“Easy Button” 308 Varget/168 Grain Load?

[General RE LEE]

Is there an “easy button” load for Varget and 168 grain bullets like Hornady ELD-M or SMK?

I have a new Tikka UPR on the way and would like to fire form some brass.

The H4350 41.5 grain/143 ELD-X load has always been a great shooting load in multiple 6.5 Creedmoors.

 

[riversidejeep]

168 SMK & 44.5-45 gns Varget is in the upper node, near max and and not as nice on the brass for reloading. Lot of guys shoot the lower node but I don't have that info offhand. If I was to start over with my load I would go for the lower node.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I would offer for you to develop the load with your own rifle. Every rifle is a rule into itself and nodes are only a guidance. If that's what you stick with then you may never know what else it could do. As well, you owe it to yourself from a due diligence and safety standpoint to work it up and not take loads from others and blindly use them.

riversidejeep, when you say not as nice on brass I gather you are talking about work hardening or primer pockets getting loose, or both?

 

[BjornF16]

I’ve used 44 grains Varget for 175 SMK…45 grains for 168 SMK.

Look at this: http://www.ocwreloading.com/load-info.html

 

[Pickettpuncher]

44.6 gr with a 165 worked in 3 different rifles.

 

[General RE LEE]

I would offer for you to develop the load with your own rifle. Every rifle is a rule into itself and nodes are only a guidance. If that's what you stick with then you may never know what else it could do. As well, you owe it to yourself from a due diligence and safety standpoint to work it up and not take loads from others and blindly use them.

riversidejeep, when you say not as nice on brass I gather you are talking about work hardening or primer pockets getting loose, or both?

I knew the safety police would show up to virtue signal. Let me ask you this, is it safe to shoot ammo I buy off the shelf? I mean, it’s not developed for my rifle.

I’m smart enough and have enough experience to know what is risky.

 

[hunting1]

I run mine at 45 grs with Varget, F210 primers, 2.80".

 

[35WhelenAI]

I knew the safety police would show up to virtue signal. Let me ask you this, is it safe to shoot ammo I buy off the shelf? I mean, it’s not developed for my rifle.

I’m smart enough and have enough experience to know what is risky.

Whatever, it's not safety police it's good sound practice. Do what you do.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Max load of Varget under a 165 grain Accubond is my easy button. I don’t waste time fireforming, though.

 

[General RE LEE]

Max load of Varget under a 165 grain Accubond is my easy button. I don’t waste time fireforming, though.

44 grains?

 

[BjornF16]

 

[FLS]

44-45 grains under a 165/168 grain bullet works in every 308 I’ve loaded for.

 

[Novahunter]

My old load was 42.5 of IMR 4064 under 168gr SMK. Worked in multiple rifles.

The 42.5 to 43.5 load range for Varget should also yield a stable load that isn't near max pressure.

 

[riversidejeep]

I would offer for you to develop the load with your own rifle. Every rifle is a rule into itself and nodes are only a guidance. If that's what you stick with then you may never know what else it could do. As well, you owe it to yourself from a due diligence and safety standpoint to work it up and not take loads from others and blindly use them.

riversidejeep, when you say not as nice on brass I gather you are talking about work hardening or primer pockets getting loose, or both?

Primer pockets and the need to trim more often.

 

[Vern400]

Is there an “easy button” load for Varget and 168 grain bullets like Hornady ELD-M or SMK?

I have a new Tikka UPR on the way and would like to fire form some brass.

The H4350 41.5 grain/143 ELD-X load has always been a great shooting load in multiple 6.5 Creedmoors.

I grain below max of varget. Fed 210/210M/GMM. 165 sierra Spitzer boat tail. Find the lands and back off 0.020. check mag length and set deeper of you must. I've tried that with stunning results on several rifles. Tikka is not like rifles I've loaded for. I'd cook up a -3 and -2 grain from max and pop them first. But it's a free country for now

 

[sickles107]

I grain below max of varget. Fed 210/210M/GMM. 165 sierra Spitzer boat tail. Find the lands and back off 0.020. check mag length and set deeper of you must. I've tried that with stunning results on several rifles. Tikka is not like rifles I've loaded for. I'd cook up a -3 and -2 grain from max and pop them first. But it's a free country for now

Tikka shot tighter with less powder, or was showing pressure signs?

 

[Backofbeyond]

I’ve got boxes at both 42 gr and another at 44.5 gr with a 168 SMK and the 165 SGK.

 

[Vern400]

I

 

[BBob]

308 Win 95 Palma chamber

Norma 168 SMK Fed 210 43.5 Varget ~2730fps ~2.795"

 

[BryanL]

I have 45.0gr Varget, Sierra 168gr TMK with CCI 200 and OAL to 2.80 giving me very good accuracy. Haven’t tested velocity yet, so we’ll see. Going to try some 44.0gr Varget on 178gr ELD-M/X.

Playing with Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR and CFE223 to see what I get with 178gr ELD. If anyone has data for either of those, feel free to share.