Varget and the 30-06

[Lennyjoe]

Anyone try Varget in the 30-06? I noticed that there is some published loads for the 30-06 and Varget seems to be pretty consistent in all types of temps. Might make a good hunting load.

Here's whats listed for Varget.

165 GR. SIE SPBT VARGET 50.5 2873 49,700 CUP

And here's the powder I have been using. Its IMR 4350.


165 GR. SIE SPBT
IMR 4350 .308" 3.300" 56.0 2746 48,100 PSI 60.0C 2934 57,600 PSI

Seems the Varget has only 80fps less but the PSI cup is almost 8,900psi lower. Might be worth the time to give it a try since I use it in my 22-250 and .223 loads.

Anyone try it yet?

 

[P95Carry]

The pressure drop surprises me Lenny - but then anyways - I am no powder afficionado! Just I guess that I had placed Varget as a (relatively speaking) fast rifle powder, and so limited it to .223 and similar. If there are loads for it - try em.

I think another powder worthy of trial is VV N-140. It does a great job for me in .243 but will also cover up to .308 and 30-06 too.

That said - good ol' Reloader 7 (first rifle powder I ever used 30 years ago!) is still something I use for .308 - after all this time! That would also equate easily to 30-06 loads.

Just thinkin' aloud - rambling as ever.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Suprised me too. Reason I ran into it was a buddy just got a Lee Aniversary reloading kit and it had a Hodgden load book in it. It showed the Varget load for the -06 and it also had a graph that showed its insensitivity to hot/cold temps.

http://www.hodgdon.com/smokeless/extreme/page2.php#top

Varget was by far the least tempermental (other than H4350) when it comes to temp change.

A good thing if your sighting in a rifle in warm weather and hunting in cold.

 

[P95Carry]

Well - give it a go - and then write that up - be more than interested to see results. I have a load of Varget and really have not yet made best use of it.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Take note that Varget data is in "CUP" pressure units
Imr4350 data is in "PSI" units.

The two are not the same and are not interchangeable or convertable.

Different units and different measurement techniques.

CUP is derived from a copper crusher, and is much less sensitive than the newer transducer derived PSI. The location from which the measurements are taken are different, and the PSI measurements allow the recording of the pressure rise and fall in graphical format, to show peak pressure and pressure curve duration, as well as residual exit pressure levels. M-1 Garand shooters are familar with this as "Port" pressure and its propensitive to bend Op-rods if it is too high. (ie: Imr4831 loads are taboo in a Garand).

For the .30/06, 62,500psi is generally considered max. 50,000cup is SAAMI max. for the '06.

Muddy the water a little more???


Varget is very similar to IMR4064, and a tad faster than RL-15.

I've found that I prefer RL-15 with the 150gr bullets, and the 4350's for the 165. Its RL-22 for the 180gr. Higher velocities, equal accuracy. In my experience.

 

[Lennyjoe]

The two are not the same and are not interchangeable or convertable

Good point!

I am currently using IMR 4350 with 165's and am happy with its performance.

I think I'll give the Varget a go next weekend and see how it performs. Also, gonna start working on 180gr loads for the Elk season this fall. I will try RL-22 as well as some other powders for the 180's.

I just wish they would sell powder in 6 oz. size too so I don't have wasted powder should I not like the performance.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Varget is very similar to, but NOT the same as, IMR4064 in speed. It works well in a wide range of cartridges, I use it in 223, 308, 708 and have tried it in the `06 with 150 gr bullets. The `06 seemed to prefer IMR4350 with the 150 gr bullet I liked so I went back to it but that`s not to knock Varget. Accuracy and velocity in the 223 55 & 60gr bullet) and 708 (139-140 gr slug) is second to none in my rifles and Varget did everything 4064 did with 150 and 168gr bullets in my old 308.
It is well worth trying.