208 AMAX with Varget.

[Helmet]

I'm thinking about shooting 208 AMAX's out of my 24" Savage with Varget. Anybody have any experience with this? I would like to keep the pressure reasonable, but I also want enough speed to make it worthwhile. I'm interested in knowing what you've tried, how much speed you got, and what your best loads were.
I know that RL-17 will give me more speed, but I'm not interested in using it.

 

[Beepy]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

caliber?

 

[Helmet]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

Sorry...308win

 

[BCP]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

I tried 40-41.5 grains in LC brass at 2.82. Shot okay in my LTR but not my AR.
2.83 seemed to be a bit better in LTR.

Messing with seating depth and maybe a bit more powder and I'm pretty sure it will work.

 

[Helmet]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

Hodgdon list 42 gr of Varget max for a 200 gr bullet. After that I'm pretty much guessing.

 

[wcb6092]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

Never shot that grain bullet but with 168 grain smk 43.5 gr Varget
my 308 rocks.

 

[crewchef]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

Son is shooting the 208 for mid and long range out of 27 inch barrel. Winchester case, Federal primer, 42.7 grains of Varget. 2506 FPS which according to JBM should keep it above mach 1.2 at 1000. I don't remember seating depth which would have big impact on pressure so normal words of caution, work up your load watching for pressure.

 

[Helmet]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

I'm currently using the 178 AMAX with great results. I have used the 168 AMAX with good results as well, but my 1/10 twist Savage likes the 178 better. I want to focus on one bullet. I'm still messing around with the 178 AMAX and the 178 BTHP. The 208 AMAX is the 3rd(affordable)bullet of interest to me. I have to at least give it a chance before I settle on one bullet or I will always wonder. I will be loading it .01" off the lands as that seems to work well with my other AMAX's. I know that 42.7gr is a pretty stiff load, but I've found a few people using them with 42.5gr so it must not be too bad. I am using Lapua Palma brass which might have a small effect on pressure. I'm going to start with a few grains less and work my way up. I hope to begin with the lighter loads early next week. Not sure whether to start at 39gr or 40gr. Suggestions?

 

[Texar2]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

I started at 39.5 with full length sized lapua and a oal of 2.875. I still do not have pressure signs at 42 gr. Think I will work up a little hotter and see if I can get rid of the horizontal stringing im getting. I would start low and go up. Do it from 300yds if you can and you will learn a lot about the load.

 

[crewchef]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

Lapua brass does have less case capacity. I've done the math before using H2O capacity but can't remember exact numbers. Seems like I ended up with .4 or .5 less powder when going from Winchester to Lapua.

I won't venture to guess for starting load, too much depends on COAL. Starting lower is always the safe way as long as you stay at or above minimum suggested load. Rifle I'm referencing was chambered for the heavies and has plenty of freebore. The 208 boat tail is still above the neck/shoulder junction so it's not taking up case capacity.

 

[Helmet]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

Good info guys. I don't think their is a minimum suggested Varget load with 208s in 308win, but 39.5gr sounds like a good place to start. I would like to work them up to 42gr. After that I will be extremely cautious. I'm not sure how using a small rifle primer effects pressure, but the Lapua brass definitely has less volume. I would really like to try them at 300 yards, but that is a big hassle. We have a great range and more often than not we have it all to ourselves, but it only goes to 200 yards. If I want to shoot farther I have to drive for an hour and pay a range fee(and share the range). I'll do as much as I can at 200 yards first.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

I have been using this load a while now, and I absolutely love it.
It's easy on the brass, recoil is similar to pushing 178's hard,
And it just ignores the wind

208 AMAX
41.4 grn Varget
Lapua brass
Cci br2 primer
C.O.A.L 2.887"
2400fps out of my 26" 1/10twist.

I started my development at 39grn
Good luck!

 

[Helmet]

Re: 208 AMAX with Varget.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gfunkUK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been using this load a while now, and I absolutely love it.
It's easy on the brass, recoil is similar to pushing 178's hard,
And it just ignores the wind

208 AMAX
41.4 grn Varget
Lapua brass
Cci br2 primer
C.O.A.L 2.887"
2400fps out of my 26" 1/10twist.

I started my development at 39grn
Good luck!

</div></div>I finally got around to trying them. I loaded them to 39.5gr, 40gr, and 40.5gr to start with. They were actually very comfortable to shoot. Unfortunately, I'm having an unrelated accuracy issue with my copper collecting Savage barrel, so I didn't get a fair example of their accuracy. I'm going to return to the range in the next week or so with 41gr, 41.5gr and 41.7gr. After that I will be increasing in tenths of a grain if I don't see any pressure signs.