Good starting point ?

[Pughead]

I'm new to reloading .308 any suggestions on a good starting point for a .308 with a 24" 1in10 twist barrel? If it helps I favor Varget.

 

[philbert001]

Really?

 

[Pughead]

Yes.....Really.....

 

[trophyhunter]

I've never had really satisfactory performance with anything in the 150 weight range, 165 and 168's pushed with Varget have all been my best loads in my Remy 700. I settled on 165 Game Kings over 168 loads due to 200 yard group performance. 100 yards is no place to judge a 308 for repeatability IMO.

I push those Sierra's with 44.7 grains of Varget for best performance.

 

[Broom_jm]

Asking for help locating a load combination for 308 Winchester, using Varget powder, is like asking for help finding porn on the Internet.

Frankly, if you can't locate the data you're seeking (you didn't even suggest a bullet weight range!) I would have to question whether or not you should be reloading in the first place.

Buy a reloading manual...heck, buy two! Look up data on one of several websites. There is no sense in asking for load data in an open forum. At best you'll get a recipe that works well in someone else's gun; at worst you'll get very dangerous data! Reloading is one of those things you have to do for yourself. If that is something you are struggling with, find a reloading buddy or stick to factory ammo.

 

[philbert001]

Asking for help locating a load combination for 308 Winchester, using Varget powder, is like asking for help finding porn on the Internet.

Frankly, if you can't locate the data you're seeking (you didn't even suggest a bullet weight range!) I would have to question whether or not you should be reloading in the first place.

Buy a reloading manual...heck, buy two! Look up data on one of several websites. There is no sense in asking for load data in an open forum. At best you'll get a recipe that works well in someone else's gun; at worst you'll get very dangerous data! Reloading is one of those things you have to do for yourself. If that is something you are struggling with, find a reloading buddy or stick to factory ammo.

This! (BTW, He has a reloading buddy, hence the, "Really?")

 

[Pughead]

Not asking what will work best in my gun, I'm asking where to start for a 1in10 twist 24" barrel. Everyone's 24" 1in10 barrel should like "similar" weights and velocity. As well as dislike similar loads. And to assume that by asking a question I am somehow incompetent is pretty silly. To assume I've done no other research is silly. I'm simply asking for a starting point so I don't **** away a bunch of money that I don't need to. Thanks for not being helpful at all.

 

[Pughead]

I've never had really satisfactory performance with anything in the 150 weight range, 165 and 168's pushed with Varget have all been my best loads in my Remy 700. I settled on 165 Game Kings over 168 loads due to 200 yard group performance. 100 yards is no place to judge a 308 for repeatability IMO.

I push those Sierra's with 44.7 grains of Varget for best performance.

Thank you for answering my very simple question with a simple and helpful answer.

 

[trophyhunter]

Thank you for answering my very simple question with a simple and helpful answer.

Your welcome, I found just about anything in the 44-46 grain range using Varget and 168's was a sweet spot and couldn't get the groups to open up much at all until I put them on paper at 200 yards.

I have the same length and twist rate so that might give you something to compare your loads to.

 

[Pughead]

Your welcome, I found just about anything in the 44-46 grain range using Varget and 168's was a sweet spot and couldn't get the groups to open up much at all until I put them on paper at 200 yards.

I have the same length and twist rate so that might give you something to compare your loads to.

Have you chronographed any of these loads? My reloading manual says 168gr with 44gr of Varget should be around 2800fps. Is that accurate?

 

[trophyhunter]

My five shot strings pushing the 165 Game Kings over 44.7 of Varget mean averaged 2716 at fifteen yards from the muzzle. So yes, your manual is reasonably in line with performance expectations for that load range.

 

[Pughead]

My five shot strings pushing the 165 Game Kings over 44.7 of Varget mean averaged 2716 at fifteen yards from the muzzle. So yes, your manual is reasonably in line with performance expectations for that load range.

Thanks again for your input. Should save me some trial n error.

 

[trophyhunter]

Thanks again for your input. Should save me some trial n error.

You're welcome, many an acquaintance and owner of .308 rifles have used my load and put me on the spot for the recipe. With the shortage of components there's no sense in not sharing what's already been tried and proven.

Ammunition manufacturer's certainly develop loads for the masses and there's no reason we shouldn't share our test results and see if there's some middle ground to help reduce wasting components when there's nothing to spare. This shortage of powder and related issues is the real deal, I'm not taking it lightly and certainly won't denigrate someone looking for help.

I've successfully hunted the Bob Marshall two seasons ago with that same load, the value I place on it goes hand in hand with the cost of that trip. For me doing that was a very big deal financially and I certainly performed due diligence prior to going getting myself and the gear made ready. Put it this way, for what it takes all in to do it I wouldn't trust any factory load to do the job. Frankly, I prefer to kill things and put meat in the freezer with mine instead of burning them up on paper anyway's.

 

[throttletony]

My five shot strings pushing the 165 Game Kings over 44.7 of Varget mean averaged 2716 at fifteen yards from the muzzle. So yes, your manual is reasonably in line with performance expectations for that load range.

My buddy runs a similar load and his groups are noticeably better when he pushes em at 2650-2750. He most often shoots between 200-400 yds, this the 100 fps less doesn't make much difference

 

[Pughead]

My buddy runs a similar load and his groups are noticeably better when he pushes em at 2650-2750. He most often shoots between 200-400 yds, this the 100 fps less doesn't make much difference

Thank you. I'll try a few a little faster and a little slower and see what happens.

 

[tonybia]

With the shortage of powders what would be a comparable powder to the Varget?

 

[straight-shooter]

I shoot H-4895 with spectacular groups. I shoot a Savage 10-FCP 24" barrel 1-10 twist and 41.4gr is my proven load using 168gr Hornady Amax.

 

[Broom_jm]

I shoot H-4895 with spectacular groups. I shoot a Savage 10-FCP 24" barrel 1-10 twist and 41.4gr is my proven load using 168gr Hornady Amax.

I don't hear many folks using H-4895 from their 308 rifles, but my son's Savage M10 FLP does VERY well with it, too. Shoots around an inch at 300, when I do my part. 155gr A-Max bullets, about a grain shy of max. I have posted the exact charge weight before, along with a picture of a .4 at 100 yards, but given how picky this particular load is, it won't help the OP out as much as he'd like to think it will. Half a grain either way and the groups open up dramatically.