Use to be a Varget diehard fan... no more Reloader 17 is here...

caramel

caramel

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I reloaded for the last 30 years and Varget always was the powder of choice in many rifles, i am mainly a 308 shooter so this was natural, but now since i bought my Nemesis 308, i started to load 208 gr Hornady Amax and Match bullet behind R-17 and i brought the 308 to level i never dreamed of... Imagine pushing a 208 gr bullet at 2600+ with .25 grouping capabilities on a regular base and that out of a 20 inchs tube, kind of little revolution happening here in my reloading room... JP.:):cheers:
 
Funny, I thought Varget was introduced in the mid 90's. Also, varget is more temp stable than RL17 if that matters to anyone.

2600+ with 208's and a 20" tube is out of reach for a 30-06, so you must be loading very hot. Even so, I don't think you can get enough RL17 into a 308 case to get that velocity, especially with 200+ gr bullets.
 
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Could be but it seem i was using it forever, now with the warm weather coming, since i do reload a monster load, i will have to check for pressure signs, i kept myself a .2 gr margin for those hot temperature,will have to adjust... JP.
 
Fracture said:
Funny, I thought Varget was introduced in the mid 90's. Also, varget is more temp stable than RL17 if that matters to anyone.

2600+ with 208's and a 20" tube is out of reach for a 30-06, so you must be loading very hot. Even so, I don't think you can get enough RL17 into a 308 case to get that velocity, especially with 200+ gr bullets.
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You were right about Varget introduce in the 90, dont even remember what i was using before, think it was 414... My load is 50 gr of R-17 WW case, BR-2, very, very compressed load and the use of a drop tube is necessairy, this is a monster hot load @ 50.2 gr, small pressure signs showed up and you are right there is documentation that prove that the 308 combo 208 gr and R-17 is opening a lot of eyes... JP.
 
Fracture said:
Funny, I thought Varget was introduced in the mid 90's. Also, varget is more temp stable than RL17 if that matters to anyone.
2600+ with 208's and a 20" tube is out of reach for a 30-06, so you must be loading very hot. Even so, I don't think you can get enough RL17 into a 308 case to get that velocity, especially with 200+ gr bullets.
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It matters to me- I've seen it hit 110F (44C) in the shade here. :D
 
Varget for me is one of the great "go to " powders in 308 and 223. It does like to be pushed hard to work well. Got that tip from the Sierra bulletsmiths hotline and it has worked well for me since varget came out. After reading Carmel's experience with RL19 and 208Amaxes, checked out a 16 page post on Snipershide about that combo has me convinced I will have to try that combo out.
 
Ok, so; how about in the M14-type rifles? I know about it's preference for the 4895 powders, and I have loads worked up for 3031 and Varget; are Varget and RL17 similar, but for the heat resistant coating?
 
When i reload for my M-14 my choice powder is BL-C2 behind 155 gr Amax, accurate and fast, very efficient in a semi in my book... JP.
 
RL 17 is truly a revelation in certain cases. It turns the 308 into an '06 with heavy bullets and the '06 into an H+H with 180+ gn bullets. Try it in any case where 4350 gives good ballistics and you will see a performance gain of up to 200 fps. I'm working with several cals right now and RL17 as well my son has worked up a load for his '06 that is truly amazing with 180gn bullets and it shoots an honest 1-1 1/4" from a Ruger RSI.
 
Bad Varget Data

martinbns said:
I have started every 308 with Varget and have never found a great load, I always end up using Reloader 15.

IMHO, Varget is overrated.
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I had the same opinion, Varget is over rated, but there was another problem. Published load manual data (Hornandy, Sierra, etc) show maximum Varget charges for 308 less than starting loads on Hodgdon's website. Found a fantastic load on Hodgdon's site and on the can label too. OOOps
 
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