[Trent]

Man.. I just gotta say "I love Varget."

I just finished a marathon loading session. 300 rounds of 308 w/ 168 gr. Sierra MatchKings, 100 rounds of 8x57mm w/ 200 gr Sierra Matchkings, and 100 rounds of 223 with 68 grain Hornady Match (w/ a compressed load of powder).

... And I didn't have to switch powder in the hopper.

Had to make a few trips over to the powder shelf though to grab more 1lb cans, though. :)

Took me a long time to get done. Sized, then hand-primed, weighed each charge individually via the RCBS electric dispenser. Used Redding competition seat dies with a second stage set up to apply a crimp (all of the ammo is for semiauto use).

I feel much better now. Back hurts a little. But I'm relaxed. :)

[nastynatesfish]

I feel you I loaded 300 rounds of 223 last night. Ya my backs and butt are still sore

[ArchAngelCD]

I held off trying Varget for a while because I had so many other powders on the shelf but finally gave it a try. All the hype about it being an accurate powder was not hype at all. It is a good powder...

[KansasSasquatch]

It's the first powder I ever used in .223 and so far is the only. When a cheap Bushmaster is getting sub 1" groups at 100 yards with it, I don't see much reason to switch. If only it were cheaper and smaller grained I think it would be perfect for me.

[Centurian22]

I've started with IMR4895 due to price ($25 vs. $34 per lb), local availability (more in stock than varget), temp sensitivity, and tracer ignition. I'll see how load development goes, if I'm not happy Varget is next on my list. Glad to see so many people happy with it.

[b money]

I started loading 308 with tac because that's what my dealer suggested, so I took that. My starting to mid loads were far from MOA which granted I am not the best shot and I was using cheap 150grn bulk bullets but it wasn't even close. If 3 shot groups would get into 1.5in at 100 yards I was doing good. Then one day I found a can of varget on clearence at a sporting goods store and figured what the heck. My first starting load(all things remained the same as with the tac load) 5 shot group went just over an inch with 3 shots within .63. To say I like varget at this point would be an under statement.

[Swampman]

Varget was my favorite powder for a while, but large lot to lot variations kinda soured me on it.
This is one powder where you really do need to re-work your loads for each lot, burn speed and pressure seems to vary quite a bit from lot to lot.

[nastynatesfish]

TAC is also a great powder. I use it In my bolt action and it's greats anything in the 223-308 family of cases and it will shoot. It was my most accurate load with 69gr nosler custom comps

[mcdonl]

I just picked some up for 308 and 223 as well. Can't wait to start loading. Ice fishing first!


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[wanderinwalker]

Man.. I just gotta say "I love Varget."

I just finished a marathon loading session. 300 rounds of 308 w/ 168 gr. Sierra MatchKings, 100 rounds of 8x57mm w/ 200 gr Sierra Matchkings, and 100 rounds of 223 with 68 grain Hornady Match (w/ a compressed load of powder).

... And I didn't have to switch powder in the hopper.

Had to make a few trips over to the powder shelf though to grab more 1lb cans, though.

Trick: Buy it by the 8-lb keg! Fewer restocking trips and you get to avoid the lot variations. ;)

Yep, agreed, love Varget. Was the second powder I tried for heavy bullet .223 match ammo and I haven't really encountered a real reason to switch. There was a season a couple years ago I used RL-15 because I was having trouble getting my grubby paws on Varget, and a brief side-trip with H4895 (ran very dirty in my loads) but it's primarily Varget and CCI-BR4s for my Highpower shooting.

In my experience it really does what it is claimed to: accurate, meters tolerably and is not temperature sensitive. It runs the same from freezing March offhand fun matches to the high-heat of Camp Perry and through the last couple of frosty-morning matches in October.

I've also had good luck running it in .30-06 and .45-70. If I ever pick up a .308 I know the first powder I'll try.

Now that I think about it, I should try it in .30-30 (in place of H4895, which has worked great so far too). Looks like I have a "project" coming up. :cool:

(Oh, and for future reference, Alliant RL-15 seems to be a pretty fair substitute for Varget. My season using it proved it's a bit dirtier but otherwise gives similar results.)

[x_wrench]

in my 223, it can not be beat (so far anyway). but i have tried it in some other calibers without as much luck. i just loaded last week a 50 round lot of 45/70 shells to try it in. now all i need is a good day to go try it.

[capreppy]

I picked up 24# last summer for 308 and heavy 223 loads. Love it.

Picked up 24 so I won't have to worry about lot to lot variations. I can get 2.5k rounds of 308 and 2.5k of 223 before I run out. As I use other powders for light 223 rounds so I am hopefully good for a long while.

[parker51]

Another fan here. I use it primarily for 308 and Swiss 7.x55 loads, but it have also tried it in 223 and 22-250 (now using CFE223 in these). I also buy it in 8 lb cans to avoid fluctuation in lots. I have also noticed that Varget was one of the first powders to disappear from the shelves locally.

[Nanook]

I'm a fan of Varget as well. Great stuff in .223 and 6mmBR. I've used it in .308 also, and it works great in all 3 calibers for me.

It disappeared quickly during this current panic. I did find a 1# can at a LGS last week, but no 8# cans were available. Online either, nobody has them in stock right now.

RL-15 is a pretty good substitute, especially in .308, but I do prefer Varget. Apparently so does everybody else.

[Swampman]

Originally Posted by Centurian22 I've started with IMR4895 due to price ($25 vs. $34 per lb), local availability (more in stock than varget), temp sensitivity , and tracer ignition. I'll see how load development goes, if I'm not happy Varget is next on my list. Glad to see so many people happy with it.

Centurian,
I'm not entirely sure that I understand your post, do you like IMR 4895 because it IS temperature sensitive?
I love IMR 4895 for Garand loads and just about any tracer load, but my experience has been that it's the most temperature sensitive single base powder I've ever used.

Below is some information I got from Hodgdon (I think) before they took control of IMR.

Powder Temp Sensitivity

Velocity spread in FPS between 0-125 degrees F:

1. H4350: 4 (FPS)

2. Varget: 8 (FPS)

3. H4831C: 10 (FPS)

4. RL 12: 26 (FPS)

5. AA4350: 29 (FPS)

6. AA2460: 36 (FPS)

7. IMR 4064: 46 (FPS)

8. VIT 550: 49 (FPS)

9. RL 15: 50 (FPS)

10. VIT N140: 50 (FPS)

11. AA2520: 63 (FPS)

12. IMR 4350: 67 (FPS)

13. RL22: 75 (FPS)

14. RL 19: 94 (FPS)

15. AA3100: 113 (FPS)

16. W 748: 114 (FPS)

17. VIT N560: 121 (FPS)

18. IMR 4831: 127 (FPS)

19. IMR 4895: 166 (FPS)

[1911 guy]

I've been using Varget exclusively in .308 and .223 for several years now. Good stuff for many cartridges. Sure, there are some that it isn't great for, but for quite a few, it is at least adequate and for several, outstanding.

[Trent]

Daaaang that IMR4895 value explains those flattened primers I saw last summer. :(

I usually load / test in winter.

[TonyInFla]

I've been using Varget in my Rem 700s. One .223 and one in 308. Getting 1/2 inch groups in both. Really like the stuff.

[Centurian22]

Swampman,
WOW!!! I had no idea, proves you can't believe everything you hear and read! I was told / found a couple sources that said it was NOT very temperature sensitive, especially compared to ball powders like the H335 I was considering. I'll be interested to see if my loads confirm the provided info. Thank you very much for sharing that. As I live, shoot and hunt in Maine I could encounter temps from just above 0F to ~ 100F.

It may just be worth spending the extra $9-$10 and getting Varget like everyone else lol.

[bfoosh006]

Varget is an awesome powder.

FYI, I throw the close charge weight via the powder hopper and then let the electric dispenser finish it up. I.E.... 9/10's of the final charge weight and the electric dispenser trickles the last 1/10....

Or did you know you can "speed" up that dispenser ? There are other useful tricks shown here....http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/speed-up-your-rcbs-chargemaster/

[jmr40]

H-4895 is supposed to be pretty good at all temps, but not IMR-4895. I can see how the 2 could get confused. All Hodgdon and IMR powders sell for the same locally. The Ramshot powders are the only thing that seems to be less expensive.

Varget is my favorite 308 powder as well. Had good luck with RL-15 and 4064. I've tried the TAC, but only with 130 gr TTSX bullets.

[Trent]

Varget is an awesome powder.

FYI, I throw the close charge weight via the powder hopper and then let the electric dispenser finish it up. I.E.... 9/10's of the final charge weight and the electric dispenser trickles the last 1/10....

Or did you know you can "speed" up that dispenser ? There are other useful tricks shown here....http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/speed-up-your-rcbs-chargemaster/

Oh man, you just made my night. I never thought about tweaking it. :)

One thing I've noticed with my RCBS chargemaster with Varget, is on the slowest trickle speed it tends to throw between .1 and .5 grains. It often (> 50% of the time) throws over. E.g. I was loading 43.5gr in 8mm and about half the time it'd end up at 43.7-43.9gr and I'd have to pinch a little out.

[Trent]

Also, I timed myself tonight. I worked diligently, without wasting time.

Started with 200 empty 8mm, factory new.

Each operation done on entire lot:
1. Sized
2. Chamfered inside case mouth (otherwise it "skims" copper off the bullets)
3. Hand primed w/ RCBS tool

Each operation done individually (on turret press)
4. Charged w/ 43.5gr Varget
5. Seated bullet (200 gr Sierra Matchking)
6. Crimped (these are for use in aggressively cycling semi-auto)

Time to load 199 rounds (had one bad piece of factory brass):

2 hours 39 minutes.

Sloooowww.... most of the time was waiting for the RCBS chargemaster to dump out powder.

[788Ham]

Trent,

Wen that happens, get yourself an plastic iced tea spoon, then dip out whats not needed, dump back into the trickler.

[bfoosh006]

Trent, that link has the "McDonalds" plastic straw trick in it....

Quote..

Use a McDonald’s Straw to Reduce Over-Throws
Jaco Brink provided another useful tip to avoid “over-throws” (excess charge weight): “The RCBS employee advised me to take a McDonnell’s straw (because it is thicker than a normal straw), cut off about a half inch piece and put it into the tube where the powder exits. This caused the last part of an extruded powder to cluster less, and reduced the amount of overthrows dramatically.”

[gdcpony]

I like Varget in my .223, but for some reason it prefers H335. I go with the rifle's preference. It helps that I have a source for $15/lb on the 335.

[Hondo 60]

Just finished an 8# jug of Varget.
My LGS, which ain't so local (50 miles on a 2 lane road) didn't have any more.
I just called 'em 3 days prior & he had 12 bottles, but I got there Monday & they were all gone.

The only thing he had left was AR-Comp, so I bought 1 lb.

[ArchAngelCD]

Daaaang that IMR4895 value explains those flattened primers I saw last summer. :(

I usually load / test in winter.
That's why I use H4895 instead of the IMR variant.

[Swampman]

Originally Posted by gdcpony
I like Varget in my .223, but for some reason it prefers H335. I go with the rifle's preference. It helps that I have a source for $15/lb on the 335.

You are a lucky man Sir!
I'm seldom fortunate enough to get my best results with ball powders, although TAC is looking pretty good with some 5.56 pressure level, heavy bullet loads. I'll have to see how they do next summer before I know for sure though.