155 SMK loads for .308

Got some 155's dirt cheap and want to know which loads work best out of a Savage/ Stevens 22" barrel. 1:10
I'm using Varget powder, Win brass, and Win primers. Thanks

http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/f/Sierra308Win.pdf

The Sierra list the max load as 44.8 using Varget powder. I think I am safe stating my favorite load is 44.9 and backing off the lands .015. This is my gun, above is the link to the Sierra reloading manual for 308's. You might start off lower and work up to the max load! Your perfect range might be around 40.0grns.

huh, the varget bottle lists 46gr for a 168gr Sie HPBT win case fed 210M 2.80 col

Check out the link above! I know that's the bottle states, but ck the book!

I know what my 308 likes shooting the 155's! Again, I am .015 off the lands!

which book did you have in mind?


sierra 5 150gr to 155gr bullets 41.4 to 44.8 varget
165gr 38.5 to 43

Nosler 155 44.5 to 48.5
165 42.0 to 46.0

barnes 3 150xlc 43.5 to 47.5 varget
165xlc 42.5 to 46.5

hodgdon 155 sie 44.o to 47.0c
165 42.0 to 46.0c

lyman 48 150 42.5 to 47.0
165 41.0 to 45.7c

Steves pages 155 35.9 to 48.5
165 32.6 to 46.5



c = compressed load



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...stirthepot.gifhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ocons/hide.gif

43.6gr Varget, shot best in my 10FP, but in Fed brass.

I am not a Varget user. No particular reason other than I have used 4895 and 4064 for years with excellent results and have a carload of the stuff. Of the two, I prefer 4895. With Sierra 155 Palmas, I get decent velocity and very good accuracy and almost 100% powder/case density. Both 4064 and Varget are compressed loads.

Anyone of the three will work just fine.

uj

Quote:

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which book did you have in mind?

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Click on the link on my above post. It's pages straight out of the Sierra Reloading Manual!

But, again, MY gun likes 44.9gr of Varget, that I can tell you with NO problem!

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I only shot those bullets 1 time using RL15. Most of my .308 stuff has been with Varget. I did not write the load down but still have the target and the result was good. 10 shot group at 300 yards 1.490" wide x .971" tall.

Thanks for every body's input. My rifle puts 150 Cor Lockts under 42.5 -43 gr of Varget or RL-15 1" high over bullseye at 100. I think I will start at 42.7 and work up. 44.5 -45.5 make them hit way too high. My rifle loves 42-44 for some reason.
I have good groups with 168's with 43 of Varget, 43 RL-15 and 46-46.5 BLC-[2].
My new stock has tightened up my groups also.

150grn.hpbt matchkings,41 gr.IMR4895, federal brass,cci lr primers.
about .45 .46 groups at 100 out of 20" fple that has been put into a laminate thumbhole with pillars.
Next time out I'll save the target and try and post.

Every rifle is different and of the several .308 Savages I have had they all shot Varget and the 155 Sierra well. However, the most accurate loads I developed for all of them came with IMR 4064. The disadvantage that 4064 has is it's tendency to be temperature sensitive and to exhibit "pressure spikes" as one approaches maximum loads. Varget does not tend to do this.

I shoot 155gr Hornady A-max bullets over 45.0gr of Varget at .010 off the lands in my 12FV 308 with a 1-10" twist. Works like a champ. Recoil is not too much, groups are tight, and with the A-max for punching paper, I just switch over to the Hornady SST in 150gr for deer hunting. The group grows a little bit with the SST, but not enough to matter. I have used this combo for deer out to 400 yards.

I started at 43.0 grains and worked up to 45.0. I stopped there with the thinking that being in the middle of the range of what my book listed, it would be lighter on the recoil and help with brass life, and barrel life. At the time I just figured its like a car. Don't hot rod it too much and it should last a long time.
My book shows 44.0 to 47.0 grains of Varget for the 308 Win and a 155gr Jacketed Bullet.

Hope at least some of this helps :) :)