80gr Berger .223 and varget, anyone have experience?

dastt

dastt

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So today I started some initial load development in my .223 with varget. I loaded up 2x rounds in .5grn increments, from 23gr to 27gr.

On the jug it says "optimum" with 55gr bullets is 27.5gr of varget, but at 27gr of varget my case is completely full and wouldn't be able to seat any sort of bullet.

So far 24gr of varget is looking like my best bet, I will post some pictures when I get home, now I'm going to load up 2x rounds in increments of .1gr from 23.5 to 24.5 and go from there. I was expecting to be able to use more but at 25gr i start getting a lot of vertical variance

Just wondering what some other people use, my barrel is a 1-8 twist McLennan finished to 29"
 
i would guess around 24-24.5gr you may find your sweet spot - then play with seat depths to see if it will tighten up more! 80 burgers liked 10thou jam in my rifle, but the 80 SMK liked 10 thou jump
 
I'm already set at 10thou jump, I have this round already set using benchmark powder, so I already have my seat depth set. but everyone raves about varget so I picked a couple pounds up to try.
 
Try jamming 10 thou, and on the lands and then 3 thou off. Watch your pressures.
27 gr might be ok for a 55gr bullet, but if you shoot that with the 80gr Berger you're going to likely need a mallet to open your bolt. I have the same tube as you but mine is an ackley. Mine likes 75amax, I can't get Bergers to shoot.
 
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Here is 27gr of powder in a .223 case lol
 
Try Using a long drop tube there are 5 fellows shooting 80 gr Bergers in F class at shorts in 223 all are using 24.6 to 24, 9 grs Varget kissing or a very lightly in lands. speed is 2900 to 2950 fps out of 30" barrels. I have seen many 5 shot groups at 300 y under .700".
There are many other powders will do same groups VT 540,550,a A2520,RL 15,VT 150.
The reason they use Varget it doesn't spike like double base powders in heat like yesterday and Friday in Nationals F class championships in Ottawa
Here is three at 300 y
 
I as well have shot 27grns of Varget under a 55grn fmj. It was actually fairly accurate too.

I will admit I was a bit apprehensive when it compressed the powder while seating the bullet.
 
The Hodgdon site lists a maximum of 25gr Varget for the 80gr SMK. Having saidthat, I'd start off at 23gr and work up in .2gr intervals ans check for pressure signs.
 
manitou210 said:
Try Using a long drop tube there are 5 fellows shooting 80 gr Bergers in F class at shorts in 223 all are using 24.6 to 24, 9 grs Varget kissing or a very lightly in lands. speed is 2900 to 2950 fps out of 30" barrels. I have seen many 5 shot groups at 300 y under .700".
There are many other powders will do same groups VT 540,550,a A2520,RL 15,VT 150.
The reason they use Varget it doesn't spike like double base powders in heat like yesterday and Friday in Nationals F class championships in Ottawa
Here is three at 300 y
Click to expand...

I am in the same zone in a 28" kreiger, not quite the same accuracy but it's in ongoing load development. I should say I am throated WAY longer than most factory chambers, bt at base of neck for the 80s.
 
Had good luck with 80.5 G Bergers, Varget, seated out to the lands in a 7 twist barrel. Good loads and a good barrel will shoot .250 group and less if I do my part. The key is in the loading work but also takes a good action and barrel.
 
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