I have just started reloading .223 cartridges using Hodgen Varget powder. Using a .223 inside neck diameter setting on my Hornady collet type neck die, I was not able to hold the bullet seating using 25.5 grains of Varget (a partially compressed load). The bullets are randomly backing out after seating, given as much as .012" variation in overall length (using a Davidson length measuring tool).The Nosler BT bullets I am using are .224 in diameter, for a .001 interference fit. I decreased the inside neck diameter to .222" and now the bullets are remaining seated, within only a .001" variation in overall length. Has this been your experience when loading Varget in the .223?
Varget in the .223
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I get a full 1.9cc Lee Dipper Cup of Varget in my cases ... about 26.2 grains. Sounds like your brass is low capacity brass. Is it military brass? I use Varget witht he Sierra 63 grain Semi Point bullet. It's not an overly long bullet and I have it within .010" to the lands.
First off Hornady does not make a collet die...they make a bushing die......
What brass are you using? In order for you to have the right amt of neck tension you have to use the same brand of brass so as to have reasonably consistent neck wall thickness.
Your bushing size sould be 2xneck wall thickness plus the diameter of the bullet less 0.002" is the appropriate bushing size to use.
If you brass is work hardened you may have problems with neck tension.
25gr of Varget should not be giving you problems......
What brass are you using? In order for you to have the right amt of neck tension you have to use the same brand of brass so as to have reasonably consistent neck wall thickness.
Your bushing size sould be 2xneck wall thickness plus the diameter of the bullet less 0.002" is the appropriate bushing size to use.
If you brass is work hardened you may have problems with neck tension.
25gr of Varget should not be giving you problems......
loadedround
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Varget has been my go to powder in the 223 for the past year. It appears that this powder has become so popular that the dealers are having trouble keeping it on the shelves. 
counterclockwise
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Clean the neck good with a acetone or alcohol soaked q-tip before adding powder. A fellow reloader who loaded for the Australian touring rifle team here in the states used .003 "tension" or interference for the .22 77 gn SMKs. 0.001 may be a bit light considering process tolerances.
redneck2
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I use 26.0 in WW cases with 50 grain Nosler BT's with zero problems.
Are you measing OAL rather than ogive? Your bullets could vary, though BT's usually not so much as HP's.
Are you measing OAL rather than ogive? Your bullets could vary, though BT's usually not so much as HP's.
jpwilly
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I went from Varget to BL-C2 due to my Fed Brass not wanting to swollow enough Varget. The results have been good. I'm going to try H335 too. I still use plenty of Varget for most of my .30 cal stuff. Great powder!
freakshow10mm
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The powder choice isn't the issue, it's the case mouth ID effecting your bullet tension.
Redneck with a 40
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I'll have to say that Varget has not worked out very well in my .308. I started at 44 grains, got 1.25" (5) shot group average over 5 groups, which was a good baseline. I've since gone up to 44.3, groups opened up, and down to 43.7, groups opened up. If I go below 43.7, my velocity drops below 2500 fps. It seems that 44 grains is a sweet spot, but will only do 1.25" out of my rifle. I also tried 44.7 grains, which was hideous, no sense in getting up around 45 grains.
On the other hand, I have some loads with H-4895, 42.3 grains, that will print (5) 1" groups with the occasional .75" group. The velocity is much better on these as well, 2640 fps. My rifle seems to like H-4895 better, so I'll be switching to it, when my Varget is used up.
On the other hand, I have some loads with H-4895, 42.3 grains, that will print (5) 1" groups with the occasional .75" group. The velocity is much better on these as well, 2640 fps. My rifle seems to like H-4895 better, so I'll be switching to it, when my Varget is used up.
Boris Barowski
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redneck, tried varying the seating depth ?
Are you sure they're backing out, not seated long to begin with? Your die or press could be flexing. Are you using lube in the case mouth? Removing it after sizing? Does your neck sizing die have an decap/expander rod? I polished mine in a drill, making it a bit smaller and my neck tension a little tighter. That was with a FL sizing die, I'm not familiar with the one you are using. I can fit more Varget than that in a case and still seat the bullets. Are you using a drop tube on your funnel or tapping the cases to settle the powder?
peace.
unloaded
peace.
unloaded
Thanks for all of the inputs. My neck sizing die is a Lee collet die not a Hornady (my typing mistake). My brass is Winchester. Anything over 27 grains of Varget is falling out of the case. Even with just 25.5 grains it is still a compressed load, even with the smaller 55 grain bullet. Don't understand how case volume between manufacturers could vary that much. Right on the Varget bottle label it recommends 27.5 grains and specifies a Winchester case! No, my powder scale is not off, it is recalibrated all of the time. In any event, neck sizing for .002" interference is keeping the bullet from creeping back out, so that is what I will continue to do. For those who asked, my length measurements are made with the Davidson tool, which measures from ogive to the base. I run at 2.650", which is .020" back from the rifling. Oh well, I was just curious if anyone else has been unable to load 27.5 grains ans/or has had problems keeping the bullet seated with compressed loads. The 22 cal bullet doesn't have much surface area with the case, but it is taking a smaller neck ID than I thought it would.
Unloaded,
I am using the Lee neck sizing die with decapping pin. I don't use any lubricants. There is no question the bullets are backing out, and in a very random manner. Sometimes only a few thousands, other times up to ten thousands. After decreasing the neck size to .222, there is no unseating and all OALs (ogive to base) are within a thousandth. I tried vibrating the case, and also I use a 6" drop tube. Even with that, 27 grains is right at the top, or close to it.
I am using the Lee neck sizing die with decapping pin. I don't use any lubricants. There is no question the bullets are backing out, and in a very random manner. Sometimes only a few thousands, other times up to ten thousands. After decreasing the neck size to .222, there is no unseating and all OALs (ogive to base) are within a thousandth. I tried vibrating the case, and also I use a 6" drop tube. Even with that, 27 grains is right at the top, or close to it.
Redneck with a 40
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No, I've been seating the bullets at 2.810", haven't deviated from that. From what I've read, the Sierra match bullets are tolerant of "jump", so I'm guessing it wouldn't make that much difference.
RockyMtnTactical
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I have loaded some .223 with Varget. It shot great but loading it up was tough because the powder was not packing in the case too well. I had to take my sweet time pouring the powder into each case or there wouldn't be enough room to seat the bullet.
freakshow10mm
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I'll address the bottle label issue. That is a listed max load and says so on the bottle. It also recommends you reduce that down by 10% and work up slowly. Use data in a manual. The manual will also say it's a compressed load.
Remo-99
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yep, It's a slow powder for .223rem, but it seems to work well when compressed(proberly a little more than I like to compress powders, normally).
The more I can manage to cram in a 223 case, the tighter the groups and a reduction of muzzle flash in low light conditions also.
I haven't used Varget in my .223 loads yet. AA-2230 and IMR-4320 shoot fine in my Ruger and Contender. I may not have read the post correctly but it seems you're getting conflicting advice how much space your load should take up in the case. Have you checked your scale with a weight check weight?
something vague
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I have been loading with around .001" of neck tension since I recieved my Lee Collet die and have had absolutely great results from it. I am also shooting on a bench and loading one at a time, therefore am very gentle with them. I have tried moving the bullets by hand and also by pressing on my bench, still no movement of any kind. I have another mandrel on order through Lee (if they ever get their thumb out of their ass an send it) to polish down for tighter neck tension for comparison. But I see no reason to change as my groups have increased significantly since using this die. But I use light bullets with either ball powders or fast pwders, nothing compressed.
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