Varget vs Reloder 15

[jamesdmock]

Most burn rate charts show Varget to be slower than Re15, but my experience is that the Re15 is slower. Maybe it is a lot to lot thing but in both the Dasher and BRA, the Re15 takes more powder to produce equal velocity than does Varget. What is your experience?

 

[Straightshooter1]

Most burn rate charts show Varget to be slower than Re15, but my experience is that the Re15 is slower. Maybe it is a lot to lot thing but in both the Dasher and BRA, the Re15 takes more powder to produce equal velocity than does Varget. What is your experience?

Hmmm??? I don't think burn rate is measured within a confined space like a cartridge, is it?

Varget takes up more space in a cartridge than Re15. For example, when looking as some numbers in the QuickLoad app for a .308 case, Varget takes up 93.9% of case capacity while Re15 takes up 90.8% given all the other numbers are the same. So, it seems to me then that having to fill more Re15 to raise case capacity (which tends to effect velocity) makes sense and not as much related to burn rate. What doya think?

 

[sdean]

I really don't see what difference it makes. They are close enough to use either one. Only thing that counts is which one your barrel likes.

 

[rsmithsr50]

being the odd frog on the log, I have never had varget work better than another powder I had on hand, traded all off for rl15 and never looked back.

 

[Evan]

Just to be contrarian, imr4064 has worked better than either varget or rl15 for me in a couple different cartridges, but varget has always run "slower", as in needing more powder to hit the same velocity, than RL15.

 

[Murray Brook]

Used both Varget and RL-15 in my 7mm/08 with 168 gr bullets and found them to be very close in burn rate. Would even go so far as to say that the rate between both depend on the batch your using. JMO

 

[HTSmith]

My two lots seem to be about equal. 30 grains of either give about 2830fps behind a 105 Gr bullet in straight 6BR. Can't see any pressure difference.

 

[ngb1787]

My bra shoots lights out with rl15, i have actually been shooting slower nodes, 2930ish, a lot of success. My general experience has been that the real difference is how well do u read flags and mirage, just sayin,

 

[JFrank]

felt they were very close but I can’t remember which had the larger kernel. I think I’ll check some and run a ladder test with RL-15 in my straight six, I been lookin for a recipe that shoots a bit smaller.

 

[OmegaRed]

RL15 is faster than Varget in four guns I've shot them in. Small sample size, maybe 4 different lots of each.

 

[hottotrot]

Most burn rate charts show Varget to be slower than Re15, but my experience is that the Re15 is slower. Maybe it is a lot to lot thing but in both the Dasher and BRA, the Re15 takes more powder to produce equal velocity than does Varget. What is your experience?

I'm not sure about burn rate, but RL15 seems to have a wider range of use. I can use the RL15 in more cartridges, and it seems to have a lower low end and higher high end in most than Varget or 4064.
I just started using RL15, but like it so far. Gives little bitty groups in my Dasher. No surprise there, I guess.

 

[Baddog0302]

I tried RL 15 in my 6 CM after 3 five shots of 4350/107 lefy the Bbl. hot enough you couldn't leave your fingers on it for more than a few seconds. The 15/105/107 produced 1/2" groups and were the last shots of the day. BUT, running a few patches through the BBl. before leaving the range, they looked like they were run through a coal mine and it took a lot more cleaning than the 6 BR I also shot using Varget. Next outing with the 6 CM will be testing IMR 4064. Going to save the 15 to try in a 308 AR since it's cousin, 203-B gave a good showing with 168's at 300 yds. May try 15 again in the 6 CM when I take it to 600 yds.

 

[dmoran]

Charge for charge, have had Lot's of Varget that were slower then RL15 but also a couple Lot's that were faster.
Regardless, there so close to the same burn rate, it doesn't matter much one way or the other.
In my +20-yrs of using both, RL15 has been far more consistent from Lot to Lot.

 

[grovey]

being the odd frog on the log, I have never had varget work better than another powder I had on hand, traded all off for rl15 and never looked back.

Varget is the schit. Ain't you heard?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Varget is the schit. Ain't you heard?

I heard it was ar comp?

 

[hottotrot]

Haha Dusty. Speaking of- have you found that there's actually in difference in temp sens, etc. that they claim? How about dirtiness? Charge weights the same?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Haha Dusty. Speaking of- have you found that there's actually in difference in temp sens, etc. that they claim? How about dirtiness? Charge weights the same?

Never assume

 

[divingin]

Haha Dusty. Speaking of- have you found that there's actually in difference in temp sens, etc. that they claim? How about dirtiness? Charge weights the same?

Don't know about the other stuff, but if you want a lot of soot in the barrel, RL-15 wins. Cleaning after 25 rds, shooting Varget I run 1 or 2 wet patches before it starts lightening up from black. With RL-15, it's more like 3 or 4.

Charge weights are pretty similar for my rifle. Couldn't tell you on temp sensitivity.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Charge for charge, have had Lot's of Varget that were slower then RL15 but also a couple Lot's that were faster.
Regardless, there so close to the same burn rate, it doesn't matter much one way or the other.
In my +20-yrs of using both, RL15 has been far more consistent from Lot to Lot.

This is exactly why I gave up on Varget. Just when you think you have it dialed in you need more powder and now you have to start over. I'm currently playing with Norma powders and the 203B is quite impressive,... I've been told that 203B and RL-15 is the same powder but not according to Norma.

 

[10at6]

If you like either Varget of 15..you will love N140