Varget inconsistency

[Obtunded]

I have been anecdotally aware that many people have been finding wildly different results from batch to batch of Varget and now so am I.

I had been enjoying 2900 fps 105 Scenars atop 30.1 gr of Varget in a 30" 1:8 Gaillard barrel. My latest batch of Varget only gets me to 2880 atop 31 grains and I need 31.2 to reach 2900. I have a similar drop with a second 6BR.

Anyone else finding these sorts of spreads?

 

[Travelor]

A while back there was a factory mix-up with 4320 being labeled and shipped as Varget.

You might run your loads through QuickLoad and see what the suing H4320 would give you. I will do it but need specifics: barrel length, cartridge, OAL, case capacity, bullet manufacturer and model.

 

[chino1969]

A while back there was a factory mix-up with 4320 being labeled and shipped as Varget.

You might run your loads through QuickLoad and see what the suing H4320 would give you. I will do it but need specifics: barrel length, cartridge, OAL, case capacity, bullet manufacturer and model.

I haven't heard about the past mix up but I have had differences in batches of Varget about five years ago when I was buying only one pound batches. It turned out that some was made in Australia and some was made in the U.S.; at least that is what the side label said. I started to buy Varget by the eight pound jug and have never had anymore problems.
Chino69

 

[Obtunded]

A while back there was a factory mix-up with 4320 being labeled and shipped as Varget.

You might run your loads through QuickLoad and see what the suing H4320 would give you. I will do it but need specifics: barrel length, cartridge, OAL, case capacity, bullet manufacturer and model.

BL: 30"
Cartridge: 6BR Norma,CCI 450)Lapua Brass
COAL: 2.360,Case 1.555)
Case Capacity: 39 gr H20
Bullet: Lapua 105 Scenar

That would be great... One would think that such a mix-up would warrant a recall, especially considering the product liability issues!

Thanks!

Ian

 

[Obtunded]

I haven't heard about the past mix up but I have had differences in batches of Varget about five years ago when I was buying only one pound batches. It turned out that some was made in Australia and some was made in the U.S.; at least that is what the side label said. I started to buy Varget by the eight pound jug and have never had anymore problems.
Chino69

This is an 8lbs jug,I never buy anything smaller) and it is Aussie made, US packaged. No lot number that I can see!

 

[PVI]

A while back there was a factory mix-up with 4320 being labeled and shipped as Varget.

Where did you receive your information?

 

[PVI]

Travelor,

I'm curious where you received your information about Varget.

I've spoken with the good folks at Hodgdon, including their marketing manager and quality control head.

Both state there has never been any IMR 4320 that was shipped as Varget.

Following is their response:

"there was a slow lot,small amount) two years ago. No danger just a little slower than our specs. Other than that it is still winning most all the matches at Camp Perry in .223 and .308 as well as other rifle competition."

 

[memilanuk]

Seeing as how Hodgdon and IMR weren't related at the time... that it was IMR 4320 would be doubtful. I was always under the impression it was H4350 that got mixed in or mislabeled, which would be plausible as it's another Hodgdon powder and I don't believe they sell another extruded powder between the two on the burn chart.

I've seen a number of very good shooters mention having to re-check loads between lots or new jugs of Varget. For the most part, it's never really affected me until recently: I'm getting awful close to running out of room using Varget behind a 155gr bullet in a short-throated .308, which was never a problem before.

 

[Cagie1]

Monte,
There has been much talk about how slow & bulky the current lots of Varget are becoming. Quite a few Palma shooters are switching over to H4895 . Funny how everyone says that the current lots of H4895 are similar to the original burn rate of Varget.
Frank

 

[memilanuk]

Yep, I've been following some of those discussions too

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

It's interesting that Varget is manufactured in Australia, IIRC by Mulwex. My container of H4895 states that it's made in Australia, and so does my container of H4350. I'm not posting this to start any rumors, but could it be possible that there's been a problem or a change at the plant in Australia?

Just a thought!

 

[chris308]

A year or two ago i recall JB1000 replied to a thread on this very sunject. He stated that some varget and h4350 got criss crossed. If I`m not mistaking it was on benchrest.com. Maybe do a search there...he even had the lot no. hope this helps...... JB if you`re out there maybe you could refresh my memory....chris

 

[aJR]

Hi All, There has been a change of ownership in recent times, but no changes at the plant in AUS.. It is acceptable across all manufactures to send lots of powders out at up to a 10% variation from batch to batch ..My understanding is that the different batchs are sometimes quite variable,as the different lots emerge they are blended to achieve a closeness to the last batchs,but this is not always easy ..In one cartridge i ran in the past it would only shoot at the high end pressure area with ADI 2209,H4350),changing batchs saw a small group of cases come out wrecked when using the same charge as before..I obtained lab tests that showed an increase in pressure of 900 psi and a decrease of 600fps in their test barrel in a 60 gn cap case ..Because i had such a great run with the previous batch i went out of my way to source the old stuff around Australia before it disapeared altogether, that lasted out another barrel .. I think what you are finding is just the way it is, nothing sinister..JR..Jeff Rogers

 

[Cochran]

Obtunded

Your results seem to be normal lot to lot variation. The abnormal lot of Varget from a couple of years ago was so slow that you couldn't get enough in a 6BR case to get up to 2900 fps.
31.0 grains would barely make 2500 fps in a 30" barrel. The lot number was 1029034133.

 

[Mark Walker in TX]

How about the current lots? Faster, slower, etc????