308 reloads with varget

Is it safe to load a 40 grain load with 150 gr bullets in 308? I have two manuals that list varget. They suggest a starting load of 143 gr. I am looking for a mild load that is not too much above 30-30 in my 308. I am loading 45 gr w/ 150 gr sierra's. It is very accurate, but I want a more mild load for varmints/ pests. I load IMR 4350 for my 243. It is very comfortable to shoot. I am looking for something in that ballpark with 150 gr 308's. I have other powders but would like to use varget if possible. Any suggestions.

Hodgdon recommends H4895 for the sort of loads you seek:

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf

Note that they say "...we chose H4895 because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly at reduced charges."

In their burn rate chart,

http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html

Varget (at #99) is a good bit slower than H4895 (at #87). Taken with the statement above, I'd say Varget wouldn't be a wise choice for reducing below suggested starting levels.

Depending on the distance and the quality bullets you plan on feeding, perhaps something like H414. Its cheap and fast burning. I'll have to check back with the load I was using. Keep in mind that this is not my go to powder for long distance shooting.

MEL's moderate effective loads.

308 with 150 gr tsx, using h322,h4895,and h4198.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21.../Document2.jpg


[img width=347 height=450]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y212/trailrider121/Document2.jpg[/img]

I'll second 4895. It's what the manufacturers recommend. My light load for 308 is 37 grains under a 125 grain bullet. That puts me at 2150 fps, with very little recoil out of a 6.5 lb. gun. You should be fine using a touch less than that with 150's.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by old geezer

Is it safe to load a 40 grain load with 150 gr bullets in 308?

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Well Hornady's 7th edition lists 150-155 gr bullets using varget as 35.9gr min for 2300 fps and 44.9gr max for 2700fps and 40.4grs puts you right smack in the middle at 2500fps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blueovalbandit

Well Hornady's 7th edition lists 150-155 gr bullets using varget as 35.9gr min for 2300 fps and 44.9gr max for 2700fps and 40.4grs puts you right smack in the middle at 2500fps.

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Really, hmmm. My Hodgdon manual was showing 45grs about in the middle of the road for 155s. I have been shooting 45.0grs under a 155 A-Max now for a couple years and just never needed to go any farther, but never had any signs of pressure either.

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

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155 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.775" 44.0 2759 41,300 CUP 47.0C 2909 49,400 CUP

150 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 44.0 2788 43,300 CUP 47.0C 2937 50,300 CUP


The above is from Hodgdon's website.

i shoot 150gr gmx, sst, and interbond as well as 155gr amax's with 44.5 gr of varget and consistently get avg's of 2625 out of a 20" brl with nickle brass and fed 210 match primers.

since i dont shoot at deer farther than 300, this is plenty and is mild recoiling w the use of my brake.

now that i have a mcgowan 22" on order, im curious how my velocity will change with the same load. i may have to tweek it due to my leupold cds scope calibration knob to stay on target.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bootsmcguire

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blueovalbandit

Well Hornady's 7th edition lists 150-155 gr bullets using varget as 35.9gr min for 2300 fps and 44.9gr max for 2700fps and 40.4grs puts you right smack in the middle at 2500fps.

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Really, hmmm. My Hodgdon manual was showing 45grs about in the middle of the road for 155s. I have been shooting 45.0grs under a 155 A-Max now for a couple years and just never needed to go any farther, but never had any signs of pressure either.

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

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155 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.775" 44.0 2759 41,300 CUP 47.0C 2909 49,400 CUP

150 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 44.0 2788 43,300 CUP 47.0C 2937 50,300 CUP


The above is from Hodgdon's website.

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Well a little slow on this since my scanner is broke and I forgot about this but....

[img width=337 height=450]http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f263/SumoDethRat/IMG00275-20110521-1251.jpg[/img]

Hope this isn't breakin the rules

I use 4895 with 168 grainers it is a real mild load very little kick.
about 2550 fps it put 10 shots in one ragged hole.
39.5 grain imr 4895

I think hornady is very conservative with their data on varget. I have the load books edition for the 308 and others like sierra and speer show the 44gr range for varget near the middle and not near the max load like hornady and 44.9gr load. I have no signs of pressure at all and im pretty sure with my loads and my rifle i could tweek it up another 1-2 grains to get more into the 2750-2800 range if i wanted but i like the mild recoil where im at.

I also understand that diff companies use diff test barrels of diff length so their data is kind of subjective. IMHO, I suppose the data they supply is more of a safe zone to stay in but ultimately you need to test the loads for the rifle they will be used in and moniter the signs of pressure very carefully when trying to work up a max load.

brian

Airaddict, I totally agree that you must work up loads with each individual rifle as each one is a specific beast unto itself.

Blueovalbandit, I believed you when you said you book showed 44.9grs as a max. I was just pointing out that each manual seems to differ depending on who wrote it up. I do find it funny that the printed Varget manual like yours shows a 44.9gr as a max and the Hodgdon Website data says 47.0grs is max. Conflicting data from the same company. Kinda makes you wonder. All I know is 45.0grs works for me :).