Best alternative to Varget?

[GentleBen]

I have 5 lbs of Varget on my shelf, but until more Varget comes available, what is the closest, next-best thing that can be found to Varget? On hand, I have a few pounds of VV-N135 and a bit of VV-N140 and VV-N540. Are they comparable enough to Varget for most 6mmBR bullet weights?

Most of my powders are for .223 and I have a bunch of TAC, AA2230, H322 and AA2460. Are any of them good for 6mmBR use in a 1:8 twist barrel?

 

[FryeGuy]

You might check out the sierra manual, they have all the powders in burn rate listed in the front. I think that either IMR4895 or IMR4064 is right next to Varget, and i think that N135 or N140 was also very close.

In my own experience, IMR4064 is very close, usually within 50 or less fps.

 

[villarreal]

N 135, I used the same grains in my 6 BR 1 IN 14 65 V-MAX

 

[coupalr]

reloader 15 and Tac are very close to varget.

 

[1000yardstare]

I have switched away from Varget to Reloader 15. RX15 has the same burning rate as Varget, gives comparable accuracy, and in my neck of the woods is cheaper and more readily available.

 

[doubleDarms]

I've just started trying R-15, but what I've seen so far has been great !

 

[Dgd6mm]

Tac is easier to find but have never used it. RE-15 I like as well as Varget but it's also hard to get at times.

 

[MarkS]

Ben,

Try the N140 and N540. The N135 is great for 80gr and down, but is a little fast for the heavy bullets. If you are going to buy powder get RL15. Tac is in the same burn rate, but I have not used in a 6BR.

Mark Schronce

 

[tome]

powder burn rates..from the fastest, #1 )..to the slowest, #173 ).. varget is #117..#110 is h4895..#113 is reloader 12..# 114 is imr4895..# #116 is n135...# 120 is imr 4064..i've had good luck with h4895 & imr4895..n135 is closest in burn rate..never tried it.

 

[spclark]

Agreed: RE15 & N140 are pretty close to Varget for most cartridges. N540 can be a bit peaky when temps are elevated so use caution if you get into that stuff.

You can also try Norma 203B... if you find some somewhere.

 

[Linefinder]

According to QL, RL12 comes closest to matching the velocity and barrel time of Varget in the 6BR with 68 grain bullets.

Mike

 

[scout1]

Has anyone tried IMR-3031 in a 6BR with projectiles 85 grns and below ?
It looks pretty good in Q.L.

 

[12man]

Had good luck with 28.5 IMR3031 Nosler 80 gr Ballistic Tips think it was CCI450 primers Shoots Real Well, also shooting 30.8 VV135 75Vmax with CCI 450 primers inexpensive combos but shoot awesome for me.

 

[PVI]

A lot of people are moving to TAC. We've had great feedback so far.

 

[338Lapua]

H4895 is so close to varget that they are almost interchangeable and RL15 is super as well in the 308? Vihtavuori N530 is very close in the burn rate to the other 3 powders,

But are not interchangeable, and may produce different pressure and thus better or equal results in FPS and accuracy all three will work well so take your pick, but be safe work up your load dudeÉ. 338Lapua.

 

[scout1]

PVI, From your response I would guess that you might know why or be able to explain something for me. I bought a couple pounds of TAC to try. I found that the heat of explosion is much higher than any of the Hodgeden line suitable for the .308 with projectiles from the 155 - 168 grns.

I have to let the barrel cool after 5 to 7 slow fire single load rounds. The chamber and barrel get so hot I would'nt dare run 4 rounds and chamber the 5th before I was ready to pull the trigger. Barrel is clean, no copper ) no, carbon ring or fouling ) I see that plenty of people are having success with this powder, I just can't believe I'm the only one seeing these types of issues.

Thanks

 

[Dgd6mm]

By seeing the amount of views on this topic I think everyone is looking for an alternative.Was looking at Ramshot's load data and noticed that chamber pressure is quite higher then Hodgdon Powders.Considering all in all I may have to try some.

 

[Dave]

For ages I have used Varget in my 6BR out here in OZ where the powder is made, but for the last couple of years have been using Benchmark. It is a tad more expensive than Varget but runs through the measure so much better. I just dump the charge from the Harrell measure straight into the case. AND it shoots every bit as good as Varget. Currently running 29gr,50 clicks) behind 95 Berger in no-turn Lapua brass.

Dave.

 

[monkeymt]

Does anyone have a good starting load for RL-15 with 50-55gr bullets in a 22BR?
Thanks,
Mark