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Varget and Nosler 60 gr

I'm just starting to load my own and came home with Varget powder and 55 gr ballistic tip Noslers. I wanted to try something a little heavier so I also bought some Nosler 60 gr ballistics but I can't find any load information for that combination.

Is anyone using Varget and Nosler 60 gr ballistic tip bullets? I suppose I can them back and get Hornaday VMAX 60gr. I'm shooting Savage with a 1/9 twist. Any suggestions whould be appreciated.
 
You didn't state the specific caliber of your rifle. What I would do is use the data off the Nosler website for their 60 grain Partition bullet. Start at the low recommended charge and work up to high watching for pressure signs.
 
I was shooting them and having great results until I got a bad batch. They would not load with less than 5 thousandths of runout and are all over the paper. In the same batch I loaded 5 sierra matchkings and they were all under .002.
Back to the point, I THINK I was using 26 grains of Varget. Please check hodgdon.com before loading.
This was in a bolt gun.
 
Otter said:
You didn't state the specific caliber of your rifle. What I would do is use the data off the Nosler website for their 60 grain Partition bullet. Start at the low recommended charge and work up to high watching for pressure signs.

OOPS...it's .223

I was thinking about doing exactly what you suggested and using the Partition recommendations but hoped someone had used that combination. I have checked both the Nosler and Hogdon sites - neither lists Nosler 60gr ballistic tips with Varget so I think I'll just take them back and get the Hornaday VMAX.

Thanks to everyone for the response.
 
I wouldn't take them back myself because I've always had better luck with Nosler bullets than Hornaday. As long as you start low and work up you shouldn't have a problem. I would bet if Nosler did have data for the 60 grain ballistic tip, max load would be about 1 grain less than the 55 grain bullet.

I would also go buy the V-max bullets too.....you never know until you try them which will be more accurate. If you are after explosive bullets, I've found the V-max to be very satisfying.
 
Hi Jim,

There is a pet load that is very popular for ARs with 9 twist barrels that is the 60 gr. V-max and 25.5 gr. of Varget.

I have been shooting it for years, and its popularity has spread to other guys I shoot with. I have used it in bolt guns also, and it seems to be just an all around accurate combination.

When you shoot the Noslers up, you might want to try these.

Jim
 
Thanks everyone for your help. I'm heading to Wyoming late summer for some PD hunting. Most of my varmint hunting has been groundhog/woodchucks in Ohio. They are a lot bigger target and seldom over 250 yards in my area so PD's at 300 to 400 yds are going to be a test.

My hunting buddy who lives in Wyoming told me to bring 1000 or more rounds so I thought this would be a great time to invest in loading equipment. So here I go...the learning begins.

I have a few months to hone my loading skills and try to figure out what loads my rifles like. I have a couple .223's and I hope I can find a load they both like.

Thanks again.

Jim
 
Stick with the 55 nbt's

And maybe the 53 A-Max's

I have tried them all in my 9 twist 223, you will like the above the best!

You can play around with 40's, but there a PITA loading!
 
Try the new 53 gr V Max bullets. They are great for stretching out the distance in the 223. Try 26.0 grs Benchmark with them in your 1-9 twist. Also the 50 Gr V Max and 26.5 grs. Benchmark powder. I have found Benchmark powder to work great in my 223s, both ARs and bolt guns. It seems to not be effected by temps. very much and that's important out on the prairie dog fields. By the way...these loads are safe in my gun but you may want to work up to them in any other gun. Good luck PD shooting.
 
Another vote for the 55grn Nolser,
You'll have better velocity with the 55grn, esp in the 223 with that small case.

The only gain with the 60-65grn is a little better wind drift but it's really a small gain when compared to the loss in velocity, thus trajectory drop,,,

That Nolser BT does the job just fine on Groundhogs, Coyote and other vermin in the 5-40 pound range ;)

The V-Max and Ballistic tip in the 224 sizes is really a horse apeice, I'm a Nosler fan just because I've used'm in 3 guns and they work just fine. I've gone through several boxes with different lot#s and have found little to no difference in preformance or loading properties.

I've tried the 60grn Nolser Hollow point and wasn't impressed with the velocity even when maxed out in my gun, so back to the 55's.
 
necchi said:
Another vote for the 55grn Nolser,
You'll have better velocity with the 55grn, esp in the 223 with that small case.

The only gain with the 60-65grn is a little better wind drift but it's really a small gain when compared to the loss in velocity, thus trajectory drop,,,

That Nolser BT does the job just fine on Groundhogs, Coyote and other vermin in the 5-40 pound range ;)

The V-Max and Ballistic tip in the 224 sizes is really a horse apeice, I'm a Nosler fan just because I've used'm in 3 guns and they work just fine. I've gone through several boxes with different lot#s and have found little to no difference in preformance or loading properties.

I've tried the 60grn Nolser Hollow point and wasn't impressed with the velocity even when maxed out in my gun, so back to the 55's.

What is a horse a piece mean? You got me on that one.LOL
 
It's a local game of the Dice. Horses.
It's casual gambling, usual for the next round of drinks.
http://www.ehow.com/list_5990178_rules-dice-game-horse.html
When it's a tied score, it's "A Horse apiece"
Equal
6 of one kind and a half dozen of the other,, ;)
 
Varget may be a bit slow for the bullet weights you're describing. Benchmark, TAC, H335, 4895 may burn more efficiently in these lighter bullets. I never had much luck with accuracy using these plastic tipped bullets in any of three 1/9 Krieger barrels.
 
I just read your message and you didn't state what caliber you were shhoting and I noticed others saw that . too. I am a 22 centerfire fan from way back. I'm 65 yrs old and started reloading in high school. I have owned and reloaded for 218 Bee, 222 Rem, 223 both in AR and bolt action rifles and 22-250's.

I have used then for varmints and deer and hogs. Concentrating on the 223 and 22-250 my bullet of choice was the old Nosler 60 gr. solid base boattail which nosler doesn't make anymore and I am down to my last 3 boxes. I started using that bullet in search of a stout bullet to use on deer in my 22-250, I have used it successfully on deer here in Florida, Georgia. South Caro;ina and Pennsylvania. It worked so well I figured what the hell so I put it in my little Sako Vixen 223 and had great results. With the little Sako I was more prown to picking and choicing my shots as for as range or angle but with the 22-250 just center up and body shoot then out to 300 yrds plus.

I guess I will have to move up to Nosler Partitions now because I am running out of the 60 gr solid base bullets. Don't want to because thet are twice as expensive. I would like to get my hands on the new bullet that Winchester is using on their 22 Razorback bullet. As of yet can't fing out what it is. Any suggestions?????/
 
Another vote for 25.5 Varget , and either the 55 or 60 grain Nosler accutips . You would think that the Vmaxes would shoot tighter out to 200 being a flat base but they don't , for me at least . I watched my brothers WOA 1 in 8 Varmint 20 running that load print .6 .5 .5 .3 and .5 in a row , smoking hot barrel and all . I havent met a 1 in 9 or 1 in 8 AR that doesnt like that loading .
 
The only problem with Varget is it doesn't meter well in most powder measures.
You'll find that using a smaller grain powder is much easier to throw constant repeatable charges with. Also ball powder are hard to beat when your talking about loading up a 1000 rounds for a p- dog shoot. I've found that H335 and W748 both shoot well with 40gr to 60gr varmint bullets. Good luck on your p-dog shoot, but I'll warn you in advance it's addicting. I've found shooting prairie dogs to be as much fun as man will ever have with his clothes on!

RJ
 

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