80.5 gr berger bullet loading manual

[rebs]

What is your opinion on the Berger Manual for 80.5 full bore bullets? It seems to me their load data is very conservative.
Has anyone had success using their load data for ReLoader 15 powder or Varget?

 

[cfreeman]

Their load data is ultra conservative. I shoot 24.7 of Varget loaded long in lake city brass. I have buddies that load 25.0. 223 wylde chamber. If you have a shorter throat, you probably shouldn’t load it that high. 24.0 with either powder is a good load.

 

[RegionRat]

And to be fair, while both of those are Service Rifle Pet Loads at around the 24 grain level plus or minus, the pressure is also accepted to be high such that the brass life is also known to be short, especially in an AR.

 

[rebs]

Thank you for the information. I am shooting a Tikka bolt action in 223

 

[Cfshooter]

Berger 223 loads have always seemed to be super conservative. I usually start at the listed max and work up .3 at a time. (I run 24.4 Varget)

 

[PopCharlie]

Some of the best groups I ever shot were 80.5 gr Full bore bullets. 22.5 gr Re15 (max in the Berger manual). 205m primers and Lapua brass. My rifle is a .223 bolt gun with a match chamber, Stiller action and 26" Hart Barrel. I walked the powder charge up to over 23 grains with no pressure signs. But 22.5 gave me the best groups at 100 yards.

PopCharlie