Ok, so the other day I went out to the range and shot my first ladder test with my first reloads; here are the results and test gear.
Rifle: Savage FCP-K -10 .308 with 24" barrel
Bullet: 175 gr SMK
Brass: Lapua 308, large primer
Primer: Federal 210M
Powder: Varget
Loaded to touching the lands at 2.228 from the ojive. Shot at 300 yrds.
As you can see shots 8-10 are great that powder range was 44.9gr-45.3 moving up in .2 increments.
So my question is should I keep that or look for something with a higher powder charge?
I have loaded up a batch that went from 45gr-47.4gr in .2 increments to try again and see if there was a node with a higher powder charge. But after looking at the reloading depot 45gr of Varget seems to be around the higher end. I figured I would not get to 47 because I would probably see to much pressure but I loaded them anyway because the range is far away. I am loading for complete accuracy. I shoot in tactical moving target competitions out to 1000 yrds, and I have space out in the desert to shoot over a mile which I am working up to (1,400 so far). I have been using match factory ammo, but just started reloading.
So should I stick with the 45gr of Varget or take the higher load batch out and try for a higher powder charge?
The only thing I didn't bring with me was a chrono so I don't know the FPS, but based upon my factory loads and these I would say they are in the 2700 fps range.
Thanks for any help and advice, -Matt
Rifle: Savage FCP-K -10 .308 with 24" barrel
Bullet: 175 gr SMK
Brass: Lapua 308, large primer
Primer: Federal 210M
Powder: Varget
Loaded to touching the lands at 2.228 from the ojive. Shot at 300 yrds.
As you can see shots 8-10 are great that powder range was 44.9gr-45.3 moving up in .2 increments.
So my question is should I keep that or look for something with a higher powder charge?
I have loaded up a batch that went from 45gr-47.4gr in .2 increments to try again and see if there was a node with a higher powder charge. But after looking at the reloading depot 45gr of Varget seems to be around the higher end. I figured I would not get to 47 because I would probably see to much pressure but I loaded them anyway because the range is far away. I am loading for complete accuracy. I shoot in tactical moving target competitions out to 1000 yrds, and I have space out in the desert to shoot over a mile which I am working up to (1,400 so far). I have been using match factory ammo, but just started reloading.
So should I stick with the 45gr of Varget or take the higher load batch out and try for a higher powder charge?
The only thing I didn't bring with me was a chrono so I don't know the FPS, but based upon my factory loads and these I would say they are in the 2700 fps range.
Thanks for any help and advice, -Matt
