Varget question

[rfair]

I have a question for you varget people..
I have been load developing for a new 22' Bartlien in .308 and went to my tried and true 42 grn of varget behind a 175 SMK which is hodgedon's minimum charge but it seems too hot! If you go to sierra's book, they say 36.7 is a minimum charge. Now I did just open another 8 lb keg and I think it is alot hotter than the last one! because I'm getting alot better groups at 37.2 grns but I've always used 42 in my LTR with great results.
So my question is does that powder change that much? I haven't checked it with the chronograph yet but it just seems wierd!
Thanks for any reply!

Randy

 

[dreever]

Call or shoot an e-mail to Hodgdon with your old lot number and now your new lot number. Tell them what is going on. There is always a chance it got mislabled. That happened a couple of years ago when H4350 got labled Varget. That wasn't dangerous since it was a lot slower. In your case if it is the other way it could be real dangerous.
Please contact them you might just save a fellow shooter injury.
Report back here to let everyone know what they say.

PS What's the lot number?

Danny

 

[280man]

That new tight barrel might have something to do with it. Over the last 8 months I have used three different lots of Varget in my 6.5x47 and have seen little variation.

 

[rfair]

I will call them!!

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

I just opened a new 8# of varget this weekend, and only loaded 10 rounds for my new 260 because I was changing lot numbers,wanted to test to see if everyting was ok). I had 42 rounds left with the old lot, and the 10 new loads with the new lot. I shot the 42 rounds first, and then the next 10 on a seperate target. When I shot the first round of the new lot,same powder charge, same brass lot, and same bullet lot), it was WAY off... I thought... no big deal... no pressure signs... it was just me pulling a shot, or the powder just does something different... My major concern was pressure, and it appeared to be on the normal side,no clear indications or signs).

Well... the next 3 were way off in completely different directions. 1st shot was 1.2' left of original impact, and 2 was a little low, 3 and 4 were a tad right. all this with no changes made to the scope and hold on point was same for all 4 shots. My gun went from shooting 1/2 moa to 2 moa in just 4 shots.

Barrel only has 125 rounds through it.
It was cleaned every 10 rounds for the first 42 shots,with the exception of the last group was 12 shots and then the barrel was cleaned before shooting the new lot of powder). So only 4 shots went out over the clean barrel. I left the other 6 rounds in the ammo box. I just got this powder from an advertisor on this site, and they just got it in, so I know it's a new lot. Do we have a bad lot of Varget here? I have never seent his before,but I'm new to this game) so I will most certianly call Hodgdon with my lot # as the dreever suggested.

 

[dreever]

Let's all compare new lot numbers. I just got 24 pounds from Powder Valley about a month ago Lot # 10-9-09 shipped to me on 1/28/09. I have not used any of it yet.

Danny

 

[rfair]

I called Hodgedon and they want me to send them 15 rds of loaded ammo so they can test it so my results are going to be a while!
Be CAREFUL guys!!!!
But when they do get back to me I promise I will let you know whats going on!!

 

[dreever]

Randy,

What lot number is suspect?

Danny

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

Randy,

What lot number is suspect?

Danny

My lot is 10-8-09,80108094654). I called Hodgdon too,spoke to Mike), and he said 'I have no record of an issue with that lot'. Not sure if that meant they do have issue's with other lots, or what. I have never had that issue with any other set of powders... but then again, this is my first attempt at loading for a super accurate bench gun. all other loads have been with hunting type rifles, and I do not expect as much from them, and would have easily dispmissed it as me not paying attention when squeezing a 3# trigger.

 

[rfair]

The orange tag is the lot number from what they tell me and mine is 80910084649. from what I understand the 1008 numbers is when it was manufactured. 10/08! hope this helps.

 

[dreever]

Randy,

The first numbers 08 represents the weight of the container, in this case 8pound the next set of numbers is the date of mfg. ninth month the tenth day of 2008. I would think since no other problems have been reported in over a year that your new barrel is real tight. Chronograph it and if the velocity is acceptable just consider the less powder needed as an extra benefit.

Zombie,

You and I have the same lot so let me know what Hodgdon has to say. You could try loading some more again to make sure something else isn't amiss.

Danny

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

dreever,

I plan on shooting some more this weekend. since the pressure was not an issue, I will chalk that off as something weird. I'll let you know how I do after the weekend.

 

[dreever]

Wes,

I know going from one powder to another without cleaning can really effect things for up to a dozen shots till all the residue from the previous load is gone. This happens with bullets also only to a lesser extent.
If you didn't clean between powder lots this might, I say just might be the problem.

Danny

 

[SooStan]

This is my 3rd 8lb. keg of Varget. Pressures are very high with this keg with my normal 223 load. Drop it down .5 grain and still blew a few primers. Another .5 gr. drop and accuracy went away. I will start over next week at the range. My recent lot was from 2007. Friend fell on some hard times and sold me one of his unopen kegs. Maybe setting in the garage changed things.

 

[P1ZombieKiller]

Wes,

I know going from one powder to another without cleaning can really effect things for up to a dozen shots till all the residue from the previous load is gone. This happens with bullets also only to a lesser extent.
If you didn't clean between powder lots this might, I say just might be the problem.

Danny

Danny,
sorry I was not clear in my post,edited it to be more clear for the new readers of the post). I did clean between powder lots. I did not see any more pressure signs,as that was the main thing I was looking for before loading 100 rounds, and having issues).

 

[rfair]

Danny,
I figured I would screw up the date thing. My memory sucks!
I was just thinking, that if I was to be loading Hodgedon's max load of 45 grns behind the 175, it might be a problem! I guess I should have got out the chrono first before I alarmed anyone, which I will today. I have shot alot of 308 and those went to my teeth!
I asked the guy at Hodgedon about the difference in load data from Sierra to them and he said that Sierra doesn't check chamber pressure! That kind of struck me! I figured big bullet company's all did that sort of stuff to be able to put out a reloading manual that was within a safe standard.

 

[rfair]

Guys,
I have got to eat a little humble pie!!
I chronographed my loads today and they are coming out about right for velocity. I had forgot that the stock that I just put on my rifle weighs just 17 oz and that has to be the reason it felt like a belted magnum. 42 grns are pushing a 175 SMK at 2565 fps.
I feel foolish but not the first time in my life!
I'm sorry to get everyone concerned.
I will be better at doing my own tests prior to getting you guys worked up in the future!

Randy

 

[dreever]

Heck Randy we,ve all jumped the gun at one time or another!

Danny

 

[Mikem]

About Sierras load book, I think its rather conservative, I didn't know that they didn't test for pressure, I just thought they were covering there a$$ by being several grans lighter than others. If they dont test, its not because of the cost of the equipment, H-S makes and sells the equipment, and it wont break there bank. Its most likely the labor cost to do the testing, and it cheaper, easier, quicker and safer for them to just drop back two grans. And let us do there testing for them.
And Im a big Varget fan.
M.

 

[rfair]

Well you know, I have had primers loosen up, or should I say when I resized, the primers on a couple of the hotter loaded cases were not tight enough for me to keep the cases. So I'm going to download them anyway.
I probably should start another post but I have a question for you guys! Do any of you use Rem BR 308 brass? I have about 500 pcs and that stuff works well! I heard it was made for xp pistol silhouette ?