Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

[gcoulsey]

It's looking like October before any more Varget arrives in the UK here,
And I have just about run out.
All the alternative powders are fast becoming scarce too,
My local gunshop has
X1 tub RL-15,
X1 tup vv N150,
And (x1?) tub imr 4895..

I have not used any of these before.. I need to go grab some fast, which would you recommend please?
My current load is varget pushing 178 amax or 175 smk.
Also I might need it in my 22-250..

Suggestions?

 

[usmcsniperone]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

The RL-15 will shoot as good as the Varget. IMO thats the powder on your list to grab for the .308 and the 4895 is great for the 22-250.

 

[Ewen]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

Hi Norman Clark in Rugby has 8Lb tubs of Varget on special at £210.

If this is too much and you dont mind collecting, I would decant a couple for you.

Ewen

 

[blklabs]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

RL-15 will work just fine, maybe even better than Varget .......

 

[Enios]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

Of the three RL-15 would be my choice, also. Takes a little less and it's a little more temp sensitive, but works almost as well for me.

 

[jrpilot]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

I like RL-15

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

Well thanks for your advice! Especially Ewen, very kind offer, and I would have definitely taken you up on that!
HOWEVER.. After lengthy talks with some bisley shooters who were in the shop when I called in, there is no shortage of any Viht powders, so I decided to try some N550..
I got some pressure tests fired this afternoon, and so far very impressed,
Already at 2730fps without pressure signs, which is 100fps faster than I could get with varget on my pressure limit.

I will try this out a little longer, and then reassess my needs for varget in the future!

Big thanks to all who replied

Giles

 

[asbestosglove]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

Makes me glad to live in America. Ewen's 210 UK Pounds is $323 US versus our usual retail if $169 US for an 8 pounder of Varget...virtually twice as much. AG

 

[BCP]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

I paid 149+tax for 8lbs varget last I bought some.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

Sadly most things imported from US have huge tax slapped on them,
But on the other hand, European stuff (lapua etc) is easy to get hold of and much more reasonably priced

 

[Enios]

Re: Fast decision needed on Varget substitute!

Do you have access to ADI powder there? AR2208 is the same as Varget both made at same factory. Thales has bought it out now but still the same powder.

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Fast decision needed on Varget substitute!

I have never come across any ADI powder no, that's not to say it's not here somewhere..
I'll have to look into that, although all powder/bullets imported from US are in short supply at the moment,
Everything seems to come thru GMK into the country, then distributed to all the retailers, and the word is that GMK messed up on some orders that has affected everyones stock.. Supposedly.

 

[Enios]

Re: Fast decision needed on Varget substitute!

ADI is the company in Australia (Thales has since bought them out) that makes the Hodgdon extreme powders. I recently e-mailed them asking where all their different brands came from and they were good enough to reply. Got tired of hearing this and that were the same or going to be, knowing there was no way without starting from scratch with new reloading manuals and warning on canisters that it was new formulas. Anyway in short there are a few that are the same but it has to do with Winchester powders and some of their spherical that are made in Florida and I think they are some of the pistol powders. I have checked the ADI loads against the Hodgdon loads and the ones I checked were identical in weights and speeds, so pretty much answers the question. Also, have some on line friends that reload from Australia and they were already aware of it.

 

[Ewen]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

My pleasure, glad you got sorted.

The reason I am sticking with Varget is I find it a little more temperature stable.

regarding UK pricing, it is easy to assume we are being stiffed, (and maybe we are) but there are lots of factors not normaly considered.

We have a 20% sales tax that is included in our retail prices, it does not get added on after.

There is considerable paperwork and costs in getting goods out of the US.

There is a freight charge.

THere is just not the volume of sales here in the UK, which means retailers must work on a slightly higher margin in order to survive.

I would love to have lower prices, but I can appreciate the issues that our system brings.

regards

Ewen

 

[Ewen]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

gfunUK, if you ever fancy getting together for a shoot, give me a shout.

Ewen

 

[Ewen]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

gfunUK, if you ever fancy getting together for a shoot, give me a shout.

Ewen

 

[samnev]

Re: Fast decision needed on varget substitute!

I use IMR 4895 for my Remy 22-250 HB Varmint and TRG 22 and get less than 0.5 inch 5 shot groups out of both rifles @ 100 yards, and IMR 4895 meters beter than Varget.