308 .30 Berger VLD. I'm confused

[Turk10mm]

So I received the loading specs from Berger for the VLD 185gr Hunting round. The documentation shows the start load to be 37.5gr of Varget with the max load being 41.6 at 101.7% capacity and vel of 2535fps.

So i started off with 37.7 and worked my way up to 40.7 as the math shows that 40.9 is 100% capacity according to berger's numbers. I want to stay away from compressed loads.

With my 18" barrel I reached a maxium velocity of 2479 FPS with 40.7 grains and absolutely no signs of pressure.

If you read the hodgdon manual the
180gr is listed at a starting load of 41.0 at 2470fps and a max of 45.0 at 2661
190gr is listed at a starting load of 41.0 at 2452fps and a max of 44.0 at 2536

Why the huge discrepancies in min/max loads between Berger's numbers and Hodgdon's. My 40.7 load looks VERY close to the average between the 180 and 190 grain starting loads listed on Hodgdon.com.

My only real concern at 2470 with 40.7gr is that I have to shoot out to 350 yards before the 185VLD surpasses the 168SMK at my current load at 2700fps. Anything under 350 yards and the 168SMK delivers more FPE.

I really wanted to bring the 185VLD up into the 2500+fps range, and hodgdon's site seems to state that this is very doable based on other 180 and 190gr loads. But why would Berger list their numbers so much lower?

Please only REAL world experience. I've had a couple people say just do what Hodgdon says but there MUST be a reason berger lists a lower powder charge.

Thanks for your time. I wasn't able to find any real load information by searching.

Specs
Savage 10FP McMillan, chopped and threaded barrel at 18"
Federal Match Brass - Once Fired
Varget Powder
CCI BR2 Primers
Berger .30 185gr Hunting VLD

 

[81STFACP]

Re: 308 .30 Berger VLD. I'm confused

I've shot a bunch (2k plus) of 185 VLDs at 2530 out of my number 1 M1A for slow fire prone using 4064 and Remington BR brass. The load is 44.0 grains ignited by CCI34.

 

[Turk10mm]

Re: 308 .30 Berger VLD. I'm confused

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 81STFACP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've shot a bunch (2k plus) of 185 VLDs at 2530 out of my number 1 M1A for slow fire prone using 4064 and Remington BR brass. The load is 44.0 grains ignited by CCI34. </div></div>

According to Berger's numbers you only 41.0grains to get that velocity of 4064, and 41.0 is the "max" load from their spec. Are you compressed?

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: 308 .30 Berger VLD. I'm confused

Remember your 18" barrel? Chances are that they were using a longer barrel in a universal receiver.

 

[Turk10mm]

Re: 308 .30 Berger VLD. I'm confused

They used a 24" barrel, so i expect my numbers to be lower. But i still wanted to have at least the same FPE as my 168SMK load at 100 yards.

I'm going to the range to try the 40.9 - 41.5 loads which is still under berger's max listing. Hopefully I'll get enough over 2500 to get me at least close to the SMK. The math says I have to have 2550 to equal the fpe. I don't think I'm going to get that.

 

[Matt88]

Re: 308 .30 Berger VLD. I'm confused

Turk,
Those powder charges for Varget are very light. I shoot a palma rifle with a 30" barrel most of the time. I do, however, have a tactical .308 with a 24" barrel. In my palma rifle with a 10 twist, I shoot the 185 VLDs (thin jacket for hunting) with 45.5 grains of varget. My palma rifle has a Palma 95 chamber and my tactical rifle has a .308 match chamber. If you are trying to load to mag length, you may be constricted on the powder charge, but you can load those VLDs to be into the lands .020 and easily get 45 grains of varget. This is a relatively hot load and should be worked up to. I have shot my load out of 5 different rifles all with different chambers and barrel lengths and it has worked great in all of them. Out of my palma rifle, I get 2870 fps. Out of my 24" barrel, I get 2750 or so. You didn't say if you were loading to mag length, but if you aren't, seat them long and work up slowly past those numbers you quoted. They are a devastating hunting round, and with good shot placement, a follow up shot will not be necessary. Let me know if you need any further information.

Matt Kubic

 

[Turk10mm]

Re: 308 .30 Berger VLD. I'm confused

Thanks Matt! I ran up to 41.5 with 2522fps.

I'm not loading mag length, but at 41.5 I finally saw the first bit of case expansion so I'm sure I can work up to 43 at least.

Thanks for your input!

 

[81STFACP]

Re: 308 .30 Berger VLD. I'm confused

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Turk10mm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
According to Berger's numbers you only 41.0grains to get that velocity of 4064, and 41.0 is the "max" load from their spec. Are you compressed? </div></div>

The BR brass have large capacity than any brass I shot. The capacity drives the max along with the loaded length. Mine are loaded at 2.938 strictly for slow fire prone in the M1A.

Berger's loads may very well be CA litigation proof.