Loading 168 gr VLD out to the lands??

[Name Enough]

I am working up loads for my Savage 308 custom. So far so good but my groups are over 1 MOA.
I am loading once fired LC and FC brass with 44 grains of RL 15 or 42 grains of H4895 looking for the right load.
My question is how far out can I load those 168 grain Berger VLDs.
I place a projectile in a fired case and was able to close the bolt to 2.918 which will also fit my mags.
Is that too loaded out to far >wll I have enought neck tension to hold the projectile without causing some runout when chambering?
Should I put a light crimp on them? I have the Lee crimp tool.
Thanks in advance for your response.
Ray

 

[Name Enough]

Can anybody weigh in on this for me???

 

[smschulz]

You need to measure your OG, subtract any jump and then see how much bullet is in the neck.
My Rem 5R throat is way too long for me to get close to the lands or the bullet will fall out.

 

[vagrendlier]

I am new to this forum and reloading was my motivator for joining. I have a Rem 700 var and I load the 168's all the way out to 3.010. The rifle only has 150-175 rnds through it . Loading that far out they shoot .5's regularly.

 

[Hntelk]

NE...I have been playing with those in my 308 and I found better accuracy going the other way..I am 2.800 on the dot..1/2 MOA with varget 44.5..winny brass

 

[vagrendlier]

What type of rifle Hntelk

 

[Hntelk]

What type of rifle Hntelk

Stiller action build...bolt

 

[Twisted300Win MAG]

Rem700 5 R 24"
168VLD
2.808 COAL
44.5 gr Varget Win brass
44.0 gr Varget Lapua brass
43.5 gr Varget LC military brass
Fed 210 primers
All loads shot damn near same speed, within 20fps and shoot honest .6-.7's consistently. Each brass showed pressure signs at different charges. My gun has a long throat so I don't bother seating to lands I just make sure they feed good out of my mag well. Loaded where they are I've got about 0.095" jump. 700 rounds and counting.

 

[40xs]

Unless the sentiment has changed recently, all I have ever heard is that Berger vld's like to be softly engaged in the lands and SMK's like a little jump for optimum accuracy. My personal experience shows that softly engaging my bergers are the way to go. You have to determine your own lead measurement in your gun and it is very true that Remeingtons have very long leads, which can help out in long range matches due to extended case capacity. Stoney point has a tool just for that. You need a modified case (threaded case head and loose neck so bullet will slide) to determine your exact lead.

 

[Name Enough]

Results posting -
Tested different lengths and I am going with 2.915. This is right on the lands. Tested 2.80 to 2.91.5.