What are people's thoughts on Hodgdon 's Varget Smokeless Powder?


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gfanikf
June 25, 2012, 01:35 PM
Looking at recipes and calibers I'm interested in reloading it seems to be useable in all calibers (well no idea if in French 7.5...because that calibers is a PITA to find things for!). My local dealer also stocks it for ~$27 a pound, which being 15 minutes away isn't bad. Just wondering what people have thought of it and their use experiences.

Thanks!

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Snag
June 25, 2012, 01:47 PM
I use it for 243 on a Dillon 650. I picked Varget from it's reputation as being accurate and versatile.

From what I've read people have problems with metering. I haven't had any issues so far. Flows fine through my measure and is very consistent.

gfanikf
June 25, 2012, 01:53 PM
I use it for 243 on a Dillon 650. I picked Varget from it's reputation as being accurate and versatile.

From what I've read people have problems with metering. I haven't had any issues so far. Flows fine through my measure and is very consistent.
For the moment I would only be using Lee Dippers. So that helps mitigate that issue a little.

rcmodel
June 25, 2012, 02:03 PM
it seems to be useable in all calibersWell, certainly not usable in ALL calibers.

But there are much worse choices you could make most bottleneck rifle cartridges.

I'd say gofer it if you can find dipper data for the calibers you want to use it in.

Course, you need to be dipping into a powder scale pan and weighing them in the first place.

rc

gfanikf
June 25, 2012, 02:19 PM
Well, certainly not usable in ALL calibers.

But there are much worse choices you could make most bottleneck rifle cartridges.

I'd say gofer it if you can find dipper data for the calibers you want to use it in.

Course, you need to be dipping into a powder scale pan and weighing them in the first place.

rc
Sorry meant to say in all calibers I might want to reload for, went off on a rant on the French 7.5 and never finished my original thought. lol

rduckwor
June 25, 2012, 02:46 PM
Solid powder for many different loads.

RMD

rikman
June 25, 2012, 02:59 PM
I've had very good accuracy in 308Win & 8mm Mauser with Varget.

pilotlight
June 25, 2012, 03:00 PM
Wish I had about 700 lbs of it. Enough to last me a lifetime.

J_McLeod
June 25, 2012, 03:05 PM
It also takes up enough space that many max loads are compressed. You'll have a hard time getting enough of it into a case to be dangerous.

gfanikf
June 25, 2012, 03:27 PM
It also takes up enough space that many max loads are compressed. You'll have a hard time getting enough of it into a case to be dangerous.
That's good to know, though I want to make sure I don't need to ever rely on that in the first place.

I've had very good accuracy in 308Win & 8mm Mauser with Varget.
Sweet, 8mm Mauser is one of the calibers I'm reloading.

Flintknapper
June 25, 2012, 03:31 PM
Versatile powder...no doubt about that, but that is its strongest point IMO.

I find it to be loud (and smokey in some cases), doesn't do anything particularly special, is accurate in some cartridge/bullet combo's and not in others.

If you are looking for ONE powder to handle a lot of cartridges and can live with varying degrees of accuracy, its hard to beat.

I have some...but don't use it much.

Dthunter
June 25, 2012, 04:22 PM
I have used Varget allot over the years.
It has performed very well in my .308 and 7mm08!
It has proven to be very stable pressure/velocity wise in a HUGE temperature range!
Form -40 degrees Celcius( -40 F) to +37degrees celcius (98F)! Wow!
My .308 loves it to enough to shoot sub MOA out past 1000yards.

Give it a good try!

chocdog
June 25, 2012, 06:20 PM
MOA and less groups for my Remington 700BDL 30-06 with SGK165SBT. :)

beatledog7
June 25, 2012, 06:46 PM
The only powders I buy in 8-lb jugs are Varget and Bullseye. I use about a dozen others, but those two rule my bench.

Kevin Rohrer
June 25, 2012, 08:18 PM
It's a good powder for medium size cases from 22/250 thru 30/06, especially for .308 and 30/06 service rifles.

TheCracker
June 25, 2012, 08:35 PM
It's awesome in 308 and 223 in my experience if that helps any

weeniewawa
June 25, 2012, 08:45 PM
I use Varget in a Lee Perfect powder measure, you can get one at Midway right now for under $20

sure beats dippers and on price and accuracy

http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/large/540/540522.jpg (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/540522/lee-perfect-powder-measure)

Uniquedot
June 25, 2012, 09:15 PM
It's a fantastic powder for .308 and I've been loading it in 30 30 lately with pleasing results. I keep a few pounds of it in my powder cabinet.

sfed
June 25, 2012, 11:29 PM
I have loaded many 30-06 and 223 with varget and have had excellent results with it. Most of the 223 loads when you get them worked up from the starting point get to the compressed stage when the accuracy started coming in for me.

arizona98tj
June 25, 2012, 11:41 PM
I've enjoyed using Varget in my .308 Win loads. Started with it about 18 months ago and have been very satisfied with the sub-MOA results using Sierra 175 gr Match Kings.

M1key
June 25, 2012, 11:44 PM
My go-to for heavier 223 loads.

M

ArchAngelCD
June 25, 2012, 11:50 PM
I have constructed .223 ammo using a 55gr Sierra bullet over Varget that shot a .4" 5 shot group @100 yards. I like the stuff...

SlowFuse
June 26, 2012, 12:09 AM
My experience with Varget has been all good. On 223/5.56 loads over 62 grains, it gets the nod 95% of the time. I've used it to load 25-06 and 30-06 also. While its not the best overall powder for the 06 cases, in my opinion, it has worked quite well. I'd say its the most versatile powder in my cabinet.

eastbank
June 26, 2012, 07:33 AM
i load my match loads useing a lee dipper(intire set is very cheap). what i do is find the dipper that is close to the load you want to use and and use a small didital scale(midway 35.00), dip the powder and put it on scale and then bring the charge up to what you want by adding a few grains at a time with your fingers. i weigh and charge all my match shells that way and the loads are with in 1/10gr. its slow compared to useing a powder dispenser,but with any stick powder(4831,4350,ect) its hard to get with in 1/10gr with a dispenser. eastbank

EMC45
June 26, 2012, 10:02 AM
It is real good in .223 and .308 in my experience. It is what is loaded in Hornady TAP ammo too BTW. I called and asked them for the .223 and the .308, both loaded with Varget.

Arkansas Paul
June 26, 2012, 10:31 AM
I love Varget. I've loaded it in .308, .30-06 and .243. It is great for lighter bullets. I like IMR4350 for the heavier stuff.

I would not use dippers exclusively. I do use them, but I check them on a scale. You have to know what you're loading, and without checking against a scale, you just don't, especially with extruded powders, where their positioning can effect perceived volume.

gfanikf
June 26, 2012, 10:45 AM
I love Varget. I've loaded it in .308, .30-06 and .243. It is great for lighter bullets. I like IMR4350 for the heavier stuff.

I would not use dippers exclusively. I do use them, but I check them on a scale. You have to know what you're loading, and without checking against a scale, you just don't, especially with extruded powders, where their positioning can effect perceived volume.
I agree, I'm getting a digital scale so I can still fine tune things and double check things. I'm going to pick up one of those funnels that allow you to lay the funnel on the scale and load it (and not risk powder being spilled). I saw it on a youtube video last night.

larryflew
June 26, 2012, 01:22 PM
Varget fan myself. Weighed with digital and my AR likes 55vmax over 26.2

Litefoot
June 26, 2012, 03:01 PM
My most accurate Mini-14 load is Varget behind 69 gr SMK's.

Flatbush Harry
June 26, 2012, 03:50 PM
I have had excellent results with Varget in .308 and .223 using 168gr and 69gr bullets respectively. It appears less sensitive to temperature variations than IMR 4064.

FH

gfanikf
June 26, 2012, 03:58 PM
Good to hear. Looks like Varget might make a good first time powder to start with and get a lot of range with it.

Does anyone know a French 7.5 recipe that uses Varget?

ranger335v
June 26, 2012, 05:02 PM
"What are people's thoughts on Hodgdon 's Varget Smokeless Powder? "

It's a midrange burn rate powder. Those of us who get good results with it like it. Those who don't usually don't care for it. ??

Arkansas Paul
June 26, 2012, 05:09 PM
Those of us who get good results with it like it. Those who don't usually don't care for it. ??


No freakin way! :rolleyes:

Sorry. That struck me as really funny.

jack44
June 26, 2012, 05:19 PM
varget a a 223 rem. are a good match.

Mac45
June 26, 2012, 06:33 PM
I've had good luck with it in my AR's.

Nanook
June 26, 2012, 07:58 PM
I use it in my 6mmBR rifle, and it loves the stuff. I'd love to lay in a lifetime supply of it, too.

I'll try it in .223 and .308 real soon, since I've heard great things about it in those calibers as well.

cougar1717
June 28, 2012, 02:23 PM
Medium burn rate rifle powder. Has a more marketable name than a manufacturer/number designation. Versitile: heavy bullet 223 Rem loads to light bullet 300WM. One of Hodgdon's Extreme powders, less temperature sensitivity. One important thing: It is not a magic powder that makes everyone's rifle shoot less than 1 moa, no matter what you may read on forums. Like any powder, it has a range where it is very useful, a range where it can be used but there are better alternatives, and a range where it is not to be used.

ColtPythonElite
June 28, 2012, 09:26 PM
I have never used a better powder in my .22-250.

Fanky
June 28, 2012, 10:10 PM
I really like it. Been loading it in .223, 8mm Mauser, .260 Remington, and a little 30-30 Winchester. It's a very versatile powder if you want to minimize the amount of different powders you stock, but it isn't going to be ideal in all calibers.

Sniper66
June 29, 2012, 09:02 AM
I use Varget for my .243 using 58gr bullets for long distance p-dogs. It is an excellent product and has performed flawlessly for me.

GLOOB
June 30, 2012, 08:18 PM
It's a bit pricey, it smells funny both when loading and when shooting, and it's slow to drop through a funnel. It could be amazing, but since I don't make a habit of shooting much past 100 yards, I wouldn't know.

brickeyee
June 30, 2012, 09:30 PM
Many pounds through a .22-250AI varmint rifle.

Enough to wear out a couple of barrels.

quartermaster
June 30, 2012, 10:14 PM
I started using it a couple of years ago becuase of its supposed temperature insensativity. I can't say that I have ever shot in severe temperature extremes to prove that it works in that respect.

I have found it to be very accurate in my .308 based cases. I have shot the tightest groups I have ever shot out of my .204 and 6mmBr.

It's a great powder, but I find it leaves a lot of residue in my barrels.

Ky Larry
July 1, 2012, 09:05 AM
Pretty good stuff.I like it in my .243 Win with 75gr bullets.

Hondo 60
July 1, 2012, 09:07 AM
Makes even plain old 55 gr FMJs accurate in my AR.
Varget is a very good powder IMHO

tri70
July 1, 2012, 10:59 AM
Works great for my Savage Stevens 223 but it does not do as well in my mini 14's as faster powders like RL7 &RL10.

Canuc Shooter
July 1, 2012, 02:40 PM
25.0 Varget under a 68 grainer in my 1:7 Stag is Priceless.

Mike Kerr
July 1, 2012, 03:12 PM
Varget is good stuff.

I like it

regards,

:):):)

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