Trouble with Varget

[JaxCatm]

Has anyone ever had trouble developing a load with Varget? I've worked just about every charge weight from top to bottom with very little in the way of positive results. Switched to reloader 15 and the loads started to level out and become consistent. I'm shooting a FN SPR A3G that will group 5 rounds into a 1/2 inch or less if I do my part with Federal GMM. Forster dies both sizing and seating. My runout is no more then .002 or the round becomes a fouler. Brass is Nosler and primers are Federal 210M. Just wondering if anyone has ever seen a rifle that does not like Varget at all? Wondering if switching to CCI BR-2 primers could help out.

 

[jonbearman]

I have had no luck with varget in my .308's or 6mm's. There are many who say it works quite well,but not so for me. I guess it depends on the barrel and bullets used.

 

[Laurie]

There must be something about FN SPR .308W barrels. I had unusually poor results too with VarGet in one a few years back. It's normally a very reliable performer in this cartridge, but not in this instance, nor Viht N140 either, another normally reliable performer with lighter bullets. IMR-4064 and 175s worked very well for me as it happened, and as usual Viht N150 performed very well with 155-175gn bullets.

 

[WyleWD]

I no longer keep it around. Many love it, but I found some serious lot to lot variation a couple times and have several reloading friends that have had similar issues with it. WD

 

[bheadboy]

i tried it in 22-250 and 260 rem, 7-08 both "supposed"to be good application, none were worth using or having.

Bob

 

[ordnancemarine]

wouldn't dream of using another powder... I have had excellent results with Varget. IMR 4895 would be my second pick.

 

[mattt]

I wish more poeple didnt like Varget then my local shops wouldnt run out when I need it! ;D

 

[MrMajestic]

Good advice above. Varget lover here! My AR prefers it with my boltgun and Mini 14 liking N140 by a slight margin however minimal load work was preformed. .30-30AI w/155's is a Varget load however 4064 in my .308's. It does get first try status with me in its application range.

 

[lpreddick]

when you open a new container of varget smell it and you may get dizzy of pass out, not really. the powerful smell is ETHER! this is the agent once used to put people to sleep in the operating room. i have suspected, but not proven, that a case loaded immedietly will behave differently since the contained ether is flammable. muzzel velocity may not vary a lot since most chrongraphs are not precise measuring instruments. the pressure curve in this case will probably be different from one fired after the varget is allowed to "air out". pressure variations affect bullet speed and barrel vibrations...old term was barrel harmonics. this affects accuracy...group size. it's common to hear that varget varies "lot to lot". i suspect we may be seeing a variation in performance due to the decreasing amount of ether as we open, use and close the varget container. has anybody noted better groups with varget as the container is used toward being empty.? most of my consistent powders don't have this ether smell. i now open and pour varget into a large bowl, toss frequjently until the smell is gone. even after severa hours if returned to it's container and later opened, i detect a hint of ether..back into the bowl, etc. i like varget for certain cartridges and wish i had the time to conduct experiments to investiigate my suspicions. target acquired...send it[/quote] if i can see you, i can touch you. BANG!

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

Varget works very well in my 1:8 6BR.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2011/07/6br-shines-at-500-yards-with-pacnor-barrel/

 

[K22]

I've used it for years in the following calibers: 223, 22-250, 243 and 308.

In my 223's (1:12 twist) I've found it shoots the most consistant with 50 and 55 grain bullets. All my bolt 223's shoot very well with it usually at or near 1/2 moa. After trying several other powders I've adopted Varget as my standard load for my 223's using 26.0 grain with a 50 grain Nosler BT, Federal 205M primers. Lot to lot variation can be minimized by purchasing in 8 lb kegs. Shot over a 1,000 groundhogs with this load and it performs magnificantly in the field.

It shot well in the 22 250 but I had a lot of case stretching. I now use IMR 4350 and obtain more consistant groups and a lot less case stretch.

Obtain erractic results in the 243; some time it shot very well, other time not so good. I use IMR 4350 now and it's performs exceptionally well with 90 grain Nosler BT and 100 grain Sierra's

It shoots about 3/4 to 1" out of my Rem 700 sporter 308 with 150 grain Sierra's. Not a tack driver but good enough for white tail. IMR 4064 shoots a little tighter but I use Varget because I had a lot of it on hand since I use it in my 223's.

 

[Shynloco]

Has anyone ever had trouble developing a load with Varget? I've worked just about every charge weight from top to bottom with very little in the way of positive results. Switched to reloader 15 and the loads started to level out and become consistent. I'm shooting a FN SPR A3G that will group 5 rounds into a 1/2 inch or less if I do my part with Federal GMM. Forster dies both sizing and seating. My runout is no more then .002 or the round becomes a fouler. Brass is Nosler and primers are Federal 210M. Just wondering if anyone has ever seen a rifle that does not like Varget at all? Wondering if switching to CCI BR-2 primers could help out.

JaxCatm,
I've found Varget creates inconsistency with ambient temperature changes. Shoots great in my .308 pushing a 168gr HPBT at 60- 75 degrees, but anything over 85 the groups open up even from the same batch of reloads. And thats using Lapua Match casings. I did like you did and tried RL15 and then moved to VVN150 & VVN160 in the warmer temps and the groups improved. I am no longer all that fond of Varget because my rifles don't respond well in warmer temps. And I do used CCI BR-2 or Fed Match, but that did seem to have any effect to improve the temp issue.