bruce1
Member
got a good deal on some federal magnum large rifle primers today would it hurt to load behind varget in 308
magnum primer and varget ?
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No, it won't hurt, but be advised that magnum primers are considerably hotter. They're meant for touching off powder charges ~2x heavier than 308.
You will want to work up your load CAREFULLY. Start at the minimum listed and go up in 1 gr increments, watching for flattened/cratered primers or bulging on the case. STOP when the primers aren't "rounded" after firing, the firing pin indent is cratered (you can feel a "lip", or you notice bulging towards the rear of the case.)
DO NOT use your old load data as a starting point. You might end up at a max load a grain or so below where you were before. Depends on your rifle.
You will want to work up your load CAREFULLY. Start at the minimum listed and go up in 1 gr increments, watching for flattened/cratered primers or bulging on the case. STOP when the primers aren't "rounded" after firing, the firing pin indent is cratered (you can feel a "lip", or you notice bulging towards the rear of the case.)
DO NOT use your old load data as a starting point. You might end up at a max load a grain or so below where you were before. Depends on your rifle.
Grumulkin
Member
From someone who has ACTUALLY done stuff like this...
Some time ago there was an article in Handloader Magazine comparing, among other things, accuracy in a 308 Winchester loaded with Varget. The best accuracy was obtained with CCI 250 (large rifle magnum) primers.
I've used Federal 215M and/or CCI 250 primers in a variety of cartridges like the 357 Herret, 460 S&W Magnum, 30/06, 270 Winchester and I can tell you it's no problem if you're not already running at the ragged edge of dangerous pressure. That said, for optimal accuracy, you should probably adjust the powder charge and in my experience most of the time you will not improve accuracy by using magnum primers in the smaller cases.
Some time ago there was an article in Handloader Magazine comparing, among other things, accuracy in a 308 Winchester loaded with Varget. The best accuracy was obtained with CCI 250 (large rifle magnum) primers.
I've used Federal 215M and/or CCI 250 primers in a variety of cartridges like the 357 Herret, 460 S&W Magnum, 30/06, 270 Winchester and I can tell you it's no problem if you're not already running at the ragged edge of dangerous pressure. That said, for optimal accuracy, you should probably adjust the powder charge and in my experience most of the time you will not improve accuracy by using magnum primers in the smaller cases.
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