TheHunter Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 I am think of trying Hodgdon Varget for reloads in my .243 Win, there seems to be loading data for everything from 55gn up to 105gn. Has anyone heard any good or bad things about this powder? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 Haven't used Varget, but have found that H414 can be used for most bullet weights in .243Win. From playing around with a few loads etc though I reckon H414 gets superceeded by H4350 on bullet weights greater than ~80gn - it's simply more accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_b_wales Posted November 26, 2008 Report Share Posted November 26, 2008 I use H380 for my 22-250 and 243 loads. Excellent stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rem223 Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 A friend of mine uses Varget in a Sako75 .243 and gets excellent results. 70gr Noslers with 42gr of Varget a max load. Nosler quote this as their most accurate load tested. The main drawback is it is more expensive than H380 or H414 and doesn't measure as well in a powder measure. It is also supposed to be less temperature sensitive than the ball powders but this probably isn't a major issue in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 I wouldn't use a powder measure for reloading rifle loads. For top accuracy you have to weigh each charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHunter Posted November 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Thanks for that guys, I think i will give the Varget a go for the lighter bullet and stick with the 150 for the heavy end. Fister let me know how you get on with the 160\5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 (edited) I use Varget in my .223 and 6.5x55, also my mate uses it to load his 22-250, 243, 6.5x55 and maybe his 308 - it is an excellent powder Mate uses 38grn of varget, normas case, cci br primer and a 70grn nosler tip - shoots 1 hole groups out of his Blazer R93 in .243 Edited November 27, 2008 by tulkyuk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxshooter243 Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Im using Varget in my 243, my load is for 58 grain v max and requires 44.1 grains of varget over a CCI large rifle primer..very accurate load and has taken greycrows out to 525 yards-laser ranged through a sako 75 heavy barrel..hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHunter Posted November 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 58 grain v max and requires 44.1 grains of varget over a CCI large rifle primer That has to be close to Max load, is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 (edited) Here you Go Hunter - Cartridge: 243 Winchester Load Type: Rifle Starting Loads -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum Loads -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 55 GR. NOS BT Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.650" 41.0 3776 42,000 CUP 45.0 4000 50,000 CUP 58 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.600" 41.0 3617 44,800 CUP 44.0 3790 49,800 CUP 60 GR. SIE HP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.600" 40.0 3671 45,400 CUP 42.7 3816 50,400 CUP 65 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.600" 38.0 3494 43,100 CUP 41.0 3682 49,600 CUP 70 GR. SPR HP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.625" 38.0 3433 45,500 CUP 40.5 3574 50,100 CUP 75 GR. HDY HP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.640" 36.0 3246 45,000 CUP 38.5 3408 50,500 CUP 80 GR. SIE BTSP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.635" 36.0 3193 45,400 CUP 38.5 3355 50,300 CUP 85 GR. BAR XBTC Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.560" 35.0 3019 44,200 CUP 38.0 3212 50,400 CUP 90 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.625" 34.0 2964 44,800 CUP 36.5 3106 50,400 CUP 95 GR. NOS PART Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.650" 33.0 2870 45,000 CUP 35.0 2996 50,200 CUP 100 GR. SPR BTSP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.650" 31.0 2674 42,700 CUP 33.7 2838 50,400 CUP 105 GR. HDY A-MAX Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.760" 31.0 2631 45,600 CUP 33.0 2769 50,800 CUP 107 GR. SIE BTHP Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.850" 31.0 2630 45,300 CUP 33.0 2749 50,400 CUP NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp Edited November 27, 2008 by tulkyuk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHunter Posted November 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Thanks Tulkyuk I think that was the data i looked at which lead me to believe that foxshooter243's 44.1gn was over (just) for a 58gr bullet. 58 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon Varget .243" 2.600" 41.0 3617 44,800 CUP 44.0 3790 49,800 CUP Not seating to 2.60" would reduce pressure as long as you didn't allow the bullet to touch the lands. Is this what you have done? or are you just over max, foxshooter243? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Max loads on these web sites is normally under, what is in reality a safe load - but you load at your own peril and should watch for pressure signs etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oly Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 You quite often find that the lighter bullet weights need extra push. With H414 Hodgdon recommend no more than 50gns when loading for a 55gn Nosler BT, but Nosler state that 52.5gns of H414 is the best - which it is (for mine anyway). No signs of pressure, but then Hodgdon (as all powder manufacturers) like to keep you on the safe side in fear of legal action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxshooter243 Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Not seating to 2.60" would reduce pressure as long as you didn't allow the bullet to touch the lands. Is this what you have done? or are you just over max, foxshooter243? Correct and right, my bullets are seated to 2.620,,,no pressure signs and long case life, my buddy is using 44.5 grains of varget with 58 grain v max and is seated at 2.60", he too has no pressure problems and good case life...although both these loads were slowly worked up...anpther interesting point is that my load is only chronographing at 3650 ft/sec with this load , my buddy is chronographing at 3720 ft/sec.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rem223 Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 I wouldn't use a powder measure for reloading rifle loads. For top accuracy you have to weigh each charge. Well with qualification I would agree with you. However I use a Redding powder measure with ball powders and have checked the results on a digital lab scale that costs about a grand. The results showed variation under a milligram. How many fps variation are you likely to get with a under a milligram difference (0.015 grains)? My guess would be the square root of sod all. With stick powders there was variation so I would weigh out charges, but as far as weighing out individual charges with ball powders I would rather be out shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 anpther interesting point is that my load is only chronographing at 3650 ft/sec with this load , my buddy is chronographing at 3720 ft/sec.. Same Case & primer? and you both running the same barrel lengh ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxshooter243 Posted November 28, 2008 Report Share Posted November 28, 2008 Same Case & primer? and you both running the same barrel lengh ? yes were both running same barrel length and twist, it seems his barrel is a tad faster than mine.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHunter Posted December 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 OK got the Varget, I have made up 20 rds with 43gns of powder over CCI LR and a 58gn Hornady V-Max bullet, seated to 2.61" I will let you know how they go. Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxshooter243 Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 Just a last snippet before you go- another buddy of mines tried the 58 grain v max in his 243 and had very poor accuracy success-however he moved up to 65 grain v max with varget and his accuracy was first class, it all depends if your rifle likes the bullet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxshooter243 Posted December 3, 2008 Report Share Posted December 3, 2008 AND IF YOU PICK A POWDER WITH A SUITABLE BURNING RATE FOR THAT BULLET capitals intended. As per Hornady reloading manual-VARGET IS SUITABLE FOR BOTH THESE BULLET WEIGHTS-It has been determined by studies carried out by the NRA in the states that the bullet weight and type and its suitability to a particular rifle is 90 percent responsible for the loads accuracy, case powder primer etc make up the other ten per cent... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxshooter243 Posted December 4, 2008 Report Share Posted December 4, 2008 Your point does not stand in relation to my post, as the the load has been worked up using information suppliied by the bullet manufacturer, the load has been worked up using a reccomended powder type for the bullet being used ergo there was no reason to try to pick holes in my post, anything i post is based on 20 years of reloading experience and using a relevant reloading manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHunter Posted December 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2008 Ding ding, end of round one. Could I bring the thread back on line and ask for your experience. As yet I have never felt the need to crimp a round but doing a bit of reading and listening to some conversations it seems (in some places) to be the norm. What do you think to the argument that crimping sets a standard pressure inside the round before the bullet is released from the mouth of the brass, rather than a varied pressure which could depend on a number of factors including, brass mouth size\resize or if lube is still in the mouth, old brass, etc etc... Should I start another thread with this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxshooter243 Posted December 5, 2008 Report Share Posted December 5, 2008 When did I even mention the point reffering to you? Is reloading not banned in Ireland? Its not banned when you have farmland and property in Northern Ireland and as such have a northern permit but I take offence as to the insinuation in your post, it just shows how big an #### you are... my days on this forum have now ended . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Bramble Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Dont know if i post here or start a new thread ,so feel free to drag me over the coals if in wrong place! .243 using hodgdon varget and hornady 87gr vmax , i,m not finding data for this combo can someone please point me in the right direction. cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 25, 2013 Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 I wouldn't use a powder measure for reloading rifle loads. For top accuracy you have to weigh each charge. depends on which case we are talking of but at the 100yds most test their loads it don't make as much odds as many think. Now many will dispute that but I promise you my eyes have been opened on that one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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