Varget Question...

[Jakerz]

Well I shot 40 rounds of "break in" ball ammo through my 5R, it was cheap Winchester stuff (15 bucks a box, rofl). After those rounds I decided to try some reloads because my dad has all the stuff I need already, I got some 175 SMK's and a pound of Varget and was off. They recommended 43.0 Gr, so I started with that, and went up in .5 gr steps, and stoped at 45.0.

My question is 45.0 seems like a bunch of powder for a 175gr bullet to me, lol. Its not showing any signs of pressure and its shooting like a lazer so I'm leaving the load alone and gonna load up 100 pieces of my new Lapua brass to try it out some more.

Is it just me or this alot of powder for a 175gr?

Jake

 

[Jeff3C]

Re: Varget Question...

What is your OAL?

 

[Jakerz]

Re: Varget Question...

2.8 sorry

 

[81STFACP]

Re: Varget Question...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jakerz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well I shot 40 rounds of "break in" ball ammo through my 5R, it was cheap Winchester stuff (15 bucks a box, rofl). After those rounds I decided to try some reloads because my dad has all the stuff I need already, I got some 175 SMK's and a pound of Varget and was off. They recommended 43.0 Gr, so I started with that, and went up in .5 gr steps, and stoped at 45.0.

My question is 45.0 seems like a bunch of powder for a 175gr bullet to me, lol. Its not showing any signs of pressure and its shooting like a lazer so I'm leaving the load alone and gonna load up 100 pieces of my new Lapua brass to try it out some more.

Is it just me or this alot of powder for a 175gr?

Jake </div></div>

The 45 grain of Varget is one of the OCW load for 175 SMK. Here is a link to OCW http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/#/ocw-load-recipes/4533485759

 

[shadow4]

Re: Varget Question...

If you don't see any pressure signs, you are fine. I've gone past 45rg in my .308 with no pressure. I settled on 44.8gr.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Varget Question...

For most of the lifespan of this web site, the 'standard recommended .308 loads' have been:

150/155gr bullets, 46.0gr Varget
165/168gr bullets, 45.5gr Varget
175/180gr bullets, 45.0gr Varget

Greg

 

[exhogflyer]

Re: Varget Question...

varget's a very forgiving powder even when compressed.Greg posted it correctly about the loads.Your rifle is always the best indicator of "too hot" anyway.

 

[918v]

Re: Varget Question...

Compressing powder is perfectly OK.

If you use a long drop tube, the powder settles better in the case and you don't have to compress it as much.

 

[Jakerz]

Re: Varget Question...

Ok thanks for the info guys, I searched but didn't really find anything specific to Varget.

Think I'm gonna stick with this load for a few hundred rounds, at least until I'm out of SMK's and Powder, lol

Jake

 

[Rookie]

Re: Varget Question...

Thats my load, but also note, COAL is also a factor. I load longer than spec, as most do, which reduces pressure.