My 6 BRA may prefer Varget ?

[jamesdmock]

My new barrel may prefer Varget over H 4895, but it is early in the testing process. I shot my first 600 yard match last Sat. and only used 31.0 gr. of H 4895 and Bart's 105 Infinity.

A friend of mine has a 600 yard range at his farm and he told me to use it if I wished. I decided to load some Varget and test it along with a "control" load with H4895. For this test I left the Ezell tuner set at its best setting that was used in the match and did not touch it during today's test. Also, I tested with 31.5 grains of Varget only and changed the seating depth as my only variable.

The day started very hot and I fought the saber-toothed mosquitoes to shoot off of my friends metal bench. (mobile).

My first 3-shot group at 600 w/ 31.5 Varget and the bullet at jam (my jam is a "soft jam") and it measured 2.683 inches and was a 2&1 type group. #2 was the same load seated at .005 off and it was the best of the day with a triangular shaped 0.830". #3 was .010 off and measured 1.357"
#4 was .015 off and measured 2.560 (another 2&1 group). #5 was my last group with Varget and it was one that had the bullet .022" off jam and it registered a 1.456. In summary, the Varget loads had three of the 5, 3-shot groups under 1.5 inches when shot off of a unfamiliar bench with no wind flags.

The last group of the day was one with 31.1 gr. of H4895 and the Bart's bullet at .022 off of jam. It was another 2 & 1 group that grouped 2.288 inches.

The results today are not definitive and the 2 & 1 groups could have been caused by bad "table" manners on my part.....and the .830 group could have been luck. However, I saw enough today to give the Varget powder another day of testing. Good shooting....James

 

[Alex Wheeler]

James, I think you are using Federal primers? In my experience varget works well with federal primers, H4895 and RL15 prefer cci primers. I dont know if you have tried different primers with H4895, but it may be worth trying. I have seen where they can have a pretty large effect sometimes. I like rl15 best, but it a pain to stay on top of. The last year I competed with a dasher I shot a different powder charge every match, loading at the range. I cant shoot pre-loaded 15 in Montana. It was 90 a week ago, got 4" of snow Saturday.

 

[jamesdmock]

James, I think you are using Federal primers? In my experience varget works well with federal primers, H4895 and RL15 prefer cci primers. I dont know if you have tried different primers with H4895, but it may be worth trying. I have seen where they can have a pretty large effect sometimes. I like rl15 best, but it a pain to stay on top of. The last year I competed with a dasher I shot a different powder charge every match, loading at the range. I cant shoot pre-loaded 15 in Montana. It was 90 a week ago, got 4" of snow Saturday.

Thanks Alex. Yes, I have only used Fed. primers in my BRA with both H4895 and Varget. Also, I have used light neck tension with both powders. I may next try to increase neck tension from ~.001 to maybe .003. The BRA is a work in progress for me, but I can see its potential. James

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Thanks Alex. Yes, I have only used Fed. primers in my BRA with both H4895 and Varget. Also, I have used light neck tension with both powders. I may next try to increase neck tension from ~.001 to maybe .003. The BRA is a work in progress for me, but I can see its potential. James

Thats the only powder (varget) out of the 3 that I find likes light neck tension as well. With 15 I ran just over .003". I know Tom and others are at in that ball park with H4895 as well. Bullet pressure ring will play a role in how much NT to use as well. I dont know how those Barts are shaped.

 

[ngb1787]

Thanks Alex. Yes, I have only used Fed. primers in my BRA with both H4895 and Varget. Also, I have used light neck tension with both powders. I may next try to increase neck tension from ~.001 to maybe .003. The BRA is a work in progress for me, but I can see its potential. James

How much varget? I am at 31.34 rl15 450's running 2975, just finished forming, seating depths next step, btw, lowest score at 1000 is a 198.

 

[JamesnTN]

James,

Mine seems to prefer Varget as well. I tried H4895 and it shot ok but just wasn’t consistent for me. Like Alex mentioned, H4895 shot best for me with the CCI 400 primers, I tried the 450’s but the 400’s were just more consistent. I have one barrel that prefers the 450’s and the other 205’s
So I’d suggest a primer test side by side to find what works best for you.

 

[jamesdmock]

How much varget? I am at 31.34 rl15 450's running 2975, just finished forming, seating depths next step, btw, lowest score at 1000 is a 198.

All of my loads today had 31.5 grs. of Varget and the H4895 load was w/ 31.1 gr. James PS- 31.0 gr. of H4895 yielded 2970 fps on my Oehler 35 @ten feet from muzzle.

 

[tclaunch]

What velocity were you at with 31.5 Varget?

 

[jamesdmock]

What velocity were you at with 31.5 Varget?

I am not sure since I didn't have my chronograph with me, but it should be close to the 2970 that I got with 31.0 gr. of H 4895. James

 

[KenOath]

What velocity were you at with 31.5 Varget?

While still fire forming and with 60rnds on Barrel I loaded 5 formed cases with 31.1gn of Varget and got an average speed of 2900fps, I'm at sea level and I'm thinking Barrel may speed up a little with some more rnds on it.

Cheers Rushty

 

[JamesnTN]

I’m at 32 grains and only getting 2940

 

[Jeff Conover]

I’m at 32 grains and only getting 2940

I have been working with 6 BRA Sam Hall reamer from PTG and using 30.8 to 31.1 grains of Varget. Velocity is 2910 in a 28 inch barrel and 2860 in a 26 inch barrel, CCI 450 primers. In competition it has done me good, better that a Dasher, I think it holds tune better from day to day. Several sub 1.3 inch groups.

Now I chamber one barrel with JGS Alex Wheel reamer and in a Krieger .236 barrel just not coming into tune. I want sub .2 inch groups at 100 yards and it is at .3 and two group. H-4895 dimpled the primers at 30.5 and low velocity. Varget is not working in this barrel and going to try RL-15 tonight for the Spickard match.

I like the 6 BRA more than the Dasher, but seams the straight 6 BR is still hard to beat this season for 600 yard BR.

Next issue is sizing dies, My own reamed, Whidden, and a Wilson cut down. I need to take the time and test the different sizing dies for accuracy. I thing there is something here.

The bottom line: Varget has been my go to powder for the 6BRA and served me well.

 

[jamesdmock]

What velocity were you at with 31.5 Varget?

Tim, I loaded three more rounds with 31.5 of Varget and the same seating depth. I shot these over my chronograph at my 100 yard range. The velocity was 2920 with a S.Dev. of 4. The 3-shot group measured 0.230. I am tempted to bump the charge up to get about 2970-2980 fps. Good shooting....James

 

[JamesnTN]

Tim, I loaded three more rounds with 31.5 of Varget and the same seating depth. I shot these over my chronograph at my 100 yard range. The velocity was 2920 with a S.Dev. of 4. The 3-shot group measured 0.230. I am tempted to bump the charge up to get about 2970-2980 fps. Good shooting....James

I'm curious as if what chronograph are you guys using and what temps and barometric pressure are you recording for your testing?

 

[jamesdmock]

I'm curious as if what chronograph are you guys using and what temps and barometric pressure are you recording for your testing?

James, I use an Oehler 35 chronograph and it has been unusally hot for this time of year with temps about 90 degrees and we are ~75 feet above sea level (if that helps?). I set my screens 10 feet from the muzzle. My rifle has a 30 inch Brux barrel (.236/.243 & 8 twist). Good shooting....James

 

[tclaunch]

James, I use an Oehler 35 chronograph and it has been unusably hot for this time of year with temps about 90 degrees and we are ~75 feet above sea level (if that helps?). I set my screens 10 feet from the muzzle. My rifle has a 30 inch Brux barrel (.236/.243 & 8 twist). Good shooting....James

Thats a great place to be speed wise, 2920.