Compressed Varget?

hello... I found several threads about compressed and got about 1/2 of the answers I was after, but just to clear my own mind...
I recently trimmed .308 brass to spec, and started at mid weight charge working up to max as per the Barnes manual with 168gr TTSX. The midweight charge, seated COAL as per the manual, gave indications of slight compression and all the way up to max was no doubt compressed. I didn't notice push back on the bullet when I measured CBTO, so I left it alone with the intent of seating again.
Question is, have any of you ran into this before? If so, any issues when firing?
Case trim - 2.005
Federal 210M
Varget
FL resized Barnes once fired brass (reused factory cases after once firing)

Thanks

Correction- I did notice slight pushback on the last two charges up to max load*

Are you using a drop tube?

I don't have

AZShooter said:

Are you using a drop tube?

Click to expand...

one, but after some research, see that I need to purchase.
Should I pull the bullets and start over? Or shoot them and call it lessons learned?

I use an old carbon or aluminum arrow shaft for a drop tube, works great

just shoot them , they'll be ok . the drop tube will help settle the powder in the case . I do recommend you use a drop tube funnel .

IME, compressed loads always cause a variance in CBTO measurement. That alone seems like a good reason to avoid them.
A drop tube is a good way to avoid light compression.

Havard which manual are you in? I note my number 4 indicated a max of 45.5g Varget with a COAL of 2.810 and 101%. The new manual on line says 44.5 at 2.810 without percentage. These are all in win cases.

Whose cases are you using? Barnes doesn't make cases.

My experience indicates that Lapua has less capacity than Winchester.

You did not mention rifle type either in a bolt action I would be okay working up to 45.5 maybe even 46.5 in a winchester case.

Hogdon actually states that pressure at 46g Varget in a win case was only a little over 50,000 psi. I don't think you can fit enough Varget in a .308 win case to go over max SAMMI pressure of 62KPSI. Its why its always been one of the optimal powders in 308 win generating optimal velocities at lower pressures.

As long as your not running a gas gun and deforming cases when your seating bullets you should be well under 62,000.

I would agree with jimbires shoot em up.

I have been shooting Barnes bullets in the 308 win with Varget with 210M primers for years. Never the 168 too much bullet IMO. I started with the 150 and have since switched to the 130's at short range it turns the 308 into a 270.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

scottishkat said:

Havard which manual are you in? I note my number 4 indicated a max of 45.5g Varget with a COAL of 2.810 and 101%. The new manual on line says 44.5 at 2.810 without percentage. These are all in win cases.

Whose cases are you using? Barnes doesn't make cases.

My experience indicates that Lapua has less capacity than Winchester.

You did not mention rifle type either in a bolt action I would be okay working up to 45.5 maybe even 46.5 in a winchester case.

Hogdon actually states that pressure at 46g Varget in a win case was only a little over 50,000 psi. I don't think you can fit enough Varget in a .308 win case to go over max SAMMI pressure of 62KPSI. Its why its always been one of the optimal powders in 308 win generating optimal velocities at lower pressures.

As long as your not running a gas gun and deforming cases when your seating bullets you should be well under 62,000.

I would agree with jimbires shoot em up.

I have been shooting Barnes bullets in the 308 win with Varget with 210M primers for years. Never the 168 too much bullet IMO. I started with the 150 and have since switched to the 130's at short range it turns the 308 into a 270.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! I used that load data on the website for Barnes. There is a lot of info there which is different from the previous manual and to be included in the new 2020 manual.
U like the 130's??? I'm wanting to try them actually but have only shot 150's which I love.
I bought some factory Barnes ammo. After shooting, I FLR, decapped, trimmed, and reloaded. Not sure where Barnes buys factory brass. I did it to get the brass prep experience as I am new to reloading. I have 100 new Lapua to play with as well! Thanks again for the info!

Forgot to mention; it's a bolt gun

Havard, the barnes data was reduced in the on line data powder variables I suppose. In a bolt gun of recent manufacture I wouldn't worry at all. As stated pressure with Varget is low and I have not had a problem using data with it and other bullets of the same weight class.

I would say since Barnes was purchased by Remington the brass is probably theirs if of fairly recent manufacture anyway but not sure. Safest thing to do is measure with water. Weighting cases a little less reliable. Lapua is your huckleberry IMO.

The weight of 308 win brass win, rem and hornandy is generally around 165gn per case Lapua around 172 and Federal around 175 and nickle plated is heavier yet.

Check the weights or capacity and case fill accordingly. The lighter the more depending on alloy. Capacity can vary just like weight.

Shoot straight.

The only issue with a HEAVILY compressed load is the compression pushing the bullet back out of the case.
Other than that, it poses no problems with increasing pressure, as the more compressed a load is, the slower burning the powder behaves. This has been tested several times over a pressure trace and is trackable.
I have 2 loads in a 300WM using H1000 and Retumbo that will back out a bullet over a few days, due to their superb accuracy, I seat long and seat at the range prior to a match and never had an issue.
Compressed charges are not dangerous in if themselves, but CAN cause an issue if a bullet is pushed out far enough to jam the lands when it WASN'T tested at that length.

Cheers.

scottishcat, you had me curious about the brass so I reached out to Barnes. Turns out their 308 brass is manf. by Ruag Ammotec. Had never heard of them before this, but supposedly decent brass