Anyone with quick load, I have a ?

[xdeano]

Will my powder burn completely for my barrel length?

308Win
21.5' barrel
11.25 twist
Lapua brass
Fed 210M
155g Lapua Scenar
46.0g Varget ~2900fps

I'd really like to know if this powder combo will completely burn in the barrel or come close. Any help would be great.

Thanks
Deano

 

[scout1]

97.58% burn with a 21.5' barrel. QL also has your MV at 2740 fps. load density or case fill at 102.2 percent with a COAL of 2.87

 

[xdeano]

Thank you scout1.

That load was for my Rem 700P w/ 26' barrel, I was just trying to figure out if my new GAP rifle will compare. I guess it has a 22' barrel. I hope I can get a bit more velocity out of it than 2740fps.

Thanks again.

Deano

 

[TonyR]

Hi Deano.
Just put some 180 SMK's thru a friend's Ruger 77 308 with 40.8gr of Varget. According to QL, only 96.73% of the powder was burned. I didn't use a chrono because we were just trying to see whether he had one of the 'good' Ruger barrels or not.
I just saw your post in the Reloading Section. QuickLoad shows 97.65% of 46.0gr Varget burned in a 22' barrel. Also shows close to max pressure for the case and a compressed load with the Scenar 155 depending on how deep you are seating the bullet. Predicted velocity is 2789fps.
HTH
Tony

 

[xdeano]

Thanks TonyR.

I might need to try a few different powders. The Lapuas like to be either hot or cold with my barrel. I choose the hot load for the best groups. It is correct about being close to max, I only have slight pressure signs but I have to slightly crush my powder while seating the bullet.

Deano

 

[scout1]

xdeano, get yourself a jug of Benchmark to push those 155 Scenars. I got much better vellocity than Varget while maintaning good accuracy out of my 700P

 

[TonyR]

According to the QuickLoad 123 function, a 5% compressed load of Accurate 2495 will be at maximum pressure for the case, 100% burn in your barrel and give you 2819fps. IMR3031 is estimated to give 2850fps with a 5% compressed load, 100% burn at max pressure. You also might be able to squeeze 2870fps out of RL-17 but it is estimated to only burn 97% of the powder like Varget. QuickLoad describes these and all of the loads close to or above max pressure,60,000psi) for the case as 'DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!' so start low and work up carefully.

 

[xdeano]

Do you have any info on Vihtavuori powders. In the N540 or N550 area. But I might try the AA and 3031 just for grins.

Thanks guys.

Deano

 

[TonyR]

Deano.
I remembered another thread asking about N540 versus Varget in the 308 and it turned out to be yours. I thought Donovan's comments about the pressure characteristics were very interesting:

http://6mmbr.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3438087

Here are the maximum pressure QuickLoad data for N540 and N550 for the setup you previously described. I have used a cartridge overall length of 2.865 inches in the program which is the longest that will feed through the magazine of my friend's Ruger 77. If you seat the bullet at the standard 2.800 inch COAL, the max pressure goes up very fast to well in excess of the recommended maximum in QuickLoad so, again, please work up carefully with your load development.

N540: 4% compressed load burns 99.98% of the powder for about 2800fps at maximum pressure of 60,000 psi

N550: According to QuickLoad, your can get 2800fps at 55,000 psi but you need a 10% compressed load which sounds like too to much for me anyway and you only burn about 96% of the powder.

Based on what I see in the QL 123 list, if you want to maximize velocity from that short barrel, you are going to have to use a powder that doesn't burn completely.

Again, QuickLoad describes these loads as dangerous so start low and work up carefully.

 

[scout1]

I am currently testing IMR-3031 with the 155 Scenars. Testing at 200 yards I had thought I had found a load last week - 42.5 grns with an COAL of 2.85 I went out to prove this load today with 10 seated at 2.85 and another 10 seated at 2.90 for two 5 shot groups each.
The best it produced was just a hair over 1' at 2.90 everthing else was 2' or just inside. Next weekend I will load 10 at 2.80 and 10 at 2.92 which is a light jam to see where that will leave me.

I have been checking the seating consistancy with a Hornady bushing insert attatched to the digital callipers and the runout and consentricity with an RCBS case master. All powder is disspenced from a RCBS-1500 Chargemaster then rechecked on a backup Dillon digital.

I am shooting the groups off of a Caldwell rock BR front rest and a leather rabbit ear rear bag.

I know this rifle is capable of good groups in the 1/2 moa range even though it dosent wear a custom barrel. I had this accuracy with Benchmark and the 155's and also with Varget and the Sierra 168's. The only mods are a B&C adjustable stock and a Timney trigger set at 1.5 lbs.

I'll check back in next week with another range report, hopefully with better news.

 

[xdeano]

Tony,

I ask a lot out of my powder, I wanted a powder that has low temperature sensitivity but still give me good velocity and even better groups. I'd forgotten that I had posted that message.

again thank you Tony for the data, I have been having a hard time coming up with VV powder around here, North Dakota, it's a bit slow for the gun shops around here to pick up a new habit.

I may just have to keep with my Varget if I want temperature sensitivity to be minimal.

How does the RL 17 and AA 2495 compare temperature sensitive wise to say Varget or the VV 500 series powders.

I appreciate the help guys.
Deano

 

[TonyR]

Deano.
I have very little direct experience with RL-17 and none with 2495 so I really can't help with that. Scout1 gave me excellent suggestions for my 284 Shehane, so his comments about the IMR3031 will be interesting to hear. We will be working up loads for my friend's Ruger 77 308 after he has it rebarreled; so I will be interested in what you finally decide to use.

 

[scout1]

The only reason I'm working with the 3031 is that the supply of Varget and Benchmark is slim wherever I look. IMR-3031 use to be an Armed forces goto powder for the .308 and light bullets...so I was told, I am getting better velocities than with 4895 and the accurancy will get better, I just have to work at it a little.

 

[xdeano]

Scout1,

I hear you on the the Varget availability.

Well I just wanted to post this site because it answers my question as far as getting a 155g Lapua to 1K.

18.5'
308 to a grand

Deano

 

[TonyR]

The availability problem makes me glad I have QuickLoad. It has been very hard to find Varget, H4831SC, and the VV powders we've been discussing but there are alternatives that are available and work as well or better if you can figure out what to try. I have had QL for quite a while but I didn't know how to use the '123' button until a couple of weeks ago. It has made me aware of many interesting possibilities for powder. Now, if I can just find some primers???

 

[xdeano]

Primers are getting better around here, but most of the sporting good shops will only give out 200 at a time. Kind of sucks. But the price hasn't gone up at for them here.

Scout1
the 4895 that you're using, it that IMR or Hodgdon?

xdeano

 

[TonyR]

Deano
I played some 'what if?' games in QL with the seating depth and it looks like Hodgdon BL-C2 could be an interesting possibility for development. Seated at 2.800 COAL, you could perhaps find something above 2800fps, less than 5% compressed load and 99% powder burned without exceeding maximium pressure for the case. Norma 203B has similar possibilities but burns 98%. You'd probably have to do enough brass prep to get rid of the donut if you seat that deeply, but you might be doing that anyway. According to EXBAL, the 155gr Scenar stays above 1100fps to 1000 yards for muzzle velocities above 2500fps. For a muzzle velocity of 2850 and a BC of .508, it estimates velocity of 1365fps at 1000 yards. Faster would obviously be better, but it looks like you will be able to finds something that works.
Good luck.

 

[scout1]

xdeano, it was IMR-4895. I borrowed enough from a friend of mine to load 50 rounds. 10 different loads worked up useing Q.L. The IMR-3031 is giving up better vellocity and I'm sure the accuracy will come. Before the 3031 I was testing Ramshot Tac and was getting very high chamber and barrel heat due to the high heat of explosion. All this after only 5 rounds in a two min time period. I figured I could find something better.

 

[xdeano]

Thanks for more info Tony, I've got a lot of playing ahead of me.

Scout1, I have a buddy that swears up and down about the Tac for his 308 but as you stated it is hot, he can only shoot a few rounds before he has to stop to let the barrel cool down. Excellent groups though.

xdeano

 

[scout1]

Xdeano and TonyR,

After testing and callabrating Q.L. to 3031 yesterday morning.

Here is an interesting load that keeps me close to either side and on top of a Node through a 12 degree temperature swing from 83 deg - 95 deg using a single base propellent IMR-3031 If I could figure out how to post my Q.L. screens here I would but oh well..

Target 'NODE' barrel time 1.905 m/s

Rem 700P 26' barrel 1/12 twist
Hornady Match Brass, full prep w/ anealing
154.4 Scenar
IMR-3031, 42.8 grns, 83 degrees ambient temp
COAL 2.80
2877 fps Barrel time of 1.970 m/s with 5/8' group @ 100 yds

Same load as above except ambient temp at 95 deg
2895 fps Barrel time of 1.187 m/s with 5/8' group @ 100 yds

Interesting note: Even at 95 degrees at sea-level this load is running speeds that were borderline hot with Benchmark in the same temperature range. 3031 is doing it 4,000 psi below P-MAX of 60191 psi.

Load work done in three range trips and 50 rounds thanks to QuickLoad. It sucks having to change powders, but thats life.