6 Dasher 107 SMK 105 VLD Varget load data

[alan98]

I have 100pc brass getting hydroformed at DJS brass service. I will be starting load work once they arrive. Barrel is broken in now with Norma brass. I only fired the Norma with 31 grains with SMK's .005 off lands and they did decent. Just looking for some guidance on where to start with seating depth and powder charge. I know every barrel is different but it seems most loads end up around the same charge. (32.2 or so?)

 

[dmoran]

Myself, I suggest to use a lighter load until they have been formed to your chamber. After that you can step them up to normal loads. Hydro-formed cases are not yet a chamber formed case and not a 100% 6Dasher, that will react different to charge levels then after they have been fired once and are 100%.
My 2-cents
Donovan

 

[CaptainMal]

Also, the Norma brass does not seem to take the loads Lapua formed brass does. I would start the formed brass no more than what you are currently shooting. After a few test loads, you may vary that powder amount. In the end with Lapua ( you did not say Lapua, I am assuming) you should find it handles a bit more powder and pressure more comfortably than that Norma stuff.

 

[Longtrain]

I have shot a Dasher with 107 SMK's out to 1K with very good results. However, be sure to sort your SMK's LTO as they will vary a great deal. If you're jumping with OK pressure, another bullet can easily put you in the lands and potentially over pressure.

 

[Delfuego]

I will agree with Donovan about fireforming with reduced loads. I just finished forming my hydroformed Lapua Dasher brass with 29.5gr of Varget and jamming them. No split necks. I then found 2 loads that worked well with 105 hybrids. 33.0gr of Varget going 3030fps & 31.8gr of Varget going 2940fps. Both are .010 off the lands.

 

[KenOath]

I have just recently done load testing with 107 SMK using hydroformed Lapua brass, fire formed with 31gns of Varget.
Below is my first powder charge test at 219yards, the 32.6 and 32.9 shot groups in the 3s, 5thou jump, 5 shot groups. Same load shot as well with 25jump.
I sorted a 500 box base to ogive with Sinclair tool on stand, apart from half a dozen most were within 3-4 thou of each other , a couple were 12-14 thou longer or shorter, thought that was a pretty good strike rate!

Cheers Rushty

 

[alan98]

I'll run the 100 rounds of Lapua hydroformed brass through at 31 grains just to be safe then go from there. I'm hoping to get great results from either the 107 or 105 vld hunting. I would like to order some of the 103 vapor trails to try as well. I'll have to find a price for them and order some to test.