Varget vs. H4350

[Bixster_inc]

I’m trying to recreate these rounds for both my Ruger Precision Rifle in .308 and the 6.5 CM in my new AR 10 I just put together.

I bought an 8lb jug of Varget because I was convinced elsewhere it was THE powder for me but now I’m being steered towards the H4350.

If I really drill down I can get 3 shot groups just under MOA from both guns with these rounds (it’s been a lot harder with the AR10 for some reason). I have no doubt that I have room for improvement but I also believe that even though these are “match” grade rounds they’re still factory so I can probably tighten them up even more by hand loading.

So my question is, what powder would you use to best duplicate these loads?

I’m shooting prone, non-hunting purposes and when I went shooting this afternoon it was 79 degrees.

 

[Jim Watson]

Early on, Hornady printed the "recipe" for 6.5 CM right on the box so you could make up matching handloads.
It called for H4350.
Varget is a bit faster and might not give you top velocity but it might be accurate.
Nothing to do but Shoot The Gun.

 

[Bixster_inc]

My boxes had no recipes printed on them and I bought 12 boxes.

Sorry hit post too soon.

I found a product from hodgdon called Hornady Superperformance for those wanting what I want but product reviews disagreed.

 

[troy fairweather]

h4350 i like imr 4895 to.

 

[Bixster_inc]

Early on, Hornady printed the "recipe" for 6.5 CM right on the box so you could make up matching handloads.
It called for H4350.
Varget is a bit faster and might not give you top velocity but it might be accurate.
Nothing to do but Shoot The Gun.

Well I’ve got about 7.5 lbs of Varget and a pound of h4350...guess I can experiment a little.

 

[Superiorfirepwr]

I love varget in my 308 and just loaded up some 6.5 Creedmores with some that I need to test out. I've had sub moa with H4350, IMR 4350 and RL-15 in the Creedmore. Theorize/research, test, evaluate, repeat..... <shrug> It all depends on the combo you are cooking up with your particular firearm.

 

[cheygriz]

I don't load 6.5, ao will not opine.

But .308 I've had my best results with H380, BLc-2 and 760.

All of my .308s like ball powder.

 

[Bixster_inc]

I don't load 6.5, ao will not opine.

But .308 I've had my best results with H380, BLc-2 and 760.

All of my .308s like ball powder.

What .308’s do you have?

I ask because for my AR10 .308 I’m using assorted LC 7.62 brass, 40g Varget and 168 gr Hornady Match BTHP. It’ll leave a 3-4” bare spot on my steel target from 1/4 mile away but when I actually try to see how it’ll group at 100 yards it’s all over the place.

 

[cheygriz]

DPMS LR308. (AR-10)
Remington 600.
Converted (rebarrelled) NM M-1 Garand

 

[Blue68f100]

I use both in my AR-10 6.5CM. I have a very good load with Varget using the 130gr Sierra TMK. Produces sub MOA at 300 yrds, best group being 5 shots around 1.5". Have a good load with H4350 using the 140 gr ELD's. Current working on Varget for the 140gr ELD's. So far I'm averaging ~ 1 MOA at 300 yrds, with the best 5 shot group being round 1". I did have a 3 shot group at 200 yrds that was 1/4" using Varget and the 140's ELD's. But I always call these the abnormal when you look at the whole over all group of a larger pool, 20+ shots.

 

[Steve S.]

I use Varget for both of my .308’s; it serves me very well in the accuracy department. However as all reloaders know, each firearm is different and you have to experiment to discover what each firearm likes.

 

[farmerboy78]

varget is the go to powder for .308 with nearly any bullet weight. in the 6.5 creedmoor varget is the go to powder for 130gr and lighter bullets while h4350 is the go to powder for 130gr and heavier bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm old so I like IMR4064 in the .308.

From everything I've heard H4350 is a very good choice in the 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Dill]

4064 and Varget are the bees knees in .308.

And even with subs, wouldn’t you agree a .45 230 gr hp will perform better than the .308 220gr sub. Might as well get the larger wound channel

I'm old so I like IMR4064 in the .308.

From everything I've heard H4350 is a very good choice in the 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

But .308 I've had my best results with H380, BLc-2 and 760.

I use H380 in anything I can.
That stuff meters like butter. Once you get the powder thrower set, you can load all day without touching it.

As for the OP, either powder will likely work great. There's no need to be concerned about having an 8 lb jug of Varget laying around. It's pretty versatile.

 

[Allen One1]

Try your Varget and a 120 grain bullet and you will be pleased. My Savage loves that lighter bullet. How far are you trying to shoot?

 

[someguy2800]

This conversation is worthless until you have tried both in both guns, and possibly a few more too.

I’ve tried to get my guns to read the load manuals so they would know what to shoot well but they just don’t cooperate.

 

[Nature Boy]

This conversation is worthless until you have tried both in both guns, and possibly a few more too.

I think H4350 is too slow to be practical in .308 but it’s one of the often quoted favorites for the “CREED!”

I agree with @someguy2800 , try several. That’s the advantage of reloading and it’s fun to experiment. (Following published limits of course)

I’m really partial to H4895 across multiple calibers and cartridges.

 

[Toprudder]

This conversation is worthless until you have tried both in both guns, and possibly a few more too.

I’ve tried to get my guns to read the load manuals so they would know what to shoot well but they just don’t cooperate.

The bastards just won't learn, will they?

LOL.

In talking with the guys that shoot precision at the range, it seems that Varget is very popular in .308, and 4350 is very popular in 6.5C. But, it still comes down to shooting some of each to find what a particular rifle likes.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I'm old so I like IMR4064 in the .308.

From everything I've heard H4350 is a very good choice in the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Don't need to be old to like IMR4064. I never tried varget because I tried IMR4064 first.
To the OP
If Varget doesn't do it for you 4064 is worth a try in 308.
Bullet choice and appropriate seating depth made a bigger difference for me than the type of powder if it was in the proper burn rate.

 

[Bixster_inc]

4064 and Varget are the bees knees in .308.

A wise person told me that if anyone ever tries to sell you something and In the process uses the term “bee’s knees”...BUY IT! Because only honest people say bee’s knees.

 

[Bixster_inc]

Don't need to be old to like IMR4064. I never tried varget because I tried IMR4064 first.
To the OP
If Varget doesn't do it for you 4064 is worth a try in 308.
Bullet choice and appropriate seating depth made a bigger difference for me than the type of powder if it was in the proper burn rate.

So for the the Ruger .308, using Varget, I made ten rounds of ten different powder loads with the intention of doing two five shot test groups and picking a winner out of the bunch and running with that from here on out.

Problem is, although we’re still high 70’s out here as soon as I think about going shooting/testing the wind picks up drastically.

For the 6.5 I’m going do the same with h4350 using 140gr Sierra MK’s and the Hornady ELD’s.

So 100 test shots with the .308 and 200 with the 6.5, if I don’t get something less than .900 I need to go back to school.