Trying to replace Varget in 308

W

Wendyj

New member
Have never been able to get Varget to do well for me in my other 308s. Yesterday I loaded up 20 178 Amax with 41 grains of Varget. It done great out of the new Savage. I had enough to load 10 more and can't find any now. Of course. Is it powder , bullet weight, length as I'm going to have to use something else. Do I try and keep same velocity with different burn rate? I'm lost on this one. I've got IMR 4064. IMR 3031. IMR 4831. Reloader 15. H-414. H-4895. Reloader 22 and IMR 4064. No chronograph but Hornady shows about 2400 fps in 22 inch barrel and I'm shooting a 20 inch. Any suggestions.
 
RE15 is what I started using when I couldn't find Varget. Has worked out very well, I've founds even better loads for .223 and 7mm-08 than I was making with Varget and pretty much stopped trying to find it.
 
Hello Wendy, Say IMR just came out with 3 new powders. I just tried some IMR4166. I must say, I was impressed. I did lose some MV with it, but man did it shoot nice. I went with 6 loads, 40.0, 40.5, 41.0, 41.5, 42.0, 42.5. I did 10 rounds in each wt. While 40.0 was ok, the next 4 in a row ( 40.5, 41.0, 41.5 and 42.0 ) all made one hole at 100 yards off a rest. Now so far what I have been able to find on it ( not mch for load data or reports yet) 43.0 and up is where it started to shine with a 168 gn bullet. I found that once I got to 42.5 the groups started opening up some. It runs about $4.00/lb most exspensive.
 
I've seen the 4166 and started to buy some for the 243 and 260. Anyone shooting the 178 Amax with any of these powders. I've got some H4895 which done well with 243. I'm trying to figure out if I should match the powder to manuals fps from Vargets
 
I haven't been too impressed with Varget. Was going to use 4064 in the grandson's 308, but was running low on it, so tried the 3031 just to see how it would do. Shortest work up on record. I went with the middle load, shot a cloverleaf, decided to go with that load. Keeps shooting clover leafs. I'd like to chalk up the load to skill, but luck is far more likely.
 
Correct, I haven't tried 4166 yet, but I have used both varget and 4064 in several calipers with very similar results and charges. 4064 is pretty available and since the op was looking for a varget replacement, 4064 seeks to fit. 4166 may as well, just personally don't have any experience with it.
 
Yea 178gr A-Max and IMR 4064 is my best combo . 40.3gr is my go to load but found that early in my loading carrier and never looked for another node at a higher charge . I bet I could find something around 42.5gr that would shoot pretty well if I tried . That 40.3grains pushing a 178gr A-Max having consistent sub moa 10 shot groups and many .5 moa 5 shot groups is good enough for now .
 
Wendy....you already have four powers that I have uses so I know they will work of the 4064, 3031, 4831 and H414 which do you have the best supply and resupply of? For me it has been H414 which I have used for cartridges from 25-35 to 30-06.
 
Of the powders I listed I can usually find all but the H 4350. But IMR 4350 is usually there. I did have good results with H414 and 180 grain Barnes.
 
Varget

I've used IMR 4064,Varget,Hog. 2520,Win 748,in my .308's and like IMR 4064 best.It doesen't meter as well as some of the others but it seems more consistent with tighter groups.It also works well on my 30-06 with 150 grain bullets and the 30-30 Win rifles.my opinion only hdbiker
 
IMR4064 is your friend. Slightly higher velocities with a tiny bit more powder. Like .6 more. Pressures are higher too though.
"...if I should match the powder to..." Not much point since you'll have to work up the load anyway.
 
I use IMR 4064 in a Rem 700 308 cal for benchrest shooting only, my rifle never liked Varget. RL 15 also worked well.
 
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