Unexpected results with my Savage 308

[SavageShooter2k]

So I picked up a caldwell chronograph a few months ago to work on load development and DOPE for long range shooting in my two 6.5mm rifles. I have enjoyed using it and found the results to be accurate when using them in my ballistic calculator for long range engagements.

I hadnt used it on my Savage rifle because it is primarily my hunting rifle and I rarely shoot it out passed 200 yards, and I mean rarely. I decided to chronograph my pet load for this rifle and I was really surprised at how fast the load is. The rifle is a savage hog hunter that I put in a Bell&Carlson stock and added an Accurate mag kit to. The barrel is a 20" barrel. The load is 44 grains of varget with a Hornady 178 BTHP bullet. I was expecting the load to be in the 2500 fps range out of a 20" barrel but it came out with an average velocity of 2630 and the velocity round to round was very consistent.

I also use Varget in my pet load for my Straight Jacketed mosin with a 22" barrel and it gets less velocity with more powder and a lighter bullet. My load for it is 45.5 grains with a 174 SMK bullet.

I just wanted to share my results with the board. I am really pleased. I may go plug it into my calculator and see how it does at distance. Attached is a picture of the rifle in my blind this last weekend.

 

[C-grunt]

Having used a similar load with the same bullet it should go sub sonic somewhere between 1000 and 1100 yards.

 

[SavageShooter2k]

Have you used the 175 Sierra in the hornady bullets place? I'm wondering if I can get better accuracy out of an smk. That's been the case in my other rifles

 

[C-grunt]

I've used both and got similar enough results. My Remington 700 shot both to about 3/4 MOA.

 

[farmerboy78]

Love your rifle, I too have a 20" savage and I use 175gr berger vld over 44.5gr varget with great accuracy! It is a hunter for me as well but I do stretch it out... I have taken a one shot drt doe at 420 yds with it... I use the same scope as you do also... the swfa is hard to beat at the price!

 

[JDGray]

When I first started loading for my 308, I picked up a very fast pound of Varget. It had unbelievable velocities out of my 20" barrel! Fast forward a few years with a different lot of powder, my velocities dropped by 100-150fps, noticed it shooting at 600 yards, having to dial in 18moa of elevation, when it should have needed 15 or so. You might have a fast barrel, or fast powder, but always check your velocity when changing lots!!

 

[Bart B.]

Most load data has about 42 grains of Varget under bullet weights 175 to 180 grains as maximum. I think your load may be over industry specs for maximum average pressure.

A given load will easily have a 100 fps spread in muzzle velocity across several barrels of the same length; their inside diameters are not all exactly the same; especially with commercial ones. And the same load and rifle can easily have a 100 fps spread in average muzzle velocity across several people.

I've never checked muzzle velocity when changing component lots; bullet, case, primer nor powder. Never owned a chronograph.

Always used the same charge weight for all lots; just like Sierra Bullets does testing their stuff for accuracy across several lots off components.

 

[SavageShooter2k]

Love your rifle, I too have a 20" savage and I use 175gr berger vld over 44.5gr varget with great accuracy! It is a hunter for me as well but I do stretch it out... I have taken a one shot drt doe at 420 yds with it... I use the same scope as you do also... the swfa is hard to beat at the price!

Thanks for the compliment. I have had my eye on those Berger bullets for a while now but have never pulled the trigger because of the price and because my Sierra Pro Hunters have worked so well for me. The furthest kill I have had with this rifle was laser confirmed at 190 yds so I have not tested myself very far hunting wise. I really just dont have a place to hunt that is that large.

 

[SavageShooter2k]

Most load data has about 42 grains of Varget under bullet weights 175 to 180 grains as maximum. I think your load may be over industry specs for maximum average pressure.

A given load will easily have a 100 fps spread in muzzle velocity across several barrels of the same length; their inside diameters are not all exactly the same; especially with commercial ones. And the same load and rifle can easily have a 100 fps spread in average muzzle velocity across several people.

I've never checked muzzle velocity when changing component lots; bullet, case, primer nor powder. Never owned a chronograph.

Always used the same charge weight for all lots; just like Sierra Bullets does testing their stuff for accuracy across several lots off components.

My reloading manual shows 45 grains being the max for both a 175 grain and 180 grain bullet. This load is a compressed load though, which is why I decided not to push it any further. I am betting I would get a little bit better groups with a reduced load.

 

[jmr40]

According to my sources 45 gr should yield about 2690 fps from a 24" barrel. You are getting 2630 from a 20" barrel. That does not seem terribly out of line. I lose 10-15 fps for every 1 inch shorter barrel from my 308's using Varget powder. With that in mind you are on the upper end of what I'd expect, but as long as you're not showing any other pressure signs I say you're good to go.

 

[MCMXI]

The .308 Win load I worked up for my Krieger barreled Remington 700 with a 25" barrel is a 178gr A-MAX bullet, Lapua brass, CCI 200 primer and 44.2gr of Reloder 15. Muzzle velocity is 2,650 fps as confirmed by a CED M2 chronograph and hits on targets at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 800 yards. You might want to shoot over another chronograph to confirm your results or shoot at different distances to confirm the velocity.

 

[SavageShooter2k]

Thanks for the input guys. I definitely plan on chronographing it again and playing with the load a little bit. I just picked up some 175 SMKs so I plan to load them over the same charge and see how it performs.