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Powder advice

3K views 27 replies 19 participants last post by  BlackEagle 
#1 ·
Hello everyone, I'm brand new to reloading and this forum and I have a question about powder. My father in law is teaching me to reload and I've been sent on a mission to buy Hodgdon Varget powder ,which I cannot find anywhere. My question is this, Is there another brand/type of powder that is comparable to Varget and obtainable? I will be reloading .223, .243, .308, maybe 7mm
 
#2 ·
What bullets are you planning to use? The powder you choose is highly dependent on the bullets you are using.

Powder availability is really variable. I would suggest that you check Hodgdon's website or better yet refer to the bullet manufacturers' manuals for powders suitable for the bullets that you plan to load, and check around for availability. The major bullet manufacturers all have recommendations for each specific bullet.
 
#5 ·
It's always fun to give the new guy an impossible task then sit back and laugh while they struggle to find what you sent them after. Varget is one of the unobtainiums in the powder supply chain right now, I count myself lucky to have picked up a pound over a year ago and have not seen more since.

Varget is one of Hodgdons "extreme" powders with a burn rate that varies little with temperature. If this is an important characteristic then your next best bet is probably H4895 or H4350. If not you can look for IMR 4895, IMR 4064, or RL 15 which are plentiful at my local Sportsman's Warehouse.
 
#6 ·
Agree with Steve. I haven't seen any Varget in way over a year (mebbe 5?). Not sure how they would preform in a .243, but my 30 calibers really like IMR 4095 and IMR 4064 which I have seen available online lately.

My Dad once sent me to find the right front Finnigan pin for his '49 Chevy...
 
#7 ·
In my opinion, Varget is a great powder in those calibers, with the exception of maybe the .243, the "jury" is still out on that one, at least in my mind. I recently got a .243 and Varget was the first powder I tried and it just did not do good.

Another powder I have used in, at least a couple of them, is CFE223. It does work very well in .223 and .308, I am working up some loads for .243 right now.
 
#8 ·
for your listed cartridges, if no varget is available, i'd look at imr 4064, again, depending on the projectiles you have.

i can find imr 4064 loads for:

223, 243, 308, 7x57, 7-08

( depending on projectile weights.. )
 
#9 ·
Welcome to the best and most helpful forum around.

You will find the only dumb question around here (especially about reloading) is the one you don't ask. There is a ton of experience here and we like to help each other out whatever way we can. We all started out new at some point and others helped us; now we are passing things on we have learned.

I use Vihtavuori N140 for my .223 (with 69 gr SMK) and .243 (with 70 gr SMK). Don't know if you can get it in the US. The downloadable manual has a useful burn rate chart that includes several powder manufacturers. Link: http://img.materialbank.net/NiboWEB...Content.do?uuid=6162349&random=243539&lang=en

They also have a useful online set of reloading data here: http://www.vihtavuori.com/en/reloading-data/rifle-reloading/rifle-reloading-data.html

The Hodgdon website has an online reloading data page here: https://www.hodgdon.com/

Various bullet manufacturers have manuals for sale.

Read through the various threads in this section of the forum for help, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
 
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#10 ·
I am also a fan of IMR powders. However, IMR 3031 is my preference. It does everything I need except for the big magnums.

I once tried to tailor-make every caliber. It resulted in numerous powders on my shelf, and most the containers were almost empty.

I then was smacked with the scarcity of powders, now I try and limit my inventory, and as a result; things are much more simple.
 
#14 ·
What bullet weights are you going to be loading? For 100-105 grs I'm presently using H-414. In the 75gr-95gr range I use IMR-4064. Although there are other possibilities, these work for me in my Savage 11 .243. In .308, I'm using IMR 4895 with 150gr bullet in a Remington 700. Around here we are starting to see more powders and primers, although still a bit spotty, but improving. If you do run into any powders, grab as much as you can. Never know when there will another run on components or even ammunition.
 
#19 ·
Vihtavuori powders are exellent do to being very consistant from one batch to another.
This is the powder I personally use in my target rifles. (243 and 7mm)
This powder is not cheap compared to some of the other powders out there. And this is the reason why I am even mentioning this powder. Where I live , due to the higher price of this powder and not being as well known as IMR or H, or many others it is always the last to be sold. Hence there is usually some left on the store shelves.
It might be to your advantage to see if this powder is right for your reloading.
 
#21 ·
I use Viht N-120 in my 7.62X39 and it is a great powder. Like soundguy, I heard that they were closing down or not shipping to USA any more. I know my LGS can't seem to get it anymore. I am down to less than 1/3 of a can so I now have to find something else that works good in the 7.62x39.
 
#24 ·
The rumor VV is being discontinued is 1,5 - 2 years old, since then it was acquired by Nammo (Lapua also is part of Nammo.)

http://www.vihtavuori.com/en/news/1

All VV powders are readily available over here but are getting too expensive. I pay 58 euro for a (metric) pound of VV N3x0 whereas I can get the same pound from another brand (Lovex) for 34 euro even Ramshot True Blue is 41 euro. (converted to metric pound)

Due to regulations it is hard to get larger containers than the 1 pounders, except for rifle powders which come in 2 pound containers.

As far as consistency, n320 in the new bottles require 0.1 / 0.2 grains more powder for the same powerfactor. Doesn't sound like much but the charge is 3.3 grains, without the extra 0.1/0.2 I won't make powerfactor.
 
#26 ·
Thank you everyone for the great responses. In a world where everyone is in a hurry it just amazes me that so many of you are willing to take the time to show the new guys the ropes. Thanks again. BTW, I was able to find some IMR 4064 at bass pro shop. Yesterday I reloaded 50 rounds of 55gr .223 and shot 2" groups at 200yds+ with my Thompson Pro Hunter.
 
#28 ·
Well done, Jeff.
Congratulations on four things.
1. It sounds like you did a great job reloading.
2. 2" groups at 200 yards is excellent shooting.
3. You have now "tasted" one of the great addictions here--reloading. It's fun, and rewarding to see that cartridge go in the chamber, squeeze the trigger, hear the bang, see the hole in the paper, and know "I made that".
4. You have found a very addictive place to be--The Firearms Forum.

We hope to hear more from you...how you get on with the other calibers. Tailoring the rounds to your gun is half the fun.
 
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