Who to trust?

[lonewolf83]

I am new to reloading, and i was going to start with a common .308 load using varget and 175smk. i went to hodgon website and the powder range they have for varget is 42-45. then i went to the sierras and their range is 36.3-41.7. do you go with the powder company or the bullet company?

 

[atblis]

Does Sierra list data on their website?

Hodgon's data is in the range that most people use for that load.

 

[lonewolf83]

I think i got it off of 6mmbrs website

 

[rcmodel]

That right there might be your problem.

If you want Sierra data, get it out of a Sierra load manual.

But with that said, there are so many variables in load testing that no two sources are going to agree.

That is why you always start low and work up in your gun.

rc

 

[swiss7.5]

Lone, I always get 4-5 sources of data before i start working on a cartridge/load. What manuals do you have? Do they give you different numbers? I think you will find they all vary to some degree. My 2 cents is if you are NEW to reloading start LOW and work your way up.

 

[lonewolf83]

http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/f/Sierra308Win.pdf this is where i got the sierra data

 

[buck460XVR]

Lone, I always get 4-5 sources of data before i start working on a cartridge/loa

+1


Lyman list a recipe for a 175 Sierra as 40-45.2 for Varget.


Hornady has no loads listed for a 175 in .308, but does have recipes for 165-168 and 178-180 grainers. Those loads run from 32 to 44 grains of Varget.

My experience has been that the Hodgdon website data is generally a little hotter than bullet manufacturer's data.

Again, never use data from internet talk forums unless verified by other reliable reference.

 

[33rowdy]

In an addition to RC's info. I do look at the test gun or barrel and compare it to my own in making a decision.

As an example;

Hornady list a 308 M1a, 1-10 twist, 22" barrel.

Nosler list a Lilja Barrel, 24" 1-10 twist.

That works the same as Hodgon, web sights, ect.

Also the volume of the case is an issue, I myself can't tell you the difference off my head on a 308 winchester case or a Frontier/Hornady case.

The heat of the primer will also figure in the factor also.

 

[USSR]

lonewolf83,

Sierra's load data is notoriously conservative. That being said, case weight/capacity plays a big role, as has been mentioned.

Don

 

[lonewolf83]

Thanks for the input everybody, i am going to use some hornady and federal once fired brass that i have been shooting. It just seemed crazy that there could be that much of a difference between companies. so do you think it would be safe to start at 42 grains or should i drop it even lower?

 

[Steve C]

This is why loads are worked up and not just cook booked. Personally I'd go with the manufacturer of the bullet and if I didn't find what I wanted using their data, only then would I go beyond into the powder companies heavier charges. Remember that Sierra makes this bullet for match shooting where velocity is seondary to accuracy.

 

[kelbro]

You will probably find a good node around 42 so I would start lower and work up. I also found one between 44 and 45. Varget is good with that bullet, IMR4064 is even better.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I use Bullet Manufacture Reloading Manuals and have for 25 years to base my work-ups on. Thing is, most of the bullet manuals list OAL for a particular powder and bullet combination as a proven starting point, all through the spectrom of what they tested. Whether one company is more conservative than the other is beside the point. There is load data that is proven in the print. -Not that a powder manufacture didn't test, but I've never seen load data from a powder manufacture that gave nearly as much information as the bullet books do. Never anything regarding bullet seating depth, which can vastly change conditions of a given load.

When working up a load for a bullet that I don't know the manufacture of, I use multiple data sources to come up with a starting load, then look for pressure signs while also chronographing several different loads.

-Steve

 

[USSR]

lonewolf83,

With Federal and Hornady brass (especially Hornady), I would start at 43.0gr and work up. You should be able to go up to somewhere between 44.0gr and 45.0gr of Varget. If you were to use milsurp brass, then I would go with Sierra's charge weights.

Don