How much Varget are you guys using?

I'm loading:
140 AccuBombs,
140 Berger VLD,
140 Sierra Game King

Everthing I have loaded is 40.5, 41, 41.5, and 42 grains. Need to shoot and chrono them this weekend. Is 42.0 max (like book says), or have you found it safe loading stronger than that?

With 140 AB's at 42.2 grains of Varget I got ever so slight pressure signs from the ejector in my Rem 700 on the brass (none at 42.0). I've only shot a few different groups with it. 41.0 looked very good and under 1/2" but my 41.5 and 42.0 were horizontal and I think it was me. When I have time, I'll get some more rounds through it.

Good luck!

Don't rule out RL15 I use 42.0 grs behind 140 Accubonds easily under 1/2" groups!

40.5 shoots nice groups for 2 buddies from work that i reloaded for, no complaints with 41.5grs in my nephews rifle with 139SSTs.

That's my next move when I start with with the 120's as well. Any idea of what your speed is?

2850 average!

When I used Varget I went up to 44gr with a few different 140gr bullets. Definitely max loads.

I want to try Alliant's Power Pro 2000 MR powder under 140s, very good reviews!

MtnHtr

I use 41 grains behind a 140 Ballistic Tip. Very accurate in my rifle.

I don't load for top speed (as long as it's reasonable, I'm happy, and rarely push for max). Accuracy is my primary concern, and that load is where it happened for me.

I like IMR 4350 with 140s.

About 46 grains......

2940 fps 140 NBTs with 2000-MR, 22" brl, single digit SDs, .5-.75 MOA in three different rifles. I am done with other powders.

That is achieved while staying under Hornady's book max for 139s

Well, 60 rounds down the tube today, 16 different load combinations, and it told me the same thing as the very first break-in day.

41.5 Varget, .010-.020 off the lands, is what it likes for Nosler, Sierra, and Berger. AccuBombs shot the best of all of them.

One other quick question:

The manuals list IMR 4350 as one of the reccomended powders, do any of you use H 4350? It'd be the same thing, right?

Pretty close, but not exactly. I have burned up a [bleep] of IMR4350 in my life, but never used the H4350.

It is definitely my favorite powder with 140s in the 3 7-08s I've loaded for.

R-15 and 4064 also work well, but not as well, with 140s IMO. They are better with 120s. I load R-15 for my 120gr TSX loads.


WW760 is also very good with the 140s and heavier bullets in the 7-08, but I have not loaded any of it for some time now. 414 is another good powder in the 7-08, but I've not used it in some time either.

I have some 7-08 loads that use Varget, but I've not shot them. I suspect it will be much like the R-15 loads, only a hair slower.......

I use H4350 with 140 TSX. The load is Barnes max and shoots 1.5" at 200 yards.

48.0 gr. of H4350 works great in my 7mm-08 with Sierra 140 PHs and 140 Nosler Partitions. Also works OK for Accubonds, tho no quite as good as the PH and the PT. That is pretty much max, so be careful.

You guys give me confidence to at least horse around with it. Thanks.

I'd like to see more information as to Velocity's and 140's. I once had a 7-08 that shot factory federal 140Np's to 2888fps.. Always wondered what handloaders were getting..

My basic load with my 7mm-08 is 41 gr of Varget under a 145 gr. Speer SP. Chronos at 2690 fps. I have only played around a little bit with H4350. I would think that the same Varget load under a 140 gr. bullet would give a bit more speed than the 145 gr, but not sure how much?

Try 2000 MR.

bludog--I need to know more about this 2000 MR. Who makes it? Any info, or a link to the product would be appreciated.

Alliant. Power Pro 2000 MR (for Medium Rifle).

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/power_pro_2000.aspx

43 grains of Varget under a 139 gn. Hornady SP, gets 2743 fps out of a 20" tube. If I remember correctly Hodgdon shows 43.5 as max for this loading.

Stacy, Just looked at the numbers and dose it seem like the .308win really likes this stuff?? Never loaded for a .308 but numbers seem up there..

It works very well with 162s, 41grs was the most accurate, well under 3" for 3 shots @300yds in my 700.

MY loads in the past ran 45, yes 45.0 grains of Varget and 139/140s. 2900-2960 in 2 chopped 700s, 21" bbls.

PARTIAL Sized RP brass, but WW holds about 1.5 more FYI.

If doing today, I'd start at 43 and find a load between there and 44 or so, and use Nosler brass, though WW may do about as well. 140 ABs is my choice, though a 120 Barnes would get play, as perhaps an Amax as I'd spin 9" ROT.

Speed is not my endpoint, but I had accuracy and safe loads in MY gun, but DON'T start at MY max as these were safe in MY guns, for me.

Using a Chrono, I'd look for 2800-2900 in a 21-24" bbl....assuming no pressure issues as working up the ladder.

Don't overlook IMR 4064, worked a tad better at times for accuracy than varget, same charges....same speeds.