We literally don't receive it under the new rules. It was in very short supply (as everywhere) from around 2012 in the UK, but as of two years ago it has no longer been imported - at all! There is still some in people's homes and occasional sales / swaps take place via UK forums, but even that is now coming to an end in practical terms. I swapped some other Hodgdon Extreme powder for the 1lb of H. VarGet that gives me my benchmark in this year's tests. When done, the remainder will be donated to a 6Dasher shooting friend who is scratching his head right now as to replacements.
Shooters World Precision Rifle -- Replacement for Varget?
- Thread starter 22DASHER
- Start date
We literally don't receive it under the new rules. It was in very short supply (as everywhere) from around 2012 in the UK, but as of two years ago it has no longer been imported - at all! There is still some in people's homes and occasional sales / swaps take place via UK forums, but even that is now coming to an end in practical terms. I swapped some other Hodgdon Extreme powder for the 1lb of H. VarGet that gives me my benchmark in this year's tests. When done, the remainder will be donated to a 6Dasher shooting friend who is scratching his head right now as to replacements.
I'll write last year's H4350/H414 alternatives results up shortly and they'll be available on:
http://www.targetshooter.co.uk
FWIW: As a result of the Varget shortage, rather it's extinction in my part of world, I tried a pound of IMR 4166 as a replacement. Having never used this powder before, I gave it a go. I was so impressed with it's performance that if it were side by side with Varget and I could only buy one I would go with the IMR 4166!
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
Very good response to our questions. Your research is impeccable and has given me some information I never knew before.
I wonder who the US importer is. The downside to knowing the value of this brand is it's scarcity just like all the others. I doubt the manufacturer is geared to increase production in order to meet the new demand.
Looking forward to your next installment.
Shooters World is the US importer of the Lovex powders. You can read about them on their website. Here is their info:
"Shooters World LLC was founded in 2012 by Karen and Ned Gerard. They, along with Ken Johnson, are international shooters and competed in the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, and US and Caribbean Championships."
"Shooters World LLC was founded in 2012 by Karen and Ned Gerard. They, along with Ken Johnson, are international shooters and competed in the Olympic Games, World Championships, Pan American Games, and US and Caribbean Championships."
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
Thanks for taking the time to respond! Interesting stuff. If you can link your articles, without a conflict of some kind, I’m sure many of us would enjoy reading that info. Thanks again.
Yes, I'll put a link up on this forum. @Forum Boss occasionally gives them a mention in the daily Bulletin.
nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
It sat untouched at the beginning of this mess. Words getting out and like most any other powder it sells out fast. If you are lucky enough to find it in stock the price is usually pretty good although I’ve seen some retailers raising that too.
D-4297
Gold $$ Contributor
@Laurie ; I was following , and reading all of your articles on Targetshooter for several years , and found them to be a wealth of information . Then ; for whatever reason , it got blocked . Even had me switch to S&B primers while they were still available here , after reading your 3 - part Primer series . I know those of us who have followed your writings , and research would look forward to more of the same , here at Accurateshooter .
D-4297
Gold $$ Contributor
If you've used H-4895 , you might also take a look at VV , N-530 . It sits on the burn chart between the IMR & H 4895 . I started to test it last year , and had to put it on the shelf , to get ready for the FCNC . I'll be getting back to it shortly , and post my findings .
Neither Norma grade is relabelled H. VarGet. (For starters, all VarGet and other Hodgdon tubular powders originate in Thales/ADI's plant in Mulwala, New South Wales, Australia whilst all Norma grades are made by Eurenco Bofors in Karlskoga, Sweden.)
N203-B is either the same thing as Alliant Reloder 15, or if not it's so close you can't find a difference. Both originate in the aforementioned Swedish location.
N204 doesn't have any alternate identities, but is slower burning than VarGet, very similar to H4350 in this respect.
Both Norma powders are double-based whilst VarGet like all Hodgdon / ADI products is single-based.
It'll be interesting to hear what you find. I'd personally be surprised if Viht N530 is a good H4895 replacement having used it in some very limited applications in the past. Note too that Vihtavuori supplied data on burn rates seems to skew many if not all to being slower burning than practical applications suggest.
To be honest, I have very little trust in burn rate charts for all sorts of reasons, but particularly plain and simple experience on how the contenders actually perform. Very broad brush categorisation: yes; direct comparisons: no.
Norma produces an alternative chart based on actual performance data in a real cartridge (308 Win) and produces a relative value table for both pressure and MV taking IMR-4350 as the base and giving it a value of 100 for both metrics.
https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en-gb/reloading-data
In this alternative way of looking at the issue, N530 is considerably faster burning than H4895. I'd also add that in my experience, it's nothing like as tolerant / flexible in loads and applications as H4895 which is an outstanding propellant in this respect.
Sadly, the above Norma chart doesn't include VarGet for some reason.
D-4297
Gold $$ Contributor
Thanks for putting that out there . Already printed it off for my "Book" . Only got to shoot one ladder , going after a velocity node , as Varget wasn't getting me there . But the N-530 did , and gave a reasonable grouping on that one test . I dove into the pool , and got a 8 lb'er , so we'll see how it works out .
jelenko
Gold $$ Contributor
I found this thread that includes comments on the kernel size and impact on metering
https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/shooters-world-powders.4000790/
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
It is an extruded powder. Metering is always difficult with that kind of powder.
I'm half way thru my second pound of Lovex-PR, and so far
there is no need for me to ever buy Varget. It's also priced
well below Varget. Temp wise seems good. I initially bought
3 lbs from Mid South. If an 8 lb jug shows up, I'll snag it.
As for metering ?? Yes it is an extruded powder but very
small, and much smaller then Reloder 16. Good compact
case fills.
there is no need for me to ever buy Varget. It's also priced
well below Varget. Temp wise seems good. I initially bought
3 lbs from Mid South. If an 8 lb jug shows up, I'll snag it.
As for metering ?? Yes it is an extruded powder but very
small, and much smaller then Reloder 16. Good compact
case fills.
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