Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

[Pew...Ding]

Well after reading popular loads for long range. I realized I have under loaded the only 200 "match" rounds I have. Match-meaning the ones set aside if I ever wanted to shoot competition, not the 6 times fired brass I practice with. I bought some once fired Federal Match brass and loaded it with 40gr Varget because that's the the Sierra reloading manual said for optimal (2400 fps). I have got some great groups with it at 100 but now I want to move up and shoot some 700-1000 yards but I have 180 rounds loaded with once fired federal match, 175 smk, federal gold match primers, and 40gr of Varget. I have a 24 in barrel. What should I do? I have the hammer puller but I dont know if it will hurt the bullets/primers. If I want to shoot these up and reload hotter will I loose accuracy with twice fired compared to once fired,will it help because the brass is stretched more to my chamber, or does it even matter. What would be the optimal range for load that is in them. I would Love to buy some new "match" brass but I'm a broke college student waiting for work in the summer. Any suggestions? Thank you!


3 shot group at 100, 40r Varget "match" rounds

 

[bward]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Just shoot it. It would suck to pull all of those.

 

[Huckleberry75]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Shoot them for the practice and then start load development for your rifle. Look in the 42-44gn range of Varget with the 175/178's, that's were a lot of people find the sweet spot with this set=up.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

My "sweet spot" came in at 44.7 grains Varget with the 175 SMK. This load shoots great in any of my four 308 rifles and has the juice to shoot well out to 1000 yards.

 

[Pew...Ding]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Thank you for the help! I think ill put 44 in it next time and call it good and just practice!

 

[UW Mitch]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Work up and chrono using OCW. I settled on 45gr Varget with Sierra 175 Matchking.

And as everyone else already said - just shoot what you've already loaded. Seeing those groups, I might do some 40gr Varget "light loads" like yours for practice.

~Mitch

 

[justinbaker]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

it would suck to pull all those with a hammer

but if you get a collet puller it wont take much time, i have the rcbs collet puller and it works great

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Get the Hornady puller with the cam-handle.

Take about 20 mins to pull them.

 

[ggmanning]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1lnbrdg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the Hornady puller with the cam-handle.

Take about 20 mins to pull them. </div></div>

Second that....fast and easy. Nothing worng with shooting for practice though.

 

[Pew...Ding]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Ill just shoot them, I could use the practice!

 

[boltgunluvr]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

If you have the formula that works....don't mess with it! I never get focused on a chrono, only accuracy. I have never experienced any accuracy improvement with 308 Win match brass in a bolt gun....and that's one of the many beautiful things about 308. Load it with rocksalt and it will probably shoot well.

 

[boltgunluvr]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

And....I'm betting you have learned your lesson about loading too many at one time.

 

[Pew...Ding]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Haha I have, Im going to load to shoot from now on with the nicer stuff instead of stocking up. I love the .308 its a good all around caliber

 

[Josh Elam]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Have you tried these at longer range? How did they do? Where are you located, I could give you some once fired brass.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Just make the storage boxes as short range. Then shoot them as time permits. Reload them for either catagory afterwards.

I have a similar loading for 155 scenars. The long range load is 47.8 gr Varget, the short range load is just 43.6gr Varget.

 

[Gunfighting Inc]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

It won't hurt to shoot these, then reload the brass again for your match load, whatever that turns out to be.

 

[UW Mitch]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

Just FYI - I loaded some up 40gr Varget, 175gr SMK's, Wolf Primer, 2.805" COL. They chrono'ed right around 2260 fps (20fps extreme spread). Impacted 2.5" low compared to my 2600fps loads using 45.0gr Varget.

~Mitch

 

[The Zebra]

Re: Low speed 175gr SMK Varget Questions.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My "sweet spot" came in at 44.7 grains Varget with the 175 SMK. This load shoots great in any of my four 308 rifles and has the juice to shoot well out to 1000 yards.
</div></div>

This is also my load in my SPS Tactical Rem 700. 2600fps at the muzzle and works out to 1000 yards.

As for your "match ammo", just shoot it. The brass won't make that much of a difference between once and twice fired, especially if you re-trim. And pulling all those would not be fun at all.