Varget for 223 rem
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From what I read, Varget is one of Hodgdon's extreme powders, meaning that I works well in a wide range of temps. I have personally never used it, but read lots of good things about it. The only negative I read is that since it is a stick powder, it doesn't meter as well in progressive powder measures as ball powder does. Other than that, it seems to get high ratings.
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I bought some for my .270, but never found a good load with it. My FIL uses it in his .22-250 with good results. That help any?
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For 270win I use IMR 4350.For 223 I have been using IMR4198.
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IMR4350 is just about the cream of the crop for the long action non-magnum rounds.
Do you use your 4198 loads in semi autos?? I used lots of it when I had a Mini-14, and never had a problem with it using 55GR bullets. When I started shooting AR's, the 4198 was a little too fast for the AR gas system. I was getting constant short stroking. The pressure curve was already dropping off too much to reliably operate the gas system.
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For a Mini 14 and never had any problems. I haven't loaded much for the mini14 because it used to be easier to just buy factory.
You can shoot up so much in the gun that it would take a month of loading with a single stage loader to get a afternoons worth of fun.
I like the IMR 4350 ....now for my 308 I started using IMR 4064 and love it. The smell of the smoke is kind of unique I think:biggrin:
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Another great powder for the short action rounds.
You and I think WAYYYYY too much alike. Kinda scary... :biggrin:
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I've shot up a couple of pounds of Varget in .308, 6.5x55, and .223. It is my most used power so I just bought an 8 lb. jug. It works well in my remington and swede bolt actions. I can get slightly better groups in a .223 with IMR 4198 and 52 gr. Sierras but for most bullets the Varget is just as accurate and probably less temperature sensitive. It is a stick powder and doesn't meter as well as ball powders but I weigh all my loads so that is not a issue for me.
I will recommend it until I can find something better.
james
I will recommend it until I can find something better.
james
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:salute:..........you know like on Hee Haw:thumb:
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I've done quite a few loads of 4350 in my 243 and honestly havn't been impressed with anything. I did use some 7828 got somedecent sub moa groups. Do you think the 4350 will perform better in my 25-06?
I also have RL22
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I have used both IMR 4064 and 4350 in 243 and off the the top of my head .I use more 4350 in 243.
I use IMR 7828 only in my 7mm STW.
25-06 I use 4350.
Just keep playing. Bullet depth and distance to the lands and grooves can play a role in accuracy.
My Rem 700 in 270 loves 43.5 gr of IMR 4350 and .15 off the land and grooves. deviate and it lets you know on paper.
have fun john..................
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Did you use the 7828 in the 243 or the 25/06?? 7828 is a magnum rifle powder and although it might work marginally well in the 25/06, it probably isn't the best in the 243 by any means.
I have had the best luck with IMR4350 in 243 using 100 grain bullets and 30/06 using 150 and 165 grain bullets.
I have recently loaded some 150's using H4895 in 30/06 because it has a burn rate and pressure curve compatible with the M1 Garand. I'm going to chrono some this week and see how they compare to the IMR4350 loads. H4895 is also working out real well with my 30/30 and 35 Remington loads.
I have had better results in 25/06 using 100 grain bullets and 300 Win Mag using 180's with REL22.
I personally use ball powders for 223 and 308 since I load them in volume on a progressive press. It just makes everything operate smoother.
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Mr. C, I've been using IMR 4895 (stick powder) on the progressive press for .223's, and the powder measure/charge thrower sorta binds up in mid-stroke now and then. Is that because I'm cutting some of those sticks with the measure? Is that BAD? Can you reccommend a ball powder for mass-producing .223's?
The powder charges are weighing out very consistently, it's just that the hang up is sort of alarming to this newbie.
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I've got some loads made up in 25-06 with RL 22, IMR 4350 and IMR 7828. I just don't like taking more than one gun out at a time and haven't shot any of the 25's yet.
The 7828 shot a bit tighter than the 4350 and just a hair better than the RL 22 in the 243. All are 100gr bullets (Sierra and Hornady)
The 7828 shot a bit tighter than the 4350 and just a hair better than the RL 22 in the 243. All are 100gr bullets (Sierra and Hornady)
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Interesting. I couldn't get REL22 to shoot worth a darn in my 243 using 100 grain Cor-Lokt's.
Proof enough that you need to try the loads in YOUR gun. Just because that shoot good in my gun doesn't mean they will shoot good in yours.
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It's not bad, but like you said, cutting those sticks will sometimes lead to inconsistent throws. If you are getting consistent charge weights, and can live with the cutting, then 4895 is the standard powder for 223 and 308. When I am single stage loading 308, I use 4895, both Hodgdon and IMR. 4895 is a shorter stick than some of the powders like REL22 and 4350.
Any of the ball powders will meter like water. You can throw all day long at +-.1 grains. I was using a surplus powder that isn't made any more. Had 32# at one time and used the last of it a couple of weeks ago. I am getting ready to start using Ramshot TAC for progressive loading. From what I read, it is supposed to be giving great results in 223 and 308, and it's cheaper than some of the other powders. Last year, it was $77.95/8#. I think it is a little over $100/8# jug now. The ball powder that most are judged by is Win 748, but you'll pay more for it.
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I use H335 for my .223 and it groups really well. Do you remember the tiny powder we loaded for my .223, looked kinda like powdered graphite? That's what a ball powder looks like.
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