Hornady 75gr Varget Compressed Load with varget

[Powerlock25]

heres the deal-

I set out to work up a 25gr load of Varget behind Hornady 75gr BTHP's using RP cases and cci 400 primers. The Varget is so compressed that I wont be able to load them to mag length in my 18" WOA SPR barrel. I might be able to get 24.2 grs Varget in there but that will be it! Should I just pitch the loads in the trash? is it dangerous to fire those loads with the COL nearing 2.290"

24.0grs Varget - light ring marks from seating stem, light compression C.O.L 2.255-2.260"

24.5grs Varget - deeper ring marks from seating stem, moderate to heavy compression C.O.L 2.260"-2.270" (not all fit into mag)

25.0grs Varget - even deeper ring marks from seating stem marring bullet, heavy compression C.O.L 2.270"-2.285" (not fitting in to mag)

Any thoughts? Why is R15 popular does is compress better, etc?

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Hornady 75gr Varget Compressed Load with varget

Varget has been getting slower and slower over the past 2 years, that is bulkier to produce the same velocity in 223 and 308. A bud got a recent lot that at 47.3 grs would only net him 2930 in his Palma rifle with 155s, and I get 2975 from a lot from 2007 with 46.3 with the same bullet and case.

The RL15 I've had over the last 5 years uses up less case space at a similar charge weight than Varget and produces excellent results in my 223 and 308 loads. It also throws better than Varget.

H4895 has become the new/old darling for these cases in the highpower shooting world. Back before Varget, H4895 was THE Palma powder. Now it's back.

Here's a good old article by an oft quoted gent, Bart Bobbitt, that sings praises for H4895 circa 1995. This is from the old pre-WWW rec.guns listserv/BB.

http://yarchive.net/gun/ammo/reload_multistage_press.html

 

[esromvre]

Re: Hornady 75gr Varget Compressed Load with varget

forester seater die?

I use 24.7 varget used to use 25 but got way better groops from the little bit less powder

 

[Powerlock25]

Re: Hornady 75gr Varget Compressed Load with varget

no, its an old RCBS standard seating die

 

[wheelchairman]

Re: Hornady 75gr Varget Compressed Load with varget

I load to just inside mag length with the 75 bthp and 25.0 of varget and get a nice ring from seating die. Bullet still holds MOA but looked bad. Hellbender loaded me some ammo after I got a case stuck in my dillon dies and his turned out perfect. He used lee dies.

Before you go ditching powder, I'd try different dies and check neck tension.

 

[B y r o n]

Re: Hornady 75gr Varget Compressed Load with varget

Try switching to WW cases where you might have a little more case capacity.

 

[Powerlock25]

Re: Hornady 75gr Varget Compressed Load with varget

I took the seater stem out and lapped polished the mating surface with compound and a 75gr BTHP

I believe the ring marks will be much less noticeable now...I'll have to try some more to find out for sure

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Hornady 75gr Varget Compressed Load with varget

Sierra 77's with 24 grains of Varget leaves a ring on my bullet from my Redding Competition Seating die. Slightly compressed, mag length, 2700 FPS in my RRA NM.