Sierra SMK 175 & Varget loads

[DIYguy]

I know this has been talked about before but couple searches came up with lot of stuff not looking for and not the right answers.

So new rifle in 308 and get to start the ladder load process all over.
26" barrel, 1:10 bolt gun

Lapua brass, new
Federal match primers
Sierra 175gr HPBT
Varget
Forster press, Redding die, Chargemaster powder throw.

Been stalking the forums and seems I'm seeing listed charges from 43.1gr to 45gr behind 175gr SMK. Latest Hornady manual List the max charge for Varget at 42.0 and 2500FPS. I know Hornady tends to be pretty conservative.

First time out yesterday (Sunday) testing some 308 loads with the Labradar and didn't have much time as wife wanting me working on home projects.
Here's a few of the results

CBTO 2.25 with SMK 175 .020 off lands, (10) round strings
Temperature: 38 degrees

43.1 Avg 2698 ES 37.81 SD 11.24
43.3 Avg 2708 ES 23.19 SD 7.64
43.5 Avg 2722 ES 33.64 SD 9.99
43.7 Avg 2735 ES 29.72 SD 8.16

Also tested a few factory loads for reference.

Have several boxes of Federal Premium with 175 SMK and it list 2,600 FPS for velocity.

So my question is, based on the above what are others finding for their loads with a similar combination. I don't want to keep running up the ladder considering published max loads.

 

[scc0005]

I use this combination of components a good bit. In my rifle, i have good luck with 43 grains of varget @ 2650fps. However, in my experience most any quantity of varget with the components will shoot well.

Lessons learned: that bullet will shoot very well with any amount of jump. i would load to mag length and play with powder charge until i found the lowest es/accuracy combo. also, my Bartlien barrel (11.25T) sped up considerably after 150 rounds which tweaked my chosen powder quantity to refind sweet spot.

 

[Lunchbox27]

42.0 grains of Varget, in Lapua brass with the 175 SMK gave me 1/2 moa groups and velocity around 2620. I had another around 44 grains, but this load was compressed.

I would encourage you to do an OCW test starting at 41.7 grains and go up ( while watching for pressure).

 

[AZgeek]

Accuracy nodes for me with the 175 SMK is 43.6 gr of Varget. For the 178 ELD-x, 43.3 gr. Both at 2.805 COAL. Rifle is a Remington 24" R5 milspec.

 

[918v]

Varget varies in burning rate (lot to lot) resulting in as much as 100 FPS difference in typical 308 loads. So keep this in mind when reading what people post... and pay attention to their chrono or lack thereof, cuz a lot extrapolate velocity from dope.

 

[krw]

Terry Cross built me a 308 yrs back. Told me to ld 43.3gr Varget, 175 SMK, Lapua brass. Told me it would do 2700fps. He was right on!! Shot lights out to boot. Its all I ld for 308’s still. 6mm’s, 6.5’s, exotic 7’s have all become the rage. 20” 308 w above ld is still a very good combo!!

 

[mwhite]

I know this has been talked about before but couple searches came up with lot of stuff not looking for and not the right answers.

So new rifle in 308 and get to start the ladder load process all over.
26" barrel, 1:10 bolt gun

Lapua brass, new
Federal match primers
Sierra 175gr HPBT
Varget
Forster press, Redding die, Chargemaster powder throw.

Been stalking the forums and seems I'm seeing listed charges from 43.1gr to 45gr behind 175gr SMK. Latest Hornady manual List the max charge for Varget at 42.0 and 2500FPS. I know Hornady tends to be pretty conservative.

First time out yesterday (Sunday) testing some 308 loads with the Labradar and didn't have much time as wife wanting me working on home projects.
Here's a few of the results

CBTO 2.25 with SMK 175 .020 off lands, (10) round strings
Temperature: 38 degrees

43.1 Avg 2698 ES 37.81 SD 11.24
43.3 Avg 2708 ES 23.19 SD 7.64
43.5 Avg 2722 ES 33.64 SD 9.99
43.7 Avg 2735 ES 29.72 SD 8.16

Also tested a few factory loads for reference.

Have several boxes of Federal Premium with 175 SMK and it list 2,600 FPS for velocity.

So my question is, based on the above what are others finding for their loads with a similar combination. I don't want to keep running up the ladder considering published max loads.

I see you chronograph these loads, how do they shoot? What were your group sizes at your target. Ive loaded mine at 41.8 with varget. 41.7 with imr4064. The velocity is 2585 to 2600fps.

 

[Jabot]

Between 43-44.8 u should find a sweet spot .run a pressure test and chrono velocity u should find a few nodes in there. I shoot 44.5 varget with a 185 juggernaut at 2734 super accurate, I can run it st mag length also

 

[bfk4lyfe]

LC brass
BR-2
2.812
43.8 gr Varget
2680 out of 24" 1:12 AI barrel