Has Varget Settled Down???

[Grump]

I've enjoyed stunning reliability lot-to-lot consistency of 4064 for almost exactly 30 years now,

but

I used up the last of some Varget a few months ago and am now cycling through that ammo (load development quickly found decent accuracy and duplicate velocity with my 4064 load--and it hits within .l mil out to 500, as far as I've A/B tested them).

And now I'm considering maybe getting into the Varget game but I ain't too tickled about the prospect of re-working what for me is a proven load every time I add some powder to the pile.

And I kinda like buying two pounds of powder and 300 bullets every once in a while (or perhaps a slightly larger almost-matched increment) instead of dong the major expedition of an 8-lb jug every time...

So, does Varget HAVE lot-to-lot consistency, or is that a pipe dream???

 

[M14 Shooter]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Most Target shooter will buy a multiple jugs of Varget from one lot.They do this so they do not have to load test with each different lot.
Varget can vary quite a bit lot to lot.

Regards,Mike

 

[infinitegunner]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

I load tons of .308 and 5.56, never had a problem with different lots.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Never had a problem with Varget, it's my main powder and have used it for over ten years. I hear about this all the time but I chalk this up to an urban legend promoted by those with no experience.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

There was a slow lot of Varget years back but never had any other reports of problems. It's all I use in my 308.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

I bought some Varget early this year to work up a 22-250 load. I liked what I got so I bought 2 pounds around August. The most recent Varget is much hotter than the first. I'm finally closing in on a load once again. I was hoping to just go shooting and not have to mess around with load development again.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ShtrRdy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought some Varget early this year to work up a 22-250 load. I liked what I got so I bought 2 pounds around August. The most recent Varget is much hotter than the first. I'm finally closing in on a load once again. I was hoping to just go shooting and not have to mess around with load development again. </div></div>

I go through lbs of powder every month and haven't had any variation. You should look for other factors.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Every once in a while I blame the powder lot changes.

Then I realize that it's not always the "Arrow", sometimes it's the "Indian".

I've used Varget for several years and found it to be very consistent. Very little, if any, lot to lot variation in the containers I've received.

I will say however that I shoot in an area where the temperatures rarely go below freezing or above 100. Most of my shooting days are in the 45-75 degree range.

 

[M14 Shooter]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

The reason I replied that Varget has had lot variation was due to my experience a few years back.Not only my self but a group of palma and long range shooter.We were getting 150-200 fps lower velocity than previous lots.May be quality control is better recently.I like Varget very much and use it for long range and palma shooting.

Regards,Mike

 

[sinister]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Varget lot variation by the US Palma Team was over ten years ago.

It is usually boringly stable, as is 4895 and 4064..

 

[tomcatfan]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Every once in a while I blame the powder lot changes.

Then I realize that it's not always the "Arrow", sometimes it's the "Indian".
</div></div>

I fought this problem in my 308 loads. I bedded my rifle and changed optics and I had my groups go from 3/4 moa to over 1.5" moa. I bought a chrony to help diagnose and noticed that my loads had ES's of over 100 ft/sec and SD's of over 50. I initially blamed the varget. I switched to another powder and it did nothing. I stopped using my POS lee dies and switched to Hornady's new match dies and I'm actually shooting around .5 moa now.

There are so many variables that can play into what's going on, it can be really hard to diagnose what's going on.

 

[aam]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Grump,
Nothing wrong with Varget. I've been using this powder since 92-93. When it was branded as Mulwex Powder. Any issues with Varget happened back in 2001-2003 I think from memory. There were lot to lot variations, which a lot of the fullbore shooters weren’t happy about here in Oz.
Variations were anywhere from 40 to 80 fps, depending who I talked to. I think once a brand is tarnished and talked about on the net e.g. ( Varget,10 years ago.) A lot of people still think there is lot to lot variation.

Varget is consistant. Get a few pounds.

 

[Grump]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Thanks!

I just might pick some up next time.

Then there was that RL-15 load that looked like it was working, too...

 

[okiefired]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sinister</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> It is usually boringly stable, as is 4895 and 4064.. </div></div>

Yeeeuuup. Temp variations in NE OK are anywhere from 0 to 110+. Varget's been my choice for .308s for 10 years now. Never had a problem lot to lot and I've bought many 1 lb. jugs. Buy it in 8 pounders now.

okie

 

[nervous]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

I still have a few pounds left of Varget that I have had for about 10 years. It is what I use for blasting ammo. I had bought a pound to try out, liked it bought 8 pounds of a different lot. They had sold out all of the good lot that they had in a week. The 8 pounds of the second lot was CRAP. At BEST in all my rifles maybe 1moa. I won't waste my money on it again.

Nervous

 

[Rob01]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nervous</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I still have a few pounds left of Varget that I have had for about 10 years. It is what I use for blasting ammo. I had bought a pound to try out, liked it bought 8 pounds of a different lot. They had sold out all of the good lot that they had in a week. The 8 pounds of the second lot was CRAP. At BEST in all my rifles maybe 1moa. I won't waste my money on it again.

Nervous </div></div>

Did you play with the load a little on the new lot? Sometimes a couple tenths up or down will get you back into the velocity range that is accurate.

Not Varget but an example with H4350, I changed bullets in my .243 from moly to BN coated and used the same powder charge/lot of powder and the groups opened up to .75 MOA. When I ran them over the chrono I was 30fps faster due to the different coating. I dropped the powder charge down .3grns and it was at the old velocity and back to being .2-.3 MOA rifle. The same can happen lot to lot. Stay in the same velocity range. Might take a few rounds and a change of a couple tenths but it will get back there. I check every new lot no matter what the powder.

 

[nervous]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

I tried everything I could think of. I used more than 4 pounds experimenting. Different powder charges, bullet weights & brands and rifles. I went to H-4895 and it works good for me.

Nervous

 

[beretta989]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Never had any problems with Varget great all around powder!!

 

[Jim Buck]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Varget is my go to powder for most of my weapons, and my .308 loves it!

 

[okiefired]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nervous</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I tried everything I could think of. I used more than 4 pounds experimenting. Different powder charges, bullet weights & brands and rifles. I went to H-4895 and it works good for me.

Nervous </div></div>

I know every combination works best with certain powders but...... literally thousands of people all over the world are getting very small grps with all kinds of and makes and models of bullets and rifles and componants in all temps using Varget and you cant get a single thing you own to shoot sub moa with 4+ lbs of Varget so you blame the powder??

.....ok.

okie

 

[boltgunluvr]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

Settled down....didn't know it was stirred up.

 

[Raider Power]

Re: Has Varget Settled Down???

44.5 grains of Varget with 178 amaxs has shot the same way out of my .308 across three different lots of Varget. I have been shooting Varget for only a couple of years, but so far it has been very consistent for me.