I use 42.5 grains of Varget in the Federal case with the 168 SMK as well. My high power node is 45,5 grains of Varget in a Winchester case with the 168 SMK. I was surprised when I shot my buddies load of 44 grains of IMR 4064 pushing the 175 SMK new Nosler brass and CCI benchrest primer at 2700+ and is very accurate but the recoil is more noticeable.