?

Shoot4fun - did you take any notes on velocity differences between the 40* and 95* temps?

 

[QuantuMechaniC]

I know 44gn + would be too much for gas but every system is different I would do a work up. I would imagine 43.5 would work as a top on for a gas gun. I would start at 41gn and work up from there.

 

[QuantuMechaniC]

I upped the work up charge to 44.4 and got 2613 with SD of 5.4 and ES of 10, I had one that was pretty far off from the others so that might be an issue. This was chronoed at 10 yards. I may go with this load the work up showed the most promising. I am worried the load is too hot but I have no visual signs of pressure.