Compressing Varget?

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Xs24-7

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Loading up some .223 60 grn vmax with Varget...the manual says I can go to 27 grains...but by the time I hit 26.5 grns I am half way up the neck. Is it normal to have to compress varget this much(I think 27 grn will likely fill the case to the top!)
 
27.4 fills my cases to the top. I have some loaded at 27.4 I have to try yet. I am also using 53gr vmax.
I did load some 36gr varmint grenades with 27.5gr and it was packed the speed form my axis was 3450-3470 ish. well under an inch as well
 
I could if I need to...I'm used to loading Benchmark and never come near this kinda volume. Just checking to make sure this was normal before I push things.
 
I used to freak out with Win 748. I was experimenting with loads and the manual recommended charge seemed to fill the case. I wiggled it and gently vibrated the base of the case. Voila! there was room. The reason, the powder, just like when you buy those sealed coffee bags and try to put into a tin can, is "fluffly" and does not settle uniformly.

This is not compressing. It is allowing the particles to settle within the total mass - shrinking - if you will.

There was plenty of room to seat the bullet.
 
With my load of R-17 and 208 Match in 308 for the Nemesis, the drop tube made the difference, it is really tight pack but it do work wonder for velocity and give stellar accuracy... JP.
 
I was just loading up loads to test. Started at 25 and worked up in .3 grn. Increments from there. Hopefully I find something that shoots.
 
hometownhero said:
27.4 fills my cases to the top. I have some loaded at 27.4 I have to try yet. I am also using 53gr vmax.
I did load some 36gr varmint grenades with 27.5gr and it was packed the speed form my axis was 3450-3470 ish. well under an inch as well
Click to expand...

Compressing Varget in 223 is normal. There is not enough space in the case for most loads. It is very popular for some reason but personally I think there are far better choices for use in the 223.

Your example above is a perfect illustration. Compressed load and only 3400 FPS. Use benchmark with the 36 grain VGs and you can get close to 3900 fpps out of a 26" barrel, no pressure signs in my guns and under 1/2" at 100, hold an inch at 300.

Unless you have some particualr reason for wanting to shoot low velocity and or, compressed loads I don't understand the attraction in this particualr cartridge.
 
Benchmark is my go to powder for .223 and 50-55gr bullets. I found I had to change to Varget when I went to 68 or 69gr bullets. 1-9 twist.
 
In my own .223 I use Benchmark with 50 grn ballistic tips. I am loading these for a friend, and due to being in the reloading purgatory that is Winnipeg, Varget was accessible, and suits what he wants to do with his gun. I used a drop tube and now have loads to test all the way to 27 grns, so hopefully we find something that shoots.
 
Xs24-7 said:
In my own .223 I use Benchmark with 50 grn ballistic tips. I am loading these for a friend, and due to being in the reloading purgatory that is Winnipeg, Varget was accessible, and suits what he wants to do with his gun. I used a drop tube and now have loads to test all the way to 27 grns, so hopefully we find something that shoots.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean about some places being purgatory as far as supplies go. Experienced it first hand when I was up north. Got to really like Higginsons - UPS hazmat fee is a flat $25, regardless of quantity. At 21 pounds or more actual shipping charges are free. Used to get a couple of buddies together and do an order every year or two. Spread over 40 lbs, and given their price on most powders even today, is 23-28 dollars, it was still a whole bunch cheaper than local price, and we could get the exact powders we wanted. Even on 8 lbs, the hazmat works out to $3 a pound and I can't buy powder anywhere in Calgary for $31 a pound. May want to give them a try.


http://www.higginsonpowders.com/pricelists.html
 
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