Varget in 6mm

[DocRDS]

So had a problem with my barrel getting really fouled with Varget (first time I've used it). Traditionally be a H4350 or 4064 user. Does Varget just run dirty? Is it the move to a smaller bore (I've trad shot 6.5 and 30)? Am I unlucky (very well could be).

Also shot a ton with a can.

 

[memilanuk]

I always felt Varget fouled more than it should, in a 308. Then when Varget started becoming unobtainium every time there was a gun related news headline starting in the mid 2000s, I moved to using more and more N140 and N150. After that, I *really* felt Varget was a nasty fouling pig of a powder, at least by comparison.

More recently, I've had someone tell me that they felt N150 was super dirty, in their 22GT. So it may be cartridge-dependant, or just subjective between shooters

 

[diggler1833]

I always felt Varget fouled more than it should, in a 308. Then when Varget started becoming unobtainium every time there was a gun related news headline starting in the mid 2000s, I moved to using more and more N140 and N150. After that, I *really* felt Varget was a nasty fouling pig of a powder, at least by comparison.

More recently, I've had someone tell me that they felt N150 was super dirty, in their 22GT. So it may be cartridge-dependant, or just subjective between shooters

I've been warned about N150/N160 as well. Having come from a lot of the Reloader 15 and 16 stuff, I don't think the VV powders are all that bad. Like you said, it is perspective/subjective.

I also clean every 100-125 rounds, and clean to bare metal every 200-250... so maybe that might be why I'm not seeing the same buildup that others are.

Varget never game me fits, but I've used it so long that perhaps I'm just used to it.

 

[Dogtown]

I find that N160 is a better fit for 6mm.

 

[diggler1833]

I find that N160 is a better fit for 6mm.

Ever since Hodgdon believed that their 8lb kegs were worth $385+, I've been a loyal user of VV powders. Currently, I've got two solid .260 loads with N160. It is a fantastic Creedmoor-class powder.

I do like N150 better for the GT though.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

Pfft. I grew up loading Unique in pistol and shotgun rounds. Still do. That stuff seems akin to black powder wrt fouling.

But the nastiest "modern" powder for me is CFE223. Greasy black fouling in .223... but hey, it meters so nice so it's a go-to for bulk ammo loaded on a progressive press.

Driven by pricing, I too am a convert to VV powders from Hodgdon - N135 for .223 with 75/77gr bullets, N150 for 6BR. I haven't noticed any difference in fouling compared to Varget.

 

[supercorndogs]

Coming from mostly rl15, h380 and h335 I always thought varget was pretty clean.

 

[spife7980]

I find varget cleaner than h4350 myself.

Just clean more/better period, whatever the powder. Invest in a bore scope and look at it over time. See what’s actually happening.

 

[Old Corps 8541]

With 4 different 6MM sub forums ; 243 , 6CM , 6GT and 6BR it MIGHT help if you were a bit more specific ??

 

[diggler1833]

Pfft. I grew up loading Unique in pistol and shotgun rounds. Still do. That stuff seems akin to black powder wrt fouling.

But the nastiest "modern" powder for me is CFE223. Greasy black fouling in .223... but hey, it meters so nice so it's a go-to for bulk ammo loaded on a progressive press.

Driven by pricing, I too am a convert to VV powders from Hodgdon - N135 for .223 with 75/77gr bullets, N150 for 6BR. I haven't noticed any difference in fouling compared to Varget.

I inherited about 11lbs of Unique from my father. It very much is an excellent substitute for pretending to shoot black powder loads.

 

[Rob01]

So had a problem with my barrel getting really fouled with Varget (first time I've used it). Traditionally be a H4350 or 4064 user. Does Varget just run dirty? Is it the move to a smaller bore (I've trad shot 6.5 and 30)? Am I unlucky (very well could be).

Also shot a ton with a can.

What 6mm are you talking about? Pretty open question. But having use Varget in my .308 for decades I don’t find it dirty at all. Runs pretty clean just like H4350.

Like mentioned though for my 6mm Creedmoor I moved to N160 with the 110 ATips and it works great.

 

[memilanuk]

I also clean every 100-125 rounds, and clean to bare metal every 200-250... so maybe that might be why I'm not seeing the same buildup that others are.

Same here.

To be fair, when I got kind of a bad taste for Varget, we were running 155.5's @ 3k and 3-400 rds btwn cleanings. N150 was *way* easier to get out.

Nowadays, it's usually just "clean at the end of the day", whether that's 60 rds or 100. Might stretch it out to 150± for a local weekend match, depending on the course of fire. Pretty much everything comes out easy at that stage.

 

[Thump_rrr]

6mm What?

I use it in 6mm BR Norma with good success.