Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

[BamaLoaded]

Guys,

I'm fixing to load 3,000 to 5,000 rounds of .223 and I know varget doesn't meter well on a progressive, but I have a large amount of varget. I was wondering how much variance would be expected metering with a Dillon 550B.

 

[mk12bill]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

I get +/- .3 grains variance with Varget thru my Dillon powder dispenser. For me, that's to much for a small case like the 223. YMMV

 

[former naval person]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

Sell the Varget and get some ball powder. H335 comes to mind.

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

Was recently in the same boat but considering using benchmark instead. Anyone using that or mostly H335?

 

[Grumpy61]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

TAC works well

 

[Rob01]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

CFE223 is a good ball powder that meters well.

 

[insight3b]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

I'd go with a ball powder too. AA2230 for bullets 60 grains and less or AA2520 for 62 grains and up. Both flow through a powder measure like water

 

[MtnCreek]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

I load .223 w/ IMR8208 on a 650. Meters great.

 

[1Sg (ret)]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

H335 in rem brass and a 55 gr Hornady fmj has worked well for me in the past.Tac seams to work better with heavier bullets.I have had good luck lately with BLC2 with 69 gr bullets. Varget works well with .223 but you will have to meter and trickle.Save the varget for .308.

 

[dlouie87]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

Would a charge master alleviate this problem for loading on a 550b? I'm in the same boat but I don't mind the extra step from the CM and funneling the varget in.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlouie87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Would a charge master alleviate this problem for loading on a 550b? I'm in the same boat but I don't mind the extra step from the CM and funneling the varget in.

</div></div>

Yes, the CM1500 makes for a steady and pretty well-paced workflow for loading good rifle ammo. That is how I load all my precision rifle ammo.

However...

1. If you identify a good OCW loading node, a powder measure will throw Varget or IMR8208 well enough for *most* long range shooting applications. Perhaps not good enough to be cometitive in F-class, but pretty darned good. Don't forget that FGMM is +/- .3 or .4gr with stick powder, and it obviously shoots very well in most rifles.

2. Many ball powders meter really well. H335 for example, is good for +/- .1 or better through my Uniflow and Dillon measures.

3. You can load a lot of ammo in a big hurry if you throw charges.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CFE223 is a good ball powder that meters well. </div></div>

Yes it does! Not only that, more speed without trying to stuff the case with compressed loads like with varget.

It also works great in .308. I just finished an extensive load workup with the CFE223 and found that 44.3 gr, a 178gr A-Max @2.830"OAL gives me <.3 MOA accuracy with my "well used" 5-R Milspec. The CFE223 meters super accurate through my Dillon measure on my 650 with charge variations of .1 gr or less.

Simplifies ordering powder too. One case (4x8#) makes for a lot of .223 and .308 ammo without having to stock up on two different powders.

 

[Ledhore]

Re: Varget for bulk rounds on progressive

Ghogs,

Benchmark meters extremely well through my hornady progressive. Very short cut, with no grinding. Typical .5 -.75 moa with 55 grain soft points at 100 and 200 yards. 18 inch stainless, 1:8 twist heavy barrel.