Varget and Hornady 178 HPBT?

[Hunt]

Here are some recent loads I tried in my .308 using Varget, Hornady 178 gr HPBTs, F210M primers and Lapua brass. Which load would you recommend testing further with? Testing was performed on a blustery day at 200 yards. Therefore, I'm not sure I put as much faith in the targets as I do what the chronograph is telling me.


KMW w/ 95 Palma Chamber
24" Krieger Barrel 1/11 twist

Load Info:
Hornady 178 HPBT
F210M primer
Lapua brass
Varget powder
2.162 comparator/2.825 COAL
Temp when tested: 49 deg. F.

	43.4 gr	43.6 gr	43.8 gr	44.0 gr	44.2 gr	44.4 gr
	2689.0	2660.0	2648.0	2694.0	2657.0	2689.0
	2638.0	2683.0	2660.0	2656.0	2665.0	2700.0
	2640.0	2674.0	2666.0	2666.0	2673.0	2708.0
	2630.0	2676.0	2657.0	2674.0	2698.0	2709.0
	2618.0	2669.0	2659.0	2692.0	2689.0	2697.0
ES	71.0	23.0	18.0	38.0	41.0	20.0
AV	2643.0	2672.4	2658.0	2676.4	2676.4	2700.6
SD	27.1	8.6	6.5	16.5	16.9	8.3

43.4 gr

43.6 gr

43.8 gr

44.0 gr

44.2 gr

44.4 gr

 

[Bear24]

I have done a lot of testing with this combo with an exception that I have been using once fired Fed GMM brass. Out of my FN SPR 24" 1:12" twist barrel.

What twist rate is your stick?

I really haven't had that great of luck as far a group sizes and actually my results look very similar to yours. My best load with them is 44.4g varget and I am getting 2720fps avg with an ES of 22fps. I normally have a pretty good group but with an unexplained flier here in there. However shooting steel out to 400-800 yards it shoots very well. I have recently picked up some 155g berg hybrids to try out and see if i can get some better groups out of those.

 

[Hunt]

It is a 1/11 twist.

 

[lkessler]

I have had good luck with once fired Nosler brass w/ 44.5 gr ( kind of hot) sub moa in a stock
700 SPS Vam. in B&C stock

 

[Hunt]

I went back and performed more testing with 43.8 gr Varget. However, I switched from F210M primers to CCI 200s. This was an error on my part as it lowered my velocity from 17-24 fps based on seating depth. I tested seating depths at (take one inch away for comparator length):

3.142 (sighter target)
3.152 (top row, second from left)
3.162 (top row, third from left)
3.172 (bottom row)

Comp. Length	3.142	3.152	3.162	3.172
	2626	2633	2639	2632
	2637	2638	2632	2664
	2634	2650	2642	2631
	2629	2621	2646	2647
	2649	2637	2653	2656
ES	23	29	21	33
AV	2635	2636	2642	2646
SD	8.9	10.4	7.8	14.5

I was shooting in wind b/t 5-10mph. All shots were at 200 yards. The holes with the red 'S' were sighter shots.

At this point, I think I need to up my charge to 44.0 gr with Varget. I am thinking my sweet spot is b/t 2650-2660 fps. I'm open to thoughts and recommendation.

 

[JGorski]

I would try 2000MR powder, with Lapua brass you can start around 46.5 and work up, that'll easily get you over 2700fps. Here's a 3 shot group from my 700 Sporter 308. Rem brass, WLR primer. 200yds.

 

[diego-ted]

I could not get this combo to group without flyiers, I think I am done. For what it's worth I didnt have much better grouping with MR 2000 out of a 1/12 twist tube.

Diego

 

[Bear24]

I could not get this combo to group without flyiers, I think I am done. For what it's worth I didnt have much better grouping with MR 2000 out of a 1/12 twist tube.

Diego

same here but the 178g Amax shoots lights out with 47g 2000MR

 

[Creature]

I use the load below as my go to load for my FNH PBR 20". It gets half moa and 2600fps out of a 20" barrel.

178gr Amax
44.5gr Varget
Win primer
Win case
COAL 2.846
2607fps at 60deg

 

[9H_Cracka]

Had real good luck with that pill out of a 20" 12 twist LTR using H4895 and CCI primers.

Before concluding that you can't get this combo to shoot, you better have something as a baseline to confirm YOU can shoot - say a 175 SMK seated to 2.803" COAL on top of 44 grs of Varget and a CCI or 210M primer.