Berger Juggernauts

[Rpbump]

I just acquired some Berger 185gr Juggernauts for my Savage #12, .308, 30" barrel. I have been shooting SMK 175s and would like to know if the Bergers like to be seated into the lands or out. Also what would be a good starting load for Varget or 4064? Thanks

Rpbump

 

[Dos XX]

I shoot them .020 off. I know people that shoot them .015 off. We may be shooting the same jump and just have variation in how we measure it. I would start at .020 off.

Don't know enough about your chamber or twist rate to know about powder charge. I shoot them at 2750ish fps out of my 30" barrels.

 

[Rpbump]

THANKS, DosXX
Rpbump

 

[DennisH]

NOT RECOMMENDING THIS FOR YOUR RIFLE

My 10 twist love 43.6 grns Varget, CCI primers . . . I have 4 and some like to kiss the lands, and I have one thats probably the most accurate one that loves being .050 off the lands.

So anytime I set up a new 308, I start @ .010 in and work out to .080 off. Whichever group is the best is the one I will fine tune. And I usually find that spot pretty quick.

Dennis

 

[Rpbump]

Many THANKS Dennis. Hopefully I can use provided info to speed up my load development.

Rpbump

 

[Chappy]

Started at 0.015" out and I've stayed there.

Lapua brass
44.3 Varget
Fed 210M
CBTO-2.190" (0.015" off lands)

 

[Rpbump]

Thanks, Chappy. More information is always appreciated.

Rpbump

 

[jlow]

I started out at 10 thousands off and found best seating depth at 13 thousands off.

Lapua brass
44.3 grains Varget
Tula LRP
BTO 2,282”

This is for an AI AT with a 1:12 twist. Shoots well.

 

[Rpbump]

Thanks, jlow. It seems that Varget is the prefered powder. I will start low and work up, all information is greatly appreciated.
Rpbump

 

[mattt]

The savage reamer isnt as long freebore as some of the shooters giving advice. most savages 12 f/tr dont like more then 42 varget. Been there done that.

 

[jlow]

That is correct. If you cannot seat the bullets out as long as we can, you will have a smaller case volume and have to reduce powder weight to avoid pressure problems.

 

[Tempest]

Mine likes .030".

 

[mattt]

the savage 12 f/tr 308 reamer is close to an Obermyer .the usa f/tr 2013 has alot more freebore and is a different animal.I have 3 savage 12 f/tr and they all have Bartlien 10 twist and f/tr reamer now

 

[Rpbump]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm presently working up loads for my 6.5x55AI and will start setting up loads for my 308's this coming weekend.

Rpbump

 

[XTR]

Similar thread going in reloading regarding Juggs. I'm going to repost what I posted there on this one:

For you and anyone else reading this thread, when you ask for loads for Juggs you are going to get answeres from guys shooting F-TR. Most will have their chambers set up with 168 to 170 Freebore. That puts the bottom of the bearing surface about half way down the neck, and makes the bullets over 2.9* OAL.

Four yrs ago, before I got my own reamer, I got a barrel chambered with a reamer that had me shooting right at 2.85 OAL, mag length. At the TN state championships my ammo sat in the sun while I pulled targets, and in the next relay I shot 43.5 grains of Varget, in WW brass, blew 3 primers. The point is what works in other rifles may well not work in yours.

As for your OAL, most people find Juggs shoot well at about 10 off the lands. Last time I was shooting Juggs in a TR rifle shooting off of a bipod I couldn't tell a difference in group size from 10 to 35 off. Somewhere around 45 or 50 it became obvious the groups were opening up.