What the hell....?!

[18Echo]

I was starting to ladder up some rounds in .308 Winchester with a Sierra 175gr MatchKing. I went to the Hodgdon reloading website and the STARTING load of Varget is 42.0 Grains and Maxes at 45.0, my Sierra reloading manual says the MAX is 41.7?!

Can someone please explain? I was planning on starting at 42.0 and move up to 45.0 in .5gr increments for a total of 35 rounds.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: What the hell....?!

Lawyers, when the bolt is stickie back off.

 

[Wil]

Re: What the hell....?!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lawyers, when the bolt is stickie back off. </div></div>

+1

run your ladder test as you started... 42-45... maybe higher..

find max in YOUR rifle... not in a book

when you find max... back it down a bit & work backwards to find the accuracy node...

kills two birds one stone.. maxes velocity & finds accuracy... dig?

 

[USMCj]

Re: What the hell....?!

You should find the sweetspot at about 44-44.5 grains. Do not go over 45 grains though.

 

[Wil]

Re: What the hell....?!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You should find the sweetspot at about 44-44.5 grains. Do not go over 45 grains though. </div></div>

Why not go over 45gr if the rifle can do it? Just curious....

If Max in his rifle is above 45gr what's the harm?

 

[chpprguy]

Re: What the hell....?!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wil</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You should find the sweetspot at about 44-44.5 grains. Do not go over 45 grains though. </div></div>

Why not go over 45gr if the rifle can do it? Just curious....

If Max in his rifle is above 45gr what's the harm? </div></div>

+1 (as long as you are looking for pressure signs).... it varies between brass as well

 

[Wil]

Re: What the hell....?!

That was my point...

There are those that would think some of my loads are insane... but given the parameters they are quite safe in MY RIFLE!

My current load is:

47.5gr Varget
155gr Lapua scnenar
Win/BHA brass
210 primer
2.88 OAL ish....

I've loaded the 175SMK with 46.4gr Varget and it shot well..and safe in MY RIFLE...

loading it longer helps... but I worked up to this load and past it... back it off & found the node...

It's called load development for your rifle. Every one of them is different. Just like every reloading manual you see lists a different max...etc. Guidelines written by lawyers..lol

 

[SuperXJeff]

Re: What the hell....?!

I see that you found accuracy at a point north of the books max load. How many FPS did you gain? Jeff

 

[Brians708]

Re: What the hell....?!

+1 Wil, and by the way that 155 load is the hammer!

 

[Enios]

Re: What the hell....?!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 18Echo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was starting to ladder up some rounds in .308 Winchester with a Sierra 175gr MatchKing. I went to the Hodgdon reloading website and the STARTING load of Varget is 42.0 Grains and Maxes at 45.0, my Sierra reloading manual says the MAX is 41.7?!

Can someone please explain? I was planning on starting at 42.0 and move up to 45.0 in .5gr increments for a total of 35 rounds. </div></div>

Depends also on the brass you are using. I have a very good load at 45gr in Winchester brass but get the same speeds with much less powder in Nosler brass because of case capacity. The Winchester is much lighter, by about 20 grains. Same load in Nosler gave me a sticky bolt and very loose primer pocket.