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expectations on FPS with .308win 175g VLD & Varget?

dcnyli

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 5, 2013
849
19
Cincinnati, OH
Just curious as to how much faster I should aim for or go towards with this combo? I'm in a decent node(yes I know I should work with it) at around 2700 but was curious before I delve more deeply....

I was seeing pressure signs over 43.5g though hadn't expected them so soon. Debating on touching the lands and reworking, then adjusting seating to get some more FPS but if I'm in a good area then I will hold tight. Looking for input on those more experienced then I, which is predominately everyone here.
 
What are your needs for this load?

LR? That should get you to 1K fine and dandy. That seems to be the accepted limitation for 308 by most shooters.

with my barrel i'm getting 2677 avg with FGMM 175s, so I had assumed i could get more out of it.

**upon reading over at accurateshooter the avg in the 175g area is where i'm at, might leave well enough alone**
 
The real question is how far do you want to shoot? If your current load can stay supersonic a bit past your effective range, you are good to go. Increasing velocity will only shorten case life and there is no guarantee of accuracy.
 
The real question is how far do you want to shoot? If your current load can stay supersonic a bit past your effective range, you are good to go. Increasing velocity will only shorten case life and there is no guarantee of accuracy.

locally cannot test past 200yds, ideally this is a 1K max gun(moreso effective 800 and in)

currently it stays SS till about 1180yds
 
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I would leave the charge alone and maybe work on seating depth for accuracy past 100Y (staying within mag length to mitigate single loading). As for pressure, not sure why you are seeing it at 43.8 that is the third to highest node. If a remmy, i look more for ejector marks/plunger depressions, than flat primers or cratering.
 
How long is the barrel on that rifle? If you're seeing that velocity with an 18-20" barrel then that is pretty fast for 175gr SMK's and Varget. Hodgon's data only showed 2690fps @ max load; not sure what length test barrel they used. I have not seen chronograph data for the VLD's you're using.

Make sure you back off the powder charge before going from a jump to jammed on the lands if you're already seeing pressure signs...
 
I would leave the charge alone and maybe work on seating depth for accuracy past 100Y (staying within mag length to mitigate single loading). As for pressure, not sure why you are seeing it at 43.8 that is the third to highest node. If a remmy, i look more for ejector marks/plunger depressions, than flat primers or cratering.

the primers get a little flatter and I see the ejector marks(bright half circle), then kaboom primer at 45g

How long is the barrel on that rifle? If you're seeing that velocity with an 18-20" barrel then that is pretty fast for 175gr SMK's and Varget. Hodgon's data only showed 2690fps @ max load; not sure what length test barrel they used. I have not seen chronograph data for the VLD's you're using.

Make sure you back off the powder charge before going from a jump to jammed on the lands if you're already seeing pressure signs...

new barrel, less then 400rds.

I'm using normal CCI 200 primers with Lapua brass. Using 43.7 grains of Varget. I get about 2660 out of a 24" barrel

its poly 5r rifling in a 24"
 
expectations on FPS with .308win 175g VLD & Varget?

OP,

First of all, it depends on the barrel.

Secondly, an extra few FPS is not as important as finding an accuracy node. BC is where it's at, not velocity.

You didn't say which VLDs you have, but they like to run fast. Try them somewhere between 2680 and 2740, whatever is safe in your rifle.
 
"an extra few FPS is not as important as finding an accuracy node"

This.

as long as you have the steam to get where you need to get, you're fine IF this is an accurate node. Score are based on accuracy, not velocity.