As much as I enjoy varget...

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courtgreene

courtgreene

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It seems to have vanished. So, since I can neither find varget nor h4895, I have to use what I have. Barnes does not seem to live in the same world as the rest of us, so in the .308 their 150gr ttsx (or tsx) loads do not use any of the three rifle powders I have. I have also been cautioned against using the hogdon loads (and when I compared barnes loads to Hogdon loads on the two websites I can see why).
So, in an effort to not reinvent the wheel, and knowing some are hesitant to share load data, I hope those who are willing to share will help me out.
Do you have any advice on .308win using 150gr ttsx powered by IMR4895 or IMR4064. I have 414 also, but not as much, so if you can help with the other two that'd be great.

Thanks!
 
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I don't know what a ttsx is but my Lyman 50th edition manual lists for 308 and a 150 gr bullet:
For imr4064 43.0-48.0 gr
For imr4895 40.0-45.0 gr
 
In my Barnes #4 manual (2008) for 308 Winchester, they have the 150 TSX and the 150 MRX (similar to the TTSX) listed with both IMR 4895 and H-4895. Data with IMR 4895 starts @ 43.5 grs to a max of 46.5 grs.

H-4895 starts @ 42.5 grs. with a max of 45.0 grs.

IMR 4064 is a tad slower than the IMR 4895. If you wanted to use the 4064, you can use the IMR 4895 data and slowly go up. I shoot a 155 Nosler CC match bullet in my 308 target rifles @ 45.0 grs. of IMR 4064 with no issues.
 
FLIGHT762 said:
In my Barnes #4 manual (2008) for 308 Winchester, they have the 150 TSX and the 150 MRX (similar to the TTSX) listed with both IMR 4895 and H-4895. Data with IMR 4895 starts @ 43.5 grs to a max of 46.5 grs.

H-4895 starts @ 42.5 grs. with a max of 45.0 grs.

IMR 4064 is a tad slower than the IMR 4895. If you wanted to use the 4064, you can use the IMR 4895 data and slowly go up. I shoot a 155 Nosler CC match bullet in my 308 target rifles @ 45.0 grs. of IMR 4064 with no issues.
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This is a great reason to keep older Reloading Manuals even after buying new updated ones .
I find myself needing this kind of information the deeper we get into shortages .
I have a nice supply of Alcan #5 handgun powder and several older Speer reloading Manuals with data for Alcan Powders ... Now I can safely use load data and use the powder .
Gary
 
Varget seems to be the one powder I need and can't find. Been trying other's, but I really hope it comes back in soon.
 
gwpercle said:
This is a great reason to keep older Reloading Manuals even after buying new updated ones .
I find myself needing this kind of information the deeper we get into shortages .
I have a nice supply of Alcan #5 handgun powder and several older Speer reloading Manuals with data for Alcan Powders ... Now I can safely use load data and use the powder .
Gary
Click to expand...

Last year, I finished up a 1 #can of Alcan 5 I had for many years in some 38 Spl and 41 Magnum target loads.

A few months ago, a friend stopped by and gave me a 1# can of Alcan 7 that looks like it was made yesterday (likely from the 1970's). I guess I'll have to pull out the old Speer manuals and look up some more load data.
 
FLIGHT762 said:
Last year, I finished up a 1 #can of Alcan 5 I had for many years in some 38 Spl and 41 Magnum target loads.

A few months ago, a friend stopped by and gave me a 1# can of Alcan 7 that looks like it was made yesterday (likely from the 1970's). I guess I'll have to pull out the old Speer manuals and look up some more load data.
Click to expand...

We loaded a bit of AL-7 back in the day. A shame it was discontinued. Must have been around 1977 or so. I was just learning how to load .38 and .357 for revolvers. Fond memories. Be careful, that Speer No. 9 (or No. 8) had some seriously hot loads listed compared to my then new Speer No. 10.
 
christian1 said:
Varget seems to be the one powder I need and can't find. Been trying other's, but I really hope it comes back in soon.
Click to expand...
It comes from the plant in aulstraila that is having a lot of lockdown and manning problems.... word is zero trailboss this year, varget is going to be expensive if you can get it. Considering a replacement is wise. Norma 203b is not well known by most and might have been a good substitute but I haven seen any imported lately. Reloader 15.5 or 16 would be good but Alliant seems absent. The imr powder in that burnrate is discontinued with the green label. Options are not plentiful so either adapt or pay top dollar if you see any.
 
Yeah, I was looking for H110 and H4895 about a month ago. I got my H110 for my Carbine, but at $50. Fortunately I don’t use a lot.
The shelf was slam full of IMR 4895, but not a can of H4895 to be found. So I passed on it as I still have 1 1/2 pounds left.
Most powders I’ve seen lately are around $50.
Good luck!
 
Varget is out there but you have to be quick. Varget is going for about $325 an 8lb jug and about $45 for the 1lb plus haz and shipping. I've got enough Varget to last awhile. IMR4350 runs well in 7-08 and .308 and I have several lbs that a friend gave me when he got out of reloading.
 
The copper bullets are longer for the same weight and require different load data. You CAN use any powder you'd use with conventional bullets, but the powder charge will be less since the longer copper bullets take up more space in the case and they offer more resistance going through the barrel. You'll get a little less MV with copper bullets of the same weight. Which is why most people advise dropping down 1 bullet weight with copper bullets.

Hodgdon shows data for the Nosler E-Tip with 4064 and 4895. The E-Tip is also a solid copper bullet and that data should be close enough. As always, start low and work up.

Reloading Data Center | Hodgdon (hodgdonreloading.com)
 
jmr40 said:
The copper bullets are longer for the same weight and require different load data. You CAN use any powder you'd use with conventional bullets, but the powder charge will be less since the longer copper bullets take up more space in the case and they offer more resistance going through the barrel. You'll get a little less MV with copper bullets of the same weight. Which is why most people advise dropping down 1 bullet weight with copper bullets.

Hodgdon shows data for the Nosler E-Tip with 4064 and 4895. The E-Tip is also a solid copper bullet and that data should be close enough. As always, start low and work up.

Reloading Data Center | Hodgdon (hodgdonreloading.com)
Click to expand...
Helpful, thank you
 
What is this Varget you speak of??:)

All I have ever read about it is that it is never available. Never seen it.

Is it really that much better than all the other powders out there??
 
EricBu said:
Keep an eye out for Shooter's World Precision Rifle. It performs very very close to Varget, meters like silk, and costs half as much.
Click to expand...
The sw availability at my store is weird. The get heavy pistol and the 7.62x 39 powder but never anything else.... they have quite a few I would like to at least test.
 
I was looking at Varget alternatives and saw this video. I think I’m going to look hard at CFE223. It is supposed to be a good choice for “light for caliber” rounds for .223 and .308 as well as others:

 
Varget could be in short supply even during good times. Hearing experiences with comparably performing alternatives like SW Precision Rifle is useful, even once this is over.
 
Hodgdon has the data you need. But in situations wher you cant find exact data, a good general rule of thumb is always go one weight class heavier with an all copper bullet.
For example, you are shooting a 150, so look at data for a 168. This is because the bearing surface on an all copper bullet is the same length as a copper and lead constructed bullet.
 
courtgreene said:
It seems to have vanished. So, since I can neither find varget nor h4895, I have to use what I have. Barnes does not seem to live in the same world as the rest of us, so in the .308 their 150gr ttsx (or tsx) loads do not use any of the three rifle powders I have. I have also been cautioned against using the hogdon loads (and when I compared barnes loads to Hogdon loads on the two websites I can see why).
So, in an effort to not reinvent the wheel, and knowing some are hesitant to share load data, I hope those who are willing to share will help me out.
Do you have any advice on .308win using 150gr ttsx powered by IMR4895 or IMR4064. I have 414 also, but not as much, so if you can help with the other two that'd be great.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Either of those powder shoot well in a 308 , the Barnes ? Maybe - maybe not depended on your load development skills and the only way to find out is roll up your sleeves and get to work.
 
doubleh said:
I would have grabbed it. Any powder of any brand is going for $50 and up in this area and choices vary from slim to none. Hazmat fees just increased too if you plan to order powder or primers.
Click to expand...
Me too. In a heartbeat. I haven't seen any rifle powder in ages, I did manage to get an email and snag the aforementioned imr4895 from midway by being lightning fast with the keys and credit card. I've been waiting for such an email regarding varget for over a year. I don't know what shelf he was looking at, but they don't have one like that around here.
 
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