how do you meter varget ?

greentips

greentips

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I need a hand here. KevinB walked me through his method but I am not 100% sure I got it.

I used a Dillon 500 set up, I also has an extra RCBC powder measure.

How do I get some consistency out of metering Varget - and that they fill the case at a consistent level. I have problem setting the bullet to consistent length when the Varget is compressed.

I need a detail step by step "dummies for Varget metering and loading"

Thanks all
 
What catridge are you loading? I have the same problem with max loads in my 308, so I switched to re15. A drop tube might work, I just played with the funnel gradually filing the case.
 
Varget does not meter well in the Dillon 550. I went back to my old Hornady that will throw Varget -.2gr to 0.0. I also found the Dillon does not seat the bullets straight enough for my liking even with Redding Competition seating dies.
If you bullets are pushing up because of a compressed charge, try a long drop tube for putting the powder in.
 
maynard said:
Varget does not meter well in the Dillon 550. I went back to my old Hornady that will throw Varget -.2gr to 0.0. I also found the Dillon does not seat the bullets straight enough for my liking even with Redding Competition seating dies.
If you bullets are pushing up because of a compressed charge, try a long drop tube for putting the powder in.
Click to expand...

I've used 43.0grs of Varget over a 175gr SMK for all my .308 match rounds loaded on a 550. It throws charges as good as I can by hand, I've tested it! Many times, dumping powder charges and weighing them. Also, over the chrony these loads are incredibly consistant, some of the best rounds I have ever produced. On the target, if I am doing my work its no problem to keep my groups under .5MOA.

A Dillion 550 can meter Varget quite well in my experience. I used to hand meter my charges, but it just isn't worth the time in my experience on my press, I can live with +1/-1gr. difference occasionally, it certainly doesn't seem to be affecting the end results.

Maybe with compressed rounds it gets tricky, but I have never come close to using compressed loads in a .308 using Varget.
 
I use Varget only in my LYMAN DPS system and sometimes I have to dump the powder back into the feeder as it isn't always bang on. I tried once on my Dillon and just ended up giving up - I found that the powder would sometimes bridge and spill everywhere and the charges were pretty inconsistent. Varget is usually more expensive then say H335 so I hated wasting it all over my press having to clean up the mess. I would recommend switching to a ball powder (H335 for .223 and Winchester for a .308)
 
+2 on what 'Gushalak' said.
I slow down the strokes so it is almost exagerated, pausing when the case is at the top to allow full powder drop. I find bridging happens rarely, and 95% of the time it is because I was going too fast. I've gotten bridging issues solved to maybe 1 in 1500 rounds.
I keep an old toothbrush at hand for the odd grain that pops out of a case, (usually happens when you index.) but if you keep your indexing smooth, it really isn't much of an issue (unless you are filling cases to the brim).

Greentips, What bullets and what charge?
I've found compressing Varget too much really doesn't give a velocity change worth maxing out loads. If you can't get a consistant seat, you are probably overdoing it -try backing off half a grain.
 
My Dillon throws Varget from -.5 to +.3 of a grain. That's .8 gr spread:eek:
.5 grain difference is about 1 MOA or 10 inches at 1000 yards. Not close enough in my books for my game. I need all the help I can get so I weigh every charge. I have never shot off a rest but my plotting diagrams show 1/2 MOA using a jacket and sling with iron sights.
 
GT, Varget doesn't meter through powder measures of any kind with the type of accuracy I demand. I hand weight all my Varget loads which gets tiring after a while. Might look at the dispensing/scale set ups if funds allow.

If loading 155gr bullets, use Benchmark. That meters as well as ball powder. Too fast for 175gr bullets in general but worth a try.

If you can meter Varget to +/- 2 tenths, you are doing well. That is double the spread I tolerate.

Jerry
 
I am loading 77gr SMK - I don't particularly enjoy reloading but I need the ammo so I want to get it done as quickly as humanly possible. My past experience with varget is about +/- 0.3 gr.

Yes, the load is compressed. THis is coming out of a short barrel so I will give up some accuracy for velocity.
I
 
Lee perfect powder measure... cheap and works well for single stage loading. I use a drop tube if I'm doing something like putting 27gr in a 223 casing.
 
Yep, new generation extruded that is cut almost as 'short' as ball powder.

Works slick through any dispenser and can usually be held to 1 tenth.

A very accurate BR type powder. My Pac Nor Stevens is working great with 75gr Amax. and CCI 450 primers.

Jerry
 
The velocity and the pressure look pretty decent for benchmark - and the max is not compressed either. Think I gonna give it a try! hope it works with AR.

Thanks
 
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I am under the impression Benchmark would be too fast for the heavier stuff in an AR, but let us know how it functions.:)
 
I suspect you're loading about 24-25gr of Varget? I too find it meters poorly. Slowing down the stroke may help... Too bad it worked so well in my AR.

I would also suggest Benchmark. Much shorter granules.
 
Could always try a quick measure (shameless plug, as I'm selling one). It's designed for exactly this problem, getting reliable results with extruded powders on a progressive, though you can use it for any powder. http://www.quick-measure.com/
In my experience it worked quite well, though not absolutely perfect like some reviews on the net have claimed. I got +/- .1 grain reliably. I was loading what sounds like the same thing as you (77gr .223 with varget, though I am using a xl650). That's probably just user error by me, though. Here's the review that introduced me to it: http://home.comcast.net/~davidawilson/LongRange/QuickMeasure/QM.htm
 
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