Powder data for wildcat question???

SuperCub

SuperCub

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I'm looking for loading data for 375/338. I want to use Varget as I have lots on hand, but not so much published data on the interweb.

As Varget is very close to 4064 in burn rate, can I substitute 4064 data for Varget and work up starting loads from there?


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I think you should be alright. Varget is a slower powder so pressure issues should be minimal, and it's known for mild pressure variation given ambient temperature changes so it would probably lend itself well to experimentation. As always, start low. I see Hodgdon lists Varget in the 375 Ruger as well as the H&H so you may have somewhere to start.
 
Or you could call Hodgdon...Back in the late 70's when I didn't have a phone I wrote them a letter asking for .257 Roberts A.I. data and I got a reply with data from ole man Hodgdon himself..
 
Are you messing with us Super? IMR 4895 and H 4895 have nearly identical burn rates and their load data doesn't interchange. My burn rate chart (Lapua) lists Varget a bit slower than those two, and IMR 4064 a bit quicker.
A similar burn rate should indicate that the powder will also be suitable for that particular cartridge, but the powder volume or weight is usually very different.

Just as an example out of my Hornady manual, 338-06, 225gr bullet
H4895 Min load 39.5@2200fps, Max load 49.0gr@2600fps
IMR4895 Min load42.1gr@2200fps, Max load 53.0gr@2700fps
Varget Min load37.6gr @2200fps, Max load 51.4gr@2600fps
IMR4064 Min load42.9gr@2200fps, Max load 53.4gr@2700fps

All of these powders are fairly close in burn rates and all are suitable for this cartridge, however, as you can see, there is over 5gr difference in starting loads on this cartridge between Varget and 4064, 2grs exactly on max loads.

I load for 9.3x57 and I feel you pain here. Its not a wildcat, but there is no published load data for this cartridge ( at least not with powders available in North America).I'm not sure where to start to look for info on yours.

Jim
 
I thought most of us on here worked our loads up to suit our rifle, pressure wise.
Therefore, with similar powders, just start low and work up. No problem. No need to get hung up on exact figures as shown in various loading books.
 
H4831 said:
I thought most of us on here worked our loads up to suit our rifle, pressure wise.
Therefore, with similar powders, just start low and work up. No problem. No need to get hung up on exact figures as shown in various loading books.
Click to expand...

I just put that up there as an example of how the load data does not interchange. I usually do begin with the starting loads listed in the manual, but I know that the max load for My rifle can be well above or below the listed max load in the manual. In addition the most accurate load is not always the hottest load. Do you have any tips on picking a starting load when you can't find one published for the powder you want to use? I think thats really the kind of info SC is looking for( he did mention working up a load once he got started). I would also find that sort of info useful, I'm not really into wilcats, but I do sometimes buy oddball rifles with limited load data available.

Jim
 
I used to use Varget for some loads in .375 H&H, so I am sure they will work fine. I'd start with a light load form the H&H data and just work up.
 
Workin Man said:
I just put that up there as an example of how the load data does not interchange. I usually do begin with the starting loads listed in the manual, but I know that the max load for My rifle can be well above or below the listed max load in the manual. In addition the most accurate load is not always the hottest load. Do you have any tips on picking a starting load when you can't find one published for the powder you want to use? I think thats really the kind of info SC is looking for( he did mention working up a load once he got started). I would also find that sort of info useful, I'm not really into wilcats, but I do sometimes buy oddball rifles with limited load data available.

Jim
Click to expand...

My point was that the powder you wanted to use, but had no data for, was very similar in burning rate to a powder you did have loading data for. Just use the starting load, or to be super safe, a few grains under the given starting load, for the similar powder. Then work up from that.
As far as noting the different loading data beween H4895 and IMR 4895, or between H4831 and IMR4831, or the two 4350s, for example, who gives a crooked toadstool if there is a difference in the book! Those powders are so similar to each other that a starting load in one will be perfectly safe as a starting load in the other brand. Check your book. A starting load in one brand does not come remotely close to being a maximum load, in the other brand of the same number.
 
Here's an old thread from Accuratereloading that talks about the .375-338 and includes some mention of the use of Varget with 300 gr bullets(third post)

http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6521043/m/100105011?r=459100111#459100111

The weight of a case load of water in a .375 Ruger case is 97.6 grains which is 3.8-6.3% more that the .375-338 as mentioned in the first post of the above thread.

So I would be inclined to start off with minimum loads for the .375 Ruger from the Nosler manual(300 gr - 67 gr of Varget) or from the Hodgdon site for other bullet weights.

With the minimum Nosler load, I'm getting 2370 fps with Hornady 300 gr RN's in my .375 Ruger with a 21" barrel.
 
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