Varget ?

[cowboyup453]

I have been thinking it would be nice to have 1 powder for all my rifle loads. I load for 223,243,
25-06, and 30-06 right know. I have never used varget. So for those of you that use varget what do you think. Would it be good for these calibers? Any othe suggestions?

[bigjeepman]

I like Varget because it is not temperature-sensitive and has performed well in many of my loads. I use it in some .223 , .243 , and .308 loads. Some loaders do not like it or even use it because it doesn't meter well in some powder measures. I do not load for the 25-06 or 30-06 so I cannot comment about those calibers.

[McLernon]

I have tried Varget and found that it is not as consistant as the IMR's. Stopped using all the extreme powders for the same reason.

Mc

[cheatermk3]

Mc,
Do you mean lot-to-lot?

[McLernon]

No I just got better results with IMR-4895 and 4064. You can develop winter and summer loads for a particular rifle to get around temperature affects and IMR4895 and IMR4064 can be used in a variety of cartridges. 

Mc

[wtroger]

I have loaded all the mentioned cartridges with IMR-4895 with good results. If I was going with just one powdered that would be it.

[McLernon]

Yes, IMR-4895 is kind of a 'magic' powder. I have used it 308, 22-250, 223, 204, 45-70, 30-30 and 257 Roberts with good results in all.

Mc
 

[Dillohide]

I've used Varget in my 30-06 with good results but switched back to IMR 4350 because it was more consistant with my 150 and 165 grain bullet loads. But, Varget was good enough. Also used it in my .223 and 30-30 with ok results but again swithed back to BL-c2 for the .223 and IMR 3031 for the 30-30. Not sure there is one do-all powder out there for me because you'd have to be happy with so-so results in one caliber and great in another ... I want the best I can get in everything I shoot. Which is why I hand load.

[McLernon]

I was not advocating the use of one powder for all the cartridges I have listed. I have in fact got better results with some ball powders. I now use BL-C(2) in my 204, H335 in my 223 and IMR4350 for heavier bullets in my 257. But I have never got sterling results with any of Hodgdons extreme powders. I just don't know why folks rave about them. Heck Le Barons(big sporting gooods chain) stocks only Hodgdon. Go figure.

Mc

[varmitbob]

I use Varget in .223 and .308 with excellent results.  I agree that one powder can not do it all, but if your selection of rounds is in a narrow range one powder can meet your needs.  I have had better luck adjusting the grains and type of bullet than changing powders to gain accuracy.  Most of my loads are more accurate a few grains below max load.  Try some different bullet weights and designs within the same weight to see what works best in your gun.  After you narrow the field down start a the max loads, and back off 0.5 grains at a time. I would not go further than 2 grains under max unless you are loading a managed recoil load.  I am not aware of any listed managed recoil loads for Varget, but there are for some other powders.  You may find out that the managed recoil load for the larger round to be the most accurate. 

[nomosendero]

I have been thinking it would be nice to have 1 powder for all my rifle loads. I load for 223,243,
25-06, and 30-06 right know. I have never used varget. So for those of you that use varget what do you think. Would it be good for these calibers? Any othe suggestions?

If you use one powder for these cartridges, you will give up per. on one end of the spectrum or another.

[Gandalf]

I'm using Varget for my nutria loads in my 223. 

27 gr of Varget, Nosler 40gr BT, CCI400 primer.

[Mac11700]

But I have never got sterling results with any of Hodgdons extreme powders.

I'll send you some load data for them...and I know they change your mind...

My 45-70 loads are some of the most consistent and accurate loads I can assemble...I usually get the SD's in the 2-3fps...and average single digits for the extreme spreads as well...It's not for the recoil intimidated folks,but it will change your mind on the extreme powders...PM nomosendaro and ask him...I loaded some up and we both used the same load in our XLR's last deer/bear season.He got a nice mountain buck with his...I wasn't so fortunate..all I saw was slick heads...and couldn't take any...The others do good too...but just nowhere as close...

I like BL-C2 as well...but it is temp sensitive...It's the most accurate out of my 338-06AS Handi...

Mac

 

[wcf3030]

I use it for my 30-30 .223, .308.
My favorite powder for all around use.
Always seem to grab a pound when at the gun store.

[cowboyup453]

Thanks for all the input. Guess im just gona have to try it to see how it works for me. I have some IMR 4895 already so I might go that way donno yet. Mainly I was thinking with my limited in come I could get 4 or 8 pounds at a time in stead of 1pound of each different powder I use. Also I forgot to add the 45-70 I load for it to.

[bluebayou]

Maybe too late, but I use Varget with 7-08 to great effect with heavy 160 grain SGK's.  Very consistent.  Not a max load.  I also use it with 60 gr VMAX and 55 NBT in 223.  Both are very consistent loads.  I experimented with it in 270, but it left a lot of empty case so it made me nervous and it had vertical stringing (wasn't the rifle) which looked like velocity variation. 

So people have said that Varget performs better near max loads or with heavier projectile.  Both would give higher pressure and make it burn differently.

 The 7-08 load that I shoot is very consistent.  If I had to choose between Varget and H4895 then it would be a tossup.  I use H4895 in 223, 7-08 (with full and reduced loads), and 7.62x39.  I really like the ability to make reduced loads using Hodgdon's data with the H4895. 

[doeroller]

IMO Varget is WAY to fast a powder for the 25-06. It will work with some load juggling with the other calibers. You will need to use a 4350 and slower burning powder to get the best performance from a 25-06