I've been loading my FN A3G with Lapua brass, 155 Scenars and 44.2 of Varget. This load is duplicating Lapua factory load velocities (factory 2730fps +/-, handloads with 44.2 varget 2750fps +/- checked with my chrono). Seems everyone else is putting a lot more powder in their loads than I am. Am I just being a wimp by not filling up my cases. I've worked up loads to 44.6, and hevent seen any huge improvement in accuracy. I've also been told that with the 1:12 barrel, I will get less accuracy with heavier bullets. Any truth to that rumor. Thanks in advance for your help.
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308 with Varget
- Thread starter heydavemd
- Start date
Re: 308 with Varget
if you will look around in here you will see that some of use are getting them to go with varget.and there is a gent useing 208g A-maxs in a 1:12.just look around and you will fine the info.but if you are getting good results with the load you are useing you do not need to speed them up.if its not brook don't fix.but thats just my opinion.
if you will look around in here you will see that some of use are getting them to go with varget.and there is a gent useing 208g A-maxs in a 1:12.just look around and you will fine the info.but if you are getting good results with the load you are useing you do not need to speed them up.if its not brook don't fix.but thats just my opinion.
Re: 308 with Varget
That is exactly the load I came up with too. I like them. 1:12 is plenty for 155's. What is your barrel length? Depending on the length, the more powder doesn't have time to increase velocity any. I shoot a 1:10 which should stabilize heavy rounds up to 200+. I have only shot up to 180's and I don't notice any difference compared to a previous 1:12. I think you're GTG up to 180's with you set up. Cheers, Will
That is exactly the load I came up with too. I like them. 1:12 is plenty for 155's. What is your barrel length? Depending on the length, the more powder doesn't have time to increase velocity any. I shoot a 1:10 which should stabilize heavy rounds up to 200+. I have only shot up to 180's and I don't notice any difference compared to a previous 1:12. I think you're GTG up to 180's with you set up. Cheers, Will
Re: 308 with Varget
1:12 is more than enough to stabilize the 155's. Mine is a 1:12 and it stabalizes the 175 just fine. If your load groups well then I wouldn't mess with it.
The load my gun likes is 44.5 of Varget under the 175 SMK.
I also have a huntng load for the 150 grain Barnes tipped TSX at 46.4 that is getting me 2920 +/- at the muzzle. You deffinately should have room to go up if you so chose.
1:12 is more than enough to stabilize the 155's. Mine is a 1:12 and it stabalizes the 175 just fine. If your load groups well then I wouldn't mess with it.
The load my gun likes is 44.5 of Varget under the 175 SMK.
I also have a huntng load for the 150 grain Barnes tipped TSX at 46.4 that is getting me 2920 +/- at the muzzle. You deffinately should have room to go up if you so chose.
Re: 308 with Varget
The 155 scenar likes to be pushed... HARD...dig?
I'd work up to MAX in YOUR rifle, back it down a bit & work backwards in .3gr increments until you hit the accuracy node. You will e able to max velocity & find accuracy at the same time with this method.
I shoot the 155 scenar & Varget as my current load & I've found that it likes a compressed charge. I load to a longer OAL due to being able to feed from AICS mags (2.4 from ogive, or about 2.86).
Somwhere around 45-46gr is where I found my accuracy node for Varget, 155 scenar, and Lapua brass.
The 155 scenar likes to be pushed... HARD...dig?
I'd work up to MAX in YOUR rifle, back it down a bit & work backwards in .3gr increments until you hit the accuracy node. You will e able to max velocity & find accuracy at the same time with this method.
I shoot the 155 scenar & Varget as my current load & I've found that it likes a compressed charge. I load to a longer OAL due to being able to feed from AICS mags (2.4 from ogive, or about 2.86).
Somwhere around 45-46gr is where I found my accuracy node for Varget, 155 scenar, and Lapua brass.
Re: 308 with Varget
1/12 is more than you need to run the 155s...we run 1/13s in our Palma bbls (using 155s, of course). As for powder, you need to run what works in YOUR rifle. The charge I run in my Palma rifles vary between rifles. I got a T2k that uses 47.2grs but my Quadlock only runs 46.5 to get the same velocity (2975fps). Of course, one is a Kreiger and one is a Lilja, but cut with the same reamer, using same brass, primers, etc. Just a little difference like bbl/rec'vr and you can see different results.
But, work up your load in YOUR rifle to a velocity/accuracy point that works for you. If I was shooting less than 1,000 yards or not team shooting, I wouldnt be worried about my velocity, except for the accuracy node. BTW, at the speed I am running, the accuracy is just fine.
John
1/12 is more than you need to run the 155s...we run 1/13s in our Palma bbls (using 155s, of course). As for powder, you need to run what works in YOUR rifle. The charge I run in my Palma rifles vary between rifles. I got a T2k that uses 47.2grs but my Quadlock only runs 46.5 to get the same velocity (2975fps). Of course, one is a Kreiger and one is a Lilja, but cut with the same reamer, using same brass, primers, etc. Just a little difference like bbl/rec'vr and you can see different results.
But, work up your load in YOUR rifle to a velocity/accuracy point that works for you. If I was shooting less than 1,000 yards or not team shooting, I wouldnt be worried about my velocity, except for the accuracy node. BTW, at the speed I am running, the accuracy is just fine.
John
Re: 308 with Varget
In the range of 43.6g Varget through 47.8g Varget with 155s there are at least 4 accuracy nodes.
If you want the long distanc accuracy node follow Wil's advice. Work up to find where pressure rears its ugly head, then back down 3%. Then scan the CW range with step sizes of 0.3 to find potential accuracy nodes, and scan the promising ones at 0.1 to nail the node for your gun.
In the range of 43.6g Varget through 47.8g Varget with 155s there are at least 4 accuracy nodes.
If you want the long distanc accuracy node follow Wil's advice. Work up to find where pressure rears its ugly head, then back down 3%. Then scan the CW range with step sizes of 0.3 to find potential accuracy nodes, and scan the promising ones at 0.1 to nail the node for your gun.
Re: 308 with Varget
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CrystalVue</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Depending on the length, the more powder doesn't have time to increase velocity any. </div></div>
How short does a berrel have to be before an increase in charge dosnt effect velosity? Never loaded for anything shorter than a 20" but never seen a barrel not show severe pressure signs before velosity stoped increasing from a charge increase.
okie
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CrystalVue</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Depending on the length, the more powder doesn't have time to increase velocity any. </div></div>
How short does a berrel have to be before an increase in charge dosnt effect velosity? Never loaded for anything shorter than a 20" but never seen a barrel not show severe pressure signs before velosity stoped increasing from a charge increase.
okie
Re: 308 with Varget
I read that Varget powder lots vary enough, that you may need to vary the load by a few grains to get the desired velocity. May be why one guy shoots 46grs, and another guy shoots 44grs, and they have the same velocity.
I read that Varget powder lots vary enough, that you may need to vary the load by a few grains to get the desired velocity. May be why one guy shoots 46grs, and another guy shoots 44grs, and they have the same velocity.
Re: 308 with Varget
With that big of a difference I think barrel quality has a whole lot more to do with it than the varience between two lots of powder.
okie
With that big of a difference I think barrel quality has a whole lot more to do with it than the varience between two lots of powder.
okie
Re: 308 with Varget
I'm pushing 45.4g Varget on my 155g lapua, lapua brass and fed 210M primers. I'm pushing them at around 2825fps @ 60F. in a 22.5" bartlein barrel.
I'm pushing 45.4g Varget on my 155g lapua, lapua brass and fed 210M primers. I'm pushing them at around 2825fps @ 60F. in a 22.5" bartlein barrel.
Re: 308 with Varget
Try (that is work up slowly to) 47.8 g Varget in Win cases with CCI primers and 155 Scenars at 0.015 from the lands. I get 2925-2950 fps without pressure signs.
Try (that is work up slowly to) 47.8 g Varget in Win cases with CCI primers and 155 Scenars at 0.015 from the lands. I get 2925-2950 fps without pressure signs.
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