Varget in 223 Rem loads?

[rifledoc]

I have a Wilson Combat AR-15, 1:8 twist, 20 inch barrel and the load I found worked best was 23.5 gr Varget, 60 gr Hornady V-max, velocity ~2677 fps.

 

[del2les]

We've been using Varget for a long time, and works very well in the 223/5.56. But it tends to like heavier bullets ( 55 and heavier).
Here is a short list of Varget 223/5.56 load info:

Varget 556 Load Data Recipes with ingredients,nutritions,instructions and related recipes

Varget 556 Load Data Recipes with ingredients,nutritions,instructions and related recipes

www.tfrecipes.com

 

[HSmithTX]

I have very good loads for 55 Gamekings, 62 BTHP, 68 and 69 BTHP and 77 BTHP using Varget, the limited testing I have done with 80's has also been with Varget. Shot highpower for a bit and gathered load data from the guys at the matches, lot's more efficient than reinventing the wheel. I think over half were shooting Varget at the time in 223.

 

[ridgewalker]

One of my coyote guns, a tweaked Mini-14, shoots a Hodgdon max load of Varget behind 55 grain bullets well. First 4 shots into 5/8" at 100 yards, then starts opening up to 1 1/8-1 1/2". I consider this exceptional for a Mini. But I hate loading Varget into a .22 case! Bridges badly, so I have gone to CFE223. I can drop it close enough not to have to measure every load.

 

[azarcher10x]

My go to for light projectiles in my .223 has been either TAC, or H335. I'm a little more concerned about your twist rate on the 40's and less. I'm running 36 VG's in both my bolt and AR with 1-12's. Stupid accurate in both!

 

[436]

So in the past I've used Benchmark for all my 223 Rem loads. I haven't seen Benchmark in a few years. But I currently have 14 lbs of Varget as I load for 7mm-08's and 308's.

Looking to see how it works in 223 Rem? Primary rifle is a Rem LTR with 20" 9 twist. Primary use is coyotes, but do have a prairie dog, so was thinking 40-60 grain v max? Probably load inLapua brass with CCI 400's.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Varget has always been a "good" powder no question in most loading for the .223 Rem, but... over the year when I used heavy bullets like 80grs I picked RL15 and VV 540, but... hands down for my 1-9 twist barrels, I went with H335 and the 65gr Sierra GK just something about that combo that always came through for me on Yotes. Benchmark is just a tad faster than H335, H335 can do a great job as well with 50gr to 60grs as well, bottom line if you have Varget use it. Good luck Cheers

 

[pony doctor]

So in the past I've used Benchmark for all my 223 Rem loads. I haven't seen Benchmark in a few years. But I currently have 14 lbs of Varget as I load for 7mm-08's and 308's.

Looking to see how it works in 223 Rem? Primary rifle is a Rem LTR with 20" 9 twist. Primary use is coyotes, but do have a prairie dog, so was thinking 40-60 grain v max? Probably load inLapua brass with CCI 400's.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

AR15 loads: 25.4 gn Varget and 69 gn Sierra Match King sub-Moa out to 800 yards (I didn't try 1000 yd as the wind got up) on steel at 2982 fps. & 32 degrees F., a compressed load! 27.3 gn Varget with 55 gn VMax, 3295 fps at 40 degrees F, also a compressed load. VMax seated to magazine length, Matchking will not fit magazine ( base to Ogive length 2.033)

@badthirtyone
What weights bullets do I have to stay above? I see data down to 40 grain. Was thinking say a 50 grain V max or even a 40 gr? Might end up with 60 grain v max for coyotes.

 

[Reelamin]

So in the past I've used Benchmark for all my 223 Rem loads. I haven't seen Benchmark in a few years. But I currently have 14 lbs of Varget as I load for 7mm-08's and 308's.

Looking to see how it works in 223 Rem? Primary rifle is a Rem LTR with 20" 9 twist. Primary use is coyotes, but do have a prairie dog, so was thinking 40-60 grain v max? Probably load inLapua brass with CCI 400's.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Works great just drops and meters rough compared to ball. Also fills a case of you run em hot. I usually load 4-500 for a bolt gun at a time so loading time matters. Semi auto just burn em out on a progressive so don't use it in those.

 

[BoomFlop]

I do not own an AR, so load time and meter are not a concern. I also do not have the twist to shoot bullets above probably 70 gr more than likely.

 

[Tommo64]

Works great in mine with 55gr pills. 26.1grs fills my cases without compressing and gives me just over 3000 fps, low ES/SD and nice tight groups. Can't get the velocities like I do with Benchmark but I'll take accuracy over speed any day.

 

[Rflshootr]

RE-7 and H4895 have also been known to work very well.

 

[RYEWSKY25284]

@badthirtyone
What weights bullets do I have to stay above? I see data down to 40 grain. Was thinking say a 50 grain V max or even a 40 gr? Might end up with 60 grain v max for coyotes.

You are definitely on the right powder.
I wouldn't shoot anything under a 55gr. 1-9 i think is a pretty fast twist for the 223.
JMHO

 

[DMP25-06]

Varget results from Olympic Arms UltraMatch AR-15 , 20" heavy, fluted barrel , 1:8" twist , cut-rifled barrel .
2 photos of same target .
First photo is a close-up view with a dime for size reference .
Second view lists rifle , distance , and group size for 6 shots .

55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip , Winchester brass and Winchester Small Rifle primer , 27.5gr Varget , 2.250" overall length , at 3120 FPS , magazine fed - not single feed .
Loaded on a Dillon 550B progressive press .

I had just changed scope on rifle and began re-zero process . When shot landed just to right of center , I fired remaining ammo in magazine to get a group . 6 shots total at 200 yards , witnessed by my spotter at the Arlington Sportsmans Club .

I was astounded !!!!
This is the BEST EVER for me .

DMP25-06

 

[BoomFlop]

Ballistic Tip vs Vmax for prairie dogs? I usually prefer the BT for coyotes.

Thoughts?