Varget Availability?
- Thread starter Sniper66
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JFrank
Member
Trade war with Australia maybe????
That is a good question. I noticed that one site that allowed back orders on some powders, wouldn't allow back order on Varget. Seems we had delays from Australia powder before, back in '13-'14.
I did a quick search and saw no mention of trade war with Australia. It seems, per Wikipedia, that the trade agreement, effective in '05, has worked well for the USA.
Nature Boy
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There was a rumor going around that Varget imports would be delayed until after the new year.
That induced the typical hoarding response from your fellow reloaders, which causes shortages and back orders.
That induced the typical hoarding response from your fellow reloaders, which causes shortages and back orders.
Varminterror
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A bunch of match shooting guys started shooting 6BR variants and 6GT last season, and swallowed up inventory this summer. A few rumors started flying about fires (I’ve heard three different plants, warehouses, and even a shipping barge burning up at sea), other rumors about international tariffs, still other rumors of supply chain delays and no more deliveries until after the new year, and very, very little truth - yet a high number of folks started panic buying, creating the reality they dreaded from their own fiction.
Hodgdon has always been very open about their supply chain, I called them myself a month ago when another forum had a very active thread recounting all of these silly rumors. I also spoke with a Hodgdon rep at the PRS Midwest Regional Finale a couple weeks ago, who hand delivered recent inventory 8lb jugs of Varget, Sta-ball, and H4350 to the prize table. Guys are panic-buying all of what they find, instead of the one pound or one jug they might normally buy, which means the other guys who normally also buy in small volumes can’t find any, so they panic and buy whatever they find when they can. Hodgdon shared, twice to me directly now, that they have been receiving and shipping regular volumes of Varget this fall and winter, receiving supply every 4-6wks, and correspondingly shipping. They’ve shared they have a much higher back-order fulfillment right now as well, such much of what they’ll deliver won’t flip any “in-stock” switches for retailers, and guys will continue to speculate about some enduring supply chain issue. It’s temporary and imaginary, so they’ve been open in saying they’re not making efforts to increase their speed.
Buy what you’ll burn when you find it, and leave some for the other guy, and we’ll all be back to normal sooner.
Hodgdon has always been very open about their supply chain, I called them myself a month ago when another forum had a very active thread recounting all of these silly rumors. I also spoke with a Hodgdon rep at the PRS Midwest Regional Finale a couple weeks ago, who hand delivered recent inventory 8lb jugs of Varget, Sta-ball, and H4350 to the prize table. Guys are panic-buying all of what they find, instead of the one pound or one jug they might normally buy, which means the other guys who normally also buy in small volumes can’t find any, so they panic and buy whatever they find when they can. Hodgdon shared, twice to me directly now, that they have been receiving and shipping regular volumes of Varget this fall and winter, receiving supply every 4-6wks, and correspondingly shipping. They’ve shared they have a much higher back-order fulfillment right now as well, such much of what they’ll deliver won’t flip any “in-stock” switches for retailers, and guys will continue to speculate about some enduring supply chain issue. It’s temporary and imaginary, so they’ve been open in saying they’re not making efforts to increase their speed.
Buy what you’ll burn when you find it, and leave some for the other guy, and we’ll all be back to normal sooner.
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
I saw some carpet at State Line Bullets in Great Bend PA last time I was there. They do have a website, but mostly shows the bullets that they cast.
Skeptic13
Member
I have no idea but I can't find Varget anywhere near me.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I saw Varget not the shelf at Cabelas a few weeks ago when I was there. If course I can't speak for right now.
Nature Boy
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If you can’t find Varget see if you can get some VV N140. RL15 is another option
stillquietvoice
Contributing Member
It's been a few weeks since I was there can't get to the shop often their hours are not compatible with my work schedule.
Random 8
Member
I switched to R15 and IMR 4064 during the last "shortage" due to Varget's supply/popularity/hoarding issues. It's always the first to go whenever a panic starts.
You make me curious now. I need to stop in at Fin Fur & Feathers. I have to look and see if they have Varget.
It seems like Varget was the last to show back up on the shelves last time. I don't use it often. When it did start showing up, I bought a few pounds of it. So I won't buy any. But I am curious.
It seems like Varget was the last to show back up on the shelves last time. I don't use it often. When it did start showing up, I bought a few pounds of it. So I won't buy any. But I am curious.
243winxb
Member
From http://www.adi-powders.com.au/faq/
ADI powders are supplied to the Australian market first.
From time to time demand for a particular powder temporarily exceeds the forecast we have for it in our system. While we keep a buffer stock of all types of propellant, it is possible for a us to temporarily run out of stock. When this happens, the situation is often made worse by “panic buying” where any powder of the type that is in short supply is bought up by shooters worried they will not have enough to continue their reloading. Due to the complex nature of the production processes, we need about six months from when we decide that more of a type of powder is needed until it is packed and ready to ship.
No Varget found at Www.ammoseek.com
You could try powders near the same burn rate , like IMR4064 or AA2520.
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/powder-equivalents/
Powder equivalents
Note: This table shows only approximate equivalent values within about 5%. Actual burning rates can vary depending on the calibre, firearm, loading components and practices, as well as from powder lot to lot. As a consequence, it must be understood that Australian Munitions cannot accept any responsibility for the use of this information in any way.
ADI powders are supplied to the Australian market first.
From time to time demand for a particular powder temporarily exceeds the forecast we have for it in our system. While we keep a buffer stock of all types of propellant, it is possible for a us to temporarily run out of stock. When this happens, the situation is often made worse by “panic buying” where any powder of the type that is in short supply is bought up by shooters worried they will not have enough to continue their reloading. Due to the complex nature of the production processes, we need about six months from when we decide that more of a type of powder is needed until it is packed and ready to ship.
No Varget found at Www.ammoseek.com
You could try powders near the same burn rate , like IMR4064 or AA2520.
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/powder-equivalents/
Powder equivalents
Note: This table shows only approximate equivalent values within about 5%. Actual burning rates can vary depending on the calibre, firearm, loading components and practices, as well as from powder lot to lot. As a consequence, it must be understood that Australian Munitions cannot accept any responsibility for the use of this information in any way.
Last edited:
Allen One1
Member
Interesting thread. I just checked Powder Valley and they are out of stock. Midway is also out of stock. I actually have have 6-7 lbs in an open container that I would sell to someone if they get themselves in a bind. I may post that at the club just in case. I don't think this is going to be a long lived shortage but you never know.
I just cracked an 8#er so I should be good for a couple of years anyway.
I remember the 2013-2014 shortage of Varget. I never ran completely dry, but bought a jug of Rl15 just in case. I'm glad that I did, because that is a great powder for heavy bullets in .223. It meters very nicely too.
I remember the 2013-2014 shortage of Varget. I never ran completely dry, but bought a jug of Rl15 just in case. I'm glad that I did, because that is a great powder for heavy bullets in .223. It meters very nicely too.
Is RI 15 an Alliant product? I found Alliant 15, but don't find the RI. Looks like the Alliant 15 is made for .223.
THANK YOU.
entropy
Member
My LGS has about 5 # bottles of it, but when I ran out of BL-C(2) last night for .223, I switched to my best IMR 4064 load to finish out the run. Would have used Varget if I'd had it, but I always have IMR 4064 on hand.
NMachine
Member
Last time varget got scarce, I switched to IMR 4166 and haven’t looked back.
JFrank
Member
How’d it shoot
W.E.G.
Member
This happens in cycles.
Moral of the story, if you are an avid and frequent shooter, always keep a THREE-YEAR supply of powder, primer and bullets.
I take it one step further. I keep a three-year supply of the primary powder I use (which happens to be Varget) and I keep a three-year supply of a second-choice that I like equally well (which happens to be TAC). There is nothing magical about Varget or TAC. There are lots of other powders equally-good, and equally-useful, for my needs. I settled on Varget and TAC because they are produced on opposite sides of the world. I figure if there is some local factor affecting the availability of one, that factor is likely not going to be in play with the other. Of course, there is always this "shortage-and-hoarding" thing happening in the U.S. Well, that's why I keep a three-year supply. I figure if six years goes by, and I still can't get gunpowder, there are likely bigger things for me to be concerned about than shortage of reloading supplies.
I understand there is the cost issue. Three-years supply of bullets/powder/primers costs some significant money. If you are starting with ZERO, you may need to work toward a suitable supply as funds allow. I've been accumulating this stuff since I was 9 years old. Fair to say, I'm caught-up on inventory.
Some folks can't stand the idea of having old powders or old bullets - I suppose on the notion that something really-better will come along, and they'll be stuck with powder and bullets that "aren't as good." That just hasn't been my experience. The manufacturers want you to buy the newest-greatest copper-fouling-remover-temperature-insensitive-supremely-consistent product. I've avoided that way of thinking, and my competition scores have not suffered.
I believe some folks fear that primers and powder will "go bad." Properly-manufactured powder, stored in a temperature-stable environment will maintain full integrity for a very long time. Moreover, if you ROTATE your stock, none of it should be very old anyhow by the time you use it.
Can't find any Varget? Time to select your alternate powder. And stock up.
Moral of the story, if you are an avid and frequent shooter, always keep a THREE-YEAR supply of powder, primer and bullets.
I take it one step further. I keep a three-year supply of the primary powder I use (which happens to be Varget) and I keep a three-year supply of a second-choice that I like equally well (which happens to be TAC). There is nothing magical about Varget or TAC. There are lots of other powders equally-good, and equally-useful, for my needs. I settled on Varget and TAC because they are produced on opposite sides of the world. I figure if there is some local factor affecting the availability of one, that factor is likely not going to be in play with the other. Of course, there is always this "shortage-and-hoarding" thing happening in the U.S. Well, that's why I keep a three-year supply. I figure if six years goes by, and I still can't get gunpowder, there are likely bigger things for me to be concerned about than shortage of reloading supplies.
I understand there is the cost issue. Three-years supply of bullets/powder/primers costs some significant money. If you are starting with ZERO, you may need to work toward a suitable supply as funds allow. I've been accumulating this stuff since I was 9 years old. Fair to say, I'm caught-up on inventory.
Some folks can't stand the idea of having old powders or old bullets - I suppose on the notion that something really-better will come along, and they'll be stuck with powder and bullets that "aren't as good." That just hasn't been my experience. The manufacturers want you to buy the newest-greatest copper-fouling-remover-temperature-insensitive-supremely-consistent product. I've avoided that way of thinking, and my competition scores have not suffered.
I believe some folks fear that primers and powder will "go bad." Properly-manufactured powder, stored in a temperature-stable environment will maintain full integrity for a very long time. Moreover, if you ROTATE your stock, none of it should be very old anyhow by the time you use it.
Can't find any Varget? Time to select your alternate powder. And stock up.
NMachine
Member
I got higher velocity with just as tight groups in both 260 Rem and 35 Whelen.
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