Varget substitute?

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model14

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I shoot a very accurate 700 VLS .223 (<.4 MOA) using 27 grns Varget behind a 55 grn Nosler BT. I like Varget because of the full case loads. I can't get Varget around here anymore; any suggestions? I was thinking VitaVouri 133, or 140, which is available.
 
N140 and W748 are close substitutes for Varget on the Relative Burning Rate Tables. I have used W748 myself in the 223 when I couldn't get Varget. :)
 
I have used 748 for years... love it for lighter bullets... 63 grns or less... I like Varget for the heavy bullets.... good luck gettin your sea-plys
 
I have tried many different powders for my .223 bolt action, W748, H335, H322, AA2230, AA2460, H4895, IMR4895 and a few more other than Varget cause it has never been in stock. No matter what I try I can never find a better load than with the first powder I ever bought for my .223...H335! I must say I absolutely love this stuff. I can shoot 1/4"-1/2" groups consistantly with this stuff out of my Ruger M77 VT. I was tempted to buy some Varget yesterday as it was in stock at my local gun shop but ended up just picking up some more H335 as I didn't think I could improve on my results. I'm kind of sick of buying new powders to try to only find out that my trusty old H335 out shoots them all. I probably should've bought some Varget to throw on gunbroker to make a little extra cash, that's just not my style though. I left it there knowing someone needs it more than I.

Moral of the story, if you're looking for a new powder to try out then I would highly reccomend to test out some H335. Burn rate is a little different than Varget. I shoot a lot of 50gr Vmax as well as piles of Sierra 52gr. HPBT matchkings with it.
 
I have tried H335 and the Sierra HPBT's in the past. For some reason this combo fouls up my barrel horribly after twenty rounds, or so. Seriously, after 2 or 3 fouling shots, I get really great groups, then all starts going to hell. I clean the barrel and let it cool and all goes well again, but for only 20 rounds. This doesn't happen with the Varget Nosler 55 BT combo. I truly don't understand whgat is going on, but it does :(
 
You have a lot of choices for powders that will work with your combination. Can you get any Benchmark? I have a couple of rifles that love Varget. I no longer just shoot with it. It is only used for those loads. Varget has always been the hardest Hogdon powder to find.

jim
 
Not yet mentioned, but I like Re 15 for .223 and .308 both. I don't know that it is better than Varget but it is at least as good, in my guns.
 
Seriously, I'd just wait a week or two. Varget's been coming back at least in WI - bought 12 lbs in the last couple weeks. It is produced in Austrailia, so the boats must have finally arrived. I'd imagine other places should be getting their orders in as well.
 
Not necessarily same burn rate, but hopefully just as accurate

Nosler lists 21.0 grains N120 as an accuracy load for those 55g BT bullets.
http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=15&b=22cal&s=151
If the link doesn't get you straight to the 223 page, click on the red link 'Reloading Data for Sportsmen' at the bottom of the page, then navigate to 223 (they also have a special section for 223 with 1/7 twist, but only for heavier bullets).
 
H4895 and Benchmark are very close and like Varget, are relatively insensitive to temperature changes.
 
I've always thought H335 was the best .223 powder around but if you are having trouble with it I can't recommend it... Varget is fairly new and already I've heard it called "The Unique of Rifle Powders" and probably with good reason. All powders give different results, even those with similar burn rate. IMO the best "replacement" for Varget in the .223 would probably be BL-C(2) (Ball C powder) even though the burn rates aren't exact. If that's not available then try to find some IMR4064 which also works well in the .223.
 
TAC is another good one to try with heavier bullets in .223. Funny how H335 does not work in your gun. It is usually an excellent .223/.222 Mag powder.
 
I'm currently using Varget in my .308 loads, but H-4895 also gives excellent performance, I'm actually going back to it, because it gives me better velocity with less powder in my 20" barrel .308.
 
V-V N540 is a very "Varget like" powder - high energy, clean burning, easy metering, near identical bulk densities and burn rate.

Many other good powders recommended here, except N120. It's not fast enough to be considered a pistol powder, but it's close! IMO it's way to fast for optimal performance in the .223 Rem w/55 gr bullets.

Win 748, H4895, N140, and RL-15 would all be good choices. Maybe even better than Varget, which is starting to get kinda slow for your state purpose.
 
I like these powders for 223, Varget,VT 540, & Rl 15 they all will produce 1/4min accuracy
with match bullets 69gr + Rl 15 & 75gr Bergers will give the most speed and very accurate.
My hunting load is a lot of Rl15 and 55gr Nosler BT ++3400fps 1" groups at 300y in good conditions 1/9 twist Rem xcr-lrt
 
I just shot my reload's yesterday, 42 grains of H-4895, 168 SMK, L-C brass, .308 caliber, I got superlative accuracy, better than anything I've achieved with varget. I'm rollin' with H-4895, equivalent velocity with 2 grains less powder too.:) The rifle is a remmy 700 SPS Tactical.
 
Varget and 4064 is nearly identical as said. I personally think the new Ramshot powders are going to replace both when people start trying them. Xtreme Tac or Big game powder
 
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