30-06 and Varget

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ArchAngelCD

ArchAngelCD

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I use several powders for the 30-06 and I have a favorite load using H4350. I now want to give Varget a try in the 30-06 using a Sierra 168gr MatchKing bullet. I wouldn't normally ask about charge weights but I'm low on powder so I'm looking for a good place to start.

The Hodgdon load data site lists a charge range of 47.0gr to 50.5gr Varget. Lyman #49 and a few other books I have list slightly different charge ranges. So, what is your favorite Varget load using a 168gr Sierra MatchKing in the 30-06??
 
I have had good results with 50 gr using the 168 SMK.

My Ought Six prefers heavier bullets. I have some 170 gr Lapua Scenar bullets that out shoot the SMK. The rifle has a 1-10" twist, which often does better with heavier bullets.

My 1-12" twist 308 does not do well with the Scenar, but is lights out with the 168 SMK.
 
Archangel:
I'll attempt to give you an answer regarding 30-06 loads using Varget powder. First of all I love this powder and have been working up loads with it for my 308 and 30-06's for the past several months and have come to this conclusion. Neither of these cartridges seem to like Varget in any bullet weights over 150 gr. I have been trying to develop target loads for my NM Garand and NM M1A with 168 gr Sierra Matchking bullets and the best I can get is 2" groups at 100 yds. Both rifles are sub 1" shooters with other powders. I also tried this combo in my HB Mdl 700 in 30-06 with the same result. This rifle is capable of 1/2" groups if I do my part. In conclusion I would advise you to limit Varget to 150 gr or lighter bullets in a .30 caliber rifle. JMHO!
 
While Varget would be an acceptable powder for the '06, its definitely not the best for heavy bullets. For the heavier bullets slower powders are better (e.g., any of the 4350 powders). This is generally true for any bottle-necked rifle cartridge - faster powders for light bullets --> slower powders for heavier bullets. The recommendation above to limit Varget usage to 150 gr bullets or less is a good one.

I have a friend that uses Varget in all his rifles for economy's sake (from .223 to 8x57) and he's had reasonable success.
 
Sorry I'm not helping, Arch. It's just that I don't have a favorite '06 load with 168SMK and Varget. 4350 is my favored propellant for bullets 180 or less (and those are actually hunting bullets, not SMK target loads). At 190 grain or heavier, it's R19. I really haven't favored Varget for this cartridge.
 
That's good info about the 150gr bullet and lighter for Varget. I see most of you like 4350 for the 30-06 and 168+gr bullets as I do.
 
I have found AA-4350, Re-15, And IMR-4350 better for mid-weight bullets in .30-06. My CZ-550 likes 55.5gr of AA-4350 with 168gr Sierra HPBT Match Kings.
 
"...Hodgdon load data site..." Varget is a Hodgdon powder. Hard to beat the manufacturer's data.
Varget has a large following in match shooting circles. Mind you, I've never used it. My 1903A4 likes IMR4064 with Hornady 168's. There was no Varget nor much of anything but Hornady 168's when I worked up the load.
"...147gr fmj slugs..." 7.62NATO bullets and not in any way match bullets. Ok for screwing around though.
 
"...Hodgdon load data site..." Varget is a Hodgdon powder. Hard to beat the manufacturer's data.
Click to expand...
I'm starting to be a little leary of Hodgdon's load data; it seems like their loads are pretty stout. I know every rifle is different, but my Savage .22-250 can't go near their max. loads while it can shoot max loads from other sources without an issue.

As to the original question, I haven't shot any 168 gr. loads out of my .30-06, I've had great luck with W760, IMR 4350, and RL 17 loaded with 165 gr. SST's. Sorry no advice with Varget.
 
I use Varget for 125gr and 150gr bullets in the 30-06. I have to agree with the others: Varget doesn;t get along well with heavier bullets. For 165gr and up, my rifle likes IMR4895 and IMR4064.
 
I load 30-06 for a buddy i put 52 grains of varget behind 168 grain matchkings and he loves them, since I started loading his ammo he out shoots me Im thinking about powering them down so he starts to loose, i even shoot better with his rifle now than my own.
 
It looks like my finding are in tune with everyone else here. Thanks for the information and I agree, H4350 and a 168gr SMK bullet are a good combo. I also have had good success with 4895 and 4064 like said above. Too bad Varget doesn't play well with heavier bullets. I was trying to combine a few calibers to one powder but I should have known better... lol

BTW, Varget does very well in the .223 with a 55gr Sierra or Hornady bullet.
 
ADI Powder AR2208 is the varget equivilent

I use this powder for my Howa 22.250 1;12 twist and have got very good results with it. I tried it out on my son's Rem 700 SPS 30.06 and shot 5 shots and got 4 holes .447"group. The distant shot I didn't count cause it was caused by my flinching, using Berger VLD bullets 155gn. no matter what factory rounds I used on this gun it just had the spread of a shotgun wouldn't shoot groups smaller than 3".
 

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Welcome to the forum Ozy, I see you brought back my 6 year old thread. Since it's back I might as well update it. As the others found in the 30-06, Varget did not play well with heavier bullets. I stuck with 4350 and I'm happy with it. I found a load that shoots sub 1/2MOA in an inexpensive Howa 1500 rifle. As for Varget, I found an exceptional load for the .223 using a 55gr Gameking bullet.(#1390) Varget may be magic in many cartridges, just not in the 30-06 with heavier bullets.
 
This thread started before my time, so I better chime in now.

I've been loading 168 SMK's (or equivalent) with Varget for quite a few years now, used in Garand and Springfield rifles. Varget is about as slow burning as any powder you'd want to safely use in a Garand.

The history behind that is when they began issuing the excellent Hornady Garand ammo at Perry (168 Amax bullets) many people tried to duplicate it. My sources swear that Varget is the powder, and I've heard enough evidence of that, as well as compared a pulled cartridge under a microscope with known Varget, that I believe it is true.

The one Hornady Garand cartridge that I pulled had 48.1 grains. I generally load 46.5 grs. myself and found it to be very accurate as well. I also load 175 SMK's with 46.0 grs. for my 1903-A4.

Laphroaig
 
I am very disappointed in Varget. When it first came out, I bought some and tried it in several calibers. Except for 7-08 other powders produced more accurate loads. I still have some left from that first bottle.
 
Big Varget fan but as per others above, I have found it better with lighter weight bullets, which I don't think is the 30-06 strong suit personally. My current accuracy load in a TC Dimension 24" is Speer SPBT 165 gr over 49.5 grs IMR 4895 for 2,790 fps.

I have tried the same bullet with Varget in the 48.5 to 50gr range and get fairly big velocity SD without the same accuracy. At 180 grs I'm all H4350.
 
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