Reloading .303 British : Tweaking my Varget Match Load

The test was done on my basic match load:

PPU Cases neck sized

WLR Primers

VARGET (ADI AR2208) Powder 

174 Sierra MatchKing

3.07 inch OAL

Powder charges varied from 39.4 to 42.1 grains, in 0.3 grain increments. Testing was done at 600 yards off the bench.

While my long time standard match load of 40.0 grains did well, I found it was close to a scatter node of 39.7 grains (three shot group of nearly 3 MOA). 

I picked 40.6 grains from this test and shot this load at the June D-Day match. 

In looking back thru the data, I realized that 40.3 grains would have been a better choice because 40.9 grains showed a significant elevation and deflection shift (up and right). 

So, I loaded up 40 rounds of 40.3 grains and test fired this load yesterday along with the 40.6 grain load I’ve been using this year. I tested these loads at 300 and 600 yds, the two distances the CMP Vintage Sniper Matches are shot at. 

The results were quite conclusive, 40.3 grains shot better than both my 40.0 grain standard match load for the No. 4 and 40.6 grains that I had selected from the OCW test.  This was evident in both windage and elevation spreads at 300 and 600 yards. 

While the objective of the OCW test is to find the “accuracy nodes”, it’s also to find “scatter nodes” where groups tend to scatter.  You want a load that is far enough away from the scatter nodes. 

The far line of targets is at 600 yards.

Here is the 300 yard result with the 40.3 grain Varget load. One shot slipped just outside the 10 ring, the dreaded Nine Point Nine. 

Here is 600 yards. I paid no attention to the wind, and it shows, which was quite variable in strength from 2 to 3 O’Clock. But all shots within the height of the 10 ring. 

A 99 at 300 and 97 at 600 yds is a fairly respectable score for vintage sniper. But it won’t win the match when you’re up against the 1903 A1 with 8x Unertl scope.  But, this should give ‘em a run for their money.

I’m still learning how best to hold the rifle in this shooting position (prone off a sand bag rest). I’m finding a good solid grip and pull the rifle back into the shoulder with the right hand and grasp the back of the butt with the left hand from under the right shoulder (for a right handed shooter).  It’s extremely important to keep consistent head pressure on the cheek piece, else the vertical spread of the groups increase.