Range Report .308 with 208 Amax and Varget [Update: 5/30]

[Short-bus]

So I had to give it a shot. There were some that said that it couldn't be done, but I thought that I would try for myself since I haven't seen anyone else do it yet. I have a 20" McGowen on my Savage, and I wanted to try to get the temp stability of Varget, and still be able to launch the 208 amax's to 2500fps. Today, I went out and shot some groups and worked up my powder charge to see how things would go. Got some valuable data, and looking forward to my next outing to push it some more and get some more data.

Today was a great day for shooting, sunny, 70 degrees in the sun, 65 in the shade, light breeze, but nothing to worry about. Chronograph was about 8-9 feet in front of my muzzle, and I used the sky screens to try to keep things reliable. Chrony is a Beta Master shooting chrony, nothing high dollar, but it works for my budget.

All loads were the 208 Amax set long, almost 3", I won't bother giving you my measurement as my measuring device won't measure the same as yours. I'll just say that I was .011" off the lands in my rifle. Lapua brass is neck sized in a Lee collet die, and shoulder bumped in a redding body die. I just trimmed the brass last night to 2.005", deburred and chamferred of course.

41.0gr Varget
Shot 1: 2356
Shot 2: 2370
Shot 3: 2358

41.5gr Varget
Shot 1: 2378
Shot 2: 2374
Shot 3: 2350

42.0gr Varget (Published Max)
Shot 1: 2389
Shot 2: 2404
Shot 3: 2395

42.5gr Varget
Shot 1: 2416
Shot 2: 2402
Shot 3: 2392

43.0gr Varget (still no pressure signs)
Shot 1: 2439
Shot 2: 2461
Shot 3: 2442

As you can see, the accuracy was outstanding! The muzzle blast and recoil was VERY manageable compared to the RL17 that i've been using. I did load up some RL17 loads to run some of those through as i've been loading back again to get away from excessive pressure. The first RL17 load that I touched off yielded a response from my neighboring booth of them shouting "That wasn't Varget!" They were right, unlike previous shots, they felt the pressure wave from the muzzle blast, and I definitely felt the much sharper recoil impulse.

I'm going to load up some more and take another couple of steps and see if I can get 2500fps without pressure issues. I only need about another 50fps, and I think that'll be done in another .5-.7gr assuming that it increases somewhat linearly. Hopefully the accuracy will hold together just as good as these shots, we'll see.

Branden

 

[308sako]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Deleted in protest

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308sako</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great write up, and valuable data points. I would watch for pressure and consider changing your charge interval to .2 or .3 grains... Discretion vs Valor.

Are you moly coating those to allow the powder charges shown? </div></div>

I was watching closely for signs on the brass, as well as changes in bolt lift, and got nothing, i'm going to chamber the fired brass a little later and see how it feels, if it's tight, I know i'm getting up there. There's no moly involved, i'm not a moly guy. They look pretty with moly, but I don't mess with it.

Branden

 

[flyboy]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

A little slow but good to know either way.

 

[MontanaMarine]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Nice shooting! The accuracy looks really good.

I was able to make 2480 fps with 44.5gr RL15, and 22" bbl. I just mention it because burn rate of RL15 is fairly close to Varget.

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I'm pretty sure on my next outing i'm going to go to at least 44.0gr, 43 was the highest today, i'm confident that I can get 2500fps which is my goal for the short barrel.

To the poster about it being "slow", remember, this is a .308, and even at 2450fps, where I shoot, that still gets me over 1200 yards supersonic using Litz G7 BC's.

175smk @ 2600 1017y supersonic
175VLD @ 2650 1096y supersonic
155 Scenar @ 2900 1146y supersonic
208amax @ 2450 1241y supersonic

Now i've been frisky in the past, but I have a accurate 2600fps load with RL17 and the 208 amax that'll keep me supersonic to 1355, and that's at my 800'ASL elevation here. Imagine how good things get once you get up into the mountains or the high plains.

Slow is relative, however no matter how slow, my amax's still beat all the others in the wind.

Branden

 

[Falar]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm pretty sure on my next outing i'm going to go to at least 44.0gr, 43 was the highest today, i'm confident that I can get 2500fps which is my goal for the short barrel.

To the poster about it being "slow", remember, this is a .308, and even at 2450fps, where I shoot, that still gets me over 1200 yards supersonic using Litz G7 BC's.

175smk @ 2600 1017y supersonic
175VLD @ 2650 1096y supersonic
155 Scenar @ 2900 1146y supersonic
208amax @ 2450 1241y supersonic

Now i've been frisky in the past, but I have a accurate 2600fps load with RL17 and the 208 amax that'll keep me supersonic to 1355, and that's at my 800'ASL elevation here. Imagine how good things get once you get up into the mountains or the high plains.

Slow is relative, however no matter how slow, my amax's still beat all the others in the wind.

Branden </div></div>

To me that is the real key to why the heavy bullets rule. Who cares what has more drop when you will be dialing anwyay, what really matters is how much the wind can push your bullets.

 

[MontanaMarine]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

This was 208s started at a modest 2480 fps.

Range 1120 yards.

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

MontanaMarine, I didn't pay attention to the name of the poster of your previous post, nice to see you in here. You're original thread on the 208amax, and RL17 (which I still actively post) is the reason that I started to shoot the combo. I tried to go to 175smk's, and varget, and although the accuracy was good, in the wind, they just plain suck compared to the forgiveness of the 208's, the dark side has brought me back to the heavies, and the heavies is where I shall stay!

Branden

 

[esorensen]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I tried the Berger 210's with Varget too. I stopped at 43 gr. as well. The only reason being is that is my load for the 175 SMK's. If I remember correctly, the speed was still not to 2500. Accurate, but too slow.

 

[5R Milspec]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

If I may add to this a friend out shot a guy useing a 338LM the other day with his 308 useing the 208's.even said the guy felt small seeing a 308 shoot like his did out to 8-900 yards.

 

[badbot]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I am glad to see this thread as I was worried about varget being able to push the 208's .
Now I have to get a bunch.
I have a 26" but my max mag len. is 2.880 - 2.885 I hope I can hit 2600 but we'll see

 

[Big Dog Steel]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Has anyone given this a go with H4895? I only ask because I have a bunch of it!

 

[sticshooter]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

anybody using the 210 sierras.just curious if accuracy and velocities were close to the amax's.

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

So what grain is the 208 amax? 208? I have some 180gr Nosler ballistic tip, 10 rounds with 42gn of IMR 4320 and Winchester brass, wolf primers & 10 with 43gr I have to try out. I am not getting any consistency with Sierra 168gr match same specs....

 

[kombayotch]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Yes, they are 208 grains. IMR4320 might be interesting to try as would IMR4007 SSC. IMR powders seem to be more temperature stable than RL-17.

I'm hoping to get out to the range and run a few 208s through Pressure Trace on Sunday with Varget and H4831SC to see where those fall since I have both powders on hand.

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I may or may not try IMR 4064, I have a bit of that lying around not getting used, it'd be worth at least seeing what it'll do.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308saiga</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So what grain is the 208 amax? 208? I have some 180gr Nosler ballistic tip, 10 rounds with 42gn of IMR 4320 and Winchester brass, wolf primers & 10 with 43gr I have to try out. I am not getting any consistency with Sierra 168gr match same specs....

</div></div>

Threadjacker??

 

[kombayotch]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

In theory, IMR 4064 should give almost identical results as Varget. However, the long kernels may end up limiting the charge unless some very slow trickling is done.

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kombayotch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, they are 208 grains. IMR4320 might be interesting to try as would IMR4007 SSC. IMR powders seem to be more temperature stable than RL-17.

I'm hoping to get out to the range and run a few 208s through Pressure Trace on Sunday with Varget and H4831SC to see where those fall since I have both powders on hand. </div></div>

I use the Hogdon's web reloading table and it only goes up to 200gr, what book are you using for reloading? If Lymann what version? Thx for the info.....

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308saiga</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kombayotch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes, they are 208 grains. IMR4320 might be interesting to try as would IMR4007 SSC. IMR powders seem to be more temperature stable than RL-17.

I'm hoping to get out to the range and run a few 208s through Pressure Trace on Sunday with Varget and H4831SC to see where those fall since I have both powders on hand. </div></div>

I use the Hogdon's web reloading table and it only goes up to 200gr, what book are you using for reloading? If Lymann what version? Thx for the info.....


</div></div>

You can use 200gr data, always load back and work up. I've been reloading for 10 years now, and have pretty much only used a couple of powders for all my shooting, and know how much powder to use. I still check either the books, or the Hodgdon site from time to time, like I did to check for the range of powder weights of Varget to use with the 208's.

Branden

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

You can use 200gr data, always load back and work up. I've been reloading for 10 years now, and have pretty much only used a couple of powders for all my shooting, and know how much powder to use. I still check either the books, or the Hodgdon site from time to time, like I did to check for the range of powder weights of Varget to use with the 208's.

Branden </div></div>

Thanks Brandon, I find it amazing that since the grain exists that the book would not have it.......

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

A lot of folks out there consider anything over 200gr too heavy for the .308 to handle. There are some folks experimenting with 220 and 240gr SMK's. If the 240 had a longer sleeker profile, with a G1 BC in the .8's, i'd try it out!

The GS Custom bullets have some amazing BC's, however they are VERY EXPENSIVE! It'd be sweet to launch the 163 SP's supersonic upwards of 1600 yards!

Branden

 

[badbot]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I asked for burger hybrids to be 225 to 235 so we have a next level to go to.

 

[kombayotch]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Mmmm... burger...

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A lot of folks out there consider anything over 200gr too heavy for the .308 to handle. There are some folks experimenting with <span style="font-weight: bold">220 and 240gr SMK's</span>

. If the 240 had a longer sleeker profile, with a G1 BC in the .8's, i'd try it out!

The GS Custom bullets have some amazing BC's, however they are VERY EXPENSIVE! It'd be sweet to launch the 163 SP's supersonic upwards of 1600 yards!

Branden </div></div>

I think my 308 would blow up with that... As I stated, I think here, I have not shot 1000 yds so I could not even fathom 1600... Thanks again for the info brother.....

PS: I have a Yugo Mauser M48 receiver with a Adams and Bennett 308 barrel 24" 1:10 twist, a Boyd's thumbhole stock and a Boyd's trigger... I do not get out much so it is hard for me to figure out the correct load.....

 

[noahmercy]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I may have missed it somewhere along the line, but what twist is the OP's McGowen barrel?

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Noah Mercy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I may have missed it somewhere along the line, but what twist is the OP's McGowen barrel?

</div></div>

You didn't miss it, I didn't mention it (surprisingly). It's a 1:10.

Branden

 

[noahmercy]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Noah Mercy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I may have missed it somewhere along the line, but what twist is the OP's McGowen barrel?

</div></div>

You didn't miss it, I didn't mention it (surprisingly). It's a 1:10.

Branden </div></div>

Much grass, senor. Those are some great results...thanks for posting them up. I'm looking forward to your long range follow-up report and hope you get the performance you're looking for.

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Noah Mercy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Much grass, senor. Those are some great results...thanks for posting them up. I'm looking forward to your long range follow-up report and hope you get the performance you're looking for. </div></div>

+1 here please let us know.... Noah I started to read the first 2 words and could not for the life of me wonder why there was so much grass, LOL, then I read senor (senhor) and figured it out LOL... That was funny, you should have seen the look on my face....

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Sorry folks, but you're going to have to wait a little longer.

I'm not going to be able to go to the range tomorrow. I'm on daddy duty while mommy gets some time to have fun. You won't hear me complain though, my little girls are growing up so fast that I need to spend every moment I can with them before they hate me for whatever reason sparks the occasion that minute.

Branden

 

[noahmercy]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry folks, but you're going to have to wait a little longer.

I'm not going to be able to go to the range tomorrow. I'm on daddy duty while mommy gets some time to have fun. You won't hear me complain though, my little girls are growing up so fast that I need to spend every moment I can with them before they hate me for whatever reason sparks the occasion that minute.

Branden </div></div>

Family first, last, and always, Branden. You have fun with your little ladies!

 

[Kaisersose]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

So would a 1 in 12 barrel 25 inch overall stabilize the 208?

I have a ton of 190 grain moly but have not gotten any 208s yet.

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So would a 1 in 12 barrel 25 inch overall stabilize the 208?

I have a ton of 190 grain moly but have not gotten any 208s yet.

</div></div>

Every setup is different, it depends on what your rifle likes not you, I for one have a Yugo M48 re-barreled in a 308 (pic posted under photos) and so far it does not like the 145gr or the 168gr, next trip out I will be trying the 180gn... This is how you will determine what your rifle likes, using the same powder & primers... These are not the only variables either, load has a lot to do with it as well..... On the 180gr I loaded 10 at 41gn of IMR 4320 and 10 with 43gr. If this does not bring it in more then I'll try the 177gr or even the 150gn.

It takes a while for for one to determine the proper setup for each rifle... Now if these do not work then I will be cutting 1" at a time and re-crowning (at the range) and starting all over to be able to get that consistency in my shots..... Just my 2 cents............

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry folks, but you're going to have to wait a little longer.

I'm not going to be able to go to the range tomorrow. I'm on daddy duty while mommy gets some time to have fun. You won't hear me complain though, my little girls are growing up so fast that I need to spend every moment I can with them before they hate me for whatever reason sparks the occasion that minute.

Branden </div></div>

Branden, so why do you not take them along? are they too young?? Definitely family comes first.........

 

[MontanaMarine]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: [email protected]</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So would a 1 in 12 barrel 25 inch overall stabilize the 208?

I have a ton of 190 grain moly but have not gotten any 208s yet.

</div></div>

It'll probably work fine. They work well in my 20" 1/12, at 2480-2640 fps, haven't tried them slower than 2480 fps.

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308saiga</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry folks, but you're going to have to wait a little longer.

I'm not going to be able to go to the range tomorrow. I'm on daddy duty while mommy gets some time to have fun. You won't hear me complain though, my little girls are growing up so fast that I need to spend every moment I can with them before they hate me for whatever reason sparks the occasion that minute.

Branden </div></div>

Branden, so why do you not take them along? are they too young?? Definitely family comes first.........

</div></div>

Yes, too young. My oldest is 5 1/2, youngest will be 2 in September, and she has no sense of stranger danger. She would likely run downrange whenever she felt like. My oldest i'm not sure would like the noise, of course she would have hearing protection, I still don't think she'd like it. I've been working on the wife for a while now to get her a pink Cricket, however i've been meeting a lot of resistance.

Besides all that, even if I could have gone, it's been raining here all day, I could shoot in rain, however it would be pointless without the Chronograph.

Branden

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Yes, too young. My oldest is 5 1/2, youngest will be 2 in September, and she has no sense of stranger danger. She would likely run downrange whenever she felt like. My oldest i'm not sure would like the noise, of course she would have hearing protection, I still don't think she'd like it. I've been working on the wife for a while now to get her a pink Cricket, however i've been meeting a lot of resistance.

Besides all that, even if I could have gone, it's been raining here all day, I could shoot in rain, however it would be pointless without the Chronograph.

Branden </div></div>

Yes too young although the older one is almost there..... Keep working on the wife she'll come around, there are many women that go shooting where I go, funny thing was the last time a couple was their the hubby was raising his voice (just a little nothing major) and she kept out shooting him... LOL

That is the only bad thing when taking the wives, when they start out shooting us.... lol

OK I'll keep an eye out on this thread......

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Back in the day before we had kids, and we were both in college, my wife used to go the range with me, and she could shoot pretty darn good. Then I got her into racing cars, and then we had kids and she stopped doing all that.

I do wish that she would go shooting with me, but then who will watch the girls?

Branden

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dust_Remover</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Back in the day before we had kids, and we were both in college, my wife used to go the range with me, and she could shoot pretty darn good. Then I got her into racing cars, and then we had kids and she stopped doing all that.

I do wish that she would go shooting with me, but then who will watch the girls?

Branden </div></div>

Oh I see, YOU PUT THE RING ON HER FINGER!!!!! LOL J/K.. I hear you, I guess it will be a while before the family goes to the range. As you stated children grow up fast so it should not be that long....

 

[esorensen]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Branden, bring the kids to the range too! It is tough to get al lot accomplished if you are there to develop a load and such, but the kids grow up with respect for firearms and their use, not a fear of the unknown. My kids ask ME to go to the range now!

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I'll likely take them to the private land that I shoot on sometime, I don't really want to take them to the public range, there are a lot of folks that don't know what they are doing, and an excessive amount of foul language most of the time. I'm known to have a foul mouth myself, but never when there are children present, especially my own. I realize I can't protect them from every little thing, but I sure am going to try.

My little princesses;

Would I be wrong if I made small ghillie suits for them? My wife thinks that would have DFS knocking on our door.

Branden

 

[5R Milspec]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

hey we only have our children till they think its time to move on.so doing what ever you want with them when it comes to makeing a memory will only last for a short time.

my two girls are 15 and 10 so when they want to do something we go.I guess thats why dad/I have to really save up for the shooting and reloading I like to do.LOL they get it all.but I do have one the 10 year old that wants to take up shooting.so I am going to have my friend make up a girlly bull bag for her.next will come a purple rifel with spots all over it she says.

 

[308saiga]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Wow, 2 beautiful little girls, they must take after their mother, hehehehehe..... What is the little one in, a creek? Congrats brother

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308saiga</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow, 2 beautiful little girls, they must take after their mother, hehehehehe..... What is the little one in, a creek? Congrats brother </div></div>

She's playing in the rain runoff in our street. We had just gotten a good rain, and she likes to splash in the water. We were trying to get her to be less afraid of the thunder, and show her that there's a good side to it, that she can splash in the water. She's much better around thunder now.

Branden

 

[esorensen]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I suppose I am a bit spoiled. I am able to use various private ranges or open prairie and don't have to worry about much. My girls have taken to shooting bowling pins and steel with a .22 between my sessions. It works out quite well. My wife is LEO, so between her and myself, we had to get the kids squared away around weapons from the get go.

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

I got to the range today folks, i'll get the range report together a little later. Gotta go out and play in the sprinklers with the girls. It's 87 degrees here today, that's flat out compared to what it's been!

Branden

 

[Short-bus]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

At long last JetMd and I got to the range today. It's been a busy day, the weather today was just outright hot compared to what it's been lately (rain, rain, and more and more rain). Out of nowhere we got today at 87 degrees. Yesterday it topped at like 70 or so, needless to say I wasn't acclimated to it yet, but I coped. I need to remember to make sure that I keep a case of water in the trunk for those times when I need it bad, I don't have a problem drinking warm water.

Alright, as I said, it was 85 degrees, but the wind was something else, holding in the high teens, gusting (a lot!) in the 20's, I didn't think I was going to get groups to save my life, I figured I was there for the chrono data, but I was happily mistaken.

I backed off .5gr from the load I was going to start at because of the warmer weather, I'm shooting Varget, and I know that it's temp stable, but I thought it might be wise to be on the side of caution. 43.0gr was the load I was going to start at, but I also like what I saw at 43 last time, so I wanted to do two groups at 43. Jetmd joined me at the range today and brought his sexy M1A, and his pact chrono and we lined them up to compare readings, nicely all but 1 or two readings were within' 1% of each other. I think the bright sun (even with the skyscreens up) might have made 1 or two go wacky, but having 2 lined up made those stand out.

The two groups above are the powder charge i'm going to do some more work with. The 1 shot each per target that went high was because I had a 'tard moment and ignored my breating cycle for some reason. That stuff sticks out like crazy to me now, I have that little mental check list that I go through for each shot, but sometimes that darn breathing part slips past me.

I was going to run 44.0gr, however the 43.6gr was starting to give me some light pressure signs. The bolt lift was getting stiffer, and I had a primer that was starting to flow back onto the firing pin, and a dark ring around the primer, I may take special care of that case and check for a lose primer pocket. I didn't feel the need to go any hotter.

I was hoping for 2500fps, and I thought it was doable, however with the 20" barrel, I don't think that I can do it without running on the ragged edge. Somebody with more length would surely be able to IMO. I'm going to stick to the ~2420fps right now, and keep working with the RL17 as well. I don't really need the extra 80fps of the RL17, I don't really lose a whole lot backing off on the velocity. It's more comfortable to shoot, and more accurate, and add in the temperature stability of Varget to make the load easier to shoot long range with in different weather conditions without re-developing the load. So by only getting 2420fps, i'm only supersonic to 1221 yards rather than 1279, so what.

Today was a good learning day.

a. heavy winds don't necessarily mean bad groups at 100y, my groups and others of folks at the range showed little horizontal spread.
b. I can get 2500fps, however i'd rather keep my face and rifle intact, and all limbs where they are.
c. M1A's are not inaccurate as i've heard some say. This groups is a testament. My first time ever firing an M1A, with a heavy 2 stage trigger.

 

[badbot]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

are you sure you can sneek in the extra 58 yards?
;-)
thanks for the report, looking forward to a calm day and pics of a longer range group.

my 208's won't be here until monday-tuesday

 

[flyboy]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

Shot my first 208's today with prett good results and will be trying the varget route sometime soon.

 

[Quicky06]

Re: .308 with 208 Amax and Varget

What's your velocity diffrence between the rl17 an varget. I like the avalibility of varget but the rl17 numbers have me druling