Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 155 Scenar and Varget

Today I went out to re-zero my 20" T3 lite .308 that I had a brake put on, as well as had CDI cut a factory laminate stock for AI mags.

Here it is:




5 shot group. That is a 45 ACP cartridge, and a 3/4" dot for comparison. Not bad (for me) and a sporter weight gun.

The cool part is next.

I took my Sako TRG-22 along to zero it with the same 155 Scenar load I use in my Tikkas, and to see if it liked it.

I figured the odds were good,given the lineage. Ends up that the TRG likes the T3 load.

Old pic of the rifle:




Today's results:




The pic is not the clearest, but the groups averaged out to .233 overall.

If only things went like that every day..

While I've never used them - I can't remember reading where anyone ever couldn't get great groups out of Scennars. Seems like Lapua is top quality top to bottom...

46.5 varget and 155 scenars shoots pretty little clusters out of mine. Load work up was easy. Start at 45.5 to 47 at mag length. Hit 46.5 and stopped.

I wish I had 1/2 the time and money back I have spent dicking around with various non magnum cartridges in the last 25 years.

95% of my shooting chores could easily be handled with a .308 ,Scenars and Varget.

I keep telling myself that I really need to trim the accumulation down to just .223, .308, and .300WM. Those 3 centerfires would cover my needs easily.

These days it seems that everyone wants a 6.5 something (like a creedmore), and think a .308 is an antique, but I find it still kills Mule Deer and Elk with ease.

Given the choice between the two I'd still go 7-08 but I wouldn't give up my 308 and would never be without a couple .30-06's

Mackay, what type of brakes are you running and how effecive are they? Can you see your hits through the scope? Just curious. I just bought my first box of scenars and hoping for good results out of a 5r milspec, I was running 175 SMK with good results.

The brake on the T3 is a Harrell's Precison, which is definitely a "best buy". Effective and inexpensive.

The brake on the TRG is a factory Sako. They are expensive, and quite frankly while it is decent, I have shot better brakes, like the APA Fat Bastard.

As far as seeing hits, on the sporter weight gun, I have a harder time. On the TRG, it is pretty easy. From the prone though, it should not be an issue, but a lot depends on how you drive the gun.

How far off the lands are you all seating those Scenars?

Thanks Mackay!

Good report. I've only recently tried the 155 Scenar in a 700 5R and found it to be quite easy to get to shoot. I'd have gone with Varget but am running low. RL15 looks to work well as an alternate. I'm getting 2,860 fps from a 22" barrel.

The Vargay and Scenar combo is tough to beat.

And I love that Lapua sells them in bulk. They don't cost any more than any other bullet.




Travis

Great post. I like the combo in everything but have one rifle (Rem LTR) that has not warmed up to it. I'll keep playing with things until I get it figured out but it's just wrong when a rifle won't shoot the bullets you want it to...

45.5 of Varget, 155 Scenar, Lapua brass and CCI BR primers, seating at mag length works in most everything else for me.

Very nice rifle

Just curious on the scenars are they a long range bullet only what about if you was hunting in woods would this be the wrong bullet choice for close deer size game? Also was the brake put on cause the weight of the gun made it jumpy when firing?

I can't address the brake question, but you can't go wrong with Scenars and Varget at virtually any range. I've used them effectively out of my 308 from 96 meters out past 600. Excellent bullets and extremely accurate.

I was just curious sometimes my shot maybe 40 yards and if I'm at a field edge it might be 300 yards

At those distances you'd be fine with a vanilla flat base Interlock.

H-4895 is not slouch either with the Skinners.....

Plus you can usually find H4895.

When Varget was unattainable there were guys on the Hide who switched to H4895 & 155's and they very pleased with velocity and long range performance. Before Varget even existed, like many guys I used H4895 for my High Power 308 match loads

Good to know. Just bought an 8lb jug of H4895. May have to try that combo too. The case is pretty dang full on RL15 to make speed.

Before Varget existed the H4895 you were shooting was likely of Scottish manufacture, different from the Australian H4895 that has been out a while.

PSE,

I will break down the evolution.

I had envisioned what my "ideal" all around/general purpose/practical rifle was. What I came up with was:

.308
20" barrel
2.5-10x24 Nightforce
Talley lightweights
2 point VTAC sling.

So I took a standard T3 lite stainless, and had it trimmed back to 20"s, and kept it in the original composite stock. It was/is an exceptional shooter in the composite stock, but there were a couple of things I noticed.

While the gun was mechanically able to shoot tiny groups, the problem was that it was so light that any little error in fundamentals on my part resulted in the groups opening up.

Plus, even though it is only a .308, being as light as it is, it has a fair amount or recoil. In fact it recoiled more than my 30-06.

So I decided to put a brake on it to make it easier to shoot well. The laminate stock I robbed from my 6mm Remington T3. I sent it off to CDI for bottom metal compatible with AI mags.

The laminate stock is fairly heavy as compared to the factory composite, but it makes for an easy shooting rifle.

Eventually when funds allow, I will put a Mcmillan with Edge fill, that takes AI mags, and this stock will go on a different T3. But for now, this is the current iteration.

Getting closer to "perfection"

Good point - the H4895 jug in my safe now is Australian, but I do remember some angst during the transition period. The current Australian seems to do very well with 155s.

Mackay, if you like the rifle a bit heavier, why go with an Edge and not a gel coat Mickey?

155s kill the schit out of schit.

Tanner

Who told you that?

I figure "Goldilocks" is a Mickey with Edge fill, and a brake on a 20" barrel for this particular project.

I've seent it...grin

Might've heard about some Montana critters dying by them too.

Tanner

Couple guys here have mentioned 5R's... These were the first go for me in that rifle with 46 grains of Varget over a 155. Both are 5 shot groups under 1/2". I knew for a damn fact I pulled that 9 o'clock shot..

Good shootin', Mac.

What OAL are you loading to on the TRG? I'd really appreciate some help on how far out off the lands the TRG/Scenars like. I shot some Sierra 155 2155's that made for really tight groups but I'm not having as good results with the Scenars and I'm suspecting it is my OAL that is to blame.

2.810 COL for me.

Thank you very much. Probably saved me at least 100 more rounds.

These were not tailored for my TRG, they were loaded for my Tikkas, with the factory magazine being a limiting factor of OAL.

My Tikka load that I tried in the TRG has an OAL of 2.79. That is a fair amount of jump, and obviously the TRG does not care.

The oldest daughter used my 20" T3 .308 to pop a doe yesterday at 200 yards, using the magic combo of a 155 Scenar and Varget. Right behind the shoulder, double lung/heart shot. Results were as expected. The doe took a couple steps and tipped over dead.

Pretty close shot, at a lasered 220 yards.

Good times. She is 3 for 3 now on deer and elk.

Good job... Best wishes..

Awesome!

Congrats's to the young ladies on filling their tags....looks like dad is doing alot of packing!

So, you guys are implying the use of 155 Scenars in my 308 Win negates any need of my other chamberings? How will I sleep at night?

Sleep content that you can spend more time hunting, instead of fiddling around at the reloading bench!

Very nicely done!! Those pics are great, thanks for sharing.

Not long range, but I got a smaller 6x6 bull on opening morning here in MT. 275 yards or so across a steep cr bottom. Double lung on the first shot. He didn't show a reaction (except to turn and face me) so I shot him again low in the neck. That bullet penetrated the top front of the brisket and dumped him in off the side of the mountain. He was already dead though

Lungs were total mush and I found about 15 grains of the boat tail jacket on the off side hide from the first shot.

My first Scenar kill and I am impressed. Kimber MT 308. Nosler cases and 51.5 of MR-2000. 155 @ 2930. 46.5 of Varget shoots as well but the 2000 gets me +30-35 fps .

I picked up some MR-2000 powder, I have yet to try it. I'm thinking it would work.

Got some, too. I hear it's the same as, are very similar to CFE-223, which I also have.

It's slower than Varget, pretty close to RL-15, Big Game and IMR-4007, so it may work OK; I have all three.

DF

2000 is a St. Marks powder and has been very consistent lot to lot. I've found re-15 about equal to Varget.
2000 is also available. It's good stuff

Your daughter has a trophy smile. Congrats to her and you.

Cross posted in the elk section.

Kimber popped her second elk.

155 Scenar pushed by Varget out of her .308 Tikka of course.

Great load and a very cool picture.

: )

I just 1,000 155 Scenars from Grafs for $300. Great deal.

I fiddled around at the load bench this morning, loaded some Lapua cases with 48.5 gr Varget, topped them with 155's & posted a three shot, one hole group of .360.

And, whudda ya know?! Reckon it works.

Damn I can't believe I missed this deal!