If you could pick just one powder for your .308, and heavier .223's, which one would it be?
Varget - IMR 4895 - Reloder 15
Varget - IMR 4895 - Reloder 15
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Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
- Thread starter i_Adam_i18
- Start date
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
I went with reloader 15 for my 308 and 223. Tried varget and 4064 for the 308. It is a little annoying when you develop a load only to find out you can get more powder. I have been able to get rl-15 no problem.
I went with reloader 15 for my 308 and 223. Tried varget and 4064 for the 308. It is a little annoying when you develop a load only to find out you can get more powder. I have been able to get rl-15 no problem.
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
Varget is my favorite for 223 & 308, but I too have been trouble finding it. I have worked up a load using RL15 for my 308 and it seems to work well. 155grn. 47.9grains using BH brass. Best load I have for my 308 so I will continue to use it. -Brandon
Varget is my favorite for 223 & 308, but I too have been trouble finding it. I have worked up a load using RL15 for my 308 and it seems to work well. 155grn. 47.9grains using BH brass. Best load I have for my 308 so I will continue to use it. -Brandon
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
So it sounds like most people go for Varget but use RL 15 if they can't find Varget...I think I would just buy like 16#'s when I could get it and not worry about running out for a while.
So it sounds like most people go for Varget but use RL 15 if they can't find Varget...I think I would just buy like 16#'s when I could get it and not worry about running out for a while.
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
OK, I'll be the odd one out-I like IMR4895. I can't get the lot-to-lot inconsistencies Varget had in the past outta my head.
I may be able to tweak a little more accuracy out of the loads for my 308, 7-08, and 223 if I tailored a powder to each, but I can get sub-moa out of all 3 with IMR4895.
Looking back over my HP Service Rifle data book, I had 3/4-1moa difference in elevation at 500yds between mid summer (90-105*) and mid-winter (high 30's to high 40's) with the same 223 load with IMR4895. That's stable enough for me.
I have yet to try RL15, and it would be my next choice to try.
OK, I'll be the odd one out-I like IMR4895. I can't get the lot-to-lot inconsistencies Varget had in the past outta my head.
I may be able to tweak a little more accuracy out of the loads for my 308, 7-08, and 223 if I tailored a powder to each, but I can get sub-moa out of all 3 with IMR4895.
Looking back over my HP Service Rifle data book, I had 3/4-1moa difference in elevation at 500yds between mid summer (90-105*) and mid-winter (high 30's to high 40's) with the same 223 load with IMR4895. That's stable enough for me.
I have yet to try RL15, and it would be my next choice to try.
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
I've been using IMR4895 by basically forever, for .308 and .223 reloads.
I have not done any comparative study with Varget, but IMR4895 got me enough accuracy to make me not bother looking elsewhere.
I've been using IMR4895 by basically forever, for .308 and .223 reloads.
I have not done any comparative study with Varget, but IMR4895 got me enough accuracy to make me not bother looking elsewhere.
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
I hear ya Sobr. Actually when I started out, IMR4895 was the first powder I tried. I used a 168gr Amax with 40.5gr 4895 (I know, I started way low) and put 3 rounds in one ragged hole at 100 yards. I had trouble getting myself to believe there was actually 3 rounds there (partly because it was a brand new gun, new scope, my first batch of reloads with a brand new Rockchucker kit). Since that, I haven't been able to replicate that group. I'm usually within 1 moa, but I never claim to be a good shot either, it could be me.
I guess I'm just looking for the best all around powder to stick with. I got some 175 MK's and need to develope a load for my bolt and gas gun.
I hear ya Sobr. Actually when I started out, IMR4895 was the first powder I tried. I used a 168gr Amax with 40.5gr 4895 (I know, I started way low) and put 3 rounds in one ragged hole at 100 yards. I had trouble getting myself to believe there was actually 3 rounds there (partly because it was a brand new gun, new scope, my first batch of reloads with a brand new Rockchucker kit). Since that, I haven't been able to replicate that group. I'm usually within 1 moa, but I never claim to be a good shot either, it could be me.
I guess I'm just looking for the best all around powder to stick with. I got some 175 MK's and need to develope a load for my bolt and gas gun.
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
If you get I4895 try around 42.4 (with Win brass) or 42.2 (with Lapua/Fed/LC match) for the 175's-should be a good load and around 2650 for a factory tube.
I run 23.5 or so under 75gr Hornady HPBT's in my 223 for 2700fps in my 18" SPR.
If you get I4895 try around 42.4 (with Win brass) or 42.2 (with Lapua/Fed/LC match) for the 175's-should be a good load and around 2650 for a factory tube.
I run 23.5 or so under 75gr Hornady HPBT's in my 223 for 2700fps in my 18" SPR.
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
I remember using RL15 behind 90gr JLKs in 223, but used CCI450s for best groups at 600 & 1000.
I remember using RL15 behind 90gr JLKs in 223, but used CCI450s for best groups at 600 & 1000.
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
I have used Varget quite a bit, but I now have 32 lbs of RG 4895 from Wideners, so I think I'll be using 4895 a lot more.
I have used Varget quite a bit, but I now have 32 lbs of RG 4895 from Wideners, so I think I'll be using 4895 a lot more.
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
AZ, Have you worked up a load yet? How's your accuracy with RG 4895 vs. Varget?
AZ, Have you worked up a load yet? How's your accuracy with RG 4895 vs. Varget?
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK, I'll be the odd one out-I like IMR4895. I can't get the lot-to-lot inconsistencies Varget had in the past outta my head. </div></div>
That's why I went with 4895 to begin with and it shot okay with 77 grn bullets in my AR. Varget shot better with both but like it was said earlier I can't deal with the inconsistantcy of Varget. I have settled on #2250 for my 5.56 loads and will stick with 4895 for 7.62...
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OK, I'll be the odd one out-I like IMR4895. I can't get the lot-to-lot inconsistencies Varget had in the past outta my head. </div></div>
That's why I went with 4895 to begin with and it shot okay with 77 grn bullets in my AR. Varget shot better with both but like it was said earlier I can't deal with the inconsistantcy of Varget. I have settled on #2250 for my 5.56 loads and will stick with 4895 for 7.62...
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
In hot places like Southern California, IMR 4895 is too temp sensitive-- I've blown an extractor with very normal loads in 100* heat.
Now I'm a Varget man.
(tho in WA, your temps may be stable enough)
In hot places like Southern California, IMR 4895 is too temp sensitive-- I've blown an extractor with very normal loads in 100* heat.
Now I'm a Varget man.
(tho in WA, your temps may be stable enough)
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15
When I saw Weidners had RG 4895 cheap, I picked up 24 lbs and compared it to IMR 4895 and I couldn't see any difference.
myerfire
When I saw Weidners had RG 4895 cheap, I picked up 24 lbs and compared it to IMR 4895 and I couldn't see any difference.
myerfire
