Berger Hybrid 30 cal 215g and 230g

[308ocd]

Has anyone tried loading these guys yet? I'd be interested on recommendations for a starting load using Varget. Or if someone could point me to some load data. Not finding much out there. Thanks in advance.

 

[kentuckytroutbum]

308-

I don't believe that you stated what your rifle/carttridge combination will be along with bbl length, twist, etc.

I consider Varget to be too fast a powder for heavy bullet loads in a 30 cal such as 308 or 30/06. You will probably have better success with slower powders such as 4350, RL17, Win 760. I'd search loading data in the Reloading manuals such as Hornady, and websites from the various powder manufacturers. Also, you might read German Salazar's articles on his blog site for info on heavy bullet combinations as he has done a considerable amount of testing for mid & long range loads.

Bill

 

[308ocd]

I'm shooting a 700 in .308 with a 1-10, 25" bbl. You are right about the Varget. I've got some RL17 that gave favorable results with 208 V-Max. That would be a better choice. The bullets are new so having trouble finding anything on them but thank you for the leads. If I get some decent results I'll share them.

 

[Steve Blair]

I have been shooting the 230 Hybrid in .308 with some success. My barrel has a very long freebore, so I will not give charge weights. But, kentuckytroutbum is on the right track with powder choices. Also add H414 and VV550 to the list. I found H4350 too bulky and could not get enough in the case without heavy compression. My OAL is 3.125" with a .030" jump. The barrel is 30" with a 10" twist. Best accuracy is around 2500 fps.

The attached target was shot Thursday with RL17. The fifth shot is the one to right, my fault for not watching the flags. That was shooting from the bench with a Sinclair bipod.

I initially tried 50 of them (lot #3428) from Graf's but they had no more in stock. I called Powder Valley and they had 1000 of the same lot and I bought them all. There should be more available, soon.

 

[Essential]

I just got mine (215gr and 230gr) in the mail today to do testing, going to try RL17, H4350 and Varget would have liked some VV 550 but oh well.

Still have to figure start load for these in a 20" 308

 

[Steve Blair]

I just got mine (215gr and 230gr) in the mail today to do testing, going to try RL17, H4350 and Varget would have liked some VV 550 but oh well.

Still have to figure start load for these in a 20" 308

In that short barrel, you may want to err on the fast side. If the barrel does not have a long freebore, H4350 is just not dense enough. RL17 is ok but you may get your best overall results from Varget. The velocity will be lower but muzzle blast should be somewhat reduced. H414 is about the same burning rate as RL17 and a little denser.

Both bullets are very long and considerably intrude into powder space if they cannot be seated long. The 230 is ~1.60".

 

[Essential]

I can seat these way out in my gun, lets put it this way 175smk cant touch the lands and still be held properly in the neck... I want to try to mag load also but I am sure I will lose to much case cap to get the velocity I need.