Varget

[ei276b]

Just started to use my AR-15 on the line at our local 100yd matches. It's a BM lower with their DCM 20" upper with a 1:8 twist bore. Been using 52 and 55gr smk's with 24 and 25gr of N140 in FC brass. The N140 is difficult to get locally most of the time. So I bought a lb. of Varget. Anyone here use Varget? If so how light of a pill can be pushed down the bore with reasonable accuracy IYO? I was told not to use anything lighter than 69gr bullets for decent accuracy with this powder. Thank you.

 

[racesnake]

I tried it with 60gr Hornady VMax's, it was accurate but velocity was off a bit. In an AR mag length situation this bullet takes up a lot of the powder room that is needed to get Varget loads up to speed.
D-.

 

[AndyTaber]

My favorite load for shooting 300 yard matches in my .223 is 26 gr. of Varget behind 60 gr sierra's. Works very well.

 

[Hunter235]

26 Grs Varget with 55 Gr Bergers.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

27.5 varget with 50 grain V-max. Shot in both the bolt gun and AR. Accuracy is sub 1/2 MOA in the bolt, and better than I can hold in the AR.

This is a heavily compressed load if not put in the case with a drop tube. Even then, it's tight.

In the 24" bolt gun, velocity is ~3280

 

[bricktop]

If you can get an accurate load with the 53gr V-Max, that seems to be a fairly new and popular bullet, due to its high reported BC. The Hodgdon listed velocities with 53 gr bullets and Varget are at the high end of the spread, although it is listed as a compressed load so with the vmax you may/may not be able to get enough in there (always work up anyways of course). Also, with a light bullet and a slow powder, it might burn a little dirty.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Varget and the 53 V-max shoots good, but Hodgdon's load data speed is ~ 100 fps above what I'm actually getting.

I shoot ground squirrels. The 50 V-max makes minced-meat out of them, but the 53 just makes large holes. The 53 just doesn't have the dramatic hit. They are still dead, it just isn't as visual.

I don't know if they would do better going faster. I haven't tried yet. The 50 does the job so well that I don't really need to change. I can't find a place to take a shot beyond 300 yards anyway...

 

[A_Gamehog]

Really two questions in one,

1-8 twist is great around 69-75 grains
Varget shoots accurately from 34-80 grain loads.

Most accurate light load for my 8 twist is the 53 Vmax on paper. It's almost as long as the 69's, bullets sorted by weight, or 52 grain match bullets work well also.
Most accurate powder for me is 8208, with Varget a close second. Tac is almost as good to. easy to find these powders locally?

my 2 cents,

 

[jimbo88mm]

My 1-8 twist AR shoots 55gr nosler ballistic tips over 24.5gr or varget very well. Consistent 5-10 shot sub moa groups at 100 yards with LC or Win brass.