Why isn't Varget made in the USA?

[lee1000]

Has anyone heard of a reason for this? The fact that it is made in anti gun Australia can be helping.

I've attempted to get into FTR and I have all of the equipment but I can't find any Varget. My local shop has some but it's $300 for a keg.

I'm going to send Hodgdon an email urging them to make it here. I'm sure it's more complicated than that but it can hurt.

Email them here if you'd like
help@hodgdon.com

 

[CatShooter]

Varget is not made by Hodgdon - they are only the importer. They cannot make it here.

 

[lee1000]

Oh, that's a pretty good reason. Thanks

Do u know of a powder that is just as temperature insensitive that works with 308 175 gainers?

 

[ridgeway]

R-15 or R-17

 

[BigDMT]

Oh, that's a pretty good reason. Thanks

Do u know of a powder that is just as temperature insensitive that works with 308 175 gainers?

If talking about that same burn rate ball park, maybe try RL-15, BLC-2, or H4895.
BLC-2 is probably the least resistant to temps of those three.
I've also heard IMR4064 works pretty well for heavyweight pills in 308 win.

 

[Steve Blair]

I agree, you don't need Varget to get into F-TR. I had 15 pounds and sold it to some friends in Santa Margarita Gun Club who use it. There are several good choices in medium burning rate powders.

 

[CatShooter]

Oh, that's a pretty good reason. Thanks

Do u know of a powder that is just as temperature insensitive that works with 308 175 gainers?

If talking about that same burn rate ball park, maybe try RL-15, BLC-2, or H4895.
BLC-2 is probably the least resistant to temps of those three.
I've also heard H4064 works pretty well for heavyweight pills in 308 win.

BLC2 is very temperature sensitive, H-4895 is not.

There is no such powder as H4064. 4064 is made by IMR.

 

[BigDMT]

Oh, that's a pretty good reason. Thanks

Do u know of a powder that is just as temperature insensitive that works with 308 175 gainers?

If talking about that same burn rate ball park, maybe try RL-15, BLC-2, or H4895.
BLC-2 is probably the least resistant to temps of those three.
I've also heard H4064 works pretty well for heavyweight pills in 308 win.

BLC2 is very temperature sensitive, H-4895 is not.

There is no such powder as H4064. 4064 is made by IMR.

Typo. I was on a Hodgdon kick there and accidentally put an "H" in front of it. :

And pretty sure I mentioned BLC-2 was the most temp sensitive....did you read all of that post?

 

[lee1000]

Thanks guys

I'm new to reloading and had my mind set on Varget because of the inherent safety factor. I'll try those powders

If I develop a load in the winter with them, should I tune it down during the summer if I'm not runner near max loads?

 

[bobeager]

If you think you have it rough with Varget (Aussi 2208), we make the stuff here in Australia, and based on $USD having parity with $AUSD, we pay anywhere from $75 to $90 Aus for a Kilo (2.2 lbs), and you guys pay around $54 USD for the same qty, and we make the stuff.

 

[lee1000]

If you think you have it rough with Varget (Aussi 2208), we make the stuff here in Australia, and based on $USD having parity with $AUSD, we pay anywhere from $75 to $90 Aus for a Kilo (2.2 lbs), and you guys pay around $54 USD for the same qty, and we make the stuff.

Why is that? Is it taxed?

 

[bobeager]

Don't, know. I forgot to add that the Powder factory is owned by the French, and the distribution rights in Australia held by Winchester, the result of sucessive Australian Governments "selling the farm".
My guess is that the local powder is priced on parity with the imported competition. We pay about $100 AUSD for a kilo of Vitavouri, and I recently paid $45 AUSD for a lb of RE15 (and I was lucky to find some at that).

 

[BigDMT]

Don't, know. I forgot to add that the Powder factory is owned by the French,

Well no wonder...

 

[SeabeeKen]

Once this country gets out of panic mode powders will become available again.
Been loading since 74 and never seen anything like.

 

[BigDMT]

Once this country gets out of panic mode powders will become available again.
Been loading since 74 and never seen anything like.

??? Just happened 4 years ago when Obama first took office.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Not like this

 

[jb27]

As some others have mentioned, give RL-15 a try (if you can find it). I used to swear by Varget. For kicks this winter I worked up a load for my .223 using RL-15 and it has replaced my pet load with Varget.

 

[BigDMT]

I've had very good luck with RL15 too. My 204 ruger absolutely loves it with 39gr BKs and my 6.5x47 Lapua seems to prefer it as well. Just seems to be accurate in everything I've tried so far. Good SD's too.

 

[Shynloco]

Lee,
I know a couple of guys who shoot the .308 F/TR course (600 yds - 1K) using either Varget, IMR 4895 or RE15 as alternatives and all are pushing either the 168 gr HPBT or the 175 gr HPBT Sierras.

 

[CJ6]

My local shop has some but it's $300 for a keg.

If your local shop is selling it for $300 per 8#'s find a HONEST SHOP to do business with cause he's stickin it to ya.