Varget & 6.5x55 ??

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3#cannon

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I haven't much experience with varget . Loaded a few rounds of 308 to try and it seemed ok so I'm hoping some of the more experienced hand loaders here can offer some wisdom.
I've searched and looked through several posts about loading for the 6.5x55 and no one mentioned using varget... it seems as though varget is popular in many calibers larger and smaller than the 6.5 sweed .
I'm going to be loading some 140 grain and some old 160 grain lrn and wondered if it was worth trying.
Has anyone tried it ?
What were the results?
I do have some H4350 I'm going to try ..
Thanks for any help..
 
Varget will work, it's just not ideal as it's too fast for the 6.5x55. You will hit pressure at lower velocity then slower powders, and it's pretty low case capacity won't be ideal for accuracy.
 
Without knowing which rifle you are loading for most of this discussion won't help you. If you have a modern/strong action such as the Zastava or Tikka T3 you can really make the old Swede cartridge shine with some very decent velocities to go along with its great accuracy potential.

If you are shooting one of the fine old surplus actions then you are limited by the strength constraints of that action and pushing those constraints could be calamitous.

The Swedes used a powder that was very close in speed to IMR3031 for bullet weights all the way up to 160grn. IMHO that powder is to fast but realistically at the time it was a pretty good choice when used with scientific constraint.
 
Varget is well down the preferred list for the 6.5X55... my top three are RL-22, RL-19 and W760, depending on bullet weight... RL-22 for the lighter bullets of 100-140 grains and RL-19 for 140+ grain. Varget is actually kinda sucky... and I love Varget.

I was running through my notes a few months back and I noticed something interesting... with the X57 Mauser case and the X55 Swedish case, the preferred load worked up was 50.0 grains of RL-19 in all instances... as seen below;

6mm Rem with 75 grain = 50.0 RL-19
.257 Roberts with 117 grain = 50.0 RL-19
6.5X55 with 129 grain = 50.0 RL-19
7X57 with 154 grain = 50.0 RL-19

Weird... NOTE; these were all worked up in Ruger M77 MKII or No.1 rifles, and as always you should work up your own loads, with your own components, in your own rifles.
 
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Ive had multiple 6.5x55 Sweds and my go to powder was IMR 4831 with 140gr bullets. I reloaded for 3 M96's(Carl Gustav) and a CZ550LUX. Im not going to say its the safest thing i have ever done but i was running full house loads in all getting well under 1" groups.. usally i would get 5 touching and i was using Lapua Brass, CCI BR 2 primers and 140gr Sierra or Hornady Bullets.. Velocity was 2800 with a 24" tube.

I will note i did work my loads up from the listed minimum until finding signs and pressure.. funny thing was is they were all very close to the same.. and all shot very close to the same with the exact same load.

I also tried 120gr SST with IMR4831 and IMR4007SSC(close to H380 for burn rate) I was able to get 3000fps with the 120's with both powders and accuracy was the same.... and if you wanna know the accuracy im talking... i was picking off Crackels(black Birds) @ 240 yards.

Unforantily i sold all my guns and reloading equipment and regret every minute of it..

Play safe
Josh
 
Ganderite said:
Varget is really to fast to be a good Swede powder.

Good powders start at 4350 speed.

I use RL22, 4831SC
Click to expand...


Yup and I load IMR7828ssc under 140 grain bullets.

OP, I am going to assume that your main reason for using Varget is that you have it on hand and don't want to purchase another can of what would be a more appropriate powder for the job.

That's completely understandable as well as doable as long as you use your head. The way to start with a good safe load is to look at your manual and check which powder listed is "faster" than Varget. Use the specs for that powder as a starting load. The powders listed are usually very close in speed but often the difference is in the shape/size of the granules. Loading density is important for some powders. From my limited experience with Varget it's very forgiving and just does what it was intended to do.

If you have a can to use up, go for it. If you have another use for the Varget, set it aside and get a more appropriate powder that is suitable for your rifle.
 
bearhunter said:
Yup and I load IMR7828ssc under 140 grain bullets.

OP, I am going to assume that your main reason for using Varget is that you have it on hand and don't want to purchase another can of what would be a more appropriate powder for the job.

That's completely understandable as well as doable as long as you use your head. The way to start with a good safe load is to look at your manual and check which powder listed is "faster" than Varget. Use the specs for that powder as a starting load. The powders listed are usually very close in speed but often the difference is in the shape/size of the granules. Loading density is important for some powders. From my limited experience with Varget it's very forgiving and just does what it was intended to do.

If you have a can to use up, go for it. If you have another use for the Varget, set it aside and get a more appropriate powder that is suitable for your rifle.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the case... 3lbs of varget on hand and nothing to use it in... I use h4350 in 303,300 wm, 30-06...
 
3#cannon said:
This is exactly the case... 3lbs of varget on hand and nothing to use it in... I use h4350 in 303,300 wm, 30-06...
Click to expand...

I'm sure you can trade the Varget for a better powder for your swede !!!

For the 140g pills I suggest R-22 / IMR7828scc / Norma MRP .
 
3#cannon said:
This is exactly the case... 3lbs of varget on hand and nothing to use it in... I use h4350 in 303,300 wm, 30-06...
Click to expand...

Varget is decent in the 30'06 and 303 with the lighter bullets....up to 165gr in the '06 and 174gr in the '03 it will​ perform very well.
 
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