Varget -=- RL 15

[clayne_b]

Hey guys I am somewhat new to reloading, My question is...

I have a load that works very well in my gun.

Win brass
175 smk
45 gr of Varget

So my question, I am almost out of Varget But I have a few lbs of rl 15, Where would you start to try and keep the load shooting the same.

Thanks

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

41gr and work up

 

[BCP]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

RL15 has the same burn rate, charge weights as varget so your end load will probably be ~45 grains.

BTW your load is at the max-max-max so unless you need the extra velocity for long distance I would try for a lighter node. 43.5 should be in the neighborhood.

 

[insight3b]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

I'd start at 41gr and work up as previously stated

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">RL15 has the same burn rate, charge weights as varget so your end load will probably be ~45 grains.

BTW your load is at the max-max-max so unless you need the extra velocity for long distance I would try for a lighter node. 43.5 should be in the neighborhood.</div></div>


do NOT load 45gr of RL15 under a 175 and touch it off....

43-43.5 is MAX is a LOT of rifles

 

[Bob 964]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

If we're talking about .308s, Hodgdon recommends a maximum charge weight of 45.0 grains (Compressed) for Varget in 175 grain projectiles. Alliant recommends a maximum charge weight of 45.0 grains for RL-15 in 168 and 180 grain projectiles. Starting low and working your load weight up, checking for pressure signs along the way, is always good advice.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

They do not have the same pressure curves. They are very similar but not exact. In different loads the differences come out more.

 

[2ndPanzer]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

44.3 in win brass worked well for me, the new load is 45.0 Varget. Same same for speed.

 

[a4308]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

On my rifle I do 1 complete gr less than varget and get 20fps less. That's using 175smk

 

[COLOSHOOTR]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">RL15 has the same burn rate, charge weights as varget so your end load will probably be ~45 grains.

BTW your load is at the max-max-max so unless you need the extra velocity for long distance I would try for a lighter node. 43.5 should be in the neighborhood. </div></div>

THIS IS WRONG!!!!!!!!! Don't go drop 45 grains of RL-15 into a case trying to duplicate a Varget load. I use 43.2 grains of RL-15 to get velocities comparable to a load of 44.4 grains of Varget powder. 45 grains of RL-15 is getting into dangerous territory!

As others have said start work a load up from 41 grains of RL-15 and play it safe!

 

[nashlaw]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

45 gr of R15 under a 175 SMK gives sticky bolt lift in my rifles. Same dose kf Varget gives no such problems.

Read and heed the above.

 

[BCP]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

When I tried RL15 43 grains of it was indistinguishable from 43 grains of varget over the chrono. YMMV

 

[COLOSHOOTR]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

Did you by chance chrono the Varget and RL-15 loads on a cooler day?

The reason I ask is that my buddy and I both shoot .308 loads with 175 SMK's or 178 AMAX's at similar velocities but I use mostly RL-15 and he uses varget. Normally we can use the same dope on either rifle but the two weeks ago we went out shooting before the snow moved in and the winds brought in some cool temps (low 40's dropping into higher 30's). As the temps cooled I started impacting low and could tell my velocity had decreased when his seemed staying around the same. The RL-15 tends to be kind of temperature sensitive where Varget seems to be very consistant.

Otherwise, maybe at 43 grains in your rifle with all the other factors combined just made for similar velocities.... It's kind of interesting all the little things that make a difference with reloading isn't it!

 

[clayne_b]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

I loaded a few with 43 gr of RL-15, They shot 1 mil low at 565 yards compared to 45grn of Varget.

I did work my way up to 45gr of RL-15 with no serious pressure signs, I will load a few more at 45gr to see how they do,

Goal is to have the same drop with Varget and RL-15.

 

[5R Milspec]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

Even if you can get R15 to give you the same FPS,accuracy might not be their for ya.Load for accuracy and forget FPS.I too have had to change powders for the lack of being able to buy Varget.As of now till I can buy some Varget I'll be useing 4064.Hadn't had the time to work up a load yet,but when time does offer me a chance I will.

 

[Warbone]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

Again always start low and work up with new loads, every gun is different.

I have found in my tikka t3 scout 20" Barrel

44.3 grains RL15
win brass
fed gm210 primers
175g smk or 178 grain amax has amazing accuracy.

This load also works extreamly well in my dpms sass 308.

 

[2ndPanzer]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Warbone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Again always start low and work up with new loads, every gun is different.

I have found in my tikka t3 scout 20" Barrel

44.3 grains RL15
win brass
fed gm210 primers
175g smk or 178 grain amax has amazing accuracy.

This load also works extreamly well in my dpms sass 308. </div></div>

43.1,43.7 and 44.3 work in just about anything it seems...

 

[melloyello]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BTW your load is at the max-max-max so unless you need the extra velocity for long distance I would try for a lighter node. 43.5 should be in the neighborhood.</div></div>

No pressure signs at 45gr of varget under 178 amax. I just loaded some 45.5gr and 46gr to try and see if I can get the velocity up some more. Using Winchester fire formed cases and WLR primers in an AAC-SD. Not saying it's not pushing it but at 45gr I am only getting a 2529fps average.

 

[Fatelvis]

Re: Varget -=- RL 15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COLOSHOOTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The reason I ask is that my buddy and I both shoot .308 loads with 175 SMK's or 178 AMAX's at similar velocities but I use mostly RL-15 and he uses varget. Normally we can use the same dope on either rifle but the two weeks ago we went out shooting before the snow moved in and the winds brought in some cool temps (low 40's dropping into higher 30's). As the temps cooled I started impacting low and could tell my velocity had decreased when his seemed staying around the same. The RL-15 tends to be kind of temperature sensitive where Varget seems to be very consistant.

</div></div>

Colo, how much change at what distance did you have to account for?

 

[stu2]

Try AR-Comp if you can find it. I just bought an 8lb jug and it is proving to be a very good powder for both .308 and .243 Ackley. The problem with AR-Comp or any other good powder is finding some. It is basically a re-engineered RL15 but with less temp sensativity. I can't speak to the sensativity yet as I've only shot in 32 and 40 degree days. It meters very well and shows promise in that it is givinging me low SD and ES. Velocities and charges seem on par with RL15 but start around 40.0 grains and go up incrementally from there. I use .5 increments for .308 based cartridges for initial OCW.

From what I've discovered, AR comp seems promising. I wish I could figure out how to add pictures but the limits on this new site are too restrictive.

See temp sensativity test done on this site
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...p+test:+Comp+vs.+Varget+(308+Win.)+Rem&#8206;