New substitute for Varget?
- Thread starter DRNewcomb
- Start date
Like win748 is right next to varget on burn chart.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
I used IMR4166 in one of my 308's all year and in spite of every match being very different conditions (temperature & humidity) the elevation numbers were very consistent the entire time. Any powder with copper fouling reduction technology I have used is much dirtier but powders like IMR's Enduron and Alliant Reloder 16 have been worth the trouble.
BTW, I just ordered some SW Precision from Midsouth. As with Graf's on some brass I ordered recently they are quoting 14 days before it even gets packaged for shipping.
BTW, I just ordered some SW Precision from Midsouth. As with Graf's on some brass I ordered recently they are quoting 14 days before it even gets packaged for shipping.
If you compare max charges for actual cartridge / bullet model combinations in Viht's so-far rather limited data, you'll find that they run much closer to N160 than to either N150 or N550.
https://www.vihtavuori.com/powder/n555-high-energy-powder/
Where all four powders are listed in the 9 cartridges shown in the above Viht page, N555 max is invariably several grains higher than that of N150, usually just a tad below that of N160, and in a few cases actually exceeds that shown for N160.
Viht's burn rate chart shows N150/550 as equivalent to the 4350s and N160 to IMR-4831. In real life, (Viht data by cartridge; bullet makers' manuals; what people on this frorum report) this is plainly inaccurate. N150 is an excellent substitute for VarGet especially in 6BR and 308 Win; N550 is a tad slower burning; N160 is slower burning than this pair but much closer to the 4350s than the 4831s in applications, charges and behaviours. Viht didn't have a grade that really suited the 6.5 Creedmoor and similar cartridges - N555 is designed for that application. That would make it close to H4350, not VarGet. I hope to find the veracity, or otherwise, of that opinion out on Thursday, but in a long-freebore 7mm-08 F-Class rifle loaded with Sierra 160gn TMKs, not the 6.5 Creedmoor.
Returning to alternatives to H. VarGet, SW Precision is an excellent and viable alternative as several people have posted. It's not at all new. We've had it for years in Europe as Lovex SO62 and before that Americans and others also had it as the old Accurate Arms-4064 in pre Western Powder Co. days. It does just what it says on that particular version of the tin - acts as an alternative to that most useful and flexible old-timer IMR-4064. As with all Lovex / Shooters World grades, it is made by Explosia a.s. in the Czech Republic.
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
Reloader 15 and Shooters' World "Match Rifle" both work well for me in Dasher and BRA.
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
And this is why nobody else can get powder. What needs 48lbs. at one time.
I do. I shoot my powder .I buy plenty at a time and when I checked out there was powder left. I can't help it if you buy little quantities at a time or can't afford 48 pounds at a time. I could go on , but I also do not believe I have to explain myself to you or anyone else. I'll leave you with this rjtfroggy, I can shoot every day of the week if I want.
Don Dunlap
Don Dunlap
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pirate ammo
Guaranteed to take the wind out of their sails
And twice on Sunday,got to get your moneys worth on that Hazmat fee.
kindabitey
Gold $$ Contributor
N555 is supposed to be between N550 and N160. I did some testing in my 6GT with 105 Hybrids. Speed was a little lower than RL16, but very consistent. Also seemed to be
cleaner than RL16. I think it would do better with a heavier bullet, as I did a 5 shot test with 115 Dtac to check for pressure. At 1/2 grain increments, the ES for the 5 shots
was 4 fps, and all 5 were about 3/8" at 100 yds. I'll do some more testing with these in the coming weeks.
Varget is almost impossible to get, and H4350 and RL16 can be pretty sketchy on availability, as well.
Well while we’re on the subject, I see some compare Ramshot Tac to Varget. What’s your thoughts here. By the way if someone is really in need, Brownell’s has the 8 pounders of it and 1 pounders of 4166 currently.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
100% spot on Don!....
Froggy most serious shooters buy enough components to shoot a barrel out at minimum! You people that buy 1 lb at a time and procrastinate I do not feel sorry for.
Wayne
okie
Silver $$ Contributor
powder guru here!
rjtfroggy
Gold $$ Contributor
I buy my bullets 1000 at a time and when I buy powder it is 8lb. along with 2000 primers. I too could shoot every day if I choose to.
I have around 8000 loaded rounds of different calibers plus about 1000 shot gun shells ready to go, it is my bench rest stuff that is scarce and trouble some to find.
Enough to finish out the year, so hopefully thing lighten up when the elections are over so I can start on next years supply.
I have around 8000 loaded rounds of different calibers plus about 1000 shot gun shells ready to go, it is my bench rest stuff that is scarce and trouble some to find.
Enough to finish out the year, so hopefully thing lighten up when the elections are over so I can start on next years supply.
Yeah. Me too. New Mexico is California East now but here in the hinterlands there are thousands of empty acres to exercise our 2nd rights.
By the way. Still shooting one of your "pet" loads for 223 that were over at savageshooters...24 gr. IMR 4895 with 60gr Sierra....I substituted a 60gr Nosler for the Sierra.
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Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
We all know that reloading supply fluctuates on the political situation of the moment. Critical supplies such as powder and primers become scarce as politicians threaten the 2nd Amendment. Those who keep their head in the sand and can't foresee the need to stock up when supply is plentiful and prices are reasonable will sit home and wish they were at the range, when others will enjoy range time.
How much is too much you might ask? When are you guilty of hoarding? The answer is simple. there is never too much and there is no such thing as hoarding. I will purchase anything I use when I see it is available at the right price. This allows me to ignore the bad times. I doubt is I will ever need primers again in my life time. Yet if I saw what I use on a shelf or on line, I would buy more. The same goes for powder. I can't see myself ever needing to buy powder again, But just recently I made another large purchase because I could.
Criticizing those who can afford, or just want more, is needless and seems to be caused by jealousy.
How much is too much you might ask? When are you guilty of hoarding? The answer is simple. there is never too much and there is no such thing as hoarding. I will purchase anything I use when I see it is available at the right price. This allows me to ignore the bad times. I doubt is I will ever need primers again in my life time. Yet if I saw what I use on a shelf or on line, I would buy more. The same goes for powder. I can't see myself ever needing to buy powder again, But just recently I made another large purchase because I could.
Criticizing those who can afford, or just want more, is needless and seems to be caused by jealousy.
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