So I made loads with Varget, IMR4350 and AA4350 and shot them yesterday. IMR4350 had the best result, then Varget and AA4350 was disappointing. However, I tested the three based on the powder charge to have equivalency in fps. So AA4350 may perform better with a different charge. IMR4350 was .3 inches at 100yds. Varget was .75 and AA4350 was 1. I was trying to dial in the Pramm sight, so I wanted all the same velocity with different powders.
Varget vs IMR4064
- Thread starter elktrout
- Start date
Hugger-4641
Member
Why did you leave out H4350?
Only because I didn't have that powder. Those were the 3 I had on hand. I forgot I can use IMR4064, so I will add that for more testing.
AJC1
Member
How many .3 groups have you ever shot with that rifle? Was that test a fluke or repeatable? How many shots? Not trying to be a Debbie downer just seems like a match load...
The first time I shot .3 with that rifle. 5 shot groups with each powder and I did it 2 times. Had some (relative) hole in ones with IMR4350. Now this is using the Pramm diopter sight with the M96 and only at 100yds. Couldn't do this with the original military sights. I think that is definitely the match load at 100yds with the bullets I was using but I am interested in how other bullets do and if I determine a certain load is great at 100, it does not necessarily mean it holds well to 300 or 400 yds. With the diopter sight, I expect at least 2 moa at 300, so still need to get there. Now of course, this is hard because the biggest problem is me. Some days I am on, some days ok, and some days I just wasted a lot of ammo!
bigpower491
Member
Toss up IMO for both. IMR4064 is a longtime favorite of mine, as is Varget. I have used both with that weight in 06, and find them to be excellent for that task. But some IMR4350 in 06, 150 and up, outstanding
Back when folks shot IMR-4895 or IMR-4064 in .308 match rifles the rule of thumb was if you are willing to measure, use 4064, if you want to just throw charges, use 4895.
These days with all the good electronic measures, a lot more people are willing to measure each charge.
AJC1
Member
My chargemaster makes all the powders people hate in a measure easy... probably why I'll try almost anything.
nettlle
Contributing Member
I have been looking for IMR 4064 for quite a while now with no luck. If none shows up soon Varget will be my second choice.
Random 8
Member
I was on the Varget bandwagon briefly some years ago as I needed an easy button for 5.56 match loads and this was it. Erratic availability and higher pricing have gotten me off of said bandwagon. I used it for the above loads as well as 7.62x54R Vintage Sniper, 7,5x55 Swiss, .308 hunting and target, and a few other applications. In the same timeframe I was a religious consumer of IMR4064 in various military metrics and the .300 Savage and M1 Garand. I found Varget to really shine at high load densities and the high end of the pressure curve. I found IMR4064 to do well here as well as with lower densities and pressures. I.E. more versatile. I also got some erratic groups with Varget as the temperature decreased. It liked a hotter primer to make these tighten back up. Despite all the temp insensitivity hype, I think it's fussier than IMR 4064 (or AA4064 which I've recently been working with). It will really shine in a dialed in load, but may not be the best option for putting together all around hunting loads, particularly in larger capacity cases such as the .30-06. If you're looking for other options for your .30/150s, check out AA 2495 and 4064. Both are readily available and less expensive currently. I've worked with both in my M1 Garand (haven't pushed to full power .30-06) with excellent results. VN140 or N150 would be worth a try also.
Last edited:
AJC1
Member
Then don't try and swap to AR Comp like a lot of guys did. Haven't seen it either. I've never seen their new rl15.5 in person
I 've been told from regular Varget users, for varments, that lot to lot changes happen often; so much that they've gone back to 4064. They like Varget more, but it drives them crazy for the volume they load to have so much variations. Another problem is getting the larger containers of Varget. So far it's been 1 pounders of either Varget or 4064.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,055
Who makes Varget?
The Hodgdon’s MSDS is generic and only lists AR 22-series/Thales (Aus) specifically. If it’s made there it might come into short supply soon.
The Hodgdon’s MSDS is generic and only lists AR 22-series/Thales (Aus) specifically. If it’s made there it might come into short supply soon.
Last edited:
.45Coltguy
Member
I've always found IMR4064 a more realable powder for me. As I've also mentioned, I no longer hunt; so, I still have IMR4064 and Varget in reserve.
ADI (AUS) it’s always been one of the first things to be hard to get along with all their extreme line of powders because they all come from ADI
Because it's so popular and sells out so fast, plus users tend to shoot a lot.
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2020
- Messages
- 11,055
I wish I still had Vulch’s contact info in Mooloolaba, QLD, from the old LE Forums. He and the other downunderers spoke highly of AR2208 (which I think is really what Varget is) in the SMLE. Unfortunately the Culvers didn’t appreciate Ozzy witticism and he most of the other members I knew got banned - at least one is living in Singapore now - which is a shame. Our Australian cousins did a good bit of load development back in the day before the world went nuts.
It’s popular there too btw and if you follow any of the Aus forums it’s bloody well expensive there compared to here.
AJC1
Member
Seems like gunpowder and primers are the antithesis of a free market, and profits are left on the table, because production doesn't keep up. Might make for a great discussion point in economics class.
