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Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

mtnhntr

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 21, 2010
126
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Montana
Anyone have some good starting loads for Varget in the 6.5 Creedmoor. Load data and velocity that you may be getting would be appreciated.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

What bullet? I wouldn't use it on anything over the 120/123 weight. H4350 is a better powder for the heavy bullets.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

Stick with H4350. You will get better velocities.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

Listen to Rob. The smaller the neck/caliber gets, the slower the powder needs to be with heavier bullets. Take a look at the powders recommended for the 308 and then look at what's recommended for the 243 win (a necked down 308). Big differences in burn rate. As said Varget is not your best choice here. One of the 4350's would be about optimal - I'd go with the "H" version. Varget will just get you pressure signs way too early.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

Thanks for the input. Any thoughts on any other powders in lew of 4350?
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

Anything that works in 6.5x47 or 243 you could try...but you have the right answer...

In MT you could even try stuff like Varget, 4064, even RL 22 for light weight stuff like 108's and all sorts of other stuff...but your best speed and accuracy will be with H4350....Many others have tried before you. You asked the question, got the correct answer. If you want to try other stuff then just try it. There are pages and pages of data to look thru.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

Any one getting different velocities going from 140 Amax to 142 SMK with same powder and same charge? I haven't had time to check this out on the chronograph but just playing around on quickload software there is a big difference any one have any confirmation on this?
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mtnhntr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any one getting different velocities going from 140 Amax to 142 SMK with same powder and same charge? I haven't had time to check this out on the chronograph but just playing around on quickload software there is a big difference any one have any confirmation on this? </div></div>
Have not compared those two but I shot 139 Lapua's and 140 SMK's over 42gr of H4350 last week over the Chrono. Ten shot strings gave me a 2779 Ave for Lapua and 2703 for the SMK. Same lot of powder and primers.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

That's what I'm talking about I hope to have time in the next couple of days to try the Amax and the Smk's back to back and see what comes out of it. I will post the outcome. Thanks for the input.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

If you are set on using Varget in your creedmore, try some 123 SMK's. They shoot extremely well out of my 1/8 Brux with 38.6gr of Varget. Won't set any speed records as I ave about 2775 but out to 300 yards the accuracy is right there with any thing else Ive tried.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

Not necessarily set on Varget just looking for alternatives. Always gotta tinker a little. There doesn't seem to alot of info out there on the Creedmoor loads so I was just wanting to expand on the knowledge base.
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RottenII</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are set on using Varget in your creedmore, try some 123 SMK's. They shoot extremely well out of my 1/8 Brux with 38.6gr of Varget. Won't set any speed records as I ave about 2775 but out to 300 yards the accuracy is right there with any thing else Ive tried. </div></div>

My 6.5x47 used to shoot 140's VERY good with H4350 and Rel 17. Chris Matthews (he built it) got hold of it again,this past December, to shorten the barrel and lighten the Pierce action. He screwed it up. Once I had a local 'smith fix the issues, I discovered it would only shoot 123 MK and 130 VLD, but with Varget.

6.5x47
 
Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

41.6 gr H4350 cci br 2 and 140 gr nosler custom competition @ 2780 fps is very accurate on my creedmoor (26" barrel 1 in 8 twist ) with only 10 fps ES, 42.5 gr / 2860 fps still very accurate but ES was higher ( no signs of pressure )
 
Tag for reference

I think Varget is a little on the fast burning side for heavier than 130s but my match gun loves the stuff behind 130gr AR Hybrids and gives 2900ish from my 24” Bartlein. Work up to it. I bet you’ll find something your rig likes.

John

6-A061109-FE25-4381-A8-CE-5-AC9-E248-BF72.jpg
 
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I think Varget is a little on the fast burning side for heavier than 130s but my match gun loves the stuff behind 130gr AR Hybrids and gives 2900ish from my 24” Bartlein. Work up to it. I bet you’ll find something your rig likes.

John

6-A061109-FE25-4381-A8-CE-5-AC9-E248-BF72.jpg
Nice! How many grains of Varget are you using with 130s? I load 123AMAX w 39.4gr for my 6.5CM but I'm almost out of the 123s and have bunch of 130ELDs around so I'm thinking starting at 37.5gr and go from there.
 
I too would be curious to know Hondo's charge weight with 130s to get 2900ish from a 24” tube.

39.2gr Varget under the 130gr ELD-M gave me an average of 2615fps across the Magnetospeed through a Rock Creek/PVA 18" 6.5 Creedmoor barrel on an ARC Nucleus; 40.3gr was 2667fps with no obvious pressure signs. Need to try the 40.3gr load again...
 
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Re: Varget load for 6.5 Creedmoor

What bullet? I wouldn't use it on anything over the 120/123 weight. H4350 is a better powder for the heavy bullets.

Even still, I just got 2960 from h4350 and 120gr ttsx’s out of a 22” bergara hmr. Pretty sure for barter to show benefits over 4350 you would need to be at or below 110gr. For over that isn’t rl16 a decent option?
 
I too would be curious to know Hondo's charge weight with 130s to get 2900ish from a 24" gas gun.

39.2gr Varget under the 130gr ELD-M gave me an average of 2615fps across the Magnetospeed through a Rock Creek/PVA 18" 6.5 Creedmoor barrel on an ARC Nucleus; 40.3gr was 2667fps with no obvious pressure signs. Need to try the 40.3gr load again...

Never said I was shooting a gas gun.

I’m shooting a Shilen DGR with a 24” Bartlein 5R, 8” twist. Charge is 40.1gr in Hornady brass. No visual pressure signs and primer pocket life is good, but I’m sure it is fairly warm, so work up to it.

John
 
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You’re right, somehow I read something you didn’t write...my bad!

Thanks for the load info!
 
It's not bad with lighter pills, 120 range. You can use for 143 but your not going to get the velocity as with some other powder offerings.