Max load of Varget?

CaliforniaPipelinr

CaliforniaPipelinr

New member
I did some shooting this past weekend with some loads that I worked up in my .243 using Varget behind a 75gr vmax bullet. I found two acceptable loads or my standards the first being 38.7gr varget and the best group with 39.5gr of the same. There were a couple others close but 39.5 gave me a 5 shot group of .391 with the exception of one flyer at about an inch(must have been me all the other tattered holes)! I'm excited to find such an accurate load within the first 40 hand loads but when I got home and started resizing I noticed a couple primers that were still seated fine and not flat but that had split into two different pieces. Is this normal or even acceptable? And I've searched without the manual of coarse but this is the only hornady bullet I shoot so I haven't purchased yet but could someone give me a max load with 75gr vmax and varget?


Model 700 .243
26" 1/9-1/8 twist
2.630 COL

Thanks guys trying to post pics now.
 
Wierd, hope you can post some pics.

"I noticed a couple primers that were still seated fine and not flat but that had split into two different pieces"

I am having a hard time picturing what you are describing.
 
I've never seen 'split' primers. I'd suspect bad lot of primers, a defect of some sort?

Try a different primer, work up, and see how it goes. Books are guide lines, not fact. The rifle tells you the limit.
 
I saw on hodgdons site 38.5 being max with a 75gr hp but nothing in vmax. I started low with horrible luck two weeks ago and have been watching for pressure issues and didn't see anything out if the norm until today with the separation of primer case and the igniter. I've heard as much as 41.5 with this bullet in .243 win and don't plan on that high. I can not however find max load with 75vmax.
 
Download the photobucket app. Upload the pics to photobucket. Copy and paste the
 
The right is a whole primer and the left two are separated...the LAN manual says with a Speer hp 75gr max varget is 41.0 and I know it's all different bit that's why I started at 38.0 and worked up I sort of picked a middle point and worked up in .2s
 
Lyman manuals aren't slow, IME. They dont pull too many punches. And the primer situation looks like bad primers. I'd try a different primer (lot, brad, etc) and give it a go.
 
With all of the different 75gr bullets and powder changes with varget would it be safe to say that I'm ok at 39.5? Shot really really well and that's about mid range with most some being 41-42. I can not see any other pressure signs or anything that says to stop but any of your experienced opinions would be a huge help.
 
Was the bolt sticky, heavy? We're the primers pierced, or cratered? Split necks, blown out primers?

These are signs of OVER pressure and you need to back down. But as long as you are not seeing the start of these signs, throttle on. And the pics of your primers are not anything to really worry about. I've never noticed mine do it, because the drop into the catch, then get dumped. I'm sure they do from time to time, though.
 
I use cci #200 primers they often split in two when pushed out. I would say your load is most likely safe. Your c.o.a.l. Is longer than test loads in all of my manuels. There for leaving more space in the case and hence taking a touch more powder than listed. As long as you have no pressure signs enjoy your new load. This is cold weather season [beeep] so keep a close eye on it as the temperature rises in spring and summer
 
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