Slow batch of Varget?

[squirrelsnpr]

Has anyone expierenced a slow batch of Varget? I am using Varget in my 6.5x47L with great results. I was getting 3050FPS with a 123 A-Max using 38.5 grains of Varget. Same load and now I'm getting 2950ish. The chrono has kicked up a few 2900FPS readings.

The temp around here has dropped from approx. mid 90s to mid 60s. I was under the impression that Varget was very temp stable. Humidity isnt much different either. Any ideas?

I am also approximately 1 mil low at 200 yards.

 

[SpencerC]

I have had a slow batch of Varget, also Re15. Are you sure your 1 mil low at 200? That's 3.5MOA, I'm not sure but 100-150fps shouldn't drop you that much.

 

[joed49]

I've had the same problem with Varget in my .22-250. Four load manuals show 36.5 gr as max for 3700 fps, at that charge I show 3420 fps. When I got to 38.0 gr I was finally at 3700 fps.

Same thing with my .308, that one takes about 1.5 gr more then my manuals.

I've been asking others about this. Most say they aren't experiencing any problems, but a few others have admitted to low velocities also.

I have a feeling not everyone has a chrono and are just saying no problem.

 

[squirrelsnpr]

I have had a slow batch of Varget, also Re15. Are you sure your 1 mil low at 200? That's 3.5MOA, I'm not sure but 100-150fps shouldn't drop you that much.

I double checked the scope adjustment needed to re-zero at 200. 1.75 MOA at 200 yards. I must have used the .5 mil marker, not the 1 mil marker. My mistake. Thanks for the comments. I guess I'll adjust the load and buy an 8 lb jug.

 

[Mark S in NM]

I have had a slow batch of Varget, also Re15. Are you sure your 1 mil low at 200? That's 3.5MOA, I'm not sure but 100-150fps shouldn't drop you that much.

I double checked the scope adjustment needed to re-zero at 200. 1.75 MOA at 200 yards. I must have used the .5 mil marker, not the 1 mil marker. My mistake. Thanks for the comments. I guess I'll adjust the load and buy an 8 lb jug.

If you purchase an 8# and have any old left mix in with the new and develop.

 

[338Lapua]

If you purchase an 8# and have any old left mix in with the new and develop.

Not the greatest advice there, its not a good idea to mix different batches of the same power together.. You have no idea if the manufacture has slightly modified its burn rate or other characteristics for better performance and stability. An older batch maybe way different than newer batches… I personally would not risk it my eyesight on it.

 

[bozo699]

This is why a lot of us shooters buy cases of powder at a time, to have plenty of the same lot, this also goes for primers bullets and brass. I have had considerable velocity differences with just about all makes and types of powder from lot to lot. Anymore I try to keep good records and enough powder to burn the barrel out of the rifle I am loading for, any left over powder gets used for varmints, fireforming, and what not. In the past before I knew better I have mixed different lots of the same powder together with no problems, however as 338Lapua stated it is not good advice and I strongly recomend not doing so, as it could be highly dangerous!!
Wayne.

 

[mdavis78102]

See Jerry's comments for his palma load on the .308 load map.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/308win/

 

[lpreddick]

opened a new 1lb of varget and the odor was CHEMICAL and pronounced. after airing for several hours with some shaking, the odor was less pungent. i have read about airing out new powder before using and now understand . using this powder immediately will obviously entrap some of these fumes of ?ether ,? alcohol and they have to be combustable, which has to add to the propellant's pressure, which we want. after opening this container multiple times we are allowing these volatile chemicals to evaporate,possibly reducing the generated pressure and affecting velocity? as always, i have more questions than answers. i percieve a test in the making...open new 1lb, load 10 rounds immediately , leave open 12 hrs and repeat loading,repeatingevery 24 hrs until odor gone. test fire for mv and group size.???????

if i can see you, i can touch you.BANG!

 

[WyleWD]

You're experiencing the exact same reason I abandoned using Varget all together about 8 years ago. Way too much batch to batch variation and from my experience with it, it is temperature sensitive. Just my experience with it. WD

 

[boogershooter]

What did you switch to WD ?

 

[Samdweezel05]

I have found IMR 4895 to be every bit as good as varget if not better. Everything I have that shot varget now uses the 4895 and I see more consistent results.

 

[bozo699]

opened a new 1lb of varget and the odor was CHEMICAL and pronounced. after airing for several hours with some shaking, the odor was less pungent. i have read about airing out new powder before using and now understand . using this powder immediately will obviously entrap some of these fumes of ?ether ,? alcohol and they have to be combustable, which has to add to the propellant's pressure, which we want. after opening this container multiple times we are allowing these volatile chemicals to evaporate,possibly reducing the generated pressure and affecting velocity? as always, i have more questions than answers. i percieve a test in the making...open new 1lb, load 10 rounds immediately , leave open 12 hrs and repeat loading,repeatingevery 24 hrs until odor gone. test fire for mv and group size.???????

That's just way to funny right there!!
Wayne

 

[RDavies]

Yep, we got a slow (and dirty) batch here Down Under as well. I am switching to H4895 (AR2206H)in my Dasher as powder fouling got too bad with the latest slow lot.

 

[necchi]

Got a lot# you can share with us?
It might be something to look for and avoid.

 

[joed49]

Got a lot# you can share with us?
It might be something to look for and avoid.

It has been a few lot #'s that I have experienced low velocities with. I have been buying Varget in 1 lb containers as I'm just not satisfied with it to buy a larger quantity.

Don't know what I'd replace it with. Problem with living in OH is the temps are constantly changing, one of the reasons I quit H380.

 

[WindSurgeon]

I had a problem as well with Varget. Shooting 77 grain Burger with Remington primers, all the same lot, through my .223. Same scope set up, load, the only difference was a new batch of Varget. I just started shooting Varget and had good results with the first two pounds over the last couple of months. Purchased a new pound, went to a 300M match and the point of impact was now 4" low. Frustrating. Varget is the best powder for accuracy thus far in my rifle so I adjusted the scope and will keep using it. I now know that I need to buy a "lifetime" supply if I dont want to keep changing zero.
By the way, the lot on the recent batch was 1022311 4923. Is that the same as the others seeing this problem?

 

[WyleWD]

What did you switch to WD ?

My reason for even trying Varget was to reduce the number of powders that I use, so when it didn't workout so well.......I switched to R-15 in one rifle, switched to N-540 in another and returned to WW748 in another. So my quest for reducing my powder inventory went up in smoke. (No pun intended). WD

 

[joed49]

As much as Varget gives me fits being slow I still keep going back. It shoots well for me, I just have to remember that it takes about 1.5 gr more. No high pressure signs and it shoots well.

Been thinking on trying RL15 but wondering how sensitive to temps it is. Already using RL19 in the .25-06 but that one only gets shot in the summer months.

And good God, try to find RL17. I've been looking locally for a month now and it's no where to be found.

 

[jlmurphy]

The lot to lot variation of Varget is wide, but it is a temp. stable single based powder. The Reloder series are double based and have more energy and give greater velocity, but are much more sensitive to temp. swings. I buy in 8 lb jugs and once I adjust the charge I am good until I run out. I will mix different lots of the same powder to eliminate small lot differences.