Pressure symptoms can be very deceptive when developing loads. The proof positive indications, blown primers, sticky extraction, only occur when you have greatly exceeded safe pressures.
So, even though I took a 168 Match bullet to 45 grains without any blown primers or sticky extraction, that does not mean I feel safe behind that load.
Based on my testing, I think a load from 43 to 44 grains is a reasonable maximum load. And since I am shooting 168’s, that ought to be within a half grain of a safe load for a 165.
Code:
Pre-64 M70
24 " Douglas Barrel 1:10 twist
168 Hornady Match 40.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 88 ° F
Ave Vel = 2459
Std Dev = 16
ES = 56
Low = 2439
High = 2495
N = 10
rounded primers ten ring accuracy MR-31 Target
168 Hornady Match 41.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2530
Std Dev = 14
ES = 39
Low = 2509
High = 2548
N = 10
rounded primers ten ring accuracy MR-31 Target
168 Hornady Match 42.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2602
Std Dev = 20
ES = 65
High = 2633
Low = 2568
N = 10
flattened primers, X ring accuracy on MR-31 Target
168 Sierra Match 43.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2660
Std Dev = 15
ES = 48
High = 2680
Low = 2632
N = 9
flattened primers, slight cupping into firing pin hole, V. Good Accuracy, easy extraction
168 Sierra Match 44.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2709
Std Dev = 14
ES = 45
High = 2735
Low = 2690
N = 10
flattened primers slight cupping into firing pin hole excellent accuracy easy extraction
168 Hornady Match 45.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.83-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2757
Std Dev = 16
ES = 55
High = 2786
Low = 2731
N = 10
flattened primers, slight cupping into firing pin hole, 8 in one hole, easy extraction, probably max load