I emailed Berger Bullets and asked them for their load data for the 155.5 fullbore bullet, 308 Winchester and Varget powder and received the following info:
<span style="font-weight: bold">Start Load.....Start Vel.....Max Load.....Max Vel</span>
40.0.............2527.........44.6.........2764
However, if you go to the Hodgdon Varget website and look up the load data for 155 GR. SIE HPBT
<span style="font-weight: bold">Start Load.....Start Vel.....Max Load.....Max Vel</span>
44.0...............2759.........47.0C........2909
To make matters more confusing my Lyman manual lists the max load at 48 grains of Varget, compressed and Hornady gives the same max as Berger. The Berger max is BELOW the Hodgdon start and the Lyman start. I emailed Berger and received the folloing reply:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
As a rule our load data will be some what lower than other data as our bullets are longer than most other bullets of the same weight and when seated to the same length case capacity will be some what less. I think if you check some manuals other than the two you mention you will find our data to be pretty much the same. Just from the numbers you mention I think you are talking about varget and we know from experience this powder does very some what from one lot to another.
</div></div>
Can anyone enlighten me about what is going on here and which loading data should I use to work up a load?
Thanks, FYI this is for a Savage 12 F/TR chambered in 308 Winchester
<span style="font-weight: bold">Start Load.....Start Vel.....Max Load.....Max Vel</span>
40.0.............2527.........44.6.........2764
However, if you go to the Hodgdon Varget website and look up the load data for 155 GR. SIE HPBT
<span style="font-weight: bold">Start Load.....Start Vel.....Max Load.....Max Vel</span>
44.0...............2759.........47.0C........2909
To make matters more confusing my Lyman manual lists the max load at 48 grains of Varget, compressed and Hornady gives the same max as Berger. The Berger max is BELOW the Hodgdon start and the Lyman start. I emailed Berger and received the folloing reply:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
As a rule our load data will be some what lower than other data as our bullets are longer than most other bullets of the same weight and when seated to the same length case capacity will be some what less. I think if you check some manuals other than the two you mention you will find our data to be pretty much the same. Just from the numbers you mention I think you are talking about varget and we know from experience this powder does very some what from one lot to another.
</div></div>
Can anyone enlighten me about what is going on here and which loading data should I use to work up a load?
Thanks, FYI this is for a Savage 12 F/TR chambered in 308 Winchester