Varget

[blvedere]

Was wondering what other handloaders think about Varget powder. I have good Varget loads for two of my target rifles, but after I shoot a match the bores are very sooty and black from powder residue. Would you consider Varget as basically a dirty powder to shoot? Also, how does RL15 compare to Varget. Don't know if I asked this question plain enough, but I think you can figure out what I am asking. Thanks,

 

[rebel]

Varget is more temp stable than R15. R15 is a great powder, just don't leave the ammo in the car in July before shooting. Lot's of my match shooting customers like Varget but have also had success with the new enduron powder.
As far as dirty, I don't know as I don't shoot it but if it shoots - who cares?
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Baka]

Was wondering what other handloaders think about Varget powder. I have good Varget loads for two of my target rifles, but after I shoot a match the bores are very sooty and black from powder residue. Would you consider Varget as basically a dirty powder to shoot? Also, how does RL15 compare to Varget. Don't know if I asked this question plain enough, but I think you can figure out what I am asking. Thanks,

If I were you I wouldn'
t use Varget. "easier for me to get then"

 

[FeMan]

What are you shooting it in? Barrel length, bullet, chatge weight, primer? Sounds like you arent getting complete burn. Varget burns clean enough for me.

 

[Longtrain]

I always thought that was an interesting question, on how dirty was a particular powder. I have used Varget, RE-15, AA2460, TAC, N550, WC840, AA2230, N203B and probably a few more I can't remember.

Basically the initial 5-10 patches are all black before I hit it with a brush. The only difference I have seen was based on the amount of rounds down before cleaning. I assume that a benchrest shooter, cleaning every 5-10 rounds, will have an easier time then cleaning after two XTC matches (160+ rounds). Cleaning while the barrel is still warm may make things a bit easier.

My advise is to use good rods and brushes with a decent cleaner. Give the cleaners time to work. I do borescope my barrel, copper has never been an issue with the custom barrels I shoot, a Savage factory barrel coppered up pretty badly. Carbon fouling is my toughest problem, I usually use a bit of JB or ISSO paste for the stubborn areas. I shoot competitively and usually shoot at most a two day match before cleaning, 200 rounds are about my limit.

So, IMO, I shoot a lot and my cleaning regiment equates to the rounds fires, a lot of work to get a really clean barrel. Part of the deal. I wish there was a magic solution for cleaning, haven't found it yet.

 

[swd]

Varget is the "go to" powder for some of the most popular high accuracy cartridges. Very accurate and temp stable. There's a good reason why it's hard to get a lot of the time.
RL15 sometimes gets a little more speed at the expense of temp sensitivity and maybe a little harder on throats, but can very accurate too.

 

[RonAKA]

Varget works well in my 6BR. I have to clean the barrel anyway, so as long as the hole in the target is small, I don't really care.

 

[WyleWD]

It being dirty isn't something I commonly read about nor anything I encountered when I used it.

I quit using it quite a few years ago solely because of it's lot to lot inconsistency. One lot would work great, the next lot would be temperature sensitive and I'd have to completely redo the load development. So I just got tired of fooling with it. Lots of shooters love the stuff so it must be a good option for powder. And it's a good possibility that some of the powders like 4166 may become VERY viable options to Varget. JME. WD

 

[500Stroker]

Varget works well in my 6BR. I have to clean the barrel anyway, so as long as the hole in the target is small, I don't really care.

I am with Ron, if the groups are small, who cares.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Varget Palma Lover's Powder.. and my 6BR.
I burn a lot of Varget in my .308 Palma Rifles It works very well, I do not find it dirty.
I have tried IMR 4166 for a Palma load , this was like cleaning Diesel Oil out of the barrel.
I ran test on AR's when I was shooting them, with Varget never gave me a 600 yard load I liked.
R-15 was King for AR's back then.
I would note Varget does run different from Lot to Lot.
Best of Luck,
Hold Center

 

[varmtr]

Varget is a very temp stable powder also known as AR2208 over here made for Hodgdon's by ADI or now known as Thales. I do have list of what powders that ADI make for Hodgdons at home.

Interesting Don that you found variations from lot to lot. I run it also in my 308 and my old man runs it in his 20PPC. Also know other BR and F-Class shooters running it and no reports of it running different from lot to lot.

 

[boltfluter]

My personal favorite in 6 BR, 6 DASHER, and 6.5 x 47 L. Shooting year round it is very stable. Just my .02

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[Homerange]

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/12/hodgdon-equivalents-for-adi-product-codes/

 

[M-61]

I did use Varget. During the last 'shortage' of everything Varget was not possible for me to get. I then went back to a whole bunch of powders and eventually found some that shot just as well as or better in MY rifles than the Varget that I had become 'hooked' on. It really wasn't THE powder at all, just one of many.
It is dirty, but because of the constant unavailability of it, my other powders fill the bill quite nicely.
I have no intention of returning to Varget if indeed it is readily available.

 

[varmtr]

Ok found the list that ADI rep gave me at a local shot show a few years back. Of what powders they make for Hodgdon and our equivalents.

Hodgdon. ADI.
Clays. AS30N
(IMR) Trail Boss. Trail Boss
International. AS50N
Universal. AS70N
H4227. AR2205
H4198. AR2207
H322. AR2219
Bench Mark. Bench Mark 2
H4895. AR2206H
Varget. AR2208
H4350. AR2209
H4831. AR2213SC
H1000. AR2217
Retumbo. AR2225
H50BMG. AR2218

 

[msinc]

There must be something to Varget...a lot of guys love it and swear by it, but I just don't see it. I think it can be used in many different cartridges and the versatility is a big plus for a lot of shooters. About three years ago a friend of mine offered me an 8 pound jug of it that was a spare. I was so happy to finally get this fantastic mystery powder that I ran around in circles and spanked myself for 20 minutes.
I tried it in about 4 different caliber rifles I have and......needless to say I am not impressed. I have 7 3/4 pounds here that hasn't been touched in three years.

 

[blvedere]

You shouldn't use Varget. Remdog nailed it.

I have used W748, W760, IMR4064, IRM8208, H4831sc, H1000, H4350, H4895, IMR4895 and Varget, they were all about the same. So, that rules all out all of those powders for you. I have suspicion you may find billiards much cleaner.

Your suspicions suck!

 

[varmtr]

Msinc funny you say this about AR2208 / Varget as my 22-250 hates the stuff, yet it loves CFE223. Also my K-Hornet shot great with AR2205 but now have gone to Lil-Gun and its even better.
The only down side is with these Hodgdons powders there imported by Winchester and they take a while to come in.

 

[K22]

I've use Varget for many years in my 308 with 150 grain bullets; in my 243's with 80 and 85 grain bullets; and in my 223's (bolt rifles) with 50 and 55 grain bullets. I found it to be extremely accurate and temperature stable. I've never experience the extreme lot variation that a lot of shooters report. I buy my Varget in 1 lbs cansisters so go through a lot of different lots quickly. But I'm not a target shooter so maybe my standards are not a severe as those guys.

IMR 4064 is somewhat similar if you can't get Varget. I've used it also almost interchangebly with Varget loads in my 308 and 243's.