After years of M1's and M1a's on the firing line...Just started to use my AR-15 on the line at our local 100yd matches. It's a BM lower with their DCM 20" upper with a 1:8 twist bore. Been using 52 and 55gr smk's with 24 and 25gr of N140 in FC brass. The N140 is difficult to get locally most of the time. So I bought a lb. of Varget. Anyone here use Varget? If so how light of a pill can be pushed down the bore with reasonable accuracy IYO? I was told not to use anything lighter than 69gr bullets for decent accuracy with this powder. Thank you.
Varget anyone?
- Thread starter Kopterdoc
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Re: Varget anyone?
I using Varget in both .223 Remington and .308 Winchester.
The Varget do not sensitive to lighter bullet. It's depend on your barrel twist. Most of my .223 Remington load are for hunting. (Hornardy V-Max)
For long range shooting, I would go with .308 Winchester.
I using Varget in both .223 Remington and .308 Winchester.
The Varget do not sensitive to lighter bullet. It's depend on your barrel twist. Most of my .223 Remington load are for hunting. (Hornardy V-Max)
For long range shooting, I would go with .308 Winchester.
Re: Varget anyone?
Check out Hodgdon's data center for more info on 223 Varget loads. They load it with bullets from 35 grain all the way to 90 grain. At short range like you are shooting I would just try what ever bullet your rifle likes.
Check out Hodgdon's data center for more info on 223 Varget loads. They load it with bullets from 35 grain all the way to 90 grain. At short range like you are shooting I would just try what ever bullet your rifle likes.
Re: Varget anyone?
I think you will like H-4895 or 1 of the ball powders better for 100yd shooting with the lighter bullets. H-4895 also does well at 600 yds though you might get a few more fps with Varget but not always.
I'm currently shooting Tac XTC, weighing for 600 yds but thrown charges for 200 & 300.
24.6gr Tac in my space gun for 10-shot avg 2815 fps, 24.6gr Varget in my Service rifle for 2690 fps average 10 shots. This is with 77gr bullets short-line and 80gr bullets for the long line.
I shot XBR-8208 on my service rifle with great accuracy long and short line with good velocities but had short-stroke problems. Swapped back to Varget and the problems went away.
H-332 or H-335 for the lighter 52 & 53gr bullets.
I think you will like H-4895 or 1 of the ball powders better for 100yd shooting with the lighter bullets. H-4895 also does well at 600 yds though you might get a few more fps with Varget but not always.
I'm currently shooting Tac XTC, weighing for 600 yds but thrown charges for 200 & 300.
24.6gr Tac in my space gun for 10-shot avg 2815 fps, 24.6gr Varget in my Service rifle for 2690 fps average 10 shots. This is with 77gr bullets short-line and 80gr bullets for the long line.
I shot XBR-8208 on my service rifle with great accuracy long and short line with good velocities but had short-stroke problems. Swapped back to Varget and the problems went away.
H-332 or H-335 for the lighter 52 & 53gr bullets.
Re: Varget anyone?
I shot a used Bushmaster NM upper for one season of reduced matches. I settled on 26.5gr of WIN748 pushing a Nosler 52gr CC bullet. No idea of the velocity, but easily shot 3/4" at 100 when I did the testing with a scope. I sold the upper to a friend last year and he is shooting it now with the same load.
The load now for my WOA is 25.5gr of 8208XBR pushing the same 52CC at about 3150fps. Same tiny groups and less temp sensitivity. I use this for both 100 and 200 reduced matches. My 77 and 80gr load is 23.2gr of 8208XBR. Shoots good and no operating issues with the gun. I use the Wolf SRM.
I know H335 and the WC844 surplus are popular for the light loads. Also might want to check out Benchmark, TAC, or Exterminator. I got a couple pounds of Reloder 7 free from a friend, so I am going to try that with the 52/55s to see how it works. Not optimal, but it was free!
Good luck!
I shot a used Bushmaster NM upper for one season of reduced matches. I settled on 26.5gr of WIN748 pushing a Nosler 52gr CC bullet. No idea of the velocity, but easily shot 3/4" at 100 when I did the testing with a scope. I sold the upper to a friend last year and he is shooting it now with the same load.
The load now for my WOA is 25.5gr of 8208XBR pushing the same 52CC at about 3150fps. Same tiny groups and less temp sensitivity. I use this for both 100 and 200 reduced matches. My 77 and 80gr load is 23.2gr of 8208XBR. Shoots good and no operating issues with the gun. I use the Wolf SRM.
I know H335 and the WC844 surplus are popular for the light loads. Also might want to check out Benchmark, TAC, or Exterminator. I got a couple pounds of Reloder 7 free from a friend, so I am going to try that with the 52/55s to see how it works. Not optimal, but it was free!
Good luck!
Re: Varget anyone?
I load AR .223 with IMR4064 which is very similar to Varget and have great results, plus 4064/Varget is available everywhere.
I load AR .223 with IMR4064 which is very similar to Varget and have great results, plus 4064/Varget is available everywhere.
Re: Varget anyone?
I have a JP CTR-02 with 18" barrel and 1:8 twist. I shoot 69gr SMK's with 26gr's of Varget. I get EXTREME accuracy with this combination!!! I have shot 5 rounds in one hole at 100 yards, and hit 13" targets (steel chicken silhouette) at 880 yards. I use Varget year round in both my 223's and 308. It's great powder!!!!
I have a JP CTR-02 with 18" barrel and 1:8 twist. I shoot 69gr SMK's with 26gr's of Varget. I get EXTREME accuracy with this combination!!! I have shot 5 rounds in one hole at 100 yards, and hit 13" targets (steel chicken silhouette) at 880 yards. I use Varget year round in both my 223's and 308. It's great powder!!!!
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