with my order of 5k cci sm rifle primers from cabelas I ordered 8lbs of VARGET powder. My question is how well will it meter through my dillion 650 powder measure ?
powder question
- Thread starter cemjr
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Varget through 650
I have the RL550B, and it's "Auto Powder Measure", is not consistent with Varget.
But, Varget is my favorite powder for 150gr 308 ammo. A trickler gets this job. For high speed mass production, I use 335 when possible. The "Auto Powder Measure" is real good with this powder. It flows like water.
I have the RL550B, and it's "Auto Powder Measure", is not consistent with Varget.
But, Varget is my favorite powder for 150gr 308 ammo. A trickler gets this job. For high speed mass production, I use 335 when possible. The "Auto Powder Measure" is real good with this powder. It flows like water.
Not the answer I was hoping for. I bought the Varget because my reloading manual recommends it for the heavier .224 bullets. I bought 500 sierra 69grn BTHPs to start with
Metering is really not that critical. Everyone wants their ammo to be loaded to +/- 0.01gn when +/- 0.5 gn is more than adequate for most rifle loads. Figure that any charge variation that keeps all charge within a 5% range of target is good enough.
Benchrest loads by volume and have been using stick powder for about 9 decades or more.
Benchrest loads by volume and have been using stick powder for about 9 decades or more.
Cemjr:
I have to disagree with the above comment. I load 308's on my Dillon 550B (same powder measure as the 650) and have had no trouble with consistent charge weights with Varget powder. However I did add a powder baffle to my measure obtained from an old Redding measure. Redding baffles are available from MidwayUSA if you wish to try one.
I have to disagree with the above comment. I load 308's on my Dillon 550B (same powder measure as the 650) and have had no trouble with consistent charge weights with Varget powder. However I did add a powder baffle to my measure obtained from an old Redding measure. Redding baffles are available from MidwayUSA if you wish to try one.
Cemjr, I am curious I looking in my lyman 49th edition and with the exception of 2- the 63gr jacketed SMP and 75gr A-MAX.........ALL the rest of these at max load grains are compressed did you know this and have you reloaded a compressed type of stick powder it can not be fun and if you attempt to run this setup at max you'll be spilling VARGET all over the press.... on a single stage press its workable but does take extra time when you do single stage. On a good note though the L.C. brass holds more than the Winchester brass. I was loading 60gr HP's varmt. at 72.2 so much time for me I switch to TAC and H4198.
I use the Lyman manual also (biggest reason for powder choice) 23.4 start 26 max I figured 25 might be the sweet spot.
I also load varget on a 550b i use 26 gr for 52 gr bthp match and 55 gr v max and 24 gr for 75 gr bthp match. All using winchester brass and winchester primers. All bullets hornady. I use the hornady 7th addition manual. It shoots 1/2 in groups at 100 yds out of my 700 pss or my rock river varmit 1/8 twist.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I don't use that powder measure but Varget meters well enough in my Lee Perfect Power Measure. I don't recall anyone I know complaining about poor metering from Varget.
i agree, varget N140 and other short grain powders meter pretty well out of my lee measure.
MtnCreek
Member
Varget doesn't measure as well as others in the Dillon, but I have had no issues with bridging. I dropped within +/-0.2 grains. 4895 is a no goin a Dillon measure.
A-Fixer is correct about the spillage. With my .223 loads using varget, the Dillon would flip a little powder out when the shellplate indexed.
Varget being a fairly slow burner, so it would make sence to me that 0.2 grains of Varget will make less of a difference than 0.2 grains of a faster burning powder.
I've been working with IMR 8208xbr in .223 and .308 on a progressive and have had great results. It is cut shorter than Varget.
A-Fixer is correct about the spillage. With my .223 loads using varget, the Dillon would flip a little powder out when the shellplate indexed.
Varget being a fairly slow burner, so it would make sence to me that 0.2 grains of Varget will make less of a difference than 0.2 grains of a faster burning powder.
I've been working with IMR 8208xbr in .223 and .308 on a progressive and have had great results. It is cut shorter than Varget.
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Thanks everyone for your experiences, I'm more encouraged now. As for the Dillion slinging power, that's nothing new, it does that loading 9X19 with 4.5 grns. of tite group.
MtnCreek
Member
As I lower the shellplate, I place the projectile on the case that will index to the seating station and hold it there applying some light pressure to the case. This helps take some of the jerking motion out of the shellplate. If you haven't already, give it a try.
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