I had a very accurate load developed with a former lot of Varget that shot in the low to mid 2's very consistently.I was running low so I got another 8 lb jug that is another lot number.My groups opened up to 700 instantly.I have not ran this batch over a chrono yet but I suspect I have a velocity change which took me out of the node. any suggestions or thoughts
Problems with new lot of Varget
- Thread starter steveyrock
- Start date
it's always something isn't it? Well I will be setting up the chronograph for the new rifle anyhow.I just hope I can get it dialed back in. Thanks Jason
This new batch of powder did produce a positive finding in that I plugged some 80 grain bergers into my favorite 95VLD load and got this 5 shot result out of an 8 twist seated into the lands.
Forum Boss
Administrator
In my 8-twist PacNor the 80 Bergers shoot high ones / low twos and are not real speed sensitive. They just drill little clusters whereas, in my gun, the 75 V-Max spread out to 1/2" or so.
well I got to the range early this am 4/1/07 with several powder charge samplings of the new jug of varget and 95 VLD bergers.I shot over a chrono and it turns out this batch is a bit faster than my old lot number.The velocity did not drop off but I am still getting poor results.Mind you, there was a slight breeze but there was long laydowns between it when the shots were fired.
I must add that I am also into another lot number of 95 bergers.The brass is new,not fireformed, but I full lenght resized them,trimmed and neckturned for a 264 neck.I then separated them by weight.My old load was 31 grains at 2900 fps,the new powder is a bit faster 2950 with 31 grains.
I must add that I am also into another lot number of 95 bergers.The brass is new,not fireformed, but I full lenght resized them,trimmed and neckturned for a 264 neck.I then separated them by weight.My old load was 31 grains at 2900 fps,the new powder is a bit faster 2950 with 31 grains.
as I am rushing to get this load back to original accuracy with the new lot of varget and Berger 95VLD I was back at the range AGAIN THIS AM 4/2/07.
This time I switched primers and left everything else the same.I was using the CCI BR-4 with the old lot of varget.Things are looking better both Federal and CCI 450's.I also decided to try some Lapua Senar 105's and found they shoot pretty good with 30.3 of varget and the BR-4 primer.The wind was still pushing around a bit.
This time I switched primers and left everything else the same.I was using the CCI BR-4 with the old lot of varget.Things are looking better both Federal and CCI 450's.I also decided to try some Lapua Senar 105's and found they shoot pretty good with 30.3 of varget and the BR-4 primer.The wind was still pushing around a bit.
Forum Boss
Administrator
Stevey,
That's my load with 105s,30.3 Varget, about .015" into lands).
With the 95s, be sure to sort by bearing surface and OAL of bullet also. And, I think you can hot up the load a bit. With the short bearing surface, I can use my load for 87 V-Maxs.
That's my load with 105s,30.3 Varget, about .015" into lands).
With the 95s, be sure to sort by bearing surface and OAL of bullet also. And, I think you can hot up the load a bit. With the short bearing surface, I can use my load for 87 V-Maxs.
Paul
Thanks for the comments,I have plenty of room to hot up these loads with this barrel.I feel any of the groups above with the bergers could have been in the .2's but my steering caused a couple of shots to jump out.I am going to bump the 95's up three tenths of a grain and try again but I think I am back in business.
Thanks for the comments,I have plenty of room to hot up these loads with this barrel.I feel any of the groups above with the bergers could have been in the .2's but my steering caused a couple of shots to jump out.I am going to bump the 95's up three tenths of a grain and try again but I think I am back in business.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Varget. I had several 1 lb jugs that shot 80G fowler's quite well as well as a couple of other bullets; Picked up an 8 lb jug,different lot number) that won't shoot worth a hoot; Picked up another 1 lb bottle,out of a case of 10); It shot OK so I went back and picked up the remaining 9 bottles. I had planned on using the 8lb jug stuff in a .223 but it is even worse in that.
I heard you Bugs,switching primers brought my accuracy back with the new lot and it may even shoot better than the old jug after I do more testing.
steveyrock said:
Yeah,
The same thing happened to me several years ago working loads up for a .22-250 A.I.. I had a one pound container of Varget that was giving me great velocity and accuracy. I bought another one pound container and the results were markedly different. After digging a little, I found the faster and more accurate Varget was manufactured in Australia and the slower less accurate powder was manufactured in the USA. I bought an 8 lb. jug made in Australia and have been happy ever since. Incidentally, the company that makes Hodgdon powders down under is ADI,Australian Defense Industries). I have a computer program, Load From A Disk, which has ADI powders and it took me a little while to connect the dots.
Chino69
Forum Boss
Administrator
Varget = ADI 2208
I just double-checked with Hodgdon and they confirmed that ADI is the ONLY producer of Varget and all lots of Varget that have ever been for sale have been made in Australia by ADI.
That said, there can be lot to lot variations. But that's not a matter of USA vs. Australian production. All Varget powder is "Aussie born and bred".
I just double-checked with Hodgdon and they confirmed that ADI is the ONLY producer of Varget and all lots of Varget that have ever been for sale have been made in Australia by ADI.
That said, there can be lot to lot variations. But that's not a matter of USA vs. Australian production. All Varget powder is "Aussie born and bred".
Moderator said:
I don't have the one pound containers anymore but one definitely said made in the U.S. and the other said made in Australia as I examined them several times. It may be that all Varget is made down under by ADI but that is how the packages were labelled. I assumed that they were made in different countries. I still have my original notes and targets and the faster powder was approx. 200 ft/s. faster and put five Berger MEF's into a group that measured .252. When I shot the powder that said made in the U.S., the group opened up to about 1/2" and that was when I chrono'ed it and found it was slower. If all Varget has been made by ADI, then the lot to lot variation was fairly significant which can happen. If I find a powder that is really performing, I just buy an eight pound jug and it lasts awhile and I don't have to worry about lot to lot variations.
Chino69
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.