308 20' more velocity needed

[aimless]

I have a Remington Tactical 308 with 20" barrel, while working up loads with 130gr Speer HP's & Varget the velocity stopped climbing at 48grs for just under 2700fps, 49 & 49.5 grs did not increase velocity significantly, have I reached Vargets maximum ooomph in the short barrel?
Would using a faster powder give me a velocity increase in the 20" barrel?
Incidentally, this rifle is a tack driver out of the box with 175gr SMK's & 42gr of Varget, I only had half a dozen 175 SMK's to try so did two three shot groups, both were one holers. Well done Remington.

 

[JDJones]

H-380 may be a little fatser but I find its temp sensitive, I know some guys that shoot the 125gr varmint bullets for coyotes and they load Vihta Vuori N-135 in their rifles to et the most bang out of them and the VV powders arn't nearly as temp sensitive

In my personal 308's Varget gets me everything I want with bullets in the 150-185 class,I never messed with any lighter than that

 

[jo191145]

N-135 does work quite well with 125gn pills in my 308. The hotter the charge the tighter the group.
Benchmark might be another good choice to try.

 

[CatShooter]

Varget is a little slow burning for that bullet.

BenchMark would be a better choice - you should be able to get 3,000 fps with the 20" barrel.

Always consider pulling the trigger harder


.

 

[aimless]

Much appreciated guys and thanks Catshooter, I did wonder whether Benchmark might be the way to go. I didn't think I'd get near 3000fps but I'll work up slowly and stick with the most accurate.

[Editor's Note: QuickLOAD calculates that 46.0 grains of Benchmark is pretty much a Max load of Benchmark assuming a 2.566" Cartridge Overall length that puts one bullet diameter of bearing surface in the neck. This predicts 2945 fps with a 20" barrel. If you seat your bullet longer you can use a little more powder and you can get a little more velocity. Keep in mind, however, that QL is just a software prediction and "real world" results can vary. Actual case capacity and seating depth makes a big difference.

FYI, Quickload predicts that the following powders will give 50-80 fps more velocity than Benchmark with your bullet choice.

Win 748
Accurate 2520
Hodgdon H335
Hodgdon H322
Ramshot TAC
Accurate 2460
Reloder 10X]

 

[alf]

If you have access to Norma 201, it worked real well for me with
custom 135 grainers. Mine is a rather "slow" lot, so 202 might work as well or better.

Al.

 

[Austin]

well an extra 4" will help

 

[aimless]

I already thought of that Austin but my weldin aint that flash

 

[aimless]

Just back from the range, couldn't get any VV135 but will try it at a later date, tried Benchmark and got up to 46.5 grs @ 2820 with the Speer 130's with a three shot group all three touching, 47.5grs showed signs pressure but was just as accurate, I'll stick with 46.5. 2800's fast enough. Thanks again all.

 

[robbor]

You are asking for to much, you wont get a ton more velocity out of a short barrel, and your muzzle blast will keep getting worse. You may try moly, a lighter bullet and faster powder.

 

[boogershooter]

That's pretty funny Catshooter!