Bergara .308 with Berger 168 VLD hunting

[Bearcat06]

Loading a 168 Berger for mule deer next fall. I’m getting 2650 fps with good groups. Should I try to find more speed and increase charge weight or am I likely just wasting components if I have a very decent load at 2650? I’m using staball match 45gr.
TIA

 

[hunting1]

Go with the accuracy! IMR4640 and Varget might give a little more and both proven for accuracy as well. (44/44.5 grs has always done well)

 

[Truck24hr]

Varget has given me great accuracy in 308 and 06 with 168 Bergers.

I like speed and accuracy, but if my velocity is good enough for the range I'm hunting, I stop

 

[RedTeam98]

47.0 of Varget or 44.5 of IMR 4064
WW Brass and CCI BR2
165/168 gr

 

[Bearcat06]

It seems like Vargat is the gold standard powder for a lot of folks, why is that? I’ve not used it yet.

 

[RedTeam98]

It seems like Vargat is the gold standard powder for a lot of folks, why is that? I’ve not used it yet.

Great velocity / Accuracy

 

[Bearcat06]

Great velocity / Accuracy

Can’t ask for much more than that I suppose! How does it handle temp changes?

 

[Bearcat06]

47.0 of Varget or 44.5 of IMR 4064
WW Brass and CCI BR2
165/168 gr

What velocity are you seeing with this load?

 

[greyghostnw]

Id say a great place to start when thinking about being content with velocity is effective pressure on your barrel and how many firings you want before a new barrel, brass life expectancy, Speed comes with consequences…..

 

[RedTeam98]

What velocity are you seeing with this load?

In 20” 2550 fps in 22” 2650 fps
These are great loads !
Suggest WW brass

 

[RedTeam98]

IMR 4064 is what’s in Federal Gold Medal Match
And military M118lR sniper ammo.

Varget used by US ARMY Marksmenship Team in 308 Win and Palma shooters for many years.

Both my No 1 powder in 308 Win with 165 /175 /180 bullets

 

[elephantrider]

Can’t ask for much more than that I suppose! How does it handle temp changes?

Very well. It's part of Hodgdon's 'extreme' line of temperature stable powders.

 

[Bearcat06]

I can see why everyone likes it so well then, sounds like I need to get on the train. I have actually noticed it in stock my last few trips to the store (hence why I’ve been more interested lately about what all the fuss is about)

 

[elephantrider]

I can see why everyone likes it so well then, sounds like I need to get on the train. I have actually noticed it in stock my last few trips to the store (hence why I’ve been more interested lately about what all the fuss is about)

Definitely worth trying if .308 Win is your jam. It used to be more difficult to find, back when .308 was more popular with the target/tactical crowd (what eventually morphed into PRS). Now that 6.5 CM is the more common round H4350 (better max velocities in 6.5) took it's place in popularity and sometimes being difficult to find in stock. Varget is still a great powder, but can be a little tricky to run smoothly through a powder dispenser, same as any extruded powder.

 

[Bearcat06]

Definitely worth trying if .308 Win is your jam. It used to be more difficult to find, back when .308 was more popular with the target/tactical crowd (what eventually morphed into PRS). Now that 6.5 CM is the more common round H4350 (better max velocities in 6.5) took its place in popularity and sometimes being difficult to find in stock. Varget is still a great powder, but can be a little tricky to run smoothly through a powder dispenser, same as any extruded powder.

That makes sense, that is one thing I like about the sta-ball is the ball powder style runs easy through the thrower. I started using benchmark (another extruded powder) in my .204 and found it tougher to use. Really liked that powder too though. I’ve since swapped for cfe223 in that .204 load so I can use a ball style there as well.