I've standardized on a particular load for .308 target ammunition for some time: Lapua case, FedGM primer, 154/155 bullet, weighed 46 gr Varget (47gr is listed maximum). With 154gr. Scenar velocity ran 2950fps, from the 30" barrel on my target rifle. Obtained a new box of powder (previous box purchased 2 years ago), prepared my cartridges, tested them for group and function, but did not chronograph them. At long range, 2 minutes less elevation was necessary, proportionately less at shorter ranges. Elevation was very consistant. Chronographed a handfull yesterday, velocity averaged 3005fps.
Powder lot & velocity change
- Thread starter tiriaq
- Start date
I have had similar problems with BL-C2. It is known for being more temperature sensitive that varget, but conditions were pretty similar. I recall reading - on 6mmBR.com I think - that guys were complaining of measurable differences from batch to batch with Varget.
- Location
- behind the grassy knoll
Varget is a great powder for 308, I have used it alot.
I ran into a similar problem last year, so called Hodgdons about it, they told me they had made a slight alteration in the recipe of many of their powders, to enhance the temperture insensitivty.
The way it was spelled out to me is that I probably had a lot from before the change was made.
Don't know for fact if this is the case with your situation, but 1 possibility.
I now buy larger lots of powder to avoid this possibilty.
KK
I ran into a similar problem last year, so called Hodgdons about it, they told me they had made a slight alteration in the recipe of many of their powders, to enhance the temperture insensitivty.
The way it was spelled out to me is that I probably had a lot from before the change was made.
Don't know for fact if this is the case with your situation, but 1 possibility.
I now buy larger lots of powder to avoid this possibilty.
KK
155 Lapua's do use about 2 minutes less elevation then Sierra, Noslers and Hornday at long range. If you already had soild elevations with this load then had 2 minutes changes, chances are the lots of powder have a slightly different burn rate.
Last time I check my velocities with the same load, primer and case you use with either Nosler or Sierra bullets, it was running 2940. Now you have me thinking that maybe that load is not tuned to my rifle anymore. That would sure explain my lower "V" count this year
Last time I check my velocities with the same load, primer and case you use with either Nosler or Sierra bullets, it was running 2940. Now you have me thinking that maybe that load is not tuned to my rifle anymore. That would sure explain my lower "V" count this year
Over the years there have been a number of complaints of Varget performing differently in different lots. I've experienced this myself. Older Varget was a little faster burning, in my experience. These days most guys are using more than 46 grains wtih a 155. I'm actually using a full 47 grains.
In the last three years or so, the recipe has settled down and I've found it quite consistent. Most competitive shooters would agree. Varget is the standard .308 powder against which all others are compared.
In the last three years or so, the recipe has settled down and I've found it quite consistent. Most competitive shooters would agree. Varget is the standard .308 powder against which all others are compared.
This year at least in Ontario the trend seems to be going towards Reloader 15 instead of Varget. Last time I was at Lawry's they told me Varget was not selling like it did in the past few years.
I like Varget and continue to use it, however I ran short this week and had to buy it at a local gun shop. $38.76 a lbs taxes in
I like Varget and continue to use it, however I ran short this week and had to buy it at a local gun shop. $38.76 a lbs taxes in
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Whenever you use a new lot of ANY component, you should start low and work up again. I have had variations in every single component over the years.
Never assume that the last batch is the same as the new batch. Could make things very spicy...
Jerry
Never assume that the last batch is the same as the new batch. Could make things very spicy...
Jerry
maynard said:This year at least in Ontario the trend seems to be going towards Reloader 15 instead of Varget. Last time I was at Lawry's they told me Varget was not selling like it did in the past few years.
I like Varget and continue to use it, however I ran short this week and had to buy it at a local gun shop. $38.76 a lbs taxes in
Tom... did you have to bend over at that price?
Yes, changing any component in a load can result in different results. When I tested the new batch for grouping and function, there were no apparent indications of higher than normal pressure; should have chronographed it though. I buy the Varget by the 7 lb box from Higginsons, so that I have enough of one lot on hand to load well over 1000 rounds with the same batch of powder. I have used the same load with Berger, Hornady, Nosler, and Sierra bullets as well, with fine accurcy from all of them. The Lapua (and Berger) do have a bit of a ballistic advantage over the others. The elevation change I mentionned was in reference to my established zeros for Lapuas. Incidentally, these bullets were uncoated.
For what it's worth, I buy powder in lots of at least 5lbs, preferrably 10lbs. I then take all of it and dump it all together in one big container and mix it up really well. This gives me a really good supply of powder that will be consistant. I really hate working up a new load because I have had to buy a new lot of powder. As you all have found out by your own experiences, this can be devastateing in a match or worse yet, when there isn't enough time to check out the load thouroughly before an expensive hunting trip. After all the ammunition is usually the least expensive cost of the whole trip. Higginson powder is awsome, and the 7lb boxes are definitely the best way to go. bearhunter
jkajfes said:
I sure felt like I had been bent over, this place is the only game in town so I guess I have to pay his price. I went through 8 lbs already this year and have only shot 2 practices, the NCRRA Long Range Match, the ORA Annuals and the DCRA. I have enough .308 loaded for the ISU Match but needed to load some .223 for Cedar Springs and Winona.
I alway found Varget to be very consistant from year to year, lot to lot, and have never had any pressure signs, but now I thinking....
I recall a discussion a while back - might have been at long-range.com - about a lot of Varget that produced lower velocities than previous ones. Folks reported having to use a bit more, a grain or so, to maintain velocity. I'm not concerned about the velocity increase which I observed; the ammunition shot well, and there were no signs of excessive pressure, but the zero shift surprised me. Several years ago, I had a discussion with Tom Lintner. He recommended trying 150gr. Berger flat based bullets for shorter ranges. Gave them a try and they shot like a house on fire to 500. Didn't try them at longer range. Basically a VLD ogive with a longer bearing surface because of the flat base. BR shooters use flat based bullets for a reason.
Incidentally, the Varget lot number I used is 4343, powder from Higginson.
Incidentally, the Varget lot number I used is 4343, powder from Higginson.
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Everyone seems to agree that those 7-lb. boxes of Varget from Higginson is the way to go. Actually, I don't see any point in ordering less than 14 lbs. of the stuff at a time. There's nothing worse than running out when you need it, and even 14 pounds is only around $400 delivered, which is not bad considering it will give you more than 2,000 rounds of .308 match ammo. (That works out to about 20 cents of powder per cartridge.)
p-17 said:
both Higginson's and Lawry's are pretty good if you're laying up for a season's shooting... getting stuck like Tom did is always a bummer. I have noticed changes from lot to lot and not just with Varget which require some adjusting to tune them. Change barrels, or bullets or seating depth or neck tension and there's more adjusting involved.
If you've settled on a a powder ordering it in much larger quantities is the only way to go. Getting together with your buddies if they're using the same and doing an even larger order also helps.
