Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

[One_Man]

Anyone care to share load data? Looking to use at a max range of 600 yards. Looking for starting and max charge of Varget and estimated muzzle velocity. Thanks!

.308 Win 24" barrel 1:10" twist
Lapua brass
Varget
210m primer
Berger 185gr Match BT Long Range (BC .560)

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

I have not load any 185 Bergers in a 308, but I would approach it like any other load for which no data exists, in this way:

According to Hodgdon the starting loads for both, 180 bullets and 190 grain bullets with Varget is 41 grains. So for the 185 gr Berger I would also start at 40 to 41 grains of Varget and work up from there carefully.

BTW Max with Varget and 180 gr bullets = 45 grains MAX @COAL 2.80
with the 190 grain bullets = 44 grains MAX @ COAL 2.740

Here:

Hodgdon 308 Data

If you can load the 185 Berger longer than 2.80" you should get more breathing room and may be able to work up to around 44.5 grains MAX. But observe your pressures signs, and chrono your workup loads.

Bob

 

[USFTR]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

I think you will find that about 44 grains is max at that brass and OAL. Varget is what I use with that load.

 

[Criver600]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

Varget might be a little fast. I have used RE-15, N-140 & IMR 4064 with Berger 185 grain in a 308. Been working with N-150 So far its pretty good. Peak accuracy will be somewhere in the 2600 range. Let the big dog run......

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

criver,

You might be right about that, Varget could be a bit fast for a 185 grainer in a 308.

I found these tests of interest:

RL-17

2700 FPS with a 185 Lapua is smoking fast....

 

[USFTR]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

Trust me on this one, it is not too fast. But try others if you wish and let me know how it goes accuracy wise.

 

[wolfman]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usftr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Trust me on this one, it is not too fast. But try others if you wish and let me know how it goes accuracy wise. </div></div>

listen to this guy- he know what he's talking about on this score...

 

[One_Man]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

Just got them in...Wow, these things are long.

 

[Belisarius]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

I love long bullets!!!
185 vld

174 gp11 Swiss

208 a-max

6mm 117 DTAC next to 185 vld

 

[dreever]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

I've been working with these with mixed results. To mag load since they are so long they are .045 off the rifling in my Hospitaller at 2.895 OAL. I've worked up a load of 43.3 grains of Varget, CCI 250, Lapua brass 2610 fps with an ES of 22fps. Not happy with the 22 fps, but that is the best I can come up with for a ten shot string.
Bullet runs exactly the same as Sierra 175's out to 300 meters, at 500 meters it's two inches higher due to the increased BC.
That's all I got still working on it.

Danny

 

[doc76251]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dreever</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been working with these with mixed results. To mag load since they are so long they are .045 off the rifling in my Hospitaller at 2.895 OAL. I've worked up a load of 43.3 grains of Varget, CCI 250, Lapua brass 2610 fps with an ES of 22fps. Not happy with the 22 fps, but that is the best I can come up with for a ten shot string.
Bullet runs exactly the same as Sierra 175's out to 300 meters, at 500 meters it's two inches higher due to the increased BC.
That's all I got still working on it.

Danny </div></div>

Play with RE-17 and heavies in the 308. You WILL like the results. Not so good for bullet weights below 175gr. I'm getting insane velocities w/ 210/208's out of a 308 w/ no pressure.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[roostersmith]

Re: Berger 185gr Match Target BT Long Range .308

I shoot a TRG 21 with Lapua brass, Varget, BR-2 primers and 185 VLDs in 1K competitions at Butner and Lejeune. I started with 42 grains and last week I was shooting 44 grains. My group was a bit wider than I wanted. The best load I think based on the logs is 43.8 grains.

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