The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 24, 2014, 04:16 PM   #1
HAMMER1DOWN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 26, 2008
Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT
Posts: 418
155 grain Berger VLD Target for 308

Hey everyone. Gophers (whistle Pigs) are starting to come out and this will be the first year I will be able to really get into them again. I went to the local Big R and bought some of the 155 VLD's for my 308. But for the life of me I can't find data for them online. I know I can buy the book but I would have to order it. I want to get some loads worked up so I can get the testing done. Does anyone have the manual that can help me out with start and max loads for the following powders.

-IMR-4895
-Varget
-H380
-IMR-4350
-H4895
-X-Terminator

thanks a bunch. And any knowledge on loading the bergers will be appreciated. I have never loaded them before.

Thanks Again,
Hammer
__________________
"Worthy is Freedom to only those who are prepared to stand behind their rifles and fight for their rights"
-Robert W. Hambley....A.K.A. Myself-
HAMMER1DOWN is offline  
Old March 24, 2014, 04:55 PM   #2
Bart B.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 15, 2009
Posts: 8,927
Use the same load data as what's listed for Sierra's 155's. I've shot both bullets with the same load with excellent results. 45 to 46 grains of IMR4895 or Varget have an excellent track record but start 4 grains under just to be on the safe side. Shoot at least 10-shots per group in tests. IMR4350's way too slow; that's for 200 and 220 grain match bullets in a .308 case. No ball powder I know of has ever shot consistant great accuracy levels loaded under any bullet in a .308 Win case. Ball powders do OK for com-bat ammo but not com-petition ammo.

The Sierra's shot best gently pushed into the rifling when chambered but the Berger need about a .010" jump. Check Berger's web site for details on that.
Bart B. is offline  
Old March 24, 2014, 06:16 PM   #3
HAMMER1DOWN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 26, 2008
Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT
Posts: 418
With the short "shank" on the 155's will the neck have a proper tension or hold on the bullets if I seat them out a bit further to give them the jam or jump I need? I have a factory barreled Rem 700 SF (or VSF, but it isn't stainless). I have had great luck with the 168, 175, and 190 grain SMK's. Just figured a lighter bullet going faster would be more appropriate for the whistle pigs and rock chucks this summer.
__________________
"Worthy is Freedom to only those who are prepared to stand behind their rifles and fight for their rights"
-Robert W. Hambley....A.K.A. Myself-
HAMMER1DOWN is offline  
Old March 26, 2014, 09:08 AM   #4
Jimro
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 18, 2006
Posts: 7,097
Don't worry about neck tension, as long as the bullet is held in place during handling you are good. If you go beyon mag length for your rifle, just single load.

Jimro
__________________
Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.
Jimro is offline  
Old March 26, 2014, 10:04 AM   #5
HAMMER1DOWN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 26, 2008
Location: Close Enough to Canada to say "EH!!"... MT
Posts: 418
Thanks Jimro. I always wondered about the importance that neck tension had on bullets and if was important to have as much of the bullet as possible held in by the neck. On my 223 loads I shoot the 40 grain ballistic tips and have them seated out as far as the mag will let me. And only half of the neck is holding the bullets but they shoot like a dream.
__________________
"Worthy is Freedom to only those who are prepared to stand behind their rifles and fight for their rights"
-Robert W. Hambley....A.K.A. Myself-
HAMMER1DOWN is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:24 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.03612 seconds with 10 queries