Best load for what? Do you want a *alls to the wall hunting load or a mild target load. I use 44.0grs of varget with a 150bt, it's mild(well under max), cycles well in the L1A1 I use it in, and is very accurate in my rifle.
Posts: 414 | Location: Missouri | Registered: 28 February 2002
With 150gr my huntin .308 likes a stiff dose of Hodgdon BLC-2 or a close to max load of IMR 4064.I cannot get Varget to shoot well in my .308 or 7mm-08, just one of them things I'm sure Varget very good in most rifles in that caliber.
Nice burb yardbird,can see why you are proud of her. The best load I found was straight out of the Sierra Rifle Reloading manual. The acuracy load. I got lucky. derf
Posts: 3450 | Location: Aldergrove,BC,Canada | Registered: 22 February 2003
47 gr Varget was tops for accuracy and velocity (2930 in a 22" barrel)with a 150 gr SST. Varget did not meter great in a Dillon press but I liked the results. Varget also appeals to me because I won an 8lb keg and use it for my .35 Whelen and .223AI with heavy bullets.
Posts: 107 | Location: Brentwood, CA, USA | Registered: 08 February 2001
I agree that Varget is fast becoming the accuracy powder for the .308. You might find that somewhere between 45 and 46 grains gives you best performance with a 150-grain bullet. The standard long-range Palma load I use is 45.7 grains Varget behind a 155-grain AMAX for consistent 1/2 m.o.a. performance. I believe 47 grains is max, but many people report that it, too, gives excellent results.
With Winchester cases made fron .30-06 cases, CCI BR#2 primers, Nosler 150 grain Partition and 46.0 grains of Varget I got good velocities and excellent accuracy. This is in my M-700 with a 22" barrel. Resently I've been playing with Lapua cases, CCI BR#2 primers and the new Hornady Interbond 150 grain bullets. It looks as if 46.5 or 47.0 grains of Varget is going to be the final pick. Good luck.
Thanks for all the info, I have settled on Varget for my 308 Win. and CCI Br2 primers w/Fed Prem Brass and Lapua. I am shooting groups less than .50" in my SSG.
Boy is this powder good!
Posts: 523 | Location: North Pole, Alaska | Registered: 26 January 2003
I've been using 45grs of IMR4064 with the Sierra 150gr BTSP in both my Ruger LE .308 and my SA M1A for hunting, while my target shooting loads for the LE is 44grs of 4064 and the Hornady 155gr AMAX. Seems ya'll like Varget in .308 loads, reckon I'll have to try it. Gonna be hard to beat 4064, I use more of it than any other powder but I'll give the Varget a chance.
Posts: 11 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 16 November 2003
ky308, just remember that Varget and 4064 are very close powders. There's no sneezing at 4064. By all means try Varget, and if it works, great. But don't be in a hurry to get rid of a load that works for you
quote:Originally posted by P-17: ky308, just remember that Varget and 4064 are very close powders. There's no sneezing at 4064. By all means try Varget, and if it works, great. But don't be in a hurry to get rid of a load that works for you
P-17, don't worry about me getting of my beloved 4064, I use it for my 7mm/08 and 30-06 also. And I will continue to use it for my .308s, but trying Varget will give me a good excuse to buy powder, load rounds, shoot and just do what I like to do, which is anything gun related. Who knows maybe Varget will be part of a magic combination of powder/bullet/case/primer. Anyway sir, good shooting and how are things in Canada ?
Posts: 11 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 16 November 2003
We've had an "interesting" hunting season here in British Columbia. This year we were hit with the worst forest fires, floods, winds and rains on record just before and during hunting season. Hundreds of people lost their homes to these disasters.
On a positive note, it looks like a lot of guys got moose this year -- and I'm sort of jealous of that because I couldn't get out to do much hunting. (We just had a baby in July, so I've had to stick pretty close to home. )
By the way, my uncle lives in Louisville and I visited him for the Kentucky Derby a couple of years ago. What a wonderful time! And those mint juleps were excellent, as was the sight of all those Southern Belles in the stands at Churchill Downs wearing Scarlett O'Hara outfits and hats.
In the 308 Win. I used IMR 4064 for years until RL 15 and Varget came out. Still IMR 4064 is a excellent powder for the 308 Win. I found I could squezz a little more vel. out of VARGET in my rifle.
Posts: 523 | Location: North Pole, Alaska | Registered: 26 January 2003
“All that was great in the past was ridiculed, condemned, combated, suppressed — only to emerge all the more powerfully, all the more triumphantly from the struggle.” ― Nikola Tesla
Posts: 99 | Location: United States windber, pa | Registered: 16 September 2013
Varget is the best powder in the .308 according to my chronograph..I like it in my Savage 99 at about a grain or two under max, depending on the gun..I like the 165 gr Nosler partition and a max load of Varget for elk at about 2700 FPS, using new brass...
48.5 grs of WW-748 seems to be the standard with 150 gr bullets, where you live Id use a Nosler partition, some big stuff wondering around up that far North..
Originally posted by Pumpkinheaver: Best load for what? Do you want a *alls to the wall hunting load or a mild target load. I use 44.0grs of varget with a 150bt, it's mild(well under max), cycles well in the L1A1 I use it in, and is very accurate in my rifle.
Vit 140 and Varget.I shot many 5 shot one hole groups at 200yds using these powders in a Remington 700.I did however use the 168 gr bullet.My rifle did not like 155gr bullets.
Posts: 11651 | Location: Montreal | Registered: 07 November 2002
Never overlook 48 to 48.5 grs. of WW748 in the .308, its been the best load for the 150 gr. bullets in a number of .308s that Ive owned over the years...I always try it first, especially in my Savage 99s. Win 88 and 100s and BLR's...Its really hard to beat and saves a lot of hassel..