Today, I went to the range and tested out some new loads I worked up for my 308 Win with 165 gr Hornady SST's. I couldn't get them to group for anything with I-4064 or Varget. This last batch, I went through and sorted every bullet by weight. They were supposed to be 165 gr, but almost all of them were under that. 164.7gr and 164.9gr turned out to be the most common weights, but they were all over the place from 163.6 on up to 165.1 grains.

I used Varget, CCI primers, FC Brass trimmed to 2.005", and seated to about 2.750" OAL (the depth specified in the Hornady Manual). The book gave a Max Powder Charge of 46.0 grains, and from my previous loads I knew to start around 45.0 grains. I worked up in 0.1 gr increments with 3-shot groups.

At 46.1 grains, I seemed to hit the sweet spot. The first two shots cut nearly the same hole, and the third shot was touching the other two. I had no pressure signs, and I've attached a pic. The actual measurement was .276" center-to-center. It might be a fluke, but this is the smallest group I've ever shot at 100 yards. And just the other day, I told someone on this board that I wasn't having any luck with them.

I think I will try seating my 168 gr Ballistic Silvertips to the standard length now, too. With 45.7gr of Varget, they are hovering right around .5-.6" with the bullet seated .020" off the lands.

edit: I meant 168 gr Ballistic Silvertips, not 165.

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As a highpower shooter, I can understand finding the sweet spot. However, I think you are just about pushin the envelope on those powder charges.
I've found that in my 700, my 308 Garand and my NM grade M1a that 42.5 grain of IMR 4064 will produce some stellar accuracy, as well as the other 30cal shooters do also.
I rarely go above 44 grains of Varget either, but each gun is different.

good luck, and be careful!

chris~

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Chris in NH.

"some days, I wish my dogs could talk"

great group. my buddy shoots .308 and was not satisfied with all the old favorite's for .308. so gave him some varget which i use in my .260 target gun. he dialed in a similar group and then bought 8# of varget. i have been sold on varget since it came out. works good in all the .308 case based calibers i have used it in. i here that vit 150 is also as good as the varget in these same cases.

good shooting

arky65

I found some decently accurate (sub-MOA) loads in the range of what you mentioned. But with this being a hunting rifle, I wanted to be a bit closer to max performance, just in case.

I'm not trying to hot rod the 308 into an 06, but the groups just seemed to tighten up more on the high end.

I won't be loading it any hotter, because like you said, I am already "pushing the envelope." Also, I don't think the 308 case is capable of holding anymore powder without seating my bullets out further.

I'll do some more testing, and maybe it is a fluke. I would prefer to stay with the Ballistic Silvertips anyway sinceI've found them to be more consistent, usually +/- .1 grain from 168.0.

By the way, thanks for the input.
amndouglas

You are welcome sir!

as always, I was not critsizing, just lending some advice. Good luck and great shooting! Bring home a nice buck!

__________________
Chris in NH.

"some days, I wish my dogs could talk"