What's your views and opinions on reloader 15 vs varget ? I'm shooting a remington 700 xcr lrt 308
- Thread starter logan_rhodes
- Start date
Varget doesnt work in either one of my 700s in 308, RE15 works very well, for instance, my best 300yd group to date with any rifle. Looks like 4 shots, but there's another hole there.
<a href="http://s1113.beta.photobucket.com/user/JGorski80/media/IMG_0446-1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/k513/JGorski80/IMG_0446-1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0446-1.jpg"/></a>
Who knows?
You don't give us any useable info.
They're both appropriate powders for the 308 Win.
Chris
Varget is a Hodgdon "Extreme Powder" and is more temperature INsensitive than Reloader 15. Both are excellent for 223 and 308.
Yeah the biggest difference I hear most say is that Varget holds up better to temp changes. I've only used RE-15, in both 308 and 223.
I owned a 700 XCR for awhile. If you're looking for a shorter range target/hunting load I shot consistent half moa groups with that rifle and a 135 grain Match King over RE-15. Think I settled on 45 grains. Minimal recoil.
I owned a 700 XCR for awhile. If you're looking for a shorter range target/hunting load I shot consistent half moa groups with that rifle and a 135 grain Match King over RE-15. Think I settled on 45 grains. Minimal recoil.
Thanks for the help guys, I own a remington 700 xcr lrt in 308 and am getting ready to start load development with it. I have 4 pounds of varget (same lot #) and seven pounds of r 15, so I was curious as to what you guys liked better. I also understand that each rifle has its own taste. I will be using lapua brass , br2 primers, 175 smks and forster benchrest dies. I shoot out to 1000 yards regularly, but where I live is about 8500 feet above sea level so my bullet going sub sonic is not a concern.
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Also , when you guys say r 15 is more temp sensitive, how much are we talking about ? For example do you guys think ur poi and velocity would change between say 20 degrees ?
My 308 load is Lake City 94 Match cases, CCI BR2 primer, 175 SMK, and 42 grains of RE15. Using a Magnetospeed chronograph, I have chono'd this load at 45 deg, 60 deg, and 83 deg, and the velocity change is a pretty predictable at about 1.2 fps per degree of temp change, predictable enough that I can use that formula to predict the velocity and plug it into Bulletflight and get dead on data.
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Thanks for the information m1match, so if your velocity changes say roughly 20 fps between 20degrees is that enough to take you out of the sweet spot in your rifle causing groups to open up ?
At the range I have been shooting at, out to 885 yards, I have not noticed a degradation of accuracy with temperature variation.
Same. I wanted this fantastic temp stability everybody raves about. Instead I got lot variances and crap velocity. RE15 for me
Thanks for all the help guys I think I'll try r 15 first and save the varget for a rainy day. When you guys buy a new lot of r15 do u have to re work a load or doese it usually shoot as the previous lot did ?
What bullet will you be using?
175 sierra match king
And brass? Primer?
Cci br2, lapua brass
In that case, id say about 41grs RE15 should work about best, but Id start at 40 and work up. I use the same components cept for 168AMAXs.
My take is, a shooter is more than like to miss the target because of fundamental errors than the actual powder used. It will be another 3-6 months until you see some of these powder on the shelves so if I were you I'll grab which powder I can grab and go out there and shoot...
What velocity are you getting jgorski? Ya I plan on starting at around 40 grains and working up to presure signs , the rifle will tell me what it likes best
Im only shooting the 168AMAX right now, and Im not loading them with RE15, found a bit more accurate load for 600yd Comps, CFE223, but 42grs RE15 with the 168 Id say I was right around 2600+. Went with CFE223 when the RE15 load didnt work so well at 600, great at 300 though, as u can see in the target on my previous/earlier post. That being said, if you're shooting 175MK, Id try some CFE223.
Re15 worked better than varget for my rifle. Very consistent velocity's,.3 moa out to 500y in my 243
I prefer RL-15 over Varget for my 175MK load out of my 308. While I do use Varget for other loads, RL-15 works best for me behind the 175MK.
I'm getting 2821fps, ES-5, SD-1.9 with my last time through the chrono. I haven't been able to get that speed or consistency with Varget. RL-15 doesn't work so well for me with the lighter 155gr. bullets. I use Varget for those.
B
I'm getting 2821fps, ES-5, SD-1.9 with my last time through the chrono. I haven't been able to get that speed or consistency with Varget. RL-15 doesn't work so well for me with the lighter 155gr. bullets. I use Varget for those.
B
Rl15 it is ! Thanks guys for all the help !
How many grains are you using billch ?
Have you ever tried 47grs with the 155s? I get .5moa out to 300yds shooting AMAXs.
The most RL-15 I've ever tried with 175 MK is 45.5gr. My MV with RL-15 needs to be just a tad over 2800fps. Much past that and accuracy suffers.
45.4gr. is what I go with in the cooler weather.
I don't think I could fit 47gr. in a case anyway. I'm using well used Lapua brass.
Keep in mind that this is out of a 30 inch barrel.
B
45.4gr. is what I go with in the cooler weather.
I don't think I could fit 47gr. in a case anyway. I'm using well used Lapua brass.
Keep in mind that this is out of a 30 inch barrel.
B
I use Varget for the 155's. 46.8gr. is getting me 2960fps.
B
B
OK, let me me clear here.
I didn't just pull those numbers out of my ass and decide to try 'em. I put some actual effort into determining that the RL-15 and Varget charges I mentioned were safe for me to try. I started much lower and worked up, verifying with chrono data and Quickload for specific powder lots. I scrutinized every little scuff and scratch on the brass and primers, the behavior of my rifle, and the results at the target. 45.5gr. of RL-15 is to much, so is 46.8 of Varget. Don't try it. There are other things to think about than just 'how much powder'. Brass, primer, bullet, seating depth, neck tension, the reamer that was used to cut the chamber, freebore, etc., etc.... These loads that I use are getting close to the edge. In no way, shape, or form, would I recommend that anyone try these loads in their rifle. I am confident that these loads are safe in my rifle.
Logan,
You need to do some honest-to-goodness testing to actually see what powder will work best for your situation. Ya can't just decide up front. Of course, these days the best option may not be readily available. I believe that even in that case you should be able to work up an OK load with a second or third best choice.
B
I didn't just pull those numbers out of my ass and decide to try 'em. I put some actual effort into determining that the RL-15 and Varget charges I mentioned were safe for me to try. I started much lower and worked up, verifying with chrono data and Quickload for specific powder lots. I scrutinized every little scuff and scratch on the brass and primers, the behavior of my rifle, and the results at the target. 45.5gr. of RL-15 is to much, so is 46.8 of Varget. Don't try it. There are other things to think about than just 'how much powder'. Brass, primer, bullet, seating depth, neck tension, the reamer that was used to cut the chamber, freebore, etc., etc.... These loads that I use are getting close to the edge. In no way, shape, or form, would I recommend that anyone try these loads in their rifle. I am confident that these loads are safe in my rifle.
Logan,
You need to do some honest-to-goodness testing to actually see what powder will work best for your situation. Ya can't just decide up front. Of course, these days the best option may not be readily available. I believe that even in that case you should be able to work up an OK load with a second or third best choice.
B
I get the same speeds with 44.2 grains of Varget and 42.5 grains of Re 15 with the 168's. Accuracy is the same in both.
My GAP loves 44g of Varget with 175/178's and 43.1g of RL-15 for 168's. Accuracy is superb with both. It all comes down to working up a good load with each powder/bullet combination.
Always start low and work up - The best advice repeated here many times.
Always start low and work up - The best advice repeated here many times.
Thanks for the advice guys , hopefully I can start working up a load this weekend if my lapua brass comes in on time , I'll post pics of my results
In my 24" Hart 1-12" 308 win., a very accurate 168 A MAX load with Reloader 15 is 43.5 Grains. Over my Magnetospeed, I'm getting 2759 FPS AVG. and a SD of 12. Lit by a Federal 210 in Hornady brass. COL of 2.8".
Remember to start low and work up with any new load.
Remember to start low and work up with any new load.
My Gap Rock had a load of 44gr of varget under a 178 AMAX also, I went through one 8 pound jug and then did another small load development for the next 8 pound jug and went up only .2 grains to get the same average velocity as the last lot number.
My Gap Rock had a load of 44gr of varget under a 178 AMAX also, I went through one 8 pound jug and then did another small load development for the next 8 pound jug and went up only .2 grains to get the same average velocity as the last lot number.
I have looked at a few diffrent reloading manuals and all of them have a diffrent Max load listed for r15 and 175 smk . I know to work up from minimum which is what I will do but what do your reloading manuals say is max ? I have looked at noslers 6 and 7 as well as hodgdon . Thanks
Doesn't matter what max is in my various manuals. Max is max in YOUR RIFLE. That's why you work up a load with a ladder test etc. in YOUR RIFLE. My load of 43.5 RE-15 with a 168 A MAX is not a MAX load in MY RIFLE, it is an accurate load and gives me plenty of speed (2750 FPS). You will have to see what YOUR RIFLE accepts as MAX.
The "Reloading Depot" on the forum list just below this forum has pages of reloading information from Sniper's Hide users. Scroll down to the 308 Winchester loading sticky near the top of the forum and read. Lots of information there.
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Thanks for the info
Went and did some load development this morning and here's the results , shooting rem 700 xcr lrt 308 175 smk br2 primer lapua brass and r 15 , all done at 100 yards
this was with 42.9 grains of r15
this was with 43.2 grains of r 15
this was with 43.5 grains of r15
this was with 43.8 grains of r 15 (all 5 shot groups) and at 44 grains it opened back up to about .86 moa so needless to stay ill stick with 43.8 grains of r15 with the overall group size being0.364 moa @ 100. i have yet to chronograph this load but im guessing its around 2730
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Reviving this old thread.
I have 1000 Hornady 150 grain Soft Points that I would like to use for practice (short range practice--Working on dot drills at 100, etc.).
I have A thousand rounds of ICC Brass.
and 5 pounds or RE-15. primers are Wichester large Rifle.
These are items I own and would like to use up--as I cannot get rimfire ammo for such practice.
I would like to work up some practice load in a 20 barrelled 308 (bolt action savage).
Any good loads or starting points appreciated.
Barrel is a 1 in 10 twist -- if that matters.
Thanks,
BMT
I have 1000 Hornady 150 grain Soft Points that I would like to use for practice (short range practice--Working on dot drills at 100, etc.).
I have A thousand rounds of ICC Brass.
and 5 pounds or RE-15. primers are Wichester large Rifle.
These are items I own and would like to use up--as I cannot get rimfire ammo for such practice.
I would like to work up some practice load in a 20 barrelled 308 (bolt action savage).
Any good loads or starting points appreciated.
Barrel is a 1 in 10 twist -- if that matters.
Thanks,
BMT
just start with the minimum in the book and work up .3 at a time till you find the sweet spot. as stated above r 15 worked excellent for me.
Did you try the 42gr load? That's the one that should have been the most stable.
