Need Advice/308 Win loads with Varget

Cannon Ball

Removed my old 1960's 308 Win Savage 110 from the gun vault last week, tuned it up and cleaned the barrel with Wipe-Out (Great Stuff). I haven't fired this rifle since the 70's when I used mostly BLC and 4895 powder with Sierra 150 gr bullets.

I currently load my 223 and 243 using Varget with excellent results and therefore have a large amount Varget powder.

Purchased 100 new Win. 308 cases and prepared them for loading using Federal 210 primers. The only load manuals I have that list Varget are the Sierra fifth edition and Hodgdon No. 27 edition. I found the following loads using 150 gr bullets:

Sierra Manual: Start: 41.4 - Max: 44.8
Hodgdon Manual: Start: 44.0 - Max: 47.0C

Now I understand that all load manuals will have different start and max loads depending on the equipment and components used in load development but I have no experience with such a significant difference between Manuals.

What I'm looking for is a starting load using Sierra 150 gr bullets. I'm not looking for a hunting load, just max target accuracy.

Thanks for your help,
Ed

nononsense

Cannon Ball,

One of my target loads for the .308 and a 155 gr. Sierra Palma bullet is 45.5 gr. of Varget. The same load will work for your 150 gr. Sierras but accuracy will depend on you and what your rifle likes. I never find any two rifles that shoot the same load with the same accuracy. But many rifles will shoot certain loads similarly. You have to test your loads, starting out low and working your way up, watching for signs of pressure while shooting your best groups if possible. There aren't any shortcuts.

Here is a link to an article about the .308 loads for accuracy:

http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html

Best.

JustC

I use 44.5gr under a 168gr pill.

fire for effect

My load is 45.0 grain of Varget in Whinchester cases, topped off by the Hornady 168 grain AMAX bullet. this load duplicates the Hornady TAP round.

FrancF

43.8 with a 155gr A-max

leadburner

My max load is 47.5 grains behind 150 grn. Hornady SST's for just over 2900 fps.It shoots minute of whitetail and really hits hard.If I were to do it I would start at 44 grns and work up looking for signs of pressure.You will probably find best accuracy at 44 grns.(or less)as this seems to be the case with this powder in this size of case.You can get max speed out of it at the cost of a bit of accuracy,or max accuracy at the cost of speed. Have fun!!!

Cannon Ball

Thanks Guys
I'll start at 41.5 and work up from there. After I use up the old Sierra 150's I'll try some of their 155's.

Cannon Ball