Help with Load Amount: New Purchases

[Mr Wick]

I'm trying out the recommendations from forum members and would like to know what I should start my load at.

Just purchased:
Lapua 308 Brass
Sierra Matchking 175 Grain Bullets
CCI LR Primers

Still using the last of my Accurate 2495 Powder. If I should ditch it for Varget let me know.

Shooting a Savage Precision 10/110 Rifle with a 20" Barrel and 1:10.5 Twist Rate

Thanks Again All.

 

[ASD9055]

Varget would be easier. Start at 42 and work up

 

[10XSHOOTER]

42.0 IMR-4064 M-1 and M-14 match load! Works in my bolt gun also

 

[3Sigma]

^^^ Both of these

I run 43 grains of Varget behind a 185 Berger in lapua brass on a savage 10. Approx. 2640 fps from a 24" barrel.

I also have a load of 175 SMK with 42.1 grains of 4064 in Federal brass, same velocity at 2640 fps

 

[Gargoyle]

I see a trend here with powders and the 308 WIN.

Lapua brass + 175 SMK + WLR in Ruger 20" RPR: 2550fps min

IMR 4064 @ 42gr
Varget @43.3gr
AA2520 @43.6gr

Drop a grain from these to start. You want the muzzle velocity min of 2550fps to be supersonic at 1000yds.

I'd buy more 2495 if that is working for you AND Varget 8lbs.

 

[Mr Wick]

^^^ Both of these

I run 43 grains of Varget behind a 185 Berger in lapua brass on a savage 10. Approx. 2640 fps from a 24" barrel.

I also have a load of 175 SMK with 42.1 grains of 4064 in Federal brass, same velocity at 2640 fps

How far out are you shooting?

 

[HTSmith]

If you could develop a load with something besides Varget you’d likely better off. Too many people are chasing and hoarding it.

 

[Mr Wick]

You think I could get away with the 2495 for right now? Want to use it up. Also this is what I pulled up.

Sierra Match King Bullet with 2495

 

[3Sigma]

How far out are you shooting?

I've taken the 185 berger out to 1000 yards (shooting steel), but the 175 only 600 yards. The berger needed around 10.5 MIL of elevation at ~850' ASL.

The bergers group 0.5 moa or better in 5 shots, the 175 SMK are slightly better at 0.4. The bergers are the VLDs as that is all I could find when I built the load. I would use the Juggernauts today.

 

[Mr Wick]

I've taken the 185 berger out to 1000 yards (shooting steel), but the 175 only 600 yards. The berger needed around 10.5 MIL of elevation at ~850' ASL.

The bergers group 0.5 moa or better in 5 shots, the 175 SMK are slightly better at 0.4. The bergers are the VLDs as that is all I could find when I built the load. I would use the Juggernauts today.

I'm hitting steel at 700 yards using Hornady 175 with 2495. I know I can push past that with a spotter. Haven't tried precision target shooting at that distance though.

 

[Gargoyle]

You think I could get away with the 2495 for right now? Want to use it up. Also this is what I pulled up.

Sierra Match King Bullet with 2495

I'd run 42.5 start and end somewhere around 43r. I load till I get a sticky bolt lift. Then I back down a 1/2 grain of powder. Then back down .3gr till I find 1/4 minute load.

 

[Mr Wick]

I'd run 42.5 start and end somewhere around 43r. I load till I get a sticky bolt lift. Then I back down a 1/2 grain of powder. Then back down .3gr till I find 1/4 minute load.

The chart I found says start out at 38.8 and don't go above 43.1.

 

[D-4297]

The chart I found says start out at 38.8 and don't go above 43.1.

Most of these "charts" are based on Magazine length , to accommodate SAAMI requirements . If you are loading "longer" than Magazine length , then allow common sense to dictate what you are doing . But the "WORD" is caution . If your rifle is cut to a F-TR chamber , then you will be able to load longer , thus reducing pressure .

 

[Gargoyle]

The chart I found says start out at 38.8 and don't go above 43.1.

That chart. Then there are other charts posting different max loads. They are guidelines. The chart you reference is also using a hotter primer than you are. WLR are hotter than any CCI large rifle primer.

That is why I load till the bolt gets sticky on ejection. Sometimes this is a grain under max, sometimes its 2 grain over max. That sticky bolt lift is the first indicator the brass is being stressed too much and not bouncing back to acceptable tolerances. I mean, anything other than normal bolt throw, and I stop adding powder then start reducing it. This way I get all the available velocity out of the load in a safe charge and find the most accurate.

Sticky bolt lift can also happen if you don't have your shoulders bumped back .002" min from fired bras length. Neck sizing only will lead to sticky bolt both in chambering and in ejecting because the shoulder isn't being bumped and it is riding along the chamber.

 

[dbaird]

I'm trying out the recommendations from forum members and would like to know what I should start my load at.

Just purchased:
Lapua 308 Brass
Sierra Matchking 175 Grain Bullets
CCI LR Primers

Still using the last of my Accurate 2495 Powder. If I should ditch it for Varget let me know.

Shooting a Savage Precision 10/110 Rifle with a 20" Barrel and 1:10.5 Twist Rate

Thanks Again All.

Can’t go wrong with 43 grains Varget. Get .25 inch with custom Rem. 700 .308

 

[3Sigma]

I'm trying out the recommendations from forum members and would like to know what I should start my load at.

Just purchased:
Lapua 308 Brass
Sierra Matchking 175 Grain Bullets
CCI LR Primers

Still using the last of my Accurate 2495 Powder. If I should ditch it for Varget let me know.

Shooting a Savage Precision 10/110 Rifle with a 20" Barrel and 1:10.5 Twist Rate

Thanks Again All.

Do you have Savage barrels, or something different?

Reason is my Savage from ~2016 has a very short freebore, and the 175 SMK hit the lands right about magazine length in my 10. If that is the case, you won't be able to run longer lengths as mentioned earlier. Check your chamber first.

 

[HTSmith]

You think I could get away with the 2495 for right now?

Yes. I think starting with what you have in hand is your best bet.