Introduction
Reloading ammunition is a rewarding endeavor that may drastically enhance the accuracy and efficiency of your .308 Winchester rifle. For a lot of reloaders, the selection of powder is paramount, and one of the crucial fashionable and efficient choices for the .308 is Varget. This text dives deep into Varget reloading information for .308 Winchester, providing an in depth information that will help you create protected, correct, and constant ammunition.
The .308 Winchester cartridge is a flexible spherical, identified for its accuracy, long-range capabilities, and effectiveness in each looking and goal taking pictures. It is a favourite amongst hunters for its knockdown energy and wonderful ballistics, and it’s equally fashionable with goal shooters for its inherent accuracy potential. This mix of qualities has made it a staple within the taking pictures neighborhood for many years.
Relating to reloading for the .308 Winchester, selecting the best parts is important. Powders, particularly, play an important position in reaching optimum efficiency. Varget, manufactured by Hodgdon, is a ball powder that has earned a robust status within the reloading neighborhood for its distinctive accuracy and temperature stability. Varget is a good alternative for a variety of .308 bullet weights.
Understanding Varget Powder
Varget is a single-base, extruded powder, identified for its temperature stability and consistency. This implies the burn price of the powder stays comparatively fixed, even when uncovered to important temperature fluctuations. This attribute is extremely fascinating in reloading, because it contributes to extra predictable and constant ballistics, minimizing shifts in level of influence as temperatures change. Hodgdon Varget is manufactured in america and is broadly out there at most gun shops and on-line reloading retailers.
Past its temperature stability, Varget provides wonderful accuracy potential. Many reloaders have reported reaching sub-MOA teams (teams which are smaller than one inch at 100 yards) with Varget of their .308 Winchester rifles. This accuracy potential, mixed with its ease of metering in reloading gear, makes it a really user-friendly powder.
One other key function of Varget is its comparatively sluggish burn price. The burn price of a powder determines the pace at which it combusts. Varget falls into the medium burn price class, which is ideally fitted to the .308 Winchester cartridge. This burn price permits for environment friendly combustion throughout the .308’s case, leading to wonderful velocities and accuracy. Varget can also be identified to be a clean-burning powder, which helps to cut back fouling in your barrel.
Why select Varget to your .308 Winchester? Varget provides an distinctive stability of options. It’s correct, temperature-stable, comparatively simple to work with, and available. Whether or not you’re a aggressive goal shooter, a hunter, or just benefit from the precision of handloading, Varget is a wonderful alternative for reaching excellent leads to your .308 Winchester rifle.
Security First: Precautions in Reloading
Reloading ammunition, by its nature, entails doubtlessly hazardous supplies and processes. It’s completely essential to prioritize security always. At all times put on security glasses throughout each step of the reloading course of to guard your eyes from flying particles or potential primer explosions. Work in a well-ventilated space to keep away from inhaling fumes from primers and powders. By no means exceed the utmost load information laid out in your reloading handbook or the producer’s suggestions. Doing so may end up in catastrophic firearm failure and severe damage.
Correctly retailer all reloading parts, together with powder and primers. Retailer powders and primers individually, in a cool, dry place away from direct daylight and warmth. Make sure that powders and primers are saved out of attain of youngsters and pets.
Earlier than you begin, be sure you have all of the required gear, together with a reloading press, dies for .308 Winchester, a precision scale, calipers for measuring cartridge total size, a case trimmer, and a primer seating software.
Reloading Information: Load Data for .308 Winchester with Varget
Disclaimer: Reloading ammunition is inherently harmful and may solely be undertaken by people who’re completely aware of the method. This data is for informational functions solely and shouldn’t be taken as an alternative choice to consulting respected reloading manuals and following protected reloading practices. At all times begin with the minimal beneficial load and work up slowly, observing stress indicators. Stress indicators will be delicate and differ relying in your firearm and parts. At all times train warning when working close to gunpowder and primers. I’m not liable for any damages that will happen because of utilizing the knowledge supplied. Reloading is an exercise that ought to be taken significantly.
The next tables present load information for numerous bullet weights generally used within the .308 Winchester cartridge when paired with Varget powder. Bear in mind to seek the advice of a minimum of one respected reloading handbook, ideally extra, earlier than beginning any reloading venture. At all times cross-reference information. The values are a place to begin and are NOT absolute. It’s essential to scale back masses in accordance with your personal particular person firearms.
Essential Notes:
- At all times begin with the minimal powder cost indicated and steadily improve the cost in small increments (0.5 grain or much less), whereas rigorously observing for stress indicators. By no means exceed the utmost beneficial load.
- Stress indicators can differ however can embrace flattened primers, cratered primers, ejector marks on the case head, tough bolt carry, or extreme case growth. If any of those indicators are current, cease instantly and scale back your powder cost. Should you should not have expertise studying these indicators it’s a good suggestion to have somebody with reloading expertise help you.
- The listed General Size (OAL) or Cartridge General Size (COL) is supplied, nevertheless it’s important to substantiate that the ammunition correctly chambers in your rifle. Every firearm has distinctive dimensions.
150-grain Bullets
| Bullet Sort | Powder Cost (Grains) (Begin – Max) | Primer | Case | OAL (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMJ | 42.0 – 45.0 | CCI BR2 | Winchester | 2.800 |
| Hornady SST | 41.5 – 44.5 | Federal 210 | Winchester | 2.800 |
168-grain Bullets
| Bullet Sort | Powder Cost (Grains) (Begin – Max) | Primer | Case | OAL (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPBT | 40.0 – 43.0 | CCI BR2 | Lapua | 2.820 |
| Sierra MatchKing | 40.0 – 43.0 | Federal 210 | Winchester | 2.820 |
175-grain Bullets
| Bullet Sort | Powder Cost (Grains) (Begin – Max) | Primer | Case | OAL (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPBT | 39.0 – 42.0 | CCI BR2 | Winchester | 2.820 |
| Sierra MatchKing | 39.0 – 42.0 | Federal 210 | Lapua | 2.820 |
178-grain Bullets
| Bullet Sort | Powder Cost (Grains) (Begin – Max) | Primer | Case | OAL (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELD-X | 39.0 – 41.5 | CCI BR2 | Winchester | 2.800 |
| ELD-Match | 39.0 – 41.5 | Federal 210 | Lapua | 2.820 |
*The information above ought to be thought-about a place to begin and it’s best to at all times scale back fees to your firearms. Seek the advice of reloading manuals from respected sources earlier than loading.*
*Bear in mind to by no means combine primer sorts or powder manufacturers. The above information displays the correct primer, powder, case, and bullet mixture. Be sure you observe these parameters precisely.*
*Velocity and different variables will differ between the totally different rifles. Hold your firearm in protected working situation and don’t shoot or deal with your firearm if there are any security issues.*
Step-by-Step Reloading and Useful Insights
To attain the most effective outcomes, observe a scientific strategy to reloading. Start by rigorously inspecting your brass circumstances. Search for any injury, dents, or cracks. Discard any circumstances that present indicators of wear and tear or injury.
Subsequent, clear the circumstances. This may be accomplished utilizing a glass with media or an ultrasonic cleaner. Clear circumstances are simpler to resize and make sure the constant efficiency of your ammunition.
When circumstances are clear, you will want to resize them utilizing a full-length sizing die or a neck-sizing die, relying in your particular wants and the kind of rifle. Full-length sizing is mostly beneficial for autoloaders or when utilizing brass from a number of sources, whereas neck-sizing is usually appropriate for bolt-action rifles the place the circumstances are fired from the identical chamber.
As soon as the circumstances have been resized, trim them to the required size in accordance with your reloading handbook. This ensures constant chambering and correct bullet seating. Deburr and chamfer the case mouths to take away any sharp edges which may injury the bullet or have an effect on bullet seating.
Clear the primer pockets to make sure they’re freed from any residue. A constant primer pocket will present constant primer seating depth, which is important for correct and dependable ignition.
Prime the circumstances. Choose the suitable primer to your load and rifle. Seat the primer to the correct depth utilizing a priming software or press. An excellent primer seating depth will be between .003” and .005” beneath the case head.
Rigorously measure and pour the correct quantity of Varget powder into every case. The load ought to be correct throughout the vary of your reloading handbook. Double-check the powder cost with the size.
Seat the bullet to the proper Cartridge General Size (COL) or General Size (OAL) as laid out in your reloading handbook. Ensure that your bullet is seated evenly and securely.
You probably have chosen to incorporate a crimp, apply it at this stage. A lightweight crimp is usually useful for ammunition utilized in semi-automatic rifles, serving to to make sure that the bullet stays in place underneath recoil.
Optimizing .308 Winchester Hundreds with Varget: Suggestions for Success
Reaching optimum accuracy with Varget and your .308 Winchester rifle is an iterative course of. Begin by discovering your rifle’s “candy spot.” This usually entails load growth, the place you check totally different powder fees and bullet seating depths to find out which mixture yields the most effective grouping at a given distance. Begin on the low finish of the powder cost vary, in increments of .5 grains. You should definitely doc every load.
The proper Cartridge General Size (COL) is extraordinarily essential for accuracy. Experiment with seating the bullet barely shorter or longer than the required COL, and observe the impact on group dimension.
Choosing the proper bullet can have a big influence on accuracy and efficiency. Take into account the supposed use of your ammunition. If you’re taking pictures at lengthy vary, it’s possible you’ll wish to favor bullets with excessive ballistic coefficients (BCs). If you’re looking, the bullet’s terminal efficiency will likely be extra essential.
Environmental components, corresponding to temperature and altitude, can have an effect on the ballistics of your ammunition. Varget powder is thought to be comparatively temperature-stable, however adjustments in temperature can nonetheless barely have an effect on the rate and level of influence. Altitude adjustments additionally affect ballistics.
Utilizing a chronograph to measure the rate of your masses is extremely beneficial. A chronograph means that you can confirm the consistency of your masses and assess the impact of various powder fees or parts on velocity. This software will inform you in case your load is underneath stress or over stress.
Conclusion
Reloading to your .308 Winchester rifle utilizing Varget can unlock outstanding accuracy and efficiency. By following the steering supplied on this article, and at all times prioritizing security, you possibly can efficiently reload constant, correct ammunition that meets your taking pictures wants. The method of reloading is each a science and an artwork, one which requires persistence, consideration to element, and a dedication to security.
At all times keep in mind that reloading is a lifelong studying course of. Proceed to analysis, experiment, and refine your methods to attain the absolute best outcomes. With Varget and the .308 Winchester, the chances are huge.
Sources
- Hodgdon Web site: (Official supply for Varget powder information and knowledge)
- Sierra Bullets Reloading Handbook: (Glorious supply for load information, bullet data, and reloading methods.)
- Hornady Reloading Handbook: (One other respected supply for load information and reloading data)
- Lyman Reloading Handbook: (A complete reloading handbook with a variety of load information.)
- Reloading Boards: (On-line boards the place reloaders share ideas, recommendation, and experiences) Observe: Use this with warning and confirm any information.
- Native Gun Shops (Search skilled reloading help.)
With cautious consideration to element, and the accountable use of this data and the knowledge from reloading manuals, you can find the pursuit of accuracy to be properly well worth the effort.
