I use varget powder in my .223 and .308 precision loads. I just have an issue with the way it measures. Does anyone else use Varget? If so what are your tricks? Just hate how time consuming loading takes.
Varget Measuring issues
- Thread starter flynlow3
- Start date
Re: Varget Measuring issues
Need more info... What are you loading these on...? What press, powder measure etc.
Need more info... What are you loading these on...? What press, powder measure etc.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
Many, many of us use varget, and we all have the same issue...Varget doesn't meter well.
What can you do?
1. Do an OCW test, identify a good accuracy node, set your measure up so the statistical mean of 20-30 throws is ON the node, calculate your standard deviation, multiply by two, add that to the mean and ensure THAT number is LESS than your rifles max allowable charge. Then just throw charges and hope for the best. My RCBS Uniflow measure will throw Varget +/- .33gr - and that is "6-sigma" quality. It's good enough for better than 3/4 moa.
2. Get an RCBS Chargemaster.
Many, many of us use varget, and we all have the same issue...Varget doesn't meter well.
What can you do?
1. Do an OCW test, identify a good accuracy node, set your measure up so the statistical mean of 20-30 throws is ON the node, calculate your standard deviation, multiply by two, add that to the mean and ensure THAT number is LESS than your rifles max allowable charge. Then just throw charges and hope for the best. My RCBS Uniflow measure will throw Varget +/- .33gr - and that is "6-sigma" quality. It's good enough for better than 3/4 moa.
2. Get an RCBS Chargemaster.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
+1 on the RCBS Chargemaster. There is a good thread on the forum on how to speed these up and make more accurate.
Otherwise change powder - I started with varget and had the same issues. I changed powders for my high volume varmint rounds.
+1 on the RCBS Chargemaster. There is a good thread on the forum on how to speed these up and make more accurate.
Otherwise change powder - I started with varget and had the same issues. I changed powders for my high volume varmint rounds.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
I had this issue quite recently. Metering over weight by .3 or more. Issue was negated by installing a "limiter" fitting over the end of the trickle tube. Occasionally it will still throw a charge .1 or .2 over, but most of the time it stays on track now.
Was using a cheapo Lyman trickler and verifying all charges on beam scale.
I had this issue quite recently. Metering over weight by .3 or more. Issue was negated by installing a "limiter" fitting over the end of the trickle tube. Occasionally it will still throw a charge .1 or .2 over, but most of the time it stays on track now.
Was using a cheapo Lyman trickler and verifying all charges on beam scale.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
Varget is just like any long extruded powder. It can be hard to measure. But since I have been using my RCBS Comp Pro powder thrower, i ahve not longer had issues. It is very consistent and rarely is ever over/under. If you use the baffle and keep the supply regular, it will meter just fine. I have loaded over 1000 .308 loads this way, all with Varget, and it goes fast.
Varget is just like any long extruded powder. It can be hard to measure. But since I have been using my RCBS Comp Pro powder thrower, i ahve not longer had issues. It is very consistent and rarely is ever over/under. If you use the baffle and keep the supply regular, it will meter just fine. I have loaded over 1000 .308 loads this way, all with Varget, and it goes fast.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
I load every round with a beam scale. Probably not what you wanted to hear...
I load every round with a beam scale. Probably not what you wanted to hear...
Re: Varget Measuring issues
My Lee Perfect Powder measure throws Varget to +- 0.2 grains (as measured by my digital balance) which is well within my OCW node. I still spot check every 8-10 rounds or so when loading this way, but it's always in the zone.
My Lee Perfect Powder measure throws Varget to +- 0.2 grains (as measured by my digital balance) which is well within my OCW node. I still spot check every 8-10 rounds or so when loading this way, but it's always in the zone.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYpatriot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I load every round with a beam scale. Probably not what you wanted to hear... </div></div>
I also load every round with a beam scale using the TargetMaster Powder Trickler. Confirming charges weights every ten rounds or so with a Denver Instruments MXX123. I toss a charge to within 1-2 grains on my target weight and trickle the rest with the TargetMaster.
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Terry
Let me also add that every beam scale on my bench has been tuned by Scott Parker. They are grain sensitive, you drop a kernel of RE15, Varget, even the SC Powders on it and the needle moves.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYpatriot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I load every round with a beam scale. Probably not what you wanted to hear... </div></div>
I also load every round with a beam scale using the TargetMaster Powder Trickler. Confirming charges weights every ten rounds or so with a Denver Instruments MXX123. I toss a charge to within 1-2 grains on my target weight and trickle the rest with the TargetMaster.
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Terry
Let me also add that every beam scale on my bench has been tuned by Scott Parker. They are grain sensitive, you drop a kernel of RE15, Varget, even the SC Powders on it and the needle moves.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
Plinking= Just use the thrower.Precision= weigh every charge CAREFULLY. I set the thrower just below what I want, and trickle from that.I'd rather have 10 rounds in the bull, than 100 around it.
Plinking= Just use the thrower.Precision= weigh every charge CAREFULLY. I set the thrower just below what I want, and trickle from that.I'd rather have 10 rounds in the bull, than 100 around it.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joshboucher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Plinking= Just use the thrower.Precision= weigh every charge CAREFULLY. I set the thrower just below what I want, and trickle from that.I'd rather have 10 rounds in the bull, than 100 around it. </div></div>
Is this comment based on your personal and extensive testing?
Reason I ask is because MY personal, and rather extensive testing indicates thrown charges can produce excellent ammo - particularly when a good OCW test has shown you where an accuracy node is.
Case in point: FGMM produces outstanding accuracy in many rifles, and the charge weight if it varies +/- .5gr!
If I show up to an Fclass match, I have carefully weighed charges. I've found that for me to shoot the difference between weighed/metered charges, I require a perfect position, and lots of time to touch every round off perfectly. Most shooting situations don't meet ANY of these requirements.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joshboucher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Plinking= Just use the thrower.Precision= weigh every charge CAREFULLY. I set the thrower just below what I want, and trickle from that.I'd rather have 10 rounds in the bull, than 100 around it. </div></div>
Is this comment based on your personal and extensive testing?
Reason I ask is because MY personal, and rather extensive testing indicates thrown charges can produce excellent ammo - particularly when a good OCW test has shown you where an accuracy node is.
Case in point: FGMM produces outstanding accuracy in many rifles, and the charge weight if it varies +/- .5gr!
If I show up to an Fclass match, I have carefully weighed charges. I've found that for me to shoot the difference between weighed/metered charges, I require a perfect position, and lots of time to touch every round off perfectly. Most shooting situations don't meet ANY of these requirements.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flynlow3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use varget powder in my .223 and .308 precision loads. <snip> If so what are your tricks? Just hate how time consuming loading takes. </div></div>
Throw onto platen, trickle up to desired CW.
No trick at all.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flynlow3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use varget powder in my .223 and .308 precision loads. <snip> If so what are your tricks? Just hate how time consuming loading takes. </div></div>
Throw onto platen, trickle up to desired CW.
No trick at all.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joshboucher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Plinking= Just use the thrower.Precision= weigh every charge CAREFULLY. I set the thrower just below what I want, and trickle from that.I'd rather have 10 rounds in the bull, than 100 around it. </div></div>
Bench rest competitors throw powder charges, so it it can't be that inaccurate?
I know at 600 yards you can see the difference of a carefully measured load, but at anything less the variation seem to be taken up in the OCW.
Just my mileage.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joshboucher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Plinking= Just use the thrower.Precision= weigh every charge CAREFULLY. I set the thrower just below what I want, and trickle from that.I'd rather have 10 rounds in the bull, than 100 around it. </div></div>
Bench rest competitors throw powder charges, so it it can't be that inaccurate?
I know at 600 yards you can see the difference of a carefully measured load, but at anything less the variation seem to be taken up in the OCW.
Just my mileage.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
I can say that using my Pact, or throwing and trickling charges are about the same amount of time. Pact is about 30 minutes for 50, trickling with a manual or powered tricklie are about 35. One draw back to the Pact is that I would have to say that it's more like 1 in 20 over weight by .1 gr not 1 in 100.
I can say that using my Pact, or throwing and trickling charges are about the same amount of time. Pact is about 30 minutes for 50, trickling with a manual or powered tricklie are about 35. One draw back to the Pact is that I would have to say that it's more like 1 in 20 over weight by .1 gr not 1 in 100.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
I seems to me that most are in too much of a hurry. I enjoy my time reloading. I helps with the stress.
Relax and try to produce the very best ammo that you can; even if it means checking every round for the selected charge. YOMV
I seems to me that most are in too much of a hurry. I enjoy my time reloading. I helps with the stress.
Relax and try to produce the very best ammo that you can; even if it means checking every round for the selected charge. YOMV
Re: Varget Measuring issues
For a long time I have used a washer that fits the powder tube in both my Lyman and Hornady measures. The hole in the washer is approx 1/2 or a little more.I "think" this improves performance, but a lot of powders just need to be weighted.
For a long time I have used a washer that fits the powder tube in both my Lyman and Hornady measures. The hole in the washer is approx 1/2 or a little more.I "think" this improves performance, but a lot of powders just need to be weighted.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mrhog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I seems to me that most are in too much of a hurry. I enjoy my time reloading. I helps with the stress.
Relax and try to produce the very best ammo that you can; even if it means checking every round for the selected charge. YOMV </div></div>
Comes down to:
Do you shoot to reload, or reload to shoot? I used to be into the super-quality ammo thing, but I REALLY like to shoot a lot, and scrutinizing each cartridge just isn't going to happen, so I've whittled my loading practices down any way I can to make it take up less of my free time.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mrhog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I seems to me that most are in too much of a hurry. I enjoy my time reloading. I helps with the stress.
Relax and try to produce the very best ammo that you can; even if it means checking every round for the selected charge. YOMV </div></div>
Comes down to:
Do you shoot to reload, or reload to shoot? I used to be into the super-quality ammo thing, but I REALLY like to shoot a lot, and scrutinizing each cartridge just isn't going to happen, so I've whittled my loading practices down any way I can to make it take up less of my free time.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
Mt RCBS powder measure gets caught up a little here and there. Did 50 rds last weekend and it threw 44.2-44.5 grains. Good enough for me. I weighed about every 5 rounds to make sure they were ok.
Mt RCBS powder measure gets caught up a little here and there. Did 50 rds last weekend and it threw 44.2-44.5 grains. Good enough for me. I weighed about every 5 rounds to make sure they were ok.
Re: Varget Measuring issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mrhog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I seems to me that most are in too much of a hurry. I enjoy my time reloading. I helps with the stress.
Relax and try to produce the very best ammo that you can; even if it means checking every round for the selected charge. YOMV </div></div>
True dat!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mrhog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I seems to me that most are in too much of a hurry. I enjoy my time reloading. I helps with the stress.
Relax and try to produce the very best ammo that you can; even if it means checking every round for the selected charge. YOMV </div></div>
True dat!
Re: Varget Measuring issues
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flynlow3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use varget powder in my .223 and .308 precision loads. <snip> If so what are your tricks? Just hate how time consuming loading takes. </div></div>
Throw onto platen, trickle up to desired CW.
No trick at all. </div></div>
+1 on this. Its not that time consuming once you get a system down.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MitchAlsup</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flynlow3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use varget powder in my .223 and .308 precision loads. <snip> If so what are your tricks? Just hate how time consuming loading takes. </div></div>
Throw onto platen, trickle up to desired CW.
No trick at all. </div></div>
+1 on this. Its not that time consuming once you get a system down.
