155 palmas and Varget

[mao0720]

Anyone have a good starting load for Sierra 155 Palma bullets and Varget in a Lapua 308 win brass? I have seen anywhere from 41-44gr as a starting load in different manuals, but that is a big range. Was planning on starting at 44gr, is this a bad idea? thanks!

 

[dogdude]

i was shooting a friend's Savage Axis with a 20'' barrel. first five to sight in and foul the barrel a little. then 15 with 43.0 Varget , 15- 43.5, 15- 44.0 44.0 was a little HOT. i would NOT start at 44.0, custom gun's can take a little more,but i would not start there. this gun liked 43.0 the best. be safe and work up. all best dogdude

 

[mao0720]

What kind of pressure were you seeing? Because I shoot 44gr varget behind 168 a maxs in my savage 10 tactical and it a gentle load, no pressure signs at all. On the cans of varget the only load that hogdons puts on there for 308 is 46gr behind a 168. Seems like it would be safe to say that what is safe with 168 would be safe with a 155 provided they are seated in the same relationship to the lands (same jump or jam).

 

[mao0720]

You also didn't mention what bullet you were shooting with those loads.

 

[jonbearman]

If you want to ,start low and save your eyes and maybe some fingers.You always start low and work up.Dont take anybodys word for it without the manual and I usually start towards the bottom and especially with lapua brass as it is thicker much like military brass.Just load 3 of each for a pressure test and when you find the hot spot back off a grain and a half and work up 2 tenths at a time loading only 3.When you find the load,then you can load bigger quantitys.

 

[Mudcat]

and, look at it this way, you can start low by firing just one shot, see what it does, if pressure is safe, go from there. Its not like you need to load up 20 rounds or something. You can be safe, and quick, and easy, and not lose a rifle, limb, eye, friend, etc. Dont be stupid, start low and work up. Its simple....but its simple to also prove Darwin right.

 

[bobke]

I've got a new to me GAP 10 with Schneider 1:11 poly barrel and with LC brass, 45.5 Varget, BR primer and 155 Lapua Scenar, was flattening primers, but very accurate. Same load in Win Brass was milder and had normal primer appearance. Brass was the only variable. Need to chrono to back that up, but all said, need to proceed carefully when changing any component and work up from 3-4gr down from listed maxes.

 

[clowdis]

Most who are using Varget with the 155 Sierras are using 46.5 to 47 grains Varget for good accuracy at 1,000 yards. As you can already see this is much hotter than what you see in the reloading manuals, so work up to these loads very carefully and watch for pressure signs. If you're shooting shorter distances use whichever lesser load works best.

 

[broncman]

I use Federal brass because I have a bunch of it. It weighs almost the same as Lapua brass and not sure of volume.

I use 46.8 grains of Varget, 47 grains in Winchester brass. I get single digit sd/es, and about 3020 fps.

 

[mao0720]

I am, of course going to start lo and work up. Will all of the different starting charges I have seen in published load manuals and on the load data published by manufactures like Sierra, and Hogdon i was just looking for some insight as to where in the range of starting loads should I actually start. Thanks for your input guys.

 

[Taildrag15X]

Federal Brass, Wolf Primers, 44.50 grs. Varget works well out of my 1-10 twist, 5C Broughton out to 600....