Varget???? Temp Sensitivity

[6BR]

Hey guys, I am currently using Varget Powder. I have noticed that my load of 30.3grns works very well in temperatures of 40 to 60 degrees and I get excellent 5 shot groups measuring in the .0's to .1's. However, it seems like when I test the same powder charge,30.3gns)in the 70's and up, the groups open up. My rifle shot real well with 30.0grns of Varget, I am going to test this load in the hotter temps. this week to see what happens. Anyhow, would like to hear what you guys have experienced with this powder.

 

[Mikem]

You may got a little pressure increase with the ambient temperature increase, if it sets in the sun, but Varget is not vary temperature sensitive, like most other powders are. In fact its noted for not being. Even Hodgdon says that's one of its attributes. Just keep then out of the direct sun, and you should be fine.
You didn't say what weight bullet your using, so I dont know how hot your load is, but I shoot 80g Berger's with 30.5g of Varget. And with keeping them in the shade, I haven't noticed any change from 45* to 105*. But I haven't Chronyed them for this either.
Mike.

 

[6BR]

I have read the same thing about Varget too. I am thinking my load groups were opening up because of the wind. We had a pretty good 5 to 10mph wind yesterday, that could have been the problem and I was not holding for it or shooting in the same conditions. I am going to test again and see what happens, I bet it was the wind. I am using a 105grn Lapua Scenar, with 30.3grns of Varget. Here are the 5 shot groups I shot last weekend with 30.0grns and 30.3grns.

 

[pdog06]

Darn nice groups there!! How much did they open up this yesterday?

I think MikeM is spot on on this one. Leave them out of the sun and you'll be OK. Guess it could've been the wind too though.

I'm building a 6br now, and am also gonna use Varget, mainly cause I've heard of it not being temp sensitive. I travel to Wyoming every fall to shoot some prarie dogs, and I didnt want the hot sun and weather to change things. I am also trying to change my 22-250 over to it, cause right now it shoots H-380 and it is very temp sensitive.

Good luck, and nice shootin.

 

[Mikem]

Nice bug holes, I vote for the 30.0g.
M.

 

[6BR]

Thanks for the compliments guys. They did not open that much, but I am really anal when it comes to accuracy. I am going to test again soon. I am going to do further tests with the 30.0grn load. I think it was just me and the wind, I need to practice in the wind a bunch more. I need to learn to be patient and wait for the same condition during every shot. My good friend and awesome gunsmith shot some amazing groups at 550 yards using 95grn Berger VLD's. I need to test my loads at 600 yards, by the time I got ready to test at that range, all the painted plates had been shot at and marked up by other shooters. I need to do my 600 yard testing earlier. I did do a ton of shooting at 830 yards, however, my targets were rocks. I made consistent hits, on small rocks, at 830 yards. I also killed a couple of squirrels at 500 and 600 yards.

 

[jb1000br]

If the velocities continue to go up, look for carbon fouling. JB bore paste will rip out tough carbon. If you suspect this is the issue, chrono before and after the JB cleaning to see if velocities return to normal.

JB

 

[Winchester69]

Leave them out of the sun and you'll be OK. Guess it could've been the wind too, though.

If your groups are opening vertically, it's not wind.
.