varget...?lot to lot variation

[lpreddick]

you see this all the time. i find it hard to believe hodgdon's "chemist" can't keep lot to lot variation at a minimum. somebody posted a mv variation of 200 fps and suspected "lot variation". i have raised the question before without any response...can this variation be due to the ether in the powder? i have not smelled such a strong ether aroma in any other powder. ether is highly flammable and explosive. when ether was used as an anesthetic in operating rooms, great care was taken to avoid static and of course flames or sparks...some problems did occur. loadings with a freshly opened canister will have ether with the powder and it has to burn, producing pressure and velocity. a canister used many times will have some or most of the ether to have evaporated producing a different pressure and velocity. allowing a new canister to "air out" for a few days until the ether smell is gone will get rid of the ether and possibly give consistent velocities. i usually buy varget in one lb canisters and mix the lots in a large bowl and gently toss the powder, leaving open for a day. return to the canisters and even then days later the ether smell is still detected but not nearly as strong. i'll usually re toss gently so as not to affect the kernal retardent coating ( saw once not to tumble loaded rounds for this reason,and others, and if i use a plastic cup to dump powder, in time there is a stain from the powder...?coating). anyway, just my observations on varget. a test would be to load 5 cases immediately, leave canister open or toss and load 5 more a few hours later and continue at daily intervals leaving the canister open. shoot consecatively and record velocity and groups...anybody?

 

[shooter63]

ive never been one to mix but but have done the very same thing for several yrs with just varget with nothing but positive results thanks for posting this shooter63

 

[K22]

Been using Varget for many years in my 223'3 and 308. I've heard and read about these compliants regarding lot to lot variation but have not experienced it. I also buy my powder in 1 lb cansisters, usually 3 or 4 at a time if I can get the same lot number. When I do switch to a new lot number I shoot a 3 shot confirmation group. Again, I have not seen any dramatic changes.

The one time I thought I was experiencing significant lot variation proved to be another problem,namely me.

I would imagine that all powders exhibit some lot to lot variation but I would think that the manufacturer has set tolerances and each lot is tested. Perhaps Varget may have a wider tolerance. It might be interesting to call them and pose this question.

 

[XTR]

I buy it in 8 lb jugs so I guess I don't notice. Another thing is that once I do my load workups I don't put it on the chrono very often.

I've become very skeptical of internet BB claims regarding MVs. Often they are based on elevation dope that probably doesn't take into effect density altitude, I've seen the DA on my range change by over 2000 feet over the course of a day, and I've dialed down an MOA or more between the morning and the afternoon matches.

 

[watercam]

Frankly when one considers how it is shipped (from Australia in bulk, in a ship, crossing an ocean, then by rail, then bottled) I am amazed it is as close as it is.

 

[Sray53TXTN]

I buy it in 8 lb jugs so I guess I don't notice. Another thing is that once I do my load workups I don't put it on the chrono very often.

I've become very skeptical of internet BB claims regarding MVs. Often they are based on elevation dope that probably doesn't take into effect density altitude, I've seen the DA on my range change by over 2000 feet over the course of a day, and I've dialed down an MOA or more between the morning and the afternoon matches.

+1
Well said!