Varget Loads For 6.5x47L

[ThunderDownUnder]

Berger Bullets prices in Australia are extreme,$A800+/1000 for 130grVLDs). They are great bullets but the importers are getting greedy so I have been looking at other projectiles.

In particular the 139gr Lapua Scenars and the 140gr Hornady Amax these bullets can be had for around half the price of the Bergers. The problem is my favorite load uses H4350 which wont physically fit into the case for the velocity I want.

This weekend I worked up a load with Varget for some 139gr Scenars with 38.0gr being the hottest load I took to the range. I was really pleased with the accuracy but the velocity was only 2840fps and I'm after 2880fps with accuracy.

At 2880fps I have a bullet that rivals the ballistics of a 7mm Berger 180grVLD at 2800fps. I had zero pressure signs in my rifle,Barnard action, 30' Krieger barrel)and will test out some loads in a competition this weekend with the load upped to 38.5grs of Varget for an estimated 2880fps which is what I'm after. I was running the Berger 130grVLDs at 2940fps and the Scenars at 2880fps should be just as good.

Has any one else got a load using Varget with the 139-142gr bullets running in the 2800+fps they would like to post? I would also like to hear from those of you using Varget with the Berger 130VLDs and getting velocities in the 2900+fps.

Does anyone know if Hornady are going ahead with their 130gr Amax?

Ian

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

I upped the load of Varget from 38.0gr to 38.5gr and tried it in a competition yesterday. Still no pressure signs pushing the Lapua 139gr Scenars and the recoil seems less than the 42.0gr of H4350 with the Berger 130gr VLDs.

The accuracy was good with a number of hold off shots going exactly where I had aimed. I have to learn to read the wind better! I'm using a PTG reamer with 0.159' freebore which is spot on for the Lapua 139gr bullets.

The velocity now should be around 2880fps and the resulting drop chart almost identical to the 130gr VLDs running at 2920fps. Quickload gives me a 100% burn rate for the Varget at 38.5gr in my barrel.

Next I'll go back to a bench rest at 100 metres and try different seating depths to see what groups best. I have at the moment got the scenars touching the lands. I'll do this while running it thru the chrono and post the results when I have them.

Conclusion so far is dont be afraid to try the 139-142gr projectiles with Varget you just might get a pleasant surprise.

 

[RDavies]

Just a tip on loading H4350,AR2209). You say you are running out of room in the case. How did you fill the case with powder? I am able to get a few more grains in using my method, which is to use a longish,10' or so) drop tube with a smaller hole, and slowly tap the powder pan on the funnel as you trickle it in, taking about 15 seconds to trickle and tap it into each case. I much prefer 2209,H4350) over 2208,Varget) for higher pressure loads as it shows less velocity and pressure spikes at higher pressure loads. Let us know how it goes.

 

[LongRanger]

For my 6.5x47 1000y loads, 38.2 Varget with 139 Scenars and 142 SMK's, both .012 into lands for about 2860. 38.7 Varget with Berger 130 Vlds .012 into lands for about 3000. Accuracy thru my 30' Krieger with .200 freebore is well under 1/2 moa. Varget-Berger combo is good antidote vs 6.5 x 284 shooting SMK's. Go kill a few of them.

Varget-Berger combo hardest to tune,but worth the effort) since burn rate of Varget and bearing surface of Bergers can vary widely from lot to lot...and cause significant differences in fps.,Bearing surface of Scenars is beautiful.... vary a scant .002-.003 within lot and lot to lot. Some lots of SMK's just as good).

My suggestion: get enuf Varget and Bergers of the same lot to wear out a barrel and have the barrel chambered to just barely etch the Bergers with pressure ring of Bergers above the neck-shoulder junction.

Russian SR magnum primers....low ES.

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

The Lapua 6.5mm, 139gr Scenars loaded with 38.5gr of Varget gave a velocity of 2876fps, grouped 0.37' for a 5 shot group at 100 metres. The scenars performed best jammed 0.010' as opposed to the rounds fired with them jumped 0.010'. Conditions had a light fluctuating breeze and were pretty cool at 14C.

The 139gr scenar loads out performed my favorite H4350 load,42.0gr) with Berger 130gr VLDs. I think I have found what I was looking for in an accurate alternative to the Berger 130gr VLD bullet.

No more testing planned at the moment just some competitions using the Scenars.