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Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15

i_Adam_i18

Private
Minuteman
Oct 22, 2008
0
0
39
Olympia, WA
If you could pick just one powder for your .308, and heavier .223's, which one would it be?

Varget - IMR 4895 - Reloder 15
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
Re: Varget vs. IMR 4895 vs. RE-15

My best .308 load is Rl15 and 168 smk's in lapua over a fed gm
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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...
 
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)
 
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