Varget and 308 Win. Load Testing. Is Varget Powder As Advertised?

[@OldHuntingGuy]

While I'm not a handloader, I do enjoy the insights into the possibilities of handloading.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Very much appreciated.

[@josephlong7420]

I encourage people to get into hand loading. You get to play with powder and bullet combinations and tailor that round to that rifle. It really is a wonderful hobby.

[@joshuawooledge6945]

Nice work

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for watching.

[@lzxray6781]

Really enjoy your content Dave! I reload 223 only and never used Varget. I usually use H335, WIN458, CFE 223 and Accurate 2230. Mostly H335, my local gun store has 1 pound of H335 priced at $51! Crazy.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

I feel your pain. I just paid $60 for 1# of H-4350... Thanks for your kind words.

[@redteam9881]

Win 748

[@krisrhebergen]

My basic mass production 150 grain sst load is 43 grains of varget in lake city brass. About 2750 in cold and about 2800 in the heat. I’ve worked up several lake city/ sst loads with a few powders that get me roughly the same velocity with the same charge.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for your comment here and for watching.

[@Michigan4Conservative]

Thanks Dave 👍👍 Two thumbs up.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks 👍

[@daleboatman2967]

I did a test load without a chronograph that shot 1/2 inch with 5 rounds within 1/2 inch. It was Varget 44.4 with CCI Br small primer in a Starline case and 169 Sierra target bullet. The gun was a Howa heavy barrel in a Boyds stock.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Sounds like you found your load indeed. Thanks for watching.

[@danielbutler8292]

push it on up to 46.5-47 grns I get 2950 out of a 26" 1:12 twist barrel with 155's

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for your suggestion. I am perplexed by the variance of 2- 2.5 grains between the 4 bullet makers manuals that I have. Never had to go above published maximum with other powders. 2,980 fps, same bullet, 24" barrel from CFE-223 and BLC-2

[@luvtahandload7692]

This week I'm starting development of what I'll call 308 Win AR WOLF. Nosler 125gr Accubond @ max velocity in an AR 10 with a Leupold 2.5-8 scope with Big Game reticle. My idea of the greatest wolf rig in existence. Too bad I don't have some wolves around here! NOT! Wolves: Smoke a pack a day. Thanks, Dave!

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Best of luck on your new project. 125 grains should be screamers.

[@davidmartin7479]

Like seeing your vids since I have been reloading for almost 30 years. Good job with the vids

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for the kind words and Thanks for your service for our country.

[@davidmartin7479]

@@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009 yvw Dave. Thank you

[@donaldpowers8331]

Great info Dave, I just picked up a 308 heavy barrel 1 in 10 x 24 inch. Have been loading 300 win mag for years, H1000 has been my go to for consistency. Going to the 308 will mean a switch in powder, this video gives me an idea to try the Varget, thanks. Early summer here in Alberta and the amount (shortage) of available components is getting ridiculous. Between supply chain issues and government we have the same issues as our southern neighbors. Keep em comin.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for your comment and for watching.

[@saintgiles]

Thanks!

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thank You very much.

[@DannyWalker1949]

Keep at it, My Friend and you'll get the right MIX for this weapon😉

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

CFE-223 gave me the results I need. Thanks for watching.

[@cw2a]

Hello Dave!! Ooh love Varget IF I COULD FIND IT!!!!! ❤❤❤

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks CW. So far Varget has slower velocities than other powders. We shall see though because it is listed in just about all of my favorite cartridges.

[@cw2a]

@@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009 its a dandy in 223 with 65/68/69g bullets for me nearly 3k velocity!

[@pink_love_cat4928]

Here in the N.C. triad it's hard to find any reloading supplies and varget forget about it can't be found

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

I get all of my reloading supplies on-line. Sign up at Midway, Natchez or any prominent on-line site to be notified via e-mail when components are available.

[@mefirst5427]

CFE 223 is good powder, can be used in various other calibers.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Yes. I use it in many others as well. Thanks for your comment here.

[@budlite8207]

I just reloaded a bunch of Lake City brass in 5.56. What a pain in the ass. I have an RCBS case machine and never fought so hard swaging primer pockets. I'll find other cases or my own until I have to do that again.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

I tried a bunch of LC, IMI and other military 5.56 brass and removing the primer crimp was indeed a chore. But the brass was given to me so I guess it proves that nothing is truly free...

[@luvtahandload7692]

I don't drink blue Kool-aid very often but the Dillon 600 Super Swager makes it easy. Mount it vertically and the cases just fall off into a receptacle below. Very fast and almost effortless.

[@chrismaurer2075]

I use Varget for my accuracy loads in my HBAR .223 with great results . For my .308 in my AR with a 16 inch barrel I can't seem to beat IMR 4064 . My go to load for both of my .308's AR and Remington 700 with a 20 inch barrel for long range is 175 gr Match King in Lake City case and CCI Primers . For my Whitetail Deer rounds in both rifles I use Varget with 165 gr Gamekings in 3 times fired Lake City cases and they give me excellent accuracy . I would have put my velocity's but my DOPE book was in my range bag when it was stolen last fall . I really enjoyed your video so I just had to like and subscribe .

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for sharing your experiences here and for your subscription.

[@paulhaines2209]

Hi Dave. I use Varget with great success in my 308. Never thought of using CFE233. Will definitely give it a try. Thanks

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Best of luck to you on your future load development.

[@henrymoreland8719]

Thank you, interesting stuff.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thank You, for watching.

[@louiskiser9989]

2 of my 308s love 150sst and 45.4 onder the 150sst

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Glad you found your good loads. Thanks for watching.

[@tomgoodwin9161]

A lot of those Lake City cases were, in their original state, fired in Machine guns and are from somewhat sloppy chambers. They end up sizing a lot harder than commercial brass from bolt action rifles.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for your comment here and for watching.

[@usafret4709]

Thanks Dave. I just loaded Varget 43 - 44.5 in .5 increments with a 165 grain Accubond. Was hoping to shoot tomorrow and test, but we have bad weather coming in.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Best of luck with your loads. Accubonds are great bullets but spendy for sure.

[@usafret4709]

@@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009 I get the factory seconds. So, they are not too spendy.

[@redteam9881]

In WW cases 165 gr Nosler BT or AB 46.0 of Varget CCI BR2 primers 2.810”

[@joelclark2130]

I would like to see you do the same test at 300 yd. 300 yds is where we start To see good loads from lousy ones.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Glad your system of load testing works well for you. Thanks for your comment and for watching.

[@sanjacintooutdoors8588]

I enjoyed your content. I have played with varget alot. Its a great powder for 308 just wondering why you chose the sst bullet? Are you just paper punching or hunting or just want the same load for everything?

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Mainly because I use the Hornady reloading manual allot. I like the SST's. They are very accurate and they are considered a hunting bullet. I've harvested allot of small to large game with them. The newer ELD-X bullets are similar and a more modern bullet. Thanks for watching.

[@scotteisenbraun1581]

That Savage action sure is rough. I wonder if some light valve grinding compound would smooth it up. But, it would have to be done in small increments.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

I paid to have the bolt worked on and although it improved it is still stiff. But it is accurate, so it is a nuisance I'll tolerate, one shot at a time.

[@Longtrailside]

Wipe the bolt down with rem oil, along with the area that the bolt slides on everytime you use the rifle. Overtime it will be like butter. I get comments on mine everytime i let someone shoot it. Then again its a 30 year old savage model 111, pre accutrigger with a wood stock and iron sights just put a new burris scope on it after the ol scope gave upmthe ghpst after 29 years of service. It works well with my weaver see thru scope mounts. Question have you made a load for the 308 using barnes ttsx, and what powder worked the best?

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

@@Longtrailside The stiffness of this Savage is 3 items. 1. The cocking/extraction ramp is tight. 2. The Floating bolt head to chamber match tolerances are very precise and require increased effort upon bolt close. 3. etc. etc, etc...But it is a shooter and I have other rifles for hunting.

[@BB-xp4pz]

Take that varget up a couple more notches if you aren’t getting pressure signs I’m shooting a 130 grain TTSX with 48.5 grains varget at 2889 avg 5 shot group SD of 10.78 with ES of 26fps. That was from a 16 inch scout with .75 moa at 100. I am going to try these in a Savage 110 ultralite .308 with a 22 inch barrel along with some 168 grain ttsx’s. The 168’s at 44.5 grains varget at 2768 fps es of 30 fps and SD of 11.with 1 moa accuracy also in the scout. Varget is my go to in .308 win. Thank you for the presentation. Outstanding as always.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for your information. Varget powder is an intriguing powder and allot of different cartridges use it. For me and 150 grain SST. CFE-223 gave me both speed and precision, all at well below max load data from Hornady.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

Thank you.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for watching and commenting here.

[@earlmiller6093]

I am curious as to why people use chronos that hang off the barrel…. I’m guessing That can really screw with barrel harmonics.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

This may help. kzbin.infoJw8mX05b5DE

[@theoriginalDAL357]

I quite like your approach to accurate shooting; you don't seem to be obsessed with producing one-hole-wonder ammunition, but only with making ammo that is perfectly fine for its intended purpose. How do you keep your Magneto Speed in place for multiple shots? Mine moves every time I shoot and has to be repositioned after each round. I may try to use a thin piece of rubber under the strap to see if it helps.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Yes, for me, load development is intended to simply rule in or rule out component recipes. For a hunter, the best shot results is to have a full freezer. I am not a competition or long range shooter whereby tiny groups are imperative. The errors with this rifle and Magnettospeed had more to do with the distance to the bore gap as a result of a long muzzle brake. Thanks for watching.

[@hoffpbass]

Happy Saturday, Dave 👍 I look forward to your videos and appreciate the hard work. Maybe I got confused, but which brand brass did you finally use? It would be interesting to go head to head on the thicker vs Winchester brass holding all other powder, primers, projectiles equal. I could hypothesize some scenarios like thicker brass and lower powder weight might perform similar to thinner brass at higher powder weight. Or, I could just be wrong 😁

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

On this test, I just used Winchester Brass, so as to stay consistent from string to string. Your hypothesis maybe correct. Thanks for your comment here.

[@guardianminifarm8005]

Decent results. Thank you.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Check out my newest video with 125 gr. and Varget. Thanks for watching.

[@lostagain2992]

But where in the world can you find large rifle primers?!?!

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

yeap! I feel your pain. Hopefully they will return soon but the premium price is with us for awhile.

[@jimpalmer4916]

When you get the maximum deviation into single digits of 3 shots, you have finally found the winning recipe.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Agreed. Thanks for watching.

[@CplSkiUSMC]

For that Savage you want a 168gr Hornady BTHP Match on top of 44.0gr of Varget and set your seating depth to .005" to .010" off the rifling.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for your suggestion here and for watching.

[@joseywales8257]

​@@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009I'm truly trying to be helpful, hope you don't take it the wrong way. 1. Lower your scope rings until a driver's license barely fits between the bell of the scope and the barrel. 2. Aquire a ( stable table ) shooting area 3.Aquire a comp jacket and sling 4.When you pull the trigger, if your body components aren't traveling the EXACT DISTANCE on every shot, your bullets aren't hitting the same location each time 5.Shooting same hole isn't that difficult unless you're working against yourself

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

@@joseywales8257 I like your Moniker!. Higher scope height is a personal preference for me, because I shoot for meat and I am not a bench rest shooter. While spot an stock type of hunting rarely lends itself to any stable platforms, being able to get fast eye allignment by bringing the rifle up to my eye, rather than craining my neck down to the stock is my preferred standing shooting method. Great suggestions though and thanks for your insight and for watching.

[@joseywales8257]

​@@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009I was banned from public bench rest shooting competition back in 1981. I have trailed wounded deer for mainly Texas law enforcement since the early 70's. 100% of the animals that were hard trails were either running shots or poorly planned ( rushed/buck fever) shots. Again I was only trying to be helpful, some folks compete all the way up to their casket.

[@andyjonathan2486]

@@joseywales8257there are three main drawbacks to having the scope objective bell a millimeter from the barrel: 1) under heavy recoil, the bell can touch the barrel and influence harmonics, 2) the shooter’s is now looking through the corner of his eye and the muscles in your eye will be straining, as it’s far more ideal to have your face upright and looking through the scope with your eye centered. 3) recoil management is improved with higher scope rings, as the rifle barrel is lowered and likewise lowers the butt stock and the recoil impulse has less leverage to pivot the shooters torso rearward.

[@heerkrupp64]

On the ADI site they have a max Load of 47 Grains with the Nosler BT 150 Grain, maybe you could go a bit more than the 45 Grain you used, you might get an improvement.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for the suggestion and for watching.

[@danielhinkle7855]

Why do you two step closing that bolt? Something wrong with it?

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

When the bolt picks up the rim of the next cartridge and passes past the lips of the bolt from the magazine, the cartridge pops out of alignment with the chamber causing an inefficient bolt operation. Savage knows of this glitch.

[@bobcatforever3485]

Dave. Good and interesting video. Nice shooting. Do you crimp the rounds you set up? Thanks for sharing. Take care.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks Bobcat. No I do not crimp. the only exception is for the semi automatic actions.

[@bobcatforever3485]

@@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009 Dave, thanks. I did not think crimping was necessary when shooting out of a magazine. The reason I ask is that I'm working on reloading some .30-06 rounds in the future. Thanks again.

[@luvtahandload7692]

@@bobcatforever3485 crimping is not just for maintaining COAL in semi-auto actions or spring-pressure tubular mags. It can narrow the extreme velocity spread which in turn can trim your group size especially at longer ranges. There is a reason the big manufacturers crimp their ammo. It's one simple little thing they can do to increase the precision of their product over a large spectrum of firearms.

[@bobcatforever3485]

@@luvtahandload7692 Thanks Much. I appreciate your response and the reasoning behind it. I will get to crimping. Thanks again and take care.

[@untermench3502]

LC 69. The LC cases made in the 70's seem to have less QC. Just my opinion, having mostly LC 69.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for watching and for your comment here.

[@jas4everchanged]

Thank you sir for the video. I’m just starting to gather my equipment and learning about reloading.308. The store resident expert suggested Varget but it’s not really available where he’s at in Va. I’m curious what you would recommend other than varget.thank you and may God Bless you.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Bl-C(2) and Cfe-223 work well. Thanks for watching.

[@jas4everchanged]

@@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009 thank you very much sir!!!!!!!

[@RickNethery]

First like and comment. 👍

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks Rick! East Texans are always First.

[@RickNethery]

@Dave Strohmeyer - Saddle Up Shootin' You're welcome brother

[@AllanKenny-wd7jr]

Varget could be surpassed by new powders today has been a good powder

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Varget is a great powder in many different caliber/cartridge combos.

[@CharlesLambert-h5s]

I’ve learned over the last 20 years of loading for a 308, if you can’t get a accurate load with Varget sell it.

[@hawaiiangunner]

The problem with Varget is availability. It's so difficult to get ahold of. I prefer reloder 15

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Varget availability and H-4350 are getting better, at least on-line.

[@hawaiiangunner]

@@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009 my state online is a no-go

[@RF-cz4ln]

Love savage accuracy , but the actions are horrendous. I did a bolt lift kit in mine and some light Dremel work, she’s pretty silky now for a savage 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

I send the bolt away to have that work done. While it did improve somewhat, it still clunky as you see in the videos.

[@michaelraine8681]

How do you get so much power in your casings

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Max load that is compact for 150gn is 47 grains. Easier to load with flat based bullets. Thanks for your question.

[@66tstevenson]

What was your load for the cfe223 ? Finally grabbed me 1 # of the stuff now looking for the bullet and load combo myself. Really enjoying your videos 👍

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching. This may help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHXHi3aDh5mNfrs

[@TheBamayaker]

What length is your barrel?

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

24"

[@clintonlayne9253]

Nice grouping Dave why do you like over 2800 fps ?

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

It's my simple mindset and a little physics. All other things being equal faster speed means flatter trajectory and increased MPBR over slower speeds.

[@georgelewis7010]

How does it compare to IMR4064

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Never tried 4064. Thanks for watching.

[@George-tz1cv]

Yep, probably better than advertised. Ask pro competitors.

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Yes, it works well enough indeed. Other powders do provide higher velocities that some hunters prefer, including me.

[@redteam9881]

With 180 Nosler Part 44.1 of Varget in WW cases with CCI bR2 primers in 308 Win. With 165gr SIerra Pro Hunter @ 46.0 With 150gr SIerra Pro Hunter @ 47.8 With 175 MK @ 45.0 308 Win You are under loading Varget

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for sharing your information here.

[@aberhan]

👍

[@Dressagevids]

I gave my Varget away I couldn't get on with it at all

[@tommiewaters4579]

I think your setup is not stable.

[@tommiewaters4579]

Do a few dry shots and check your stability on scope crosshair

[@davestrohmeyer-saddleupsho8009]

Thanks for watching. The purpose of my initial load development, is to gather numerical data and cross reference with published book data. Smaller groups will come with rifle/load acceptance and then later refinement. My portable bench is stable enough for my needs. See my 308 playlist for other load developments.

[@keyfa9051]

poor group, should be one hole...