Varget substitute.

[coyoteking]

I shat the bed and didn’t stock up when I had the chance. I’ve got a ridiculously accurate load for my 223 with 69 SMK’s and Varget, but my stockpile is running out. What would you recommend as a replacement to try to duplicate this load? I should add, it’s already a heavily compressed load, so the substitute will have to be the same or slightly less bulky.

Or better yet, maybe you know where the pot of Varget is at the end of the rainbow?

 

[BigRobb]

Reloader 15 is probably closest. Win 748 has a very similar burn rate as well.

 

[canadianshooter]

TAC has done very well under the 69 SMK for me. It’s close to 4895 for speed so you’ll have a bit more space than with Varget.

 

[Ruger007]

Or even N140

 

[B]

TAC has done very well under the 69 SMK for me. It’s close to 4895 for speed so you’ll have a bit more space than with Varget.

TAC is great, like all Accurate/Ramshot powders I find availability to be an issue even in good times...

 

[ron hilchey]

Or even N140

Back in 2013 on the way to the World F-class shoot, Varget dried up completely.
Worked up 2 different loads to the same velocity with N140, and N150. I'll never switch back.

 

[peterdobson]

There is plenty of VihtaVuori in Canada with more due before spring. Bob Pitcarn, B.C. uses N150 with 85.5 Bergers as do other serious longrange .223 shooters.

 

[Markit]

Another vote for RL 15.

 

[Hitzy]

D4064 from CanAm, $160/5lbs.

 

[jethunter]

d4064 from canam, $160/5lbs.

x2. But it's out of stock.

Imr4064 is good varget replacement.

 

[coleman1495]

D4895 was too bulky IME. I got some 8208 XBR from CanAm that looks promising but I haven’t had a chance to test it yet.

 

[coyoteking]

There is plenty of VihtaVuori in Canada with more due before spring. Bob Pitcarn, B.C. uses N150 with 85.5 Bergers as do other serious longrange .223 shooters.

I’ve been eyeballing Vihtavuori products for a long time. I think I’ll give this a try.

 

[Janeau]

VV N133 perform as good and even better in my two .223 load. I was also using that powder in my AR15.
H335 is great too but did not use it with 69 SMK, only with 52 SMK.

Dominion Powder should start market DVarget...

 

[pacobillie]

IMR recommends IMR4166 as a Varget sub. It is supposed to be temperature stable, just like Varget.

 

[nitro-express]

IMHO, IMR4166 would be your best bet. I've no experience but have read a few posts on it working with similar results in the 308 Win.

Shame on you, not stocking up once you had a good load. Especially Varget, it is very lot dependent, sometimes the charge has to changed to match previous loads.

As of 10:22 on 06/11/2020, the Cabelas in Nanaimo has some Varget. A bit of a drive for you.

 

[DiabeticKripple]

find a store without online sales, and youll find varget.

 

[todbartell]

IMR 4166 would be my vote. Great powder that flies under the radar of most shooters

 

[dan belisle]

D4064 from CanAm, $160/5lbs.

This. Good powder. - dan

 

[JEC]

When IMR4166 first appeared a few years ago, I did a accuracy comparison with Varget in a 308. All same components other than powder shot from the same rifle. Conclusion was that consistency differences were insignificant. Don’t know if that would apply to the smaller capacity 223. Found the 4166 was “bulkier” than Varget so same weight 4166 resulted in a greater case fill percentage than Varget.
I also got good results from 4166 in a 6 Dasher that were similar to Varget.

 

[todbartell]

Found the 4166 was “bulkier” than Varget so same weight 4166 resulted in a greater case fill percentage than Varget.

Quickload has a 100% load density of Varget being 101% with 4166, using the exact same charge weight. It holds true in the 223 too