Powder for Berger VLD Target 168 grain?

[dc.fireman]

I shoot the 168's for 300M International. I use Varget because I have a big jug of it, but I know the 4064 is a solid powder for that bullet too. My go to load is 44.3 gr. of Varget behind the 168, and I tinker with the seating depths slightly for each brand of bullet.

5 shots, @ 100 yds. This is a Hornady AMAX seated to 2.920" COAL/Federal Brass fired 3x/Federal 210M/ the aforementioned charge of Varget, fired from a Tikka T3 Sporter. It performs very well all the way out to 600 yards. I have not tried it beyond that.



Edit: I know from some older data sheets, that the AMU liked the 168 with 41-42 gr.s of 4895. I used 41.0 in and older M70 for awhile, with good results.

 

[Zero333]

I shoot the 168's for 300M International. I use Varget because I have a big jug of it, but I know the 4064 is a solid powder for that bullet too. My go to load is 44.3 gr. of Varget behind the 168, and I tinker with the seating depths slightly for each brand of bullet.

5 shots, @ 100 yds. This is a Hornady AMAX seated to 2.920" COAL/Federal Brass fired 3x/Federal 210M/ the aforementioned charge of Varget, fired from a Tikka T3 Sporter. It performs very well all the way out to 600 yards. I have not tried it beyond that.

View attachment 1168090

Edit: I know from some older data sheets, that the AMU liked the 168 with 41-42 gr.s of 4895. I used 41.0 in and older M70 for awhile, with good results.

That's a 5-shot group from a factory barrel ???

damn that's solid.

 

[dc.fireman]

That's a 5-shot group from a factory barrel ???

damn that's solid.

Yes. It's from the tikka factory barrel, after it had about 800 rounds through it. It turns out, that I had been relying on the 'lower' accuracy node. A buddy recommended that I try running them a little hotter, and dang if he wasn't right...

 

[Martin52]

.....It turns out, that I had been relying on the 'lower' accuracy node. A buddy recommended that I try running them a little hotter, and dang if he wasn't right...

That's where I am at, the lower node 43.5 gr Varget, will have to load up to the higher node ~ 44-44.5.

 

[SPQR70AD]

Reloder 15. Good for .223 and .308

yes Rel 15 excellent in .308 and hardly leaves any copper. I am surprised ACC 2520 powder is never mentioned for 308. some of the best groups I ever shot was with 2520

 

[dc.fireman]

That's where I am at, the lower node 43.5 gr Varget, will have to load up to the higher node ~ 44-44.5.

Martin - I can also recommend somewhere between 41.5 - 42.2 gr. of IMR 4064. He had 175's loaded to magazine length for the M14, loaded @ 42.0 gr. I tried it in my rifle, and it was exactly at POI @ 300 yds, where the Varget @ 44.3 was shooting. Very smooth shots, no bolt lift issues, no case abuse observed.

 

[Martin52]

Martin - I can also recommend somewhere between 41.5 - 42.2 gr. of IMR 4064. He had 175's loaded to magazine length for the M14, loaded @ 42.0 gr. I tried it in my rifle, and it was exactly at POI @ 300 yds, where the Varget @ 44.3 was shooting. Very smooth shots, no bolt lift issues, no case abuse observed.

Good to know, thanks.

 

[D-4297]

When you get around to it , try the Berger 185 Hybrid with 43.5gr of Varget , at .005 to .020 off touch for 600yrd. Yeah ; it will be your low node at about 2585 , but it works fairly good for me . "All the Way" .

 

[Straightshooter1]

When you get around to it , try the Berger 185 Hybrid with 43.5gr of Varget , at .005 to .020 off touch for 600yrd. Yeah ; it will be your low node at about 2585 , but it works fairly good for me . "All the Way" .

Was going to try some Varget with this pill, so I worked up a load in QL to get me started, which showed an accuracy node at 43.0 grs (using the Optimum Barrel Time calculation). The 43.5 grs is pretty closed to that and the calculated MV is right at what you've stated (like 2591 fps) out of a 24" barrel and .005 off the lands (2.968 COAL).

With everything shut down around here, it looks like it's going to be a while before I can get around to test it.

 

[Martin52]

Was going to try some Varget with this pill, so I worked up a load in QL to get me started, which showed an accuracy node at 43.0 grs (using the Optimum Barrel Time calculation). The 43.5 grs is pretty closed to that and the calculated MV is right at what you've stated (like 2591 fps) out of a 24" barrel and .005 off the lands (2.968 COAL).

With everything shut down around here, it looks like it's going to be a while before I can get around to test it.

With palma srp brass loaded to coal 2.910, my best varget load for the 185's (juggernauts, I have yet to try the 185H) is 44.1 gr. That's giving me ~ 2750 fps. Seems to be the upper node.

Per my earlier post, my 43.5 gr varget load for 168 hybrids might still need work, low node, although v accurate.

30 inch barrel.

 

[Straightshooter1]

With palma srp brass loaded to coal 2.910, my best varget load for the 185's (juggernauts, I have yet to try the 185H) is 44.1 gr. That's giving me ~ 2750 fps. Seems to be the upper node.

<snip>

30 inch barrel.

Yup, QL's OBT calculations shows that 44.1 gr with that length barrel is at or very close an accuracy node . . .and pressure around 61,000 psi.

Frankly, I'm a little surprised how close the QL calculations are with the numbers posted here, considering other variables involved.

 

[Ned Ludd]

...Frankly, I'm a little surprised how close the QL calculations are with the numbers posted here, considering other variables involved.

It might possibly be because there are a few other shooters posting that also use QL to help tune their loads. However, I can neither confirm nor deny that.

 

[Martin52]

I don't have QL, I get there in the end, usually, but it requires a little more time testing. I am happy with my 185 juggernaut load right now but I have more work to do on the 168 Hybrids, will be testing above 43.5 gr Varget to get to the higher node. Again, all with palma srp brass.

 

[D-4297]

Don't have QL , Ned . Any loads that I post on here are loads I've worked up , and shot in competition . For some reason , many don't believe that a .308 is accurate in the "Low" node .

 

[Martin52]

Yup, QL's OBT calculations shows that 44.1 gr with that length barrel is at or very close an accuracy node . . .and pressure around 61,000 psi.

Good to know, I'm staying with that load for the 185's and will do further testing on the 168 Hybrids.