Compare Varget and H4895

[bsekf]

Working up loads for my 6x223, loaded up 3 different 70 gr bullets with equal load of Varget and H4895. The H4895 loads grouped 1/2 of what the Varget loads did. I realize the H4895 is a bit hotter and maybe if I increase the Varget load by a half grain I'll get the same accuracy.

My Question: Always thought Varget was the go to powder and never hear much about H4895, why is that?

Bill

 

[XTR]

You haven't been reading enough.

 

[Jeffrey Tooker]

Working up loads for my 6x223, loaded up 3 different 70 gr bullets with equal load of Varget and H4895. The H4895 loads grouped 1/2 of what the Varget loads did. I realize the H4895 is a bit hotter and maybe if I increase the Varget load by a half grain I'll get the same accuracy.

My Question: Always thought Varget was the go to powder and never hear much about H4895, why is that?

Bill

Bill:

They are two different powders, treat them as such. Equivalency comparisons in my view are ill advised. The question is which powder shoots best the the bullet you want in your rifle. H 4895 is quite popular in 6 BRA, and some 6 BR's.

Jeffrey

 

[Ned Ludd]

In my hands, H4895 has always grouped much tighter than Varget in .223 Rem loads with heavy bullets, which is something I have stated numerous times here at the forum. In the .308 Win, I will typically try both Varget and H4895 at the same time with bullets of 185 gr or less, and pick whichever powder groups best. In both calibers, H4895 loads will usually tune in about 20-25 fps faster than Varget. For me personally, Varget really starts to shine in the .308 Win with bullets in the 200+ gr weight range.

 

[MagnumManiac]

My 22-250 really likes Varget, my 222 loves H4895, so I think it boils down to case capacity. Either powder works in either case.

Cheers.

 

[Old Navy]

Working up loads for my 6x223, loaded up 3 different 70 gr bullets with equal load of Varget and H4895. The H4895 loads grouped 1/2 of what the Varget loads did. I realize the H4895 is a bit hotter and maybe if I increase the Varget load by a half grain I'll get the same accuracy.

My Question: Always thought Varget was the go to powder and never hear much about H4895, why is that?

Bill

Is that a 6mm TCU?

 

[bsekf]

Not quite a TCU, it is a 6x45AKA 6x223. Case is not as straight and shoulder not a sharp as TCU. TCU has more volume so you can run a little more powder.

All my loads were "middle of road" from manual. 26 grains with a 70&75 gr bullets.

Both Varget and H4895 filled the case, Varget is a crush. I was just surprised at the difference in group size. I don't use a crony, but the Varget was slower, it printed 3 inches lower at 200 yards.

Bill

 

[lotech]

I've tried H4895 and Varget in many loads for a variety of cartridges. Usually, when comparing the two powders, I'll see a little better accuracy with H4895, but not always. No one should take another's word as fact on an Internet forum; both powders are useful and worth trying. Quite often, depending on the load, you'll give up a little muzzle velocity with H4895 in comparison with Varget.

Based solely on my results, I've never quite understood why H4895 is often neglected and Varget is highly praised. Maybe I'm wrong on this, but it could be that many simply don't try H4895 because they used Varget upon recommendation, developed a decent load and never attempted to improve on that load's accuracy by trying another powder.

 

[1lnbrdg]

For the 6X45 for me, IMR-8208 worked a lot better than H-4895 or Varget. I couldn't get enough Varget or H-4895 in the case.

 

[STOMP442]

Varget has always been one of those powders I have just never been able to get to shoot very well. I always read and seen how well it does in lots of different calibers and I always go back and try it and without fail I go back to H4895 or IMR 4064 because it shot better. Of all of the rifles I have worked on I can only think of one that shot Varget so well, I never tried anything else and that was my buddies wife's Savage .260 Rem. I can't remember the exact charge but a 120gr Hornady Amax over Varget shot extremely well.

 

[dcali]

They’re both very versatile powders that are almost the same. If one weren’t available, I’d be perfectly content using the other (with appropriately different loads).

 

[K22]

I've used both extensively in the 223 & and 308 and to a lesser extent in the 22 250 and 243.

H4895 works so well for me in the 223 that it is now my go to powder for this caliber, both with 12" (50 & 55 bullets) and 8" (55, 60 and 65 bullets) twist rifles using bullets ranging from 50 to 65 grains.

H4895 works well for me also in the 308 with 125 and 150 grain bullets. For heavier bullets, Varget and IMR 4064 work better for me. Where H4895 really shines is in reduced loads for the 308.

In the 243, nothing quite beat IMR 4064 and Varget for me with bullet 85 grains and lighter. I've used H4895 with 70 grain Nosler BT's and it shoot very tight, under 1/2 moa. For heavier bullets IMR 4350 work best for me.

I've also used H 4895 in the 22 250 and it work well. However IMR 4064 shoots slightly tighter for me in this cartridge.

4895 is one of the most versatile powders on the market and one of my favorites. With a few exceptions, it could serve as an all purpose powder for multiple cartridges.

I actually prefer IMR 4064 over Varget.

 

[7887mm08]

For the 6X45 for me, IMR-8208 worked a lot better than H-4895 or Varget. I couldn't get enough Varget or H-4895 in the case.

2ND THAT. I USE 8208 WITH 70 GR. SIERRA BLITZKINGS in my 6x45

 

[Jeffrey Tooker]

I've used both extensively in the 223 & and 308 and to a lesser extent in the 22 250 and 243.

H4895 works so well for me in the 223 that it is now my go to powder for this caliber, both with 12" (50 & 55 bullets) and 8" (55, 60 and 65 bullets) twist rifles using bullets ranging from 50 to 65 grains.

H4895 works well for me also in the 308 with 125 and 150 grain bullets. For heavier bullets, Varget and IMR 4064 work better for me. Where H4895 really shines is in reduced loads for the 308.

In the 243, nothing quite beat IMR 4064 and Varget for me with bullet 85 grains and lighter. I've used H4895 with 70 grain Nosler BT's and it shoot very tight, under 1/2 moa. For heavier bullets IMR 4350 work best for me.

I've also used H 4895 in the 22 250 and it work well. However IMR 4064 shoots slightly tighter for me in this cartridge.

4895 is one of the most versatile powders on the market and one of my favorites. With a few exceptions, it could serve as an all purpose powder for multiple cartridges.

I actually prefer IMR 4064 over Varget.

K-22:

I have IMR 4064 and I am going to try it in 6 BRA. Most of the most popular 6 BR/6 BRA powders are in short supply now. Hopefully IMR 4064
will give good results with ~105 gr bullets.

Jeffrey

 

[bsekf]

Tried the same procedure with a 6BR....... the Varget seemed more accurate. Go figure! Every application is different.

Bill

 

[Damfino]

Working up loads for my 6x223, loaded up 3 different 70 gr bullets with equal load of Varget and H4895. The H4895 loads grouped 1/2 of what the Varget loads did. I realize the H4895 is a bit hotter and maybe if I increase the Varget load by a half grain I'll get the same accuracy.

My Question: Always thought Varget was the go to powder and never hear much about H4895, why is that?

Bill

I used H4895 for years in my M1A for service rifle matches and it did work well in terms of accuracy and functioning. Then moved to F-TR (308) and in spite of H4895 being a sentimental favorite Varget just produced better accuracy and it was much less temperature sensitive.