Varget Powder...

[Rpbump]

Try 4166 in your 6BR, it shoots very well with Lapua 77gr HPFB bullets.

Rpbump

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Every new dasher barrel I get gets tested with Varget, rl15, and H4895. One one has shown a preference for varget. Most like rl 15. I think it has a lot to do with your other loading practices like neck tension and bullet jump/jam.

 

[lrgoodger]

I agree in general with this post. There are enough variables in a load (powder weight, seating depth, primer heat, neck tension, case volume, etc.) that it is all but impossible to test them all to find the absolute best accuracy node with any powder. Holding all variables constant and merely changing powder charge zeroes you in on the node fairly well, but making minute adjustments in any one of the other variables can hone you in on that exact barrel frequency for best accuracy once you have the charge close. Most guys will simply stop with whatever combination gives them acceptable (to them) results. That is what I do. I can't afford to waste barrel life checking out too many possibilities. Most times I hit that combination first with Varget (maybe that's because I start with it), but when supplies of that powder have run low I have tried others and gotten a bit better accuracy node, most notably recently with a Krieger 6BR barrel and RL-15.

I agree with the above. I've had numerous powders over the years, and all of them shoot well. The difference lies in learning how to tune the rifle.

For example, 308 Win and 175 SMK:

With IMR 4064 - It requires a moderate (lower pressure) load. Less performance, but really good accuracy

With Varget, - Much warmer load (near max). Lots of velocity with really good accuracy.

Now, if I try to ease off with Varget, or push the velocity up with 4064, I get less than desirable accuracy. In my opinion, each powder has its own character that lends itself to an accuracy performance envelope. If you are in the envelope, things are great, stray out, and things get ugly.

In my Dasher, I ran into 10# of RE-15 right when I started with it. That shot extremely well, but I'm going to give Varget a go because the RE-15 really wants to run right at max or slightly beyond and brass is expensive.

I also run Varget in my F/TR 308. It just plain works.