I found some 130 gr Sierra Gameking bullets (#1728). I have Varget and H4350. I‘ve had good results with Varget and 123s, and H4350 with 140s. These 130s are right in the middle. This Thread indicates Varget might be slow for 130s and my manuals contradict each other for which powder yields higher velocity. Rifle is 24” bbl and load will be used for deer hunting. which powder should I try first?
Varget or H4350 for 6.5cm 130 gr?
- Thread starter Squad51
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Both can probably get the job done but 4350 is your better option...
I wouldn’t even use varget for the 120’s unless I was in a pinch. 95 vmax though, hell ya varget.
Both are touted for their temp stability. I’ve often used varget for my heavier bullets and H4350 for lighter.
I.e. 308 (175-208) varget. 6.5 CM (120-140) H4350
I.e. 308 (175-208) varget. 6.5 CM (120-140) H4350
Right, but those aren’t comparable cartridges. There’s a reason the 308 uses faster burn rate powders despite heavier bullets than say the 7-08, .260, or .243 etc. It’s the bore size.
Right, exactly. I just wanted to give a reason as to why use H4350 and why I’d recommend using it over Varget for his 130s.
H4350 is what I use with 130’s.
Varget hits pressure before good speeds are obtained.
Varget hits pressure before good speeds are obtained.
40.3gr Varget under a 130gr in Lapua brass gives roughly 2700fps from a 18" PVA Rock Creek.
I do think H4350 or 4451 would give you 50-100fps more velocity from a 6.5 Creedmoor...but I've got a lot of Varget on the shelf.
I do think H4350 or 4451 would give you 50-100fps more velocity from a 6.5 Creedmoor...but I've got a lot of Varget on the shelf.
I run 43.0grs of H4350 for Sierra 130gr Gamechangers with pretty good results.
I use H4350 for all my 6.5CM and have excellent results. With initially 143 ELD-M, and more recently 135 Berger Classic Hunter, have tuned loads with excellent groups and single-digit SD.
FWIW, I've tested both powders using the 120, 130 and 140 grain bullets in a 6.5x47 Lapua and found the Varget to have better accuracy with the lighter bullets in my rifles;140 grain bullets were better with the H4350. Test them both and see which work best for your rifle.
308Gunner, what GT did you have Bartlein finish your barrel?, I have a 7SAW they made for me 9 to 81/4 At 26"s.
I'm thinking about a 6.5 for a future build.
Thanks!
As to what powder H4350 for sure!
I'm thinking about a 6.5 for a future build.
Thanks!
As to what powder H4350 for sure!
I am using H4350 for my 130grain loads, 42 grains. Though I am also using a 17" barrel on my rifle. This has proven to be more than accurate for me.
Clayton and crew definitely do Top Notch work, I sent them a FNH PBR action with floor plate and internal magazine and had the Bartlein barrel sent directly to them. They removed the spacer plate in the magazine to accommodate the 7SAW II chamber and modified the bolt stop, it feeds 3.0" oal cartridges flawlessly. I harvested a 3x4 Mule Deer in Utah with the 7SAW ranged by G7 BRII @ 450 yards, quartering away with confidence that WTO built into this rifle. WTO will definitely get future business from me!
FNH SPR that I have will be re-barreled by them for sure possibly 25x47 Lapua or 6.5 CM.
FNH SPR that I have will be re-barreled by them for sure possibly 25x47 Lapua or 6.5 CM.
For trivia or real world use...
Hornady used 39gr Varget in their initial 120 amax factory loadings. They even put that info on the box.
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And then they stopped putting the recipe on the box and changed the powder.
I have always gotten better speeds from Varget / 130 Berger's in my 6.5x47. Varget should be your go to on you 130's
They're a different case capacity. Close in volume, but different enough to see a difference in load data...
Varget is right on the edge between light bullets (performing well) and heavies (peaky and tempermental) in both the 47 and the CM. The 47, with a slightly smaller case capacity seems to work better with Varget. The CM, with slightly larger case capacity, seems to work better with H4350 or RL-16
The 47 is smaller. Where varget and a 130 is perfect in a 47, Varget is on the fast side of burn rate in a creedmoor.
Same here. 42.75 grains of Norma URP in Lapua brass are a great load for me both behind 130 Bergers and 135 Atips. YMMV, as usual...
I choose my powders for barrel length, and then for bullet weight. I've used W-748 and IMR-4064 as subs for Varget, and H-4831SC as a sub for H-4350, and even used IMR-4064 and IMR-4895 for 308, 30-06 and 260. Loads will need to be developed separately for each chambering/barrel length, and bullet, but the powders will work, they just may not deliver the same velocities. I've even started using IMR-8208XBR for the 6.5 Grendel; and TAC, with Hunter for 260 and 140's. H-4831SC can be a bit slow on velocity, but in a longer (28"?) barrel, it can some on strong.
These are abnormal times, and experimentation may be the order of the day. I've just about finished load development for my 6.5 Grendels, ending up with 8208 and 90 TNT's in 24" and W-748 with 120SGD's and 20". I have never used 8208 before, and haven't used 748 in over a decade. One does what one has to do.
Don't try this unless you have considerable experience as a handloader, and have done load development from scratch. I've been handloading and doing load development since the mid-90's, and wrote several articles on it in Precision Shooting and Tactical Shooter. If you are not comfortable reading pressure signs from fired brass, this stuff is not for you.
Greg
These are abnormal times, and experimentation may be the order of the day. I've just about finished load development for my 6.5 Grendels, ending up with 8208 and 90 TNT's in 24" and W-748 with 120SGD's and 20". I have never used 8208 before, and haven't used 748 in over a decade. One does what one has to do.
Don't try this unless you have considerable experience as a handloader, and have done load development from scratch. I've been handloading and doing load development since the mid-90's, and wrote several articles on it in Precision Shooting and Tactical Shooter. If you are not comfortable reading pressure signs from fired brass, this stuff is not for you.
Greg
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I built an AR10 with a Proof barrel. My load is 42.6 of H4350 with a 140ELD. I use an adjustable gas block on mine with a can. This is a hot load with my can. It shoots great though and I am using Hornady prepped brass with a CCI 200.
Either will work great with 130s. Varget works well with bullets up to 130gr and 4350 with bullets 120gr and up. My accuracy load out of my match gun is Varget pushing 130gr Berger AR Hybrids to a little over 2900.
John
39.0 of RL-16 and the Sierra #1728 130 HPBT game king is MONEY in all 4 of my 6.5CMs as far as accuracy is concerned. I get 2525 from my SBR and 2750 from my 24" guns and one hole groups. I was really wanting to try some H4350 as it shoots so well in my 7-08s with 140s. wouldn't mind a little more FPS. I may be there with RL-16 already...? might buy a pound of StalBall 6.5 to try?
40g of RL15 gave me 2935 with a 123eld in a 26" barrel. I would lean toward varget for a short barrel with 120s or maybe 130s. H4350 is my goto for 140s and is excellent for 120s and 130s as well.
I tried Varget with a 123 Scenar in a 16.5” barrel.
Meh accuracy and pressure with meh speed.
H4350 still shined for me for accuracy and good velocity in that barrel.
All are different.
I have a new 16.5” 6.5 and will try varget in it, once it is broken in.
