options to Varget

[mark5pt56]

Although other powders seem to be hard as well to find, I was looking at options. Two powders that seem to be gaining popularity are the 2000MR and CFE223. For those who have used these two, are your experiences good? It seems that velocity is gained with either equal accuracy or greater?

I hope to find a pound of each locally to try soon and they pile it up if it works.

Mark

 

[Gary223]

I switched from varget to ramshot tac for my .223 iseing 75gr-80gr bullets same 1/4 moa accuracy and better velocitys with almost identical loads.. Very nice powder to use may be worth a look.

Gary

 

[mark5pt56]

I forgot to mention the intended use is mainly .308 bolt guns. I did find some R15 and have a load for the 80 AMAX (.223) for the 600 yard line single loads. I'm content with that one since I have enough to last me quite a while on the .223 since that's the only current load I do for that caliber.

 

[Everdeeper43015]

I am in the load development stages with my .308 and have switched to TAC from Varget. So far, testing has been at a 100 yards and my spread over different charge weights has been .3"-.6" using 168 SMK out of a 20" rem700. Doesnt seem to be effected by temperature. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[JRM83]

I have tried both CFE223 and 2000-MR in .308 and had good results with both. Both powders gave me great accuracy with 168/175gr Noslers, and I liked CFE-223 so much that I was planning on switching to it as my go-to powder for both .223 and .308. The accuracy was very close to Varget, but meters much better (and cheaper).

 

[FN in MT]

Varget is starting to show up...twenty pounds at a time at my LGS. He seems to get a box of one pounders each Week. Even at $28.95 a pound and one pound per custome......they sell out in an hour or so.

I truly hope the $29 a pound price will not be the norm when things normalize again.

 

[mark5pt56]

I hope to find at least 2 8 pounders to keep consistency for some time. I know-crack is illegal!

 

[r50140]

I have Varget in my stash but my go to powder for 308 is IMR4064. I use this in 2 bolt guns and 2 gas guns. Also use for a friends 308 bolt I load for. We basically only hunt, but can usually keep 5 shots in about 1/2" at 100 yards with all the above rifles. I have found lots of powders that work well for the 308.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Although I use IMR-4064 in many applications where Varget is an initial choice, I still use Varget in .223's, and other smaller neck cartridges.

It may not meter like a ball powder, but it meters a lot better through smaller necks than IMR-4064. I use the IMR-4064 in larger neck cartridges, like .30-'06 and 7.62x54R.

I stopped using ball powder, primarily W748, in .222/.223 primarily because it burns dirtier, and I've had more trouble finding good nodes with it. My local range isn't close enough for a dash to check loads, so the load development process runs somewhat too slowly for me.

Like others, powders have begun to be somewhat more readily available near me. Asking my dealer yesterday, he says the reason is that demand is falling off, the rate of supply has not changed.

Greg

 

[mark5pt56]

True on the range distance, not far, but it can be time consuming. I just picked up a Ruger GSR and tried three powders I have, Varget (what's left-about enough for 50 rounds) IMR4064 and H4895. All three had a preferred charge weight, which was part of the testing to have three powder types available for use. I used Hornady #3037(150 FMJBT) and now have three "formula's" with those pwders. Funny thing is on all three and 175 FGMM and reloads using 175 SMK/43 Varget, all are so close with POA/POI. What's nice on that match reload is it's worked in every dang rifle I've shot it in.

I'll keep my eyes open for the Varget, CFE223 and 2000MR. I do have 3lbs of the 4064 but got it for the Garand (06) hopefully one day I can find some 168 AMAX's

Oh well, maybe one day we can just order what we need when we need it.

Mark