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My favourite long range load for .308 is the 185gn Berger Juggernaut with Viht N150 but with the latest price increase they are over £1 each so I'm looking for an alternative.

I've got some of these Lapuas at half that price and want to work up a load using Viht N140. Naturally I will start low but I'm seeing conflicting advice on the maximum load.

The Viht data puts it at 43.4gn for a COL of 2.795". I will be loading to a COL of 2.9" which Quickload tells me will give a chamber pressure of 48279psi, well below the SAAMI maximum of 62000.

On the ukvarminting forum I see people routinely using 46gn of N140 with this bullet and no signs of over pressure.

Can anyone tell me what the Lapua reloading manual says?

Mike

You can always contact Lapua direct and ask them.

Ladder test them starting at 43.4gr, and try them at 2.795", Scenars are (in my experience) not fussy about distance from the lands.

I use them in both .308 and 6.5C and get very consistent sub .5" groups (5 shot min).

I'd also look at using the 167's as they group just as well (for me) and are cheaper than the 155L's

Google Vhitavuori and click on Rifle Reloading Data - simples.

Gun Pimp wrote: ↑Sun Dec 08, 2024 11:46 pm Google Vhitavuori and click on Rifle Reloading Data - simples.

I already did that. Please see my original post.

Mike

phaedra1106 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:27 pm Ladder test them starting at 43.4gr, and try them at 2.795", Scenars are (in my experience) not fussy about distance from the lands.

I use them in both .308 and 6.5C and get very consistent sub .5" groups (5 shot min).

I'd also look at using the 167's as they group just as well (for me) and are cheaper than the 155L's

Thank you. What's your barrel length and twist? Mine is 26" and 1:11.

Mike

Vihtavuori's maximum load is 43.4 gns.

To try and exceed that with what other people are using in their rifles is folly, especially when the vague and meaningless "no signs of over pressure" caveat is used.

I suspect Lapua would refer you to the Vihtavuaori data, but best to ask them anyway.

dromia wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2024 9:35 am Vihtavuori's maximum load is 43.4 gns.

To try and exceed that with what other people are using in their rifles is folly, especially when the vague and meaningless "no signs of over pressure" caveat is used.

I suspect Lapua would refer you to the Vihtavuaori data, but best to ask them anyway.

Yes I understand that, I've been reloading safely for 20 years.

I will ask Lapua but I was hoping someone here would have their manual

Mike

My apologies, I'd assumed 43.4 was the Viht starting load :(