I have found a 30fps drop in velocity with a Varget load when I started a new can of powder.Is this possible? Std of loads is 12. I checked the weights of powder throws every 10th round? New brass, same primer, same bullets (Berger Juggernauts) new Lapua brass. Any suggestions for me? thanks!
Velocity change with Varget
- Thread starter kujuak
- Start date
Yep, I've seen it too. Buy 8lbers and recheck your load when you switch to a new jug. Match the velocity should give you roughly same performance as the original load.
All the loads are in new brass. I also check some old loads in once sized brass, old powder, no drop in velocity, that's why I think it's the powder. Always buying 8lbs is good in principle but not always an option in popular powders like Varget in my neighborhood.
Well I guess when I get through the 14lbs I have I'll need to switch powders. Any powder recommendations for use in 308/185gr Juggernaut bullet loads.I'll just work my load up with my 1 8lber and use the 1lbers for other rifles/loads. I've not had this variance so far with H4350 with my 6.5 Creedmoor loads.
About to develop a new load with Varget and just ran across this thread. I've heard Varget is temp sensitive, but nothing about lots being that off? I bought x8 1 lb cans of it from the same place at the same time, do you guys think I will be OK? Should I open them all and mix them?
Check the lot numbers, they should be printed on the cans. If they're all the same you'll be fine.
Things I learned:
30FPS slower, slight decrease in accuracy
Only saw change in elevation 400yds out and further
This type of shooting really is teaching this old dog all sorts of new important things about reloading/ accuracy and precision of shooting.
Reloading without a chronograph is really a waste of time and money. PERIOD!!!!
30FPS slower, slight decrease in accuracy
Only saw change in elevation 400yds out and further
This type of shooting really is teaching this old dog all sorts of new important things about reloading/ accuracy and precision of shooting.
Reloading without a chronograph is really a waste of time and money. PERIOD!!!!
It helps with Varget and others as well. Then you can check your MV and adjust your powder charge accordingly.
Well I guess when I get through the 14lbs I have I'll need to switch powders. Any powder recommendations for use in 308/185gr Juggernaut bullet loads.I'll just work my load up with my 1 8lber and use the 1lbers for other rifles/loads. I've not had this variance so far with H4350 with my 6.5 Creedmoor loads.
No you just need to buy 8 pound jugs. Varget is one of the best powders for the .308. I have been using it for many years and will continue. You should always check any powder when changing lots and make any adjustment needed to the load and then continue on.
Blend all you have together to make one large lot, and use that before tweaking your load. As you purchase additional powder, I have always maintained a "running blend" of the new with the old and the resulting differences have been small enough that I have not noticed a shift at all. Its a common practice in many manufacturing setups; maybe the powder makers could benefit from doing this with their raw ingredients.
Varget can have lot to lot changes, more so than some other powders, but any powder can change lot to lot. Easy to fix when you change lots. Temp stability has never been an issue.
This^^^. When you shoot F class you need to keep it consistent as possible. Many people do this.
I always start low for a few chrono test loads when getting into a new lot of any powder. I have seen variations with Varget and IMR 4064 from lot to lot.
Different lots will shoot differently. Try to buy same lots or buy in bulk or you can shoot different lots and reconfirm your load everytime you change lots
During the "Great Varget Shortage" that is what I wound up doing, it worked out fine for me.
8lb'ers now.
Its just brutal, you think you have it all figured out them bam. We recently changed H1000 and lost the same velocity with 300WM. Had to bump the charge to keep velocity. SUCKS. I buy two lots of H1000 and mix them as a result.
PB
PB
Love my Labradar, without the convenience I would not chrono nearly so much and would never have noticed this. I could never shoot bench rest, the obsessive compulsive demands would drive me bonkers. If I can hit a grapefruit at 600yds on demand, I'm a happy camper
Interestingly I'm finding my Ruger Precision Rifle/Hornady 140 ELD-M, H4350 Hornady brass combo much more consistent so far than my AI/AT 185 Juggernaut/ Varget/Lapua brass combo, who'd a thunk that? Quite frustrating. same scope, same crummy operator.The difference shows up at 600yds. So far haven't found a place to go out further. Wind does not seem to make much difference between the two.
Interestingly I'm finding my Ruger Precision Rifle/Hornady 140 ELD-M, H4350 Hornady brass combo much more consistent so far than my AI/AT 185 Juggernaut/ Varget/Lapua brass combo, who'd a thunk that? Quite frustrating. same scope, same crummy operator.The difference shows up at 600yds. So far haven't found a place to go out further. Wind does not seem to make much difference between the two.
Yeah thats normal. Smart bench rest folks buy a barrel and a lot of powder and bullets along with it to wear it out.
That is the funniest, truest thing I've heard in a long time, I'm going to steal it.
So does this mean when I change lots of Juggernauts I should expect a change in load performance etc???
Dunno I am a shittty shot and cant tell.
I just know that benchrest folks like to buy in large lots to last a barrel and cut down on load development. They got 50+pound rigs that is basically a mechanical accuracy test system.
