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46.0 Grains of Varget with 27 inch Barrel and SMK 175 Grain BTHP's

Dave Brown

Anyone shooting 46.0 grains of Varget in a 27 or 28 inch 5R barrel with SMK 175 grain BTHP's in 308? This is definitely my high accuracy node but I am concerned about pressure issues. Primers are pretty flat and bolt lift is sticky. I am using Wolf Large Rifle Primers which I think are colder than Federal if I am not mistaken.

Thanks,
Dave
 
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44.0 gr Varget. Federal 210M. Lapua brass. Rock Creek 1x10 5R 30 inch barrel. Sub 0.2's three shot sub 0.3's 5 shot.
 
Dave Brown said:
Anyone shooting 46.0 grains of Varget in a 27 or 28 inch 5R barrel with SMK 175 grain BTHP's in 308? This is definitely my high accuracy node but I am concerned about pressure issues. Primers are pretty flat and bolt lift is sticky. I am using Wolf Large Rifle Primers which I think are colder than Federal if I am not mistaken.

Thanks,
Dave
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I could get no where close to this in my gun. With lapua brass 44.8 to 45 was it! I would say your brass will not last long with that load.
 
Josh Butler said:
I could get no where close to this in my gun. With lapua brass 44.8 to 45 was it! I would say your brass will not last long with that load.
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I have to use a 11 inch drop tube and pour slow to get all the powder in the lapua brass. I bump the shoulder .001 and may have to start annealing. How long do you think the primer pockets will last before they get loose on the lapua brass?
 
If you are running high pressure in your 308 I would use Palma brass as your cases and primer pockets will last much longer. I would also anneal after each firing.

Rpbump
 
Dave Brown said:
I have to use a 11 inch drop tube and pour slow to get all the powder in the lapua brass. I bump the shoulder .001 and may have to start annealing. How long do you think the primer pockets will last before they get loose on the lapua brass?
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With my loads I was getting 10-12 shots with lapua brass before I seen pockets starting to loosen. I would say you may be at 6-7 shots before you see them get loose??? But don't know fore sure? What are you doing with this rifle?? I also seen no real gains from the 175smk over 2700 fps.
 
Josh Butler said:
With my loads I was getting 10-12 shots with lapua brass before I seen pockets starting to loosen. I would say you may be at 6-7 shots before you see them get loose??? But don't know fore sure? What are you doing with this rifle?? I also seen no real gains from the 175smk over 2700 fps.
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I eventually plan on shooting some FTR matches but right now I am doing load workups and having fun shooting golf balls on strings at 400 yards. And no I can't hit the golf balls consistently at 400 yards yet.
 
your rifle is telling you pressures are high, velocity does not imply accuracy, to me accuracy would be more important....my SSG shoots one holers with 43.0 gr of Varget, drop down and look for a lower pressure accuracy node.
 
fastarget said:
your rifle is telling you pressures are high, velocity does not imply accuracy, to me accuracy would be more important....my SSG shoots one holers with 43.0 gr of Varget, drop down and look for a lower pressure accuracy node.
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46.0 grains has been the only load that I have been able to shoot through the same hole with three shot groups and I have done load workups from 40.0 grains to 46.0 grains. I know there are other lower accuracy nodes and I just have to find them with ideal wind conditions. 46.0 grains does not show any ejector marks however.
 
If you have heavier bolt lift you're 10,000 psi above safe limit. Primer pockets have already loosened some and will not last more than 4 reloads.

Not wise to think heavier bolt lift is ok.
 
^ I agree. Drop back and if accuracy is not acceptable find another bullet that is. I few bucks a box difference in bullets is nothing compared to one trip to the hospital.

Knew a guy who work up his load here in TN, in the summer. It's damn hot here so he thought he was good riding the edge of high pressure. Took the load to Texas and started separating cases. How much did he lose on that trip?
 
What is your oal? I would imagine it's pretty long since you can shoot that much powder. With a longer length you can get by with more powder since you don't have as much bullet down in the case. You might be able to play with your seating dept and drop your powder back and find a lower node?
 
A Quickload prediction using the factory preset burn rate for Varget and generic factors including 2.005 case length, 56 gr case capacity, and 2.820" COAL shows your pressure may be running at almost 66,000 psi. This could be somewhat lower depending on your chamber/load specifics, but it's still going to be very high. Take the advice of the people above that recommended finding a lower node...particularly if you're going to be shooting in an area that will get pretty hot in July/August. Don't be the guy that's easily recognizable at the range due to the eyepatch and pulling the trigger with a hook where his hand used to be.
 
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