I did quite a bit of experimenting with Varget and several difference primers and loads using my Model 99 Savage in .300 Savage caliber which can consistently shoot 3/4 inch 3-shot groups @ 100 yards with the 3-9x by 40mm scope set on "9x"... and found it barely got 2600 fps with a max. load... and was just "ok" in the accuracy department.
Here's some exceprts from my notes:
MAY 28, 2003 – TEST OF HODGDON’S VARGET RIFLE POWDER
I loaded Varget powder in amounts ranging from 40.4 to 42.2 grains (.2 grain over “maximum suggested load”) of Varget using 5X fired, accurized Winchester cases, Winchester standard large rifle primers and a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tailed bullets.
According to the latest (2002) Lyman Reloading Handbook I read at Olde English Gun Shop, a maximum load of 42.0 grains of Varget with a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet was chronographed by Lyman ballisticians at 2740 fps. In my tests, I could come no where near that velocity chronographing the rounds with my chronograph.
As a “control”, after I finished chronographing all the Varget loads, I fired and chronographed a 3-shot “control” group using my “back-up” hunting loads of 41.5 grains of IMR4895 w/ a 150 grain Nosler B.T. and Winchester standard large rifle primers which yielded an average muzzle velocity of 2686 fps. This MV is slightly higher than my previous average MV of 2675 fps.
The following are the average muzzle velocities attained by the amount of Varget Rifle Powder shown. This test was done on 5/28/03, temperature 70º at the rifle range at Troy Fish & Game Club.
40.4 grs. = 2514 fps average MV.
40.6 grs. = 2525 fps avg.
40.8 grs. = 2546 fps avg.
41.0 grs. = 2539 fps avg.
41.2 grs. = 2523 fps avg.
41.4 grs. = 2576 fps avg.
41.6 grs. = 2590 fps avg.
41.8 grs. = 2606 fps avg.
42.0 grs. = 2615 fps avg. (MAXIMUM Published load)
42.2 grs. = 2621 fps avg.
Control load: 41.5 gr. IMR4895 =
2671, 2698, 2684 fps = 2686 avg. fps.
CONCLUSION: Varget Rifle Powder
Varget is not particularly more accurate than any other powder I’ve tried in my Savage Model 99EG Rifle and it was a complete disappointment in that it was unable to attain the muzzle velocity (2740 fps-24” barrel) published in the 2002 Lyman Reloading Handbook with the published maximum load (42.0 grains), reaching only an average muzzle velocity of 2615 fps… well below the 2740 fps indicated in the 2002 Lyman Reloading Handbook.
After thorough tests of primers and different amounts of different rifle powders, I have concluded that a load of 41.5 grains (max. book load) of IMR4895 behind a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tailed bullet, using a Winchester standard large rifle primer and “accurized” Winchester cartridge cases is the best all-around hunting load for my Savage Model 99EG Rifle. It’s accuracy combined with it’s muzzle velocity assures more than enough knock-down power within reasonable ranges.
I set up the rifle’s scope (3x-9x Bushnell with built-in Bullet Drop Compensator) to be “dead on” at 100 yards when the scope’s Bullet Drop Compensator is set for 100 yards. This setting is also valid for a maximum hunting/shooting range of 250 yards with the scope set on a 200 yard “zero”. At this setting, the height of the bullet never deviates above or below 3½ inches from the line-of-sight.
Strength & Honor...
Ron T.
