I've been working on a load for my SPS Varmint with new Lapua brass, Varget, CCI lr primers and the Sierra 2156. I don't know anybody around me that does much handloading except for a few deer hunters that may load twenty rounds a year. So all of the info I get comes from what I read, which is no substitute for hands on experience. I've done a ladder test with the bullet seated to an OAL of 2.800", which is a LONG way from the lands in this long throated remmy. The load i came up with is 43.5gr, but it is slow for the 155 at 2800fps from what I read. Before I can get to the next node the bolt starts to get a little sticky. It doesn't have any other pressure signs, but like I said all I know is what I've read and I don't know how much to push it. If you need more details let me know. Any help would be appreciated.
SMK 155 PALMA in R700 SPS Varmint
- Thread starter lukeed78
- Start date
In the mean time, list those up for sale or load and shoot them
^No you'll be just fine with those, you just need to stop getting hung up on trying to get max FPS.
The simple fact is that you'll have to jump your 2156s and 2800FPS is hauling for those. I love my 2156s, they scream and group awesomely all the way out to 1300yds.
OAL in this pic is to the ogive. LC-LR brass, hBN coated bullets, F210, and Varget. I'd have to check but I think I'm at ~2750FPS and it's by far my .308's (700P) favorite load.
i'm not really hung up on FPS because it's grouping like yours with this load. i'm just wanting to get the most i can out of this slow twist barrel. if i can get to 1150 yds with this load i'll be happy.
and i thought i was pushing it when i got pressure signs in my old factory barrel at 45.2 gr of varget behind a 155 scenar. I understand its a different bullet, but my old barrel was also pretty slow with varget. it would pressure up pretty quick and not go really fast, that is when i swapped to 2000mr and WOW!!!!
that's about where i would get pressure signs with Winchester brass, but it wasn't much faster than where i'm at with Lapua brass. i really like the consistency and accuracy that i'm getting with the Varget, but i might look into the 2000mr later since i still have 16 lbs of Varget.
