Why isn’t Varget ideal for 6BRA?

[SteveOak]

I didn’t know that Varget wasn’t good for a 6 BRA. I’ll have to tell my rifle, because it shoots slightly better with Varget than it does H-4895.

I am having a switch barrel rifle built. The 'little' barrel will be 6 BR AI. I am planning on Berger 105's and Varget.

For those of you that are not having the success they would like with Varget, what primers are you using. I use CCI-450's in my present 6 BR.

 

[LVLAaron]

Just do a search on the forum for "red-headed stepchild". My thread that I started years ago talking about AR comp. Where I was told it doesn't work. That's why I don't talk about it anymore. Those who know will know. Like Fight Club

I've said this before... I kinda choose my projects based on if they can use AR Comp.

 

[64Rambler]

Just do a search on the forum for "red-headed stepchild". My thread that I started years ago talking about AR comp. Where I was told it doesn't work. That's why I don't talk about it anymore. Those who know will know. Like Fight Club

Brad, a search with and without a hyphen did not turn up said thread. Can I get an assist?

 

[ebb]

There was a time BC (Before Creedmoor) when I had never heard of Accurate Shooter. Back then a 308 win was the most inherently accurate rifle on the planet. And all cutting-edge rifle loads for 308 WIN came from Sniper's Hide, and ALL were using Varget. You were just not one of the cool guys if you used anything else. They did not issue a talisman, but all the cool guys knew who they were, and were not afraid to let you know. Some of them even knew Frank personally.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I am having a switch barrel rifle built. The 'little' barrel will be 6 BR AI. I am planning on Berger 105's and Varget.

For those of you that are not having the success they would like with Varget, what primers are you using. I use CCI-450's in my present 6 BR.

I have used Varget for many years on various cartridges based on the 6BR. Varget in every one of them. Primer of choice once I looked at ES along with the actual target, Fed 205M.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Brad, a search with and without a hyphen did not turn up said thread. Can I get an assist?

Thread 'Why is AR Comp the Red Headed Step Child?'

Sep 4, 2019

With a burn rate right near IMR 8208 and H4895 and supposedly the LEAST temperature sensitive powder on the market, no one on this board will touch the stuff.

I just keep wondering why.

• urbanrifleman
• Replies: 136
• Forum: 6BR, 6BR Improved & Wildcats

• 

 

[SteveOak]

'cause it says "AR" LOL

 

[Clancy]

Sure a lot of praise for powders that aren’t Varget in this thread

 

[6BRA]

AR comp maybe one of the most temp stable powders ever made.

 

[ebb]

Never crossed my mind to use it in anything that wasn't an AR, I guess I just took them at their word. Maybe a better name, would have begged me to look closer. How about "Tiny Group" powder

 

[Tpb10505]

N140 is definitely NOT interchangeable with Varget. N150 is much closer. N140 is faster.

Curious, why didn’t Tanner set that record with Varget? Was he perhaps…. misinformed like myself?

I don’t cash checks from ANYBODY but I can tell you that with very few exceptions, Vihtavuori just makes better powder.

So, with Vihtavuori at $300 a jug to the house and Varget at closer to 460, what word would you use to describe Varget?

If I were going to pay Hodgdon prices, it would be for H4895, which has the pedigree to justify its price tag- in the BRA.

I’ve never been able to really get Varget in any quantity since I started shooting a few years ago. I tried some H4895 based on all the recommendations here, but I was getting pressure at velocities that I wasn’t with N150. I use N150 for my Palma loads and have a lot of it, and it’s always been very consistent so it just worked out that way.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I got this text this morning and thought of this thread. Hahaha

6br, 105 hybrid and 30 grains of Varget.

View attachment 1668053View attachment 1668054View attachment 1668055

Did you order the Kauger action polished like that?
If so, what was the lead time?

 

[urbanrifleman]

Did you order the Kauger action polished like that?
If so, what was the lead time?

Yes. They take about a week now.

 

[64Rambler]

Thread 'Why is AR Comp the Red Headed Step Child?'

Sep 4, 2019

With a burn rate right near IMR 8208 and H4895 and supposedly the LEAST temperature sensitive powder on the market, no one on this board will touch the stuff.

I just keep wondering why.

• urbanrifleman
• Replies: 136
• Forum: 6BR, 6BR Improved & Wildcats

• 

I tried a few rounds in a 6BRA with 107 SMKs and Berger 105Hs and had an ES of 5-7 fps and .25MOA at 600yd groups with the B105Hs! If prices come down to earth, I may jump on an 8 pounder. I got a ShootingBot notification that it's now in stock again - but at the dear price of $569!

 

[tom]

Odd that my latest two barrels have picked varget since this thread began....weird!

Tom

 

[Rich S]

I've been told that Varget doesn’t work well in 6BRA and that I need to use H4895 instead — but I’m struggling to understand why.

The 6BRA case capacity is right between 6BR and 6 Dasher, both of which are known to run great with Varget. Then as you move up in case size to something like the 6GT, people often use Varget or even H4350. And for larger 6mm cartridges like 6 Creedmoor, H4350 is standard.

So why does the 6BRA supposedly not like Varget, despite sitting in the middle of a range where Varget is often ideal?

Look up the equipment list for 2024 IBS and Freedom 600 yd nationals and Vapor Trail Rendezvous. There is at least 1 of the top competitors using Varget in a BRA very successfully. It may come down to what velocity your chasing.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I have yet to find a barrel that IMR 4064 didn’t perform great in. Big kernels and slight temperature/conditions sensitivity are the only “downsides” but it’s closer to a temp stable powder than it is to the unstable stuff like ball powders. It’s a shame it’s so expensive because that basically obsoleted it for me.

Got to love IMR 4064. From heavy bullets in 223 to light bullets for the 375-338 and everything in between. Clean burning also.

 

[Mark W]

Got to love IMR 4064. From heavy bullets in 223 to light bullets for the 375-338 and everything in between. Clean burning also.

I have yet to find a barrel that IMR 4064 didn’t perform great in. Big kernels and slight temperature/conditions sensitivity are the only “downsides” but it’s closer to a temp stable powder than it is to the unstable stuff like ball powders. It’s a shame it’s so expensive because that basically obsoleted it for me.

I was just chatting with a friend and fellow forum member yesterday when the versatility of IMR 4064 came up. Back when Covid first hit the states, it was one of the powders that I stocked up on before the prices skyrocketed. I haven’t bought any since then, so I haven’t saw the prices lately.

 

[Evan]

I was just chatting with a friend and fellow forum member yesterday when the versatility of IMR 4064 came up. Back when Covid first hit the states, it was one of the powders that I stocked up on before the prices skyrocketed. I haven’t bought any since then, so I haven’t saw the prices lately.

I stopped looking when it hit $55/lb, which I find to be insane when pretty much everything that is not Hodgdon or Alliant is significantly cheaper.

 

[Mark W]

I stopped looking when it hit $55/lb, which I find to be insane when pretty much everything that is not Hodgdon or Alliant is significantly cheaper.

Oh wow, i had no idea! I just looked and it’s $57 a Powder Valley right now.