H. Varget for '06 and .308? Suggestions?

[JCM]

I'm going to a gun show this weekend and hope to pick up some powder/primers for my first try at reloading.  I'm loading for a 20.25 inch barreled .308, and a 22 inch barreled 30'06.  I've read a lot of positives on Varget and would like to give it a try.

Any warnings concerning Varget?

Better choices or good second choices if I can't find Varget there?

Suggestions on a primer brand?

Thanks guys,
JCM

[PaulS]

Varget is good in the 308 with 165-180 grain bullet but there are better powders for lighter and heavier bullets - what bullet and weight will you be using?

PaulS

[bajabill]

I have used varget for a few chamberings, its good, but not the best.  It is versitile in that is is rarely a poor choice.  Kind of a jack of all trades powder.  It meters well.  

I find it better for the lighter for chambering bullets,  I still use it for my 125/130 target rounds in the -06, it can handle 150s, but not to my satisfaction for hunting deer.

I use it in the 243 also because I am only pushing 75 or 80 gr target punchers.  Same for the 270 wsm, only the varmint weight bullets.  

One other thing, Hodgdon has a lot of data for using this powder, so if you want to minimize the amount of powder kegs you have on the shelf, and are not looking for the absolute fastest or the absolute most accurate performance, it is a great choice.  To achieve the fastest and most accurate, you will have to experiment with many powders.

[JCM]

I've got a number of different brands of .308 bullets for the 2 rifles (can't remember them all).  Several boxes of 150's and several boxes of 165's.  Nothing heavier or lighter.  This will be for deer.

I'm not concerned with getting the fastest load.  I'll probably load both below max loads.  I do want accurracy, but I'm not looking for 1 hole groups.  I want 1.5 at 100.  Smaller is better, but 1.5 is fine for the hunting I do.  If I can get that out of a common powder for the two rifles, great.  If I have to use different bullets for each, that's ok.  If I can use the same bullet, so much the better.

Thanks for both your input.  I appreciate it.

JCM

[bajabill]

I did not try to imply that varget is not accurate.

You will have to determine that.  I suspect it will be acceptable however.  But, each complete system is its own animal.

[Arrroman]

I like Varget.

The burning rate for Varget is about the same as IMR4064 and the loading data for IMR4064 can be used with Varget powder.

If youy can't get the Varget I would get IMR4064.

Good luck hunting!  >>>------------>

[bajabill]

Arrowman,

whether it is correct, wrong, or correct by luck...  I would never recommend someone use data for one powder to load another powder.

I have used I4064, it is good also, but doesnt meter thru my powder measure as consistently, so I had to use the scale for each round if I wanted to feel confident in the load level.  I think the varget has shorter cut pellets.

[ricciardelli]

.308 Winchester
150's:
Varget From 35.9 grains to 48.5 grains
 Remington 9-1/2 Primer

I preferred:
N-135 From 31.7 grains to 46.0 grains
 Remington 9-1/2 Primer

165's:
Varget From 32.6 grains to 46.5 grains
 Remington 9-1/2 Primer

I preferred:
N-550 From 40.7 grains to 48.9 grains
 Remington 9-1/2 Primer


.30-06
150's:
Varget From 41.0 grains to 53.0 grains
 Winchester WLR Primer

I preferred:
N-204 From 55.0 grains to 59.0 grains
 Winchester WLR Primer

165's:
Varget From 38.0 grains to 51.0 grains
 Winchester WLR Primer

I preferred:
IMR-4350 From 47.5 grains to 59.0 grains
 Winchester WLR Primer

[Tom W.]

I use 47 grains of varget with a 180 gr. Gamekings in my 30/06.It's not the fastest load by any means, but my rifle likes it. I use a similar charge in my .270.

Varget is pretty versatile. Check Hodgdon's website, and if you have any questions, ask them, they'll give you a good answer.

[Val]

I don't reload for a .308 but a lot of 30-06s shoot very accurately with IMR 4350 for 165 and 150 grain pellets.