question and/or suggestions with 175 grain .308 reloads

well i made it to the range today....here are the results....

175grain sierra match
case length 2.000"
COL 2.800"
Reloader 15
100yards

Grains inches
39.9 .879" 4 shots
40.1 1.324"(4 shots w/one flier) .426"(3 shots w/out flier) 3 shots
40.3 1.018" 4 shots
40.5 1.194" 4 shots
40.7 .610" 4 shots
40.9 1.627" 4 shots
41.1 .856" 4 shots
41.3 1.145" (4 shots w/one flier) .524" (3 shots w/out flier)

the fliers were likely caused by me due to lack of scope/bolt gun experience.

My book shows 41.3 is the max load. However, i had no signs of pressure. So should i keep working up 1/10 at a time until i start seeing pressure signs then work on length? or should i work on length at 41.1 and 41.3 grains.
Jesse

I dont know how much I can help with the 175g SMKs, as I shoot exclusively 168SMK and use Varget in my 308. That said, the Sierra reloading book (my favorite) is a little on the conservative side, if thats the book your using. But you did find two loads that didn't shoot to bad, and I dont know much about your rifle, like the barrel, light or heavy, if its a hunting barrel, dont expect to small of a group, anything under 1' would be good.
Also having access to a crony would be nice, but load development is the only time I use mine.
But having a little more info will help guys, in helping you with this load, hunting, or target at what distance, type of barrel, twist Etc.
I have R-15 but have never loaded with it, yet, Varget just works to good. I can give you my two best 308 loads, and info if it will help, you might look the 168 up in the book and get some idea, but your plan is not a bad one. But if you plan to use the magazine, you wont be able to move the bullet out much, and dont think you have to have a bullet jam, some 308s like a jump, mine love a .100 jump, and shoots in the .2s and .3s for 5 @ 100. Even with Fed GMM ammo. Or the two loads listed below.

24" 1 in 12" heavy varmint, after market barrel.
168g SMK 44.0g Varget COL 2.810 = 2655 fps
168g SMK 44.5g Varget COL 2.810 = 2701 fps
Good luck.
Mike.

im a varget guy also. cant tellya anything about the RL15. u may want to get a box or 2 of FGMM and see how ur gun groups w it. that will give u some good clues...otherwise ull have to wait for someone familiar w RL15 to chime in

Looks to me as if your 40.7 grn. load is the best so far. If it were me I would start experimenting there.I never load to max and usually find that very close to minimum is the most accurate.

I have Varget & RL-15 and they are essentially interchangeable. You can up the powder charge some more, as mentioned your loads are pretty conservative, less than 2500fps. Hodgdon shows 42.0gr as the starting charge with 45.0gr max for Varget. I say start with 42.0gr RL-15 and work up in .3gr or .5gr increments until you find the sweet spot then stick with that. Most people find that right around 43.0gr is perfect. You may start seeing pressure at 44.0gr if you are using Lapua brass. I shot a couple of 175gr SMKs over 44.5gr Varget with Lapua brass and those were pretty hot. Always better to be safe than sorry, you are on the right track.

[img width=600 height=181]http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/9564/hodq.jpg[/img]

my rifle is a Savage 10 22" fluted heavy bull barrel. 100% stock rifle. the twist is 1:10.

i shot some across a chrony, but i wanna wait until i narrow it down to a good load then i'll mess with bullet length and FPS.

i shoot Federal brass, because its free.

This is with 168gr. SMK's. In about another week I will be out of them, and go to the 175's and let you know then.
I shoot a Savage 10 FP, So Heavy Barrel 24" 1 in 10 Twist.

With LC Match Brass, mixed from '68 to the 90's.
WLR Primers
Win 748 Powder
Light Crimp (hornady factory crimp die)
COAL - 2.913" (Bullet touches at 2.928")
Chrony says that at 60 degrees and overcast, They fly between 2595-2620 FPS.

This load just shot a 3" Group at the 500 Yard target.
I did sub WLR Primers for CCI BR2's. I didn't have my chrony, so I don't know the difference. However it did lower the pressure.

I've just started venturing into reloading. I also just purchased a 10 FCP-K.

175 gr SMK
42.5 gr 4064
FC cases
CCI BR primers
100yds

I can get 8 shots under 3/4" with the majority under .5". Shooting 4 shots, twice I have nearly single holed. The weather here is crappy and my current bench is junk, so I feel the rifle with this load will easily do well under .5.

OK, So here is my info for the 175 SMK's
Don't have my load notes, (and I'm lazy) But bullet seated .015" off rifleing.
CCI BR-2 primers
Frontier Brass
Win 748 - 43.4 grains
2633 FPS (7 shot string average, 19 FPS ES)
50 Degrees, Light Sprinkling
Didn't get a chance to go to the 1200 yard range, But shot 1/4 Minute at 100

Classic 308 load is:
44.0 grs Varget
210M primer
175 SMK
2.825 OAL.

I've shot several thousand rounds in competition and this is my go to load! Good luck.

[quote=Exhaust3 ]
Classic 308 load is:
44.0 grs Varget
210M primer
175 SMK
2.825 OAL.

I've shot several thousand rounds in competition and this is my go to load! Good luck.
/quote] What rifle are you using with this load ?

[img width=600 height=450]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff318/jesseital/0307102043.jpg[/img]

found my go to load.... 100 yards ;D