I know this has been talked about before but couple searches came up with lot of stuff not looking for and not the right answers.
So new rifle in 308 and get to start the ladder load process all over.
26" barrel, 1:10 bolt gun
Lapua brass, new
Federal match primers
Sierra 175gr HPBT
Varget
Forster press, Redding die, Chargemaster powder throw.
Been stalking the forums and seems I'm seeing listed charges from 43.1gr to 45gr behind 175gr SMK. Latest Hornady manual List the max charge for Varget at 42.0 and 2500FPS. I know Hornady tends to be pretty conservative.
First time out yesterday (Sunday) testing some 308 loads with the Labradar and didn't have much time as wife wanting me working on home projects.
Here's a few of the results
CBTO 2.25 with SMK 175 .020 off lands, (10) round strings
Temperature: 38 degrees
43.1 Avg 2698 ES 37.81 SD 11.24
43.3 Avg 2708 ES 23.19 SD 7.64
43.5 Avg 2722 ES 33.64 SD 9.99
43.7 Avg 2735 ES 29.72 SD 8.16
Also tested a few factory loads for reference.
Have several boxes of Federal Premium with 175 SMK and it list 2,600 FPS for velocity.
So my question is, based on the above what are others finding for their loads with a similar combination. I don't want to keep running up the ladder considering published max loads.
So new rifle in 308 and get to start the ladder load process all over.
26" barrel, 1:10 bolt gun
Lapua brass, new
Federal match primers
Sierra 175gr HPBT
Varget
Forster press, Redding die, Chargemaster powder throw.
Been stalking the forums and seems I'm seeing listed charges from 43.1gr to 45gr behind 175gr SMK. Latest Hornady manual List the max charge for Varget at 42.0 and 2500FPS. I know Hornady tends to be pretty conservative.
First time out yesterday (Sunday) testing some 308 loads with the Labradar and didn't have much time as wife wanting me working on home projects.
Here's a few of the results
CBTO 2.25 with SMK 175 .020 off lands, (10) round strings
Temperature: 38 degrees
43.1 Avg 2698 ES 37.81 SD 11.24
43.3 Avg 2708 ES 23.19 SD 7.64
43.5 Avg 2722 ES 33.64 SD 9.99
43.7 Avg 2735 ES 29.72 SD 8.16
Also tested a few factory loads for reference.
Have several boxes of Federal Premium with 175 SMK and it list 2,600 FPS for velocity.
So my question is, based on the above what are others finding for their loads with a similar combination. I don't want to keep running up the ladder considering published max loads.
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