Trying Varget -UPDATE-

[brokeasajoke]

Loaded up some rounds today with varget. Win brass, BR4 primers, 35gr bergers at sbout 2.260 coal. Loaded 27.2 up to 28.2 in .2 increments. Hopefully the weather will hold up so i can see if my VSSF likes any of them.

[Clint E]

I tryed varget in my 204 and could not get the speed out of it but did have cosistant groups with it do not remember charge weight. I was shooting 39sbk it will be interesting to see what 35s do.

[Jim White]

Varget shot so-so for me but the velocity wasn't there in comparision to other brands.

[brokeasajoke]

Only reason im trying it is for an optimum charge load. i need a cronograph bad. hint hint santa.

[broper]

I haven't used Varget but I've had real good luck with BLC(2) in my .204. I've got some ladder loads with 35 gr. Bergers that I need to go try. I loaded some 32gr. Nosler Varmageddons and they are super accurate in my rifle. I got a .169 group with 29 gr. BLC(2). If Varget doesn't work out for you, give BLC(2) a try. I'm very happy with it.

[RAMOS]

I had very good accuracy w/Varget in two different 204R's. Went to RL10X and groups tightened up a smidge and picked up some speed. If you don't see the desired results on paper, try adjusting your charge by 1/10gr instead of 2/10gr. I would suggest playing w/ seating depth after you have settled on the charge. FWIW, I was using WW brass, Fed 205M primers, 32 V-Max and 39 SBK's.

[MG34]

I use Varget and IMR 4064 with Sierra bullets in my Remington 700 with excellent results.

[DoubleUp]

As long as you don't have a chrono you'll probably be completely satisfied with Varget accuracy wise. Of course some rifles just don't seem to do well with some powders and that is always a crapshoot. I've shot some very good groups with Varget, but it is quite a bit slower than many other good powders for the 204. Other negatives are it bridges pretty badly in powder funnels and doesn't throw very accurately. If you weigh and trickle, the second part won't be much of a problem. I doubt any animal is going to know the difference because it gets hit with a 39 or 40 gr bullet travelling at 3,600-3,700 instead of 3,800-3,900. Same deal with 32, 34, 35, or 37 gr. Personally I like H4895 a little beter than Varget, and IMR 8208 a little better than H4895, but that's just me. I try to stay away from temp sensitive powders because I shoot all year long.

[brokeasajoke]

was using h4895. Im just messing around with varget. May try it in my 243 too. Ive got my sights set on h4895 blc2 or 8208 for my go to load. Im just getting back on the reloading scene and relearning. A friend of mine got out of it so i have about 10 different powders including about 10lbs of h322.

[inKYfromSD]

FWIW, my .243 loves 41.6 grains of Varget under 70 gr Nosler BTs. One ragged hole at 100 yds. Tons of fun in a dog town until the barrel gets too warm. Good luck with your search!

[DoubleUp]

H322 shoots mighty good too, and I generally like to keep a couple of lbs on hand myself.

[Silverfox]

I tried lots of powders with the 35 gr. FBHP Bergers, but wound up using H4895. My rifle is a Savage 12VLP and I used Hornady casings, Remington 7½ primers and a stiff load of H4895. This was the most accurate load for the 35 gr. Bergers and really punched the lights out on coyotes.

[HoundofSC]

I shoot a off the shelf 26 inch Criterion barrel on a savage action, varget was a so so powder for me in 32's, 34's and 39's. Not bad but my gun likes RL10X better in the 32's and 39's

[smitty55]

are the RL powders temp sensitive??? sounds like RL10 is a powder to try

[HoundofSC]

yep, real sensitive to barrel temp also. If you shoot fast, like I tend to, don't push it too high. Find a low to midrange node