Varget, Sierra MK 168, 20" Barrel

[KevinU]

New to reloading. Heading to my brothers in Iowa at the end of the month, he's going to teach me how to reload. He's been reloading for years.

Will be shooting paper 100-300yds out of a SPS Tactical. New to long range shooting as well.

Picked up a set of Forster Ultra Dies to use on his Forster Co-ax press.

Have Lapua Brass, 210M primers, Varget, and Sierra MK 168.

Need some load details.

Thanks

 

[CanPopper]

Re: Varget, Sierra MK 168, 20" Barrel

Do a ladder test for a load range between 43gr and 46gr. The best load should be between those two numbers.

 

[Joe-n-TX]

Re: Varget, Sierra MK 168, 20" Barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KevinU</div><div class="ubbcode-body">he's going to teach me how to reload. He's been reloading for years.

Thanks </div></div>

Listen to your brother. ....and buy a couple of manuals.

 

[Joe-n-TX]

Re: Varget, Sierra MK 168, 20" Barrel

I bought the manuals, Sierra and Lyman, before I bought any components.

 

[KevinU]

Re: Varget, Sierra MK 168, 20" Barrel

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joe-n-TX</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought the manuals, Sierra and Lyman, before I bought any components. </div></div>

My brother sent me the Sierra manual, been studying it for awhile now. Looking forward to some hands on.

 

[JDT]

Re: Varget, Sierra MK 168, 20" Barrel

I've been using basically the exact load components that you mentioned other than the primers. Right now I'm using the CCI BR primers until I use them up then I will get into the Federal 210M. Anyway I've been using out of my FN SPR with a 24" barrel 42.5 gr of varget. I have loaded up to 45 gr of varget but seems like the 42.5 to 43.5 is working the best for me at the 100 to 300 yrd ranges with the 168gr sierra matchkings. For some reason at those distances the 42.5 seems to be the magic number for me. I've been using a col of 2.840. Hope this helps, but as others have mentioned or will mention get several load manuals and work your way up as its just safe practice.

 

[Queequeg]

Re: Varget, Sierra MK 168, 20" Barrel

My SPS loves 44.5-45.5 grains of Varget under 168 SMKs, Hornady's 168 AMAX or HPBT and Nosler 168 hpbts as well. Equal joy, regardless of whether I use BR2s or Fed 210 primers; but I can't say the many WLRs I've used have hurt my shooting this load either, in various brands of brass.

Typically no longer than 2.825", it seems fool proof in my rifle anyway.

The Hodgdon annual manuals are great too as they also cover Winchester and IMR powders in addition to their own.

This thread is also a mind blower, as in an apprenticeship for no charge or gruntwork!

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=96660#Post96660

 

[KevinU]

Re: Varget, Sierra MK 168, 20" Barrel

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This thread is also a mind blower, as in an apprenticeship for no charge or gruntwork!

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=96660#Post96660 [/quote]

Much appreciated thread, I've read thru it several times, made a list of all his equipment. You are right, takes a big junk out of the gruntwork!