.308---185 Hybrid Load Question

[yukonal]

Is 44.2 gr Varget too hot of a load, or pushing the edge?

I shot this load yesterday in load development, and it shoots very well. Hybrids are seated .013" off, with no signs of pressure on the cases/primers, or difference in bolt lift during extraction. The conditions were sunny, with [only 60 degrees outside temp]. I did not chrono any loads yet.

If this load is on the edge of the top end (from hearsay rumors) would temps in the 90's this summer create an unsafe condition? Or should I run with it?

Any of you guys running a load like that?

 

[aj300mag]

Is 44.2 gr Varget too hot of a load, or pushing the edge?

I shot this load yesterday in load development, and it shoots very well. Hybrids are seated .013" off, with no signs of pressure on the cases/primers, or difference in bolt lift during extraction. The conditions were sunny, with [only 60 degrees outside temp]. I did not chrono any loads yet.

If this load is on the edge of the top end (from hearsay rumors) would temps in the 90's this summer create an unsafe condition? Or should I run with it?

Any of you guys running a load like that?

Works fine with Lapua Palma brass, will pound the snot out of LP brass.

 

[yukonal]

I forgot to add, it's Lapua brass, but not Palma.

And if it makes a difference, 11 twist barrel.

 

[Chappy]

I know in my barrel I was at 44.3 when I did load development in the spring but once summer came around, I had to drop back a few tenth a to keep the primer pockets and the node.

 

[RemingtonAI]

I just don't see a way to definitively determine how hot it really is given how many factors an individual rifle or components could introduce when compared to another rifle.

 

[yukonal]

It will really depend on your barrel length, COAL, and case volume. At around 2.900" COAL in standard Lapua brass from a 30" barrel, that is a reasonably stout load. If the freebore on your rifle is 0.150" or longer, that should give you a COAL that is >/= 3.000" or so, and you may be fine.

I'm currently working up a load with the 185 Hybrids in Palma brass and estimate the OBT load for Varget should be in the 44.4 gr range. My rifle has a 30" barrel and 0.180" freebore, which helps minimize the pressure. According to preliminary Quickload estimates, that load would give me very close to 2750 fps and just shy of 61K psi pressure. However, that is in Palma brass, which has slightly higher case volume and will take the higher pressure longer without losing the primer pockets.

You're load may be on the edge depending on your rifle specs. If so, you may be able to get away with using that load, but your brass life might suffer. Once you get velocity data, it shouldn't be too much trouble to determine how velocity changes as the temperature goes up and adjust the load accordingly to keep it in the same velocity window. Hope that helps.

Yep, 30", 11 twist, .170 FB. I think the 11 twist will help keep pressure down. I don't plan on going any higher than 44.2, as I have nice stuff going on there, and below. Thank you for the reply.

 

[J-rod]

As others have stated, it's hard to really know without knowing all of the variables...but for your reference.
My OAL is ~2.971" with .015" jump, or 2.262" to ogive using Hornady comparator.
My usual load is 43.6gn Varget which lines up as best I can with QL OBT, around 2750fps if memory serves out of a 1:10 30" barrel. 44.5gn is accurate as well and no signs of pressure just not as a forgiving load, if that makes sense. All of the above is in Lapua LR brass.
Odd thing is the most accurate load with Varget and 185 hybrids is with Win brass, 45.5gn and about 2810fps but I can't seem to duplicate it using Lapua.

 

[yukonal]

...but for your reference.
My OAL is ~2.971" with .015" jump, or 2.262" to ogive using Hornady comparator..

With a .015" jump,my OAL is 3.060, and 2.330 to the ogive using the Hornady Comparator.
So, our throats are a little different. Thanks for the info.

 

[gsg5pk]

It will really depend on your barrel length, COAL, and case volume. At around 2.900" COAL in standard Lapua brass from a 30" barrel, that is a reasonably stout load. If the freebore on your rifle is 0.150" or longer, that should give you a COAL that is >/= 3.000" or so, and you may be fine.

I'm currently working up a load with the 185 Hybrids in Palma brass and estimate the OBT load for Varget should be in the 44.4 gr range. My rifle has a 30" barrel and 0.180" freebore, which helps minimize the pressure. According to preliminary Quickload estimates, that load would give me very close to 2750 fps and just shy of 61K psi pressure. However, that is in Palma brass, which has slightly higher case volume and will take the higher pressure longer without losing the primer pockets.

Your load may be on the edge depending on your rifle specs. If so, you may be able to get away with using that load, but your brass life might suffer. Once you get velocity data, it shouldn't be too much trouble to determine how velocity changes as the temperature goes up and adjust the load accordingly to keep it in the same velocity window. Hope that helps.

Have you test with 185 Juggernaut? Do they have the same node as 185 hybrid?

 

[J-rod]

Me personally, I'm able to get the jugs to the next node, with a very temp stable powder...I got 2935ish fps based off of my dope at 1,000. These loads are a pain to load but they hammer...I may try them again with my new rifle now that I have .100" more freebore.

 

[savageshooter86]

I ran 44 and 44.2 Varget. Worked great for me. Lapua LR brass. Now I shoot 200 hybrids at 1gr less charge. They are hammering so far

 

[gsg5pk]

I ran 44 and 44.2 Varget. Worked great for me. Lapua LR brass. Now I shoot 200 hybrids at 1gr less charge. They are hammering so far

What is your mv for this load?

 

[savageshooter86]

I'll check tonight. I can't remember off top of my head since I don't shoot that load now.

 

[swadiver]

The Berger 185 Juggernauts are looking good for me. ADI (Australian Defense Industries) brass, CCI BR2 primers, 44.1 gn of Varget, jumping .015", 2.270" oal to the ogive via a Stoney Point gauge. not sure of the free bore in my 1 in 10 twist .308 Criterion/Savage pre fit barrel, though. some mild pressure signs with the primers starting to flatten a bit, but the bolt lift is normal.

 

[boltman13]

It's your rifle and your face, but I would be leery of that load here in Western Colorado when it gets warmer. My load is only 41.5 gr of Varget in Lapua non Palma brass at 2.215" to the ogive jumping 0.015". This load gives me great accuracy and is very kind and gentle to my brass. A 30" barrel gets me 2,885 fps and I can live with that. Good luck.

 

[boltman13]

Gstaylorg, you are correct. I mistakenly quoted the velocity of my 6.5 CM with a 140 gr Hornady Amax and a 29"barrel. My velocity for the 185 Berger Hybrid with that load and all other particulars is 2,643 fps. SD= 4.7, ES 27 fps. Sorry for the mistake.