Anyone using Varget for the 303 Savage

[delta1]

Looking for some Varget loads in the 303 Savage. Need a starting point to get myself going.

 

[sunray]

There's one verified 180 grain load on Reloader's Nest. 34.2 grs(reduce by 10%) and 2.5" OAL. Guy claims 1.5" groups out of a 24", 1920 Savage Model 99 Takedown.
One unverified 170 grain load of 35 grs, 2.053" OAL, out of a 20", 1924 Savage 99. Claims .85" groups with a Nosler Partition. Then he says, "My last 6 shots were inside an inch and a half." Salt grains are big.

 

[inthehizzy]

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

 

[sunray]

There's no Varget data for .303 Savage on Hodgdon's site.

 

[Ganderite]

With a 170 gr or 180 gr bullet, use a case full. Varget is a bit slow for that small case. You can't get enough in there to cause a problem.

 

[delta1]

I would like to use a 200 grain Nosler partition with Varget powder as I have a great deal of Varget. Where should I start a load of Varget at?

 

[b72471]

Varget may work if you find loading data for it.What I have used is IMR4895 start at 33gr with a 150gr Hornady SP and work up watching for pressure signs. One of my reloading manuals says they use 30-30 data and reduce starting loads by 10%.
enjoy

 

[Alex McK]

Richard Lee's book: "Modern Reloading" has load data for the 303 Savage. Unfortunately, nothing for Varget powder. But, the Lee book states that safe loads with all powders listed were obtained by using 30-30 data, reduced by 10%. Note: The Lee load data only covers bullets up to 170 grains. However, even this information may provide a starting point.

 

[jethunter]

I would like to use a 200 grain Nosler partition with Varget powder as I have a great deal of Varget. Where should I start a load of Varget at?

Quickload says 25 gr Varget will give you 96% case fill, 35,000 psi, 1800 fps, and only 88% of the powder will burn in a 22" barrel. Varget doesn't burn very clean at that low pressure and you're going to have a lot of residue and inconsistent performance. In other words Varget is not well suited to the 303 Savage and 200 gr bullets. A faster powder would work better, something like H4198 would probably b very good.