Another Varget thread

[762willdo]

When i buy Varget I buy as much as I can of a specific lot number, this being said I’ve always heard of lot to lot variations with Varget but never “really” experienced it, my lots have always been within 20-30 FPS when chronoed, until saturday, I opened a new lot (8pound jug) loaded some rounds and went to the range, wow, sub 1/2” gun/load went to three inches……. So I chronoed and it was way off, old load of 44.6 and 2760fps was all of a sudden 2520ish. So I’ve been working up in .2 grain increments and I’m at 45.8 and the groups are starting to tighten up i think 46 will be the load.
so my question is is this a crazy large variation or reasonable?
p.s. the jug I just opened had a price tag on it $178.00 so it’s an older lot…….

 

[6.5 forever]

I think your closing sentence defined the problem. What is the date/lot number?

 

[762willdo]

I would guess it’s 4 years old

 

[6.5 forever]

The numbers are on the container.

 

[Ned Ludd]

That's a huge Lot-to-Lot variance in terms of velocity/pressure (i.e. 240 fps difference for the same charge weight); much larger than you would normally expect to find. In fact, that difference is so large, I would be very careful to make absolutely certain I didn't make a mistake somewhere in terms of measuring charge weight, using a different brand of brass with a much larger internal volume, etc., to determine velocity with this Lot# of Varget.

Assuming you did not make any mistakes in measured charge weight, case volume etc., you potentially have a couple choices. If you can actually still get enough of the new Lot# of Varget in the case, reproducing the velocity of the previous load may get you closer to where you want to be. Because the charge weight will be substantially larger than before, be very careful and work up incrementally. The caveat to this approach is that you might have to change the charge weight so substantially that the new load doesn't behave like the old load at all.

Alternatively, you can just work up a new load from scratch, being careful to look for pressure signs, and then take whatever charge weight/average velocity you get. It may end up quite different than your previous charge weight/velocity. In other words, you'd be treating the new Lot# of Varget as though it were a powder you had never used before.

 

[Fairchaser]

Bryan Litz talks about how humidity can affect powder and speeds more than you think.

 

[762willdo]

exactly what I’m doing……

 

[762willdo]

Just got back from the range went from 45 to 46 .2 grain increments, no ejector wipe no primer flattening no sticky bolt lift, tomorrow I’m going to 47 same way, I believe this may be just a wicked slow lot of Varget.
hoping I can fit it in the case

 

[WyleWD]

Just got back from the range went from 45 to 46 .2 grain increments, no ejector wipe no primer flattening no sticky bolt lift, tomorrow I’m going to 47 same way, I believe this may be just a wicked slow lot of Varget.
hoping I can fit it in the case

I agree completely with Nedd's post #5 above. I had a lot similar to this a few years ago and I'd caution you to be really careful as outdoor temperatures begin to rise....... or at least that was my experience with it. Good luck and stay safe. WD

 

[boltfluter]

I have seen just this exact thing with a lot a friend has. His 32.5 gr load for his 6 Dasher was nuclear with the new lot. Just proves you cannot take anything for granted. Testing is the "safe approach".
Paul

 

[dfry]

I can say over the years I have seen wide swings with Varget. My current lot, which I got last year just before the crunch and it requires 7/10 more of a grain in my 308 with 155.5s for the same velocity. And 4/10th more in my BRX. I have never had a lot that was the same as a previous lot and almost always required more Varget to get the same velocity.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I don't buy Varget. I'm happy to leave it to the shooters that love it.