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43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

CK_32

Saving Ryans Privates
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 22, 2010
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Ok I've seen a few of you guys posting up that you are getting accurate loads from 43.5g of varget for your 175g SMK .308 loads..

I had my friend copy a page out of his reloading manual because my steer manual doesnt have sierra data but it says max load for that combo is 41.7g's and those should come around 2500 fps.

Are the 43.5g loads hot loads or what?

I'm loading 175 SMK with varget in winchester once fired brass and wanna know if my data sheet is wrong..
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Sierra loadings are just very lawyer inspired.

Since your using Win. brass the node might be with a litlle more powder.

43.5 in Lapua brass was perfect for my Remmy.

Hodgdon lists 45 as max and a compressed charge for that combo.

 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

What would be the max load for this load combo then? Because This is the only data on this combo I have and I'm still loading rounds for this load and if I'm cutting my self short I wanna get the real info.. Where can I find load info or data on this powder load combo?? Or can someone give me the real max charge I can work off of??
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CK_32</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">What would be the max load for this load combo then?</span></span> </div></div>

The max load for YOUR rifle may be different from your friend, or anyone else here. The manual is a guide for you work up your load. Yes, some folks will try to ride those projos as hard as they safely can. The key thing to remember is to work up your load according to YOUR rifle. If you feel that you want a little more speed, then work up slowly and look for signs of high pressure. Remember, all the recipes here are very particular for each of the rifles that was worked up. Don't try to short cut because Mr. Murphy is always waiting around the corner to give you a bad day. Be safe.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

CK just make up 10 rounds or so, starting at the min recomended powder charge for varget and 175's... then just move up 0.5 of a grain with each round until your 5 grains above the minimum. Also now is the time to determine at which seating depth you would like... max mag length or 0.01 away from the lands is a common starting place but isnt always gospel.

Take those 10 rounds to the range and start at the minimum load and work your way up. Stop and check each case with a fine tooth comb after you fire them.

Stop when you begin to see pressure signs in the brass... flattened primers, difficult bolt lift, ejector marks etc.

Also if you have a chrony use it while doing this.

Stop shooting when you see pressure signs.

Once that is sorted out, go back home and reload for a ladder test starting from min load to your determind max load.

Go to the range and perform a ladder test.

Go back home and reload at the node you find and then move up and down in 0.1 grain increments to fine tune the node.

Go to the range for a third time and confirm your node.

Hey presto, 3 range trips, and probably less than 30 to 40 rounds and you have solid long range load to shoot that your rifle will love.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Well its not my friends load work up its just his manual. And I take it everyone just starts with this same data and works up to the limit just pushing the limits a to a point and taking that chance to the danger zone to find that perfect load..

I just wanted to make sure my load data sheet my friend gave me wasnt wrong or under selling me.

But basically you have to go beyond the limits and chance it a little and find that perfect load but make sure you dont over do it..
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CK just make up 10 rounds or so, starting at the min recomended powder charge for varget and 175's... then just move up 0.5 of a grain with each round until your 5 grains above the minimum. Also now is the time to determine at which seating depth you would like... max mag length or 0.01 away from the lands is a common starting place but isnt always gospel.

Take those 10 rounds to the range and start at the minimum load and work your way up. Stop and check each case with a fine tooth comb after you fire them.

Stop when you begin to see pressure signs in the brass... flattened primers, difficult bolt lift, ejector marks etc.

Also if you have a chrony use it while doing this.

Stop shooting when you see pressure signs.

Once that is sorted out, go back home and reload for a ladder test starting from min load to your determind max load.

Go to the range and perform a ladder test.

Go back home and reload at the node you find and then move up and down in 0.1 grain increments to fine tune the node.

Go to the range for a third time and confirm your node.

Hey presto, 3 range trips, and probably less than 30 to 40 rounds and you have solid long range load to shoot that your rifle will love. </div></div>

Yea I was told by a few people go off the max load from my page and move down .5g incraments until I hit 10% under max load. And for my COAL im staying at 2.800 to start then Ill play with it later..

And I dont understand the ladder test.. I've read that site of the guy who invented it and how he explained it in the like huge write up he did but I just got lost in it..

I was planning on taking shots at paper and see which group better..
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

There are different methods of 'ladder loading' to fiddle with.

We need more info, as in what is the rifle, barrel, barrel length and barrel twist?

For me and I'm somewhat conservative, I'll get a starting point from my 3 manuals: Nosler IV, Sierra V and Speer 13 and then I might do rough loading for the 308 in .5 grain increments, maybe out of a box of 50, I'll do 15, 15, 10 and 10, which gives me 3 groups, 3 groups, 2 groups and 2 groups. If I muck up shooting a group, I have others to go by.

I'll trudge out to my local 100yd range and set up a target, turned over and put a bunch of dots on it and bang away.

If I get pressure signs on some of the higher charge weights, I'll stop.

Here's what MY targets generally look like:

Savage121009100yds.jpg


I checked my notes and I've loaded up Berger 175s at 43.0 grs of Varget with little problem. Sierra V lists 41.7 as being MAX with their 175s/180s, but this is a conservative manual.

Chris
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Ok yea vman helped me understand ladder testing a little bit.

And I'm shooting a Remington 700 SPS tactical, 20inch heavy barrel, 1:12 twist.

And is that picture just of grouping or is that just another type of latter testing??
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Looks like grouping to me.

Heres a quick pic i bashed out for CK, just to help him understand what we look for when we ladder test and how it relates to barrel harmonics... this is my interpretation anyway.

sinewave.jpg


As far as my understanding goes, a ladder test AIMS to determine a powder charge that will offer given handload and rifle combination the least amount of VERTICAL spread over a given distance.

It does so by deducing the powder charge that allows the projectile to leave the barrel whilst the barrel is at a state of rest or near rest ie, on the top of the sine wave, maybe even the bottom... Thats how i understand it, and what rest means to me.

If someone else is a subject matter expert please feel free to chime in and comment
smile.gif
as learning new things is always a good thing

vin
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Yea I understand the barrel harmonics I just wasnt sure wtf ladder tests determined and what to even look for on them. But now I get how they work.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CK_32</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'm shooting a Remington 700 SPS tactical, 20inch heavy barrel, 1:12 twist.
</div></div>

Work up to at least <span style="text-decoration: line-through">45.5</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline">44.5</span> of varget and a OAL 2.820-2.825 in that tactical. I and others have found that to be the sweet spot in the rem tac's w/ 175smk's. Velocity should be right near 2550fps and ammo will be mag friendly at that length. Itty bitty groups await...
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

+1 Niles. I am running 45.8 Varget, Lapua Brass, 175 smk. in my SPS 20". Getting 2610 fps. 2.85 oal, .010 jump. MAX Load. I went as high as 46 grains but started getting sticky bolt. This load shoots .5moa @ 200 yards. I am gonna stretch it out today to 800 yds to build my dope card.
IMG_2786.jpg

 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

I'm getting 2668 fps with 42.5grs. of Varget, Lapua Brass trimmed to 2.005, Fed 210M Primers, and 175 SMK's seated .005 off the lands in my 26" 10 twist custom barrel. Velocity measured on an Oehler 35P.

Faster is not always better in a .308. My rifle doesn't like much above 2700 fps when throwing 175's.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Work up to at least 45.5 of varget and a OAL 2.820-2.825 in that tactical. I and others have found that to be the sweet spot in the rem tac's w/ 175smk's. Velocity should be right near 2550fps and ammo will be mag friendly at that length. Itty bitty groups await... </div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HotRod308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 Niles. I am running 45.8 Varget, Lapua Brass, 175 smk. in my SPS 20". Getting 2610 fps. 2.85 oal, .010 jump. MAX Load. I went as high as 46 grains but started getting sticky bolt. This load shoots .5moa @ 200 yards. I am gonna stretch it out today to 800 yds to build my dope card.
</div></div>

You guys dont think I should start my COAL at 2.800? I should just jump to around 2.820??
And what was the highiest you took your grain count to? Cause I dont go shooting often and I want to
Get as many as I can the first time but not go way over board.. And say I load up to the 45.5 grain but I
see really bad pressure signs at 44.5.. What do I do with those other 2 rounds? Do you scrap that round or is
there a way to break it down and re use that brass powder and save that whole round basically??
Or is scrapping the over powered rounds just part of this test??

And yea I used the winchester 147g crap factory ammo and I was almost hitting a bowling pin
at 675 yards out in the desert last time.. At around 300 I was still around .75 MOA.
Thats why I cant wait to work up a load for this rifle and see what she can really do
grin.gif
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Are you seeing any pressure signs at all? Or could you still push the g count a little more if needed??

Im just trying to find my end charge Im going to stop at for my ladder test.

right now Im looking at stopping at around 47.0 grains..
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Yea I was told the 43.7g 2500fps should be pretty accurate but
like every other reloaded im looking for the best
smile.gif


But yea that web site is a dream. I've looked for somthing like that for a while
and nothing ever came up. Thanks a ton.

Only thing is for 175 SMK varget it says 45.0C.. I know C stands for
compressed but what does compressed mean?
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Ohh gotcha yea thats probably whats going to happen when I load my round to 45. my case is pretty full with 43g's of powder
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

CK, The only real way to know how far to seat your bullets is to get a seating gauge. I made a home-made one. PM for pics.

Also, you will need to invest in a bullet puller. It screws into your press just like a die and you can remove the bullets from the cases so you can re-use everything. These are some of the little things you have to invest in for reloading but won't use very often. Do like everybody has said and work up a load that suits your gun and it's node.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CK_32</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Work up to at least 44.5 of varget and a OAL 2.820-2.825 in that tactical. I and others have found that to be the sweet spot in the rem tac's w/ 175smk's. Velocity should be right near 2550fps and ammo will be mag friendly at that length. Itty bitty groups await... </div></div>

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HotRod308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">+1 Niles. I am running 45.8 Varget, Lapua Brass, 175 smk. in my SPS 20". Getting 2610 fps. 2.85 oal, .010 jump. MAX Load. I went as high as 46 grains but started getting sticky bolt. This load shoots .5moa @ 200 yards. I am gonna stretch it out today to 800 yds to build my dope card.
</div></div>

You guys dont think I should start my COAL at 2.800? I should just jump to around 2.820??
And what was the highiest you took your grain count to? Cause I dont go shooting often and I want to
Get as many as I can the first time but not go way over board.. And say I load up to the 45.5 grain but I
see really bad pressure signs at 44.5.. What do I do with those other 2 rounds? Do you scrap that round or is
there a way to break it down and re use that brass powder and save that whole round basically??
Or is scrapping the over powered rounds just part of this test??

And yea I used the winchester 147g crap factory ammo and I was almost hitting a bowling pin
at 675 yards out in the desert last time.. At around 300 I was still around .75 MOA.
Thats why I cant wait to work up a load for this rifle and see what she can really do
grin.gif
</div></div>


First off I need to apologize... <span style="text-decoration: underline">44.5</span> is the load I and others are shooting in the rem tacts, sorry! my 168 load was 45.5 and that must have been what I was thinking of last night...
blush.gif


44.5 should yeild a velocity of ~2550fps out of the 20" tactical factory barrel.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Trapshooter12</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Hodgdon reloading data shows 45.0C as max the C stands for compressed. I run 45.2 in mine</div></div>

Thanks Trapshooter12

CK_32,

I have loaded up to 45.5 with out issue in my tact using Winchester brass and primers. But <span style="text-decoration: underline">44.5</span> was the charge I wanted to share with ya.

Due to the fact that Remington has long leads designed into their chamber I have always started my seating depth just shy of max mag length 2.825" with match bullets, hunting bullets are another story as there profile is different.

The 175 smk bullet still will have quite a jump to get to the rifling in a factory Remington 308 chamber. But it is good to find out where your rifling starts. Hornady (formerly stoney point) makes a good OAL case gauge if you wish to get one. Bullet pullers are available as well so you can take down loaded rounds and reuse. A collet type (hornady makes a good one)works well, skip the impact pullers for rifle cartridges. They will not work as well for most rifle cartridges.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

I shoot 43 of Varget with 175's. Interesting my gun shoots anywhere from 42 to 43 gr varget w/ 175's incredibly well. Things start to scatter after 43.5 ....

Scott
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Im thinking of going up to 47.0 grains for my ladder test... You guys think that would be a good load to stop at or should I stop at 45.0 or 46.0??
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Ok well what grain load should I stop at?

I just dont want to go out and not find my target load cause I didnt go high enough.

And I go shooting maybe once every 6 months so if I dont find it next time I go out I wont be finding it for a whole.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

look at the load data from Hodgdons website here it is:

175 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 42.0 2583 42,600 CUP 45.0C 2690 48,600 CUP

as you see the max load is 45grns however , I would start at 43 and work your way up from that, Also lots with varget are very inconsistent almost made me want to switch to RL-15. I had one lot in which 42grn gave me 2626Fps +/- 6 ES which is where I want to be and the next lot 42grns gave me 2512 FPS +/- 80 ES! So buy the 8lbs kegs don't do the 1lb and make sure if you do that you check the lot numbers!
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CK_32</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok well what grain load should I stop at?<span style="color: #FF0000">When you see/feel signs of pressure. </span>

I just dont want to go out and not find my target load cause I didnt go high enough. <span style="color: #FF0000">Read my answer above.</span>

And I go shooting maybe once every 6 months so if I dont find it next time I go out I wont be finding it for a whole. <span style="color: #FF0000">You need to get out more</span>. </div></div>

The load is not going to jump up and say " HERE I IS " you have to earn it .
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Yea I heard that happens a lot with varget.. Reason a lot of people use IMR. But I still heard varget was pretty accurate. But yea I made the mistake of getting 1lbers cause thats all my local shop had but next time Ill be buying in bulk after I find my sweet spots.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CK_32</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok well what grain load should I stop at?

I just dont want to go out and not find my target load cause I didnt go high enough.

And I go shooting maybe once every 6 months so if I dont find it next time I go out I wont be finding it for a whole. </div></div>

Brother, max loads are rifle specific. No one can tell you through the keyboard what the max load is for your rifle. If you cant read presure signs, take someone with you to the range that can and can teach you to do the same. I think I read where you mentioned 47 gr Var with 175 SMK's as a "stoping" point, that IMO is a HOT, HOT load. My load for my factory barreled LTR is 45 gr Varg., with 178 Amax's, FGMM brass and 210M's and I get a little primer flattening with that (as I do with FGMM). I worked it up slowly and have used it for several hundred rnds in varying environments. Dont think I would ever be safe shooting that 47 gr load through any of my factory barreled rifles. Be careful and get help if needed, nothing's as good as hands on.

okie
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

FWIW, 45.5gr of Varget behind a 175SMK in a Winchester case in a GAP Crusader will blow out the primer pockets on 3 out of 5 cases. So I heartily agree that I would work up slowly from 42 and look for pressure signs.

madd0c
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Ok.. thanks guys thats pretty much the type of answer Im looking for. Im asking seasoned guys who have done this a few times and asking what a good range would be.. Honestly What I would start out with would be around 45.0 if that seems "safeish" to you guys.. If the pressure signs are showing enough I wont even shoot it..

Also about how big a target should I take out when Im shooting at it? I know there is some travel but about how much travel should I expect?


But just to ask to be sure.. pressure signs I know of are split case necks.. split case walls.. blown out primers.. case deformaties.. deep diveted primers and a flatened primer and a sticky bolt.. Is there any Im missing?
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

I'm getting 2648 FPS out of both a Sako TRG22 and a 24 inch barrel LR308. The load is a 170 Lapua lock base, 43.2 grains of Varget, CCI BR2 primer, match prepped (deburred flash holes, uniformed primer pockets, trimmed, chamfered, de-burred) LC75 cases with C.O.A.L. of 2.810. At 43.5 primers begin to flatten, and occasionally the bolt is barely sticky on the Sako.

All rifles are different, so your data will probably vary, but this load seems to work really well for me...
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Ok I loaded up some from 39.0 to 45.0 in .5g incraments last night. Hopefully Ill get some good date from that..

I also made a batch of 5 41.7g... 41.2.. 40.7 and 40.2g loads..
Just to see how those do.


All of my COAL's is at 2.800
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CK_32</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im thinking of going up to 47.0 grains for my ladder test... You guys think that would be a good load to stop at or should I stop at 45.0 or 46.0?? </div></div>

47.0 with 175s??? I would put some shielding between you and the bolt if you pull the trigger on that load.

I agree with Niles, 20" Rem SPS-Ts seem to like somewhere between 44.5 to 45.0 varget with 175s on the high end. I've gone as high as 45.5 during workups, but got some good pressure signs and a big dropoff in accuracy. I've settled on 44.6 in Lapua brass, Fed 210, with 175s seated at 2.820, which is giving me about 2575. 45.0 with all the same as above shot well too and was my 1000yd load and it was getting me about right at 2600 fps.

I've also had really good luck with 168s (both SMK and AMAX) with 46.0 Varget.

The "Bee Elle".... go out and find what works in YOUR gun. Even factory SPS's are going to differ slightly from rifle to rifle.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Leaddog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm getting 2668 fps with 42.5grs. of Varget, Lapua Brass trimmed to 2.005, Fed 210M Primers, and 175 SMK's seated .005 off the lands in my 26" 10 twist custom barrel. Velocity measured on an Oehler 35P.

Faster is not always better in a .308. My rifle doesn't like much above 2700 fps when throwing 175's. </div></div>

Thats almost identical to my load, I'm at 42.6grs. of Varget and BH brass with a barrel 2" shorter and am getting a velocity of 2604 fps. which jives with your numbers given the different barrel lengths.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

I run 44.5 RL 15 in LC M118LR brass with the 175 SMK or the 178 A-Max in my Rock River LAR-8 or my DPMS/CMMG 24" 1:11.

Both sticks hold .55-.8 5 shot groups. NO SIGNS of pressure in fact they resize with little case growth.

I initially shot 43.5 gr RL 15 in my Rem PSS it would hold .5 or less all day
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

CK, I suggest you buy a reloading manual and read the first few chapters on what to do and what not to do with regards to reloading. This thread is evidence enough you should not take load information off of message forums. Get some <span style="font-style: italic">professionally</span> developed load data and work up a load for <span style="font-style: italic">your</span> rifle/ammo combination. If you don't have enough time to do that, stick with factory ammo.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Alright thanks guys.

Im looking forward to seeing what I get from those 43.6 to 44.5g loads.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hntbambi</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CK, I suggest you buy a reloading manual and read the first few chapters on what to do and what not to do with regards to reloading. This thread is evidence enough you should not take load information off of message forums. Get some <span style="font-style: italic">professionally</span> developed load data and work up a load for <span style="font-style: italic">your</span> rifle/ammo combination. If you don't have enough time to do that, stick with factory ammo. </div></div>
+1
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">44 gr of varget with the 175 SMK is all you need to make it to 1000, anymore powder is just a waste IMHO.
hope this helps. </div></div>

That's a bit of a silly statement, IMHO. There's a big difference between "getting to 1K" and getting there accurately and with the least amount of bullet drift when there's wind to consider (which there always is). I'm sure 42 gr of varget will make it to 1000. Hell, I'd bet 40 gr would too. But I'm sure they'd be all over the place sideways at that range due to wind. And of course it totally depends on the rifle too. A 26-30" long tube will get to 1K with no issues with 44gr or less. Shorter barrels are going to need more "oomph" to get there with enough energy to stay supersonic.

IMO, with regards to the 1000 yd game in a .308, I think the fastest you can accurately and safely push whatever bullet you choose to shoot is usually the best load for the longer ranges.

Strictly my $.02, YMMV, etc standard disclaimer.
 
Re: 43.5g of varget with a 175g SMK

Some more pressure signs to look for: ejector wipe (look on the case head for really shiny spots), bent (slightly) case rim, and case heads that are too large to fit into your shell holder when you reload. Something that is handy for field testing is to bring uryo shell holder - Lee #2 I think - to the range with you and slide your fired case into it. This works great if you're working loads that you think are close to max; if it doesn't fit, you may want to stop shooting those particular loads.

My 20" barreled AR shoots 45 grains of Varget under a 175 grain Nosler CC awesome, until the temperature gets to be 85+, then I get pressure signs. Not being able to fit once fired Winchester brass into a shell holder is what led me to not shoot them any more.