35 Whelen what comes first

How does the Varget load compare to the listed max? The Varget's above your velocity goal now, but If you want to ease up a few tenths of a grain at a time and see if group holds and/or no pressure, I'd go for it. Accuracy + velocity's always good, but I usually don't push the limits for a few more fps.
ETA: 2850 w/a 200 gr. bullet should do a number on an elk, so there is really no need to push it, but as long as there are no pressure signs, I might be tempted.
My favorite load in .338 Win Mag for similar sized critters is 210 gr. NP @ 2970 fps. & is close to book max. Nosler's RL19 start load of 72.0 gr. is listed as most accurate, 76 gr. listed as max. @ 3020. I worked up load gradually (w/chronograph) to 75.5 gr. @ 2790 fps and it is a hammer, shoots same POI w/200 gr. Accubonds, as well. Zero target shot 1 NP, adjusted scope fired #2, shot #3 checked POI w/Accubond (Silver Tip). Que mas quieres?
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hm1996 said:
How does the Varget load compare to the listed max? The Varget's above your velocity goal now, but If you want to ease up a few tenths of a grain at a time and see if group holds and/or no pressure, I'd go for it. Accuracy + velocity's always good, but I usually don't push the limits for a few more fps.
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Depending on which reloading manual, it's still a couple gn short of max, but I really think the numbers are way conservative, based on what I'm seeing on the fired cases. There is still a little wiggle room. Wasn't really trying to get tight groups, was just seeing how fast it was going and it surprised me with how accurate they were. 7 power at 100yards, the reticle covered the bullseye. :cool:
 
MutantNinjaTJ said:
Wasn't really trying to get tight groups, was just seeing how fast it was going and it surprised me with how accurate they were. 7 power at 100yards, the reticle covered the bullseye. :cool:
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Not a thing wrong with that! If fixed power scope I like to bracket the bull w/vertical and horizontal crosshair for more precise hold when bull is hidden. I would be tempted to go shoot an elk @ this point, though.

It's great when a rifle shoots good, a blessing when it does so @ good velocity. My .338 is one of those. Shoots sub MOA w/two different bullets @ close to max. loads shown above.
 
I looked at my numbers again last night and I'm getting the 2850fps with the H4895, not Varget. I'm about 20 to 30fps slower with the varget. I looked at couple of older manuals and they call out 60gn max load, but they are compressed loads, and I'm not comfortable with compressed loads to be honest with you. I'm going to step up 1/3gn from 57.0 and see how far I can push it!
 
H4895 is one of my favorite powders in a large range of cartridges. That and H450, which is unfortunately obsolete, were all I used in my match ammo in both 30-06 & 308 Win., but both worked across a wide range of calibers from 243 WSSM to 30-06. The H450, being a ball powder flowed through the measure like water and the short grain 4895, with care, threw accurately enough for short range target work out to 300 yards in the Dillon 450 measure. I even used 4895 in the .223, but preferred H335 ball powder due to the small dia. necks.
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That was a very good day; conditions were very consistent and I had very good pit service. I was clean until that 15th shot hit the spindle which exploded and blew a 10" hole in the target. Ended up dropping 2 nines getting back on track after target repair for a 198.
ETA:
I shoot a .308 Mossberg LR MVP, 20" barrel out to 1000yds, but not as tite as that!
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A lot of difference between 600 and 1000! In fact a lot of difference between 900 and 1000!
 
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hm1996 said:
That was a very good day; conditions were very consistent and I had very good pit service. I was clean until that 15th shot hit the spindle which exploded and blew a 10" hole in the target. Ended up dropping 2 nines getting back on track after target repair for a 198.
ETA:

A lot of difference between 600 and 1000! In fact a lot of difference between 900 and 1000!
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Sure is !
 
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