I'm reading on other forums where folks prefer Varget (which I have started off reloading with) for medium weight bullets like 165-175gr, but RE 15 for smaller stuff like 110-155gr.

I just cooked up a load with 42.5gr of varget and 168smk's that was pretty accurate, I tried a variety of charges with the varget pushing 155gr Palma's today and it was pretty disappointing. I'm thinking of moving to another powder for lower weight bullets.

Can you give me a run down on the common powders and what weight ranges you like them for in .308 and possibly .223?

this is just my exp. I have found that slower powders loaded near or at full case, even compressed loads were my most accurate loads, light or heavy bullets.
Ive tried varget over and over in several guns and never found a load that was accurate.

If it will ever cool down I've got test loads made up for H4895, IMR4895, BL-C(2), and 3031 with 165 gr SGK's. I have a hard time shooting when sweat is dripping in my eyes...

Just a general thought here for you...smokeless powders need time to develop peak pressures so that they ignite and burn properly. The bullet helps confine the gases as the powder begins to burn, and that helps develop the pressure. If the bullet is too light for the powder chosen it will move too quickly in the initial stages of the shot, and it will then fail to provide the confinement needed for good, complete combustion. So, sometimes the powder that works great for a 165-grain bullet won't work right when driving a 110-grain bullet.

When I consider this concept, I think of a surfer who's trying to keep his surfboard in the right place on a breaking wave. If he outruns the wave, the ride's over. If he can't keep up with the wave it just goes right underneath him and leaves him behind. A bullet needs to present the right amount of resistance to movement in order to let your powder charge work right.

Try this site, but compare all loads to a manual.
www.handloads.com

Gravytrain,
fwiw my load is:
43.5 gr Varget
175 SMK
F210M
Black Hills previously fired brass, which is supposed to be Winchester brass
2.810" COAL
Shoulder set back 0.0015"
Primer pockets uniformed and deburred on the inside.
Ammo segregated by runout.

It runs well in four different 308's, although the velocities vary from 2630 in the AI with a loose chamber to 2700 a tight chamber and tight Krieger barrel cut by Mike Lau.

You might try seeing if you can safely go higher with your 168's and Varget, as that seems like a mild load. Most Varget loads for the 175's are in the 43 - 44 gr. range, with a few folks going on up to 45+.

I recently traded for a three year old rifle, and just grabbed this ammo to take it for a test drive. After zeroing the rifle, below is a 10 shot group at 100. (Got excited and shanked one pretty badly.) So it seems like a pretty solid and stable load that runs well regardless of the barrel. Two barrels are 24" 1:12, and the other two are 1:11, 24" and 25".

How high did you go with the Varget and 155's? I just bought some and am about to test them. If I find a good load, I'll add a note here for you.

I use the 175 SMK's for everything, practice, paper punching, a match now and then, and hunting deer and pigs. Works well for me for all purposes.

Hope that helps.

2x KC: loaded with 4895,BLC-2,3031,h380,.. just about all the middle burning powers, They all seem to shoot, but I mostly hunt deer and pigs.(large area of kill zone) That group up there looks like a prarie dog killer!!

I think you need to up the charge on the 155's if you can, I'm having good luck with them but their moving 2950 out of a 20" barrel.

That's what I was thinking too, my highest was 43.5 and that is low according to Hodgdon, but Sierra seems to differ and say it's close to max.

Just checked my last batch and their loaded at 47.1gr Hodgdon Varget, they are 2950 out of my rifle and that's almost a full grain below Noslers max listing yet several over Sierra's.

I went to the range with my batch of 20 loads ranging from 44 to 46 gr and I finally figured out that my front scope mount was loose

I wonder how long this has been going on? It's been at least 2 batches of ammo (all my 150's) that have sucked a$$ in terms of accuracy

I deserve to get then

Stuff happens. At least you know the problem now. Screw loose

I always say that the lessons I learn the hard way are the ones I remember best, and that's okay. What I REALLY hate is when I suffer the consequences of not putting into practice what I already learned the hard way once. But, like kmon says...stuff happens!

I get good results with 155 AMAX and 155 Lapua's with Varget at 45.8 gr. .22" group at 200 yards in my 1-12 remmy and 1-10 savage.

I get good results for 168 SMK with I4895 in both guns as well, with 42.8 gr. giving .32" (3 shot group).

44.8 gr H-Varget 175 gr. SMK 1:10" twist 24" barrel. Shoots great wheather it's 30 F or 100 F.

That's the main advantage of Varget over RE-15. RE-15 is temperature sensative, and will send em faster in hot weather.