• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

308WIN, 185gr Juggs, and CCI 450 for F-Class

As the title suggests, looking for a bit of guidance here. I'm loading my Savage F/TR action and decided to switchover from Varget (which is getting harder to find, and keeps getting more expensive) to N150 after reading a bunch about that.

First time using VV powder, but their published data here seems wildly low for the powder compared to what I've read about. I definitely have the freebore to load long, but their B185/N150 combination (even with the LRP and 24" bbl) list a max of 40.6gr at 2408fps, which is IMHO wicked slow.

Ideally I'd like to be up around 2700fps (which I've read is very possible) and I have the SRPM and 30" bbl to gain some fps, but am I missing something here? My math says I'll be loading pretty substantially over their max load to get there.

Edit: Using Peterson SRP 308 brass

Thanks,
 
Last edited:
I am shooting the same round (favorite out of m185 Jug - five shots.jpgLatest sepup Aug 2020.jpg185 Jug - five shots.jpgLatest sepup Aug 2020.jpgy Tika 24"). I've tried several powders and found for my rifle, it likes IMR-4064 the best. Loaded it .020 off the lands. I was looking for accuracy rather than velocity.
 
I am shooting the same round (favorite out of mView attachment 1679315View attachment 1679317View attachment 1679315View attachment 1679317y Tika 24"). I've tried several powders and found for my rifle, it likes IMR-4064 the best. Loaded it .020 off the lands. I was looking for accuracy rather than velocity.
I've anecdotally heard that those that like Varget like N140 better, and those that like IMR-4064 will like N150 better. Those are some great looking results! Do you know what MV you're getting?

Unrelated, I'm almost certain that I just ordered that identical Protektor front bag for my Rock BR front rest.
 
N140 is a tick faster than varget, N150 is a tick faster than varget. I used to shoot N140 with the 185 @2735 ish, 30" 0.160 fb. N150 tends to be better with 200/208 gr.
 
Plan is to ladder test, just figuring out where (generally) to start and stop ladders
You could load one each round at, say, 1/2 grain steps. Start near the middle of VV's published loads. Check for pressure on each round. I stop at the first sign of an ejector smear on good brass [i.e., not remington brass as it's soft].
 
VV load data is very lawyer proof. Know the pressure signs but yes, many are loading at above listed max with many VV powders.

N150 has given me some of the lowest ES /SD in my 6mm loads.
 
I tested five different powders and did the Dan's Newbery OCW Load development system.
My final result with IMR 4064: MV: 2659 fps with SD: 7.4
8208XBR - MV: 2669 fps with SD: 9.0 next best accuracy (.498)
RL-15 - MV: 2762 fps with SD: 6.8 - (.516)
H4895 - MV: 2658 fps with SD: 2.8 - (.601)
Varget - MV: 2693 fps with SD: 4.5 - (.601)
Rifle: Tika T3X, 26" McGowen Barrel 1-10 twist, SS medium Palma contour, 11 degree crown

I found that the barrel liked a certain speed which then shot the best.
 
Do you recall if you were having to load well above book-posted max values?
I would say that all ftr loadings are well over book max. However, a longer than saami freebore with the bullet seated out has a good bit more case volume than the saami setup.
I don't remember the charge for my old 185gr load, but currently use 44.20 gr n150 with the 200.20x @ 2650 w/.180 fb. Hundreds, if not thousands, of ftr guys shooting thousands annually all over the globe shooting the same load. Stay with cci450's and small primer brass.
I've tried several other primers when things were harder to get, and the thinner cup models will blank a few per relay. Very bad for your bolt face. With large rifle primers, the primers won't stay seated after 4-5 firings. Maybe less.
That said, work up and pay attention to what the rifle is telling you. When you get a shiny ejector circle on your case head, you're maybe a tick past where you want to be. I'll shoot 150 of these this weekend with pinky finger bolt lift. If the forecast says over 90, I'll drop it 0.2 gr
 
To help you stay out of trouble, I checked my notes on the 185 jaggs. Using the wheeler method to determine touch, my loaded round to touch was 2.382 cbto, which equates to 3.047 overall.
If your throat is not this long, you will not achieve the same velocity without higher pressure.
 
Most reloading data sheets are written for the lowest common denominator - some out of the box cheapo rifle. Your Savage is well capable of sustained use of hefty loads - provided that you dont get silly!

The limiting factor is often the capacity of the 308 - I'm not a fan of compressed loads - and the "usual" load of Varget for the Juggs - 43.8g is about right. You may want to try H4895 or N 140, both slightly faster than Varget - just work up carefully. I use the same load in Lapua or Starline SRP brass.

You should consider getting your chamber reamed with the 2013 US Team reamer, if you need more freebore - important if you want to use 200g + pills.

I wouldn't get hung up on velocity - my 308 with that load ( with a faily new barrel) is around 2670fps and shoots well under 1/2 MOA. Except when I point it at a target, that is!
 
Last edited:
As the title suggests, looking for a bit of guidance here. I'm loading my Savage F/TR action and decided to switchover from Varget (which is getting harder to find, and keeps getting more expensive) to N150 after reading a bunch about that.

First time using VV powder, but their published data here seems wildly low for the powder compared to what I've read about. I definitely have the freebore to load long, but their B185/N150 combination (even with the LRP and 24" bbl) list a max of 40.6gr at 2408fps, which is IMHO wicked slow.

Ideally I'd like to be up around 2700fps (which I've read is very possible) and I have the SRPM and 30" bbl to gain some fps, but am I missing something here? My math says I'll be loading pretty substantially over their max load to get there.

Edit: Using Peterson SRP 308 brass

Thanks,

You're "over the max load" - But load data assumes mag length. I assume your chamber allows for longer loading.

Anyone shooting juggs in FTR is running them 2700-2750. 2725 is always where I landed.

43.3-43.4 N150. Loaded for a .168 freebore chamber.
 
I tested five different powders and did the Dan's Newbery OCW Load development system.
My final result with IMR 4064: MV: 2659 fps with SD: 7.4
8208XBR - MV: 2669 fps with SD: 9.0 next best accuracy (.498)
RL-15 - MV: 2762 fps with SD: 6.8 - (.516)
H4895 - MV: 2658 fps with SD: 2.8 - (.601)
Varget - MV: 2693 fps with SD: 4.5 - (.601)
Rifle: Tika T3X, 26" McGowen Barrel 1-10 twist, SS medium Palma contour, 11 degree crown

I found that the barrel liked a certain speed which then shot the best.
Nice shooting!

Hmmm??? But, which is it. . . a 24" as stated in your previous post or this 26" barrel?

Looks like you might have been shooting some factory ammo too??? Were they also the Jugs?
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
165,856
Messages
2,204,344
Members
79,157
Latest member
Bud1029
Back
Top