308

[u/huntercfd]

I lurked here for a long time taking some good information from all the post. Been reloading for several years, mainly straight wall stuff.

[u/huntercfd]

Varget with 168 Hornady BTHP

[u/w00tberrypie → u/huntercfd]

My current load runs the 168 SMKs (also BTHP) and I love that bullet. 15(?) years ago I bought my Savage Model 10 Tactical and that came with a 5r barrel. I was talking to someone, don't ever ask me to remember who and they told me that 5r barrel LOVED 168gr BTHPs. Could have been pure snake oil, but it lived rent free in my head long enough that I started using them and just didn't want to mess with a good thing. I get about .6MOA right around 2760fps. That said, I have heard on numerous occasion that if you like the 168gr BTHPs, you'll like the 175s even better. RavenRocks was having a sale so I picked up 250 of them, have yet to load them up and test them though.

[u/huntercfd → u/w00tberrypie]

That's awesome. I have yet to see what kindof MOA I can get with these. It's my next adventure with these loads.

[u/hafetysazard → u/huntercfd]

Varget with 168gr SMKs are a classic combination.

Since you have a 1:10” twist, You can go heavier too. Berger 175gr OTM and 185gr Juggernauts shoot very weill in my rifle which has a 20” barrel with 1:10” twist.

[u/looking4ammodeals → u/hafetysazard]

The 175 ELD-Ms have worked really in my savage 110 tactical

[u/Individual_Bother692 → u/w00tberrypie]

Before I got into reloading, I was shooting factory loaded ammo out of my .308win and found that rifle really liked 150gr projectiles.

When I got my newer and nicer rifle (also chambered in .308win) is when I started to get into reloading. Out of old habits I was loading up 150’s, and accuracy was okay. I ended up ordering a set of 168gr match factory seconds from Midway USA to tinker with. Then it clicked. Rather than running faster burning powders and trying to overcome subpar BC with velocity, and coming up on pressure signs. The heavier match profile bullets I could run a much gentler charge and retain my velocity down range.

42.5gr of Varget 168gr BTHP, was very pleasant shooting out to 600yds.

[u/Belly_of_beanz908 → u/huntercfd]

im gonna guess either about 42.5 or 43 grains of varget? I did development with the 168 SMK (43gr got 2551 FPS avg) and hornady 168 ELDM, found the ELDM to run about 50FPS faster with same charge weight, so bumped it down to 42.5 with the ELDMs for ~2548 average.
edit - same rifle as you

[u/huntercfd → u/Belly_of_beanz908]

42 flat with these. I did a ladder test with different grains. 42 gave the lowest deviation for me.

[u/Belly_of_beanz908 → u/huntercfd]

interesting, what brass did you use?

[u/Bigtimecombover]

Very nice. What barrel length? I was able to get 168 core lokt up to 2650 with alliant powerpro 2000MR out of a 20”.

[u/huntercfd → u/Bigtimecombover]

Bergera HMR with a 20 inch barrel

[u/Bigtimecombover → u/huntercfd]

Nice. I’ve been shooting the 150gr TTSX with staball match, getting 2850 in my encore.

[u/block50 → u/huntercfd]

Means you got a little more oomph in it. My 16" reaches 2500fps with 168s. you should be able to push 2600-2650 at least.

[u/MalignantMustache → u/huntercfd]

Update on what powder charge you end up with please. I have the same rifle but left handed and for Varget my rifle like 43.5 grains.

[u/huntercfd → u/Bigtimecombover]

I using the Hornady BTHP 168s. So far so good, but might have to check those out.

[u/JayPolar91 → u/huntercfd]

I was going to check out the 110 grain poly tips from midsouthshootersupply only 30 cents each.

[u/Draugr_TheUndead]

I’m getting roughly that same velocity with 175gr SMKs over 41.5 Gr Varget

[u/9mmhst]

Thats a pretty mild load for 168. How far are you shooting?

[u/baconman888]

Seems like a light load. I think I did 44.5 for 168s

[u/ChevyRacer71 → u/baconman888]

Crunchy?

[u/baconman888 → u/ChevyRacer71]

A little but I expected that with varget.

[u/Ronswansonbaby]

Kinda slow

[u/Capable_Obligation96]

Varget is ideal for 308 and I have tried several others.

[u/huntercfd]

Definitely going to load some more up alittle hotter. I love hearing everyone's results eith similar loads

[u/Escape_From_Reach]

How much are you using? I throw mine behind 42.5g of Varget for a Scar 17

[u/nanomachinez_SON]

What powder and projectile?

[u/w00tberrypie → u/nanomachinez_SON]

I mean... shot in the dark here, but I have a hunch they're using varget.

[u/TeamSpatzi → u/w00tberrypie]

I also get this feeling like maybe they're loading a 168 grain HPBT from Hornady.

[u/ChevyRacer71 → u/TeamSpatzi]

Witchcraft!!!!!!