Varget in 223 Rem loads?

[DMP25-06]

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

Thoughts?

I only have used Nosler Ballistic Tips , both coyotes and prairie dogs .
In .223 and .220 Swift .
But , I don't use Varget in my Swift - IMR 4064 @ 3900 FPS.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Quickload really does not like VARGET with these bullets. You have to load 106% of case capacity to get decent pressure.

Quickload likes Reloader 10x, H335, Win 748….

 

[Starlite]

I've got lots of data for varget. Think most is with Hornady 68gr IIR was moa with mixed NATO brass and cci BR PRI. PM me tomorrow and I'll dig into the archives.

 

[Starlite]

Decided to get me arse off the couch. Hockey game in 2nd intermission.
22.7gr varget. ( mild load ) 68gr Hornady BTHP CCI BR2 2725 FPS Not great ES/sad but group was sub MOA

25gr had slightly better SD/ES but no improvement in group. No worse either. Velocity was 2930FPS @0*c/ 32*f

23.7gr had best results at .800" MOA with SD of 7.5. COL was 2.365" @ -7*C. Bel was ~ 2775 FPS

24.5gr Vg with 69gr SMK COL of 2.260" velocity was 2784FPS. .750MOA
ALL THESE WERE USING NATO IVI brass SHOT FROM SAVAGE AXIS. all pretty great results for a cheap price rifle.

 

[Terry Lightle]

I run 53 grain V MAX with 26 grains of Varget.I coyote hunt with it.

 

[Starlite]

24.9gr Vg
60gr NOS BT
CCI 450
Hornady brass
2.260 COL
2885 FPS
REM 700 1-12TW Laminated stock (Stock rifle)
.450" MOA

23.4 Vg
60gr NOS BT
Fed gold match
Hornady brass (New)
2.260 COL
2650FPS with 13.7 SD
REM 700 1-12TW Laminated stock (Stock rifle)
.430 MOA

FWIW my best results were with Lapua Brass Fed GM primers Hornady 53gr vmax or 52gr match and either Vihtavuori N-133 or H322. All combinations were under .330"
Good luck.

 

[xsn10s]

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

Thoughts?

I prefer vmax's for lighter varmints and BT's I consider better for yote. Although people take yotes with the vmaxs. And if you're going to stay in the 50gr-60gr class look at 53gr vmax's. I think a 1-9" might handle a 73 vmax, maybe a 75 vmax. It probably depends on the barrel. 69gr probably golden.

 

[Longtine88]

I agree with the above. One of my most accurate 5.56 loads, Berger 77 OTM, is using Varget.

Curious if his 1:9 would stabilize the 77's?

 

[xsn10s]

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.

One thing to consider is Varget is very hard to get. Where I'm seeing more Ramshot powder coming on to the market. If you could get Ramshot TAC I'd get that instead. I've had good luck using that with 50gr and 55gr BT's. It's also worked well with 77gr SMK's. H4895 is another powder that works well as does IMR 4895. I've used Benchmark and I think H335 and the other powders I mentioned work better. So if you can aquire any of the other powders I mentioned I'd get them to save your very hard to acquire Varget.

 

[BoomFlop]

What would you recommend between H335, Tac and N133? I really would like Benchmark as it is the faster equivalent to Varget for stability.

 

[xsn10s]

What would you recommend between H335, Tac and N133? I really would like Benchmark as it is the faster equivalent to Varget for stability.

Between those three I've used TAC the most and like it. I just adjust my loads for summer and winter in my AR. My buddy loves H335 with 50gr loads in his M700. For temp stability I'd go with H4895, and on some charts IMR 4895 isn't that bad.

 

[WileyC]

Gonna load up some 69 gr SMK with Varget today. I had gotten away from Varget due to having a lot of ball powder on hand .... H336 and WC844..... but now I'm curious as to what the 2 Rem 700s will do with Varget.

 

[xsn10s]

Gonna load up some 69 gr SMK with Varget today. I had gotten away from Varget due to having a lot of ball powder on hand .... H336 and WC844..... but now I'm curious as to what the 2 Rem 700s will do with Varget.

I never had good luck with Varget in my 308 win. But others have and continue to do so. Most of the powders that work in my 308 work well with my 223's. I've read that many do very well with Varget in their 223's so I'd expect good results. If the 223's are a priority then I'd try Varget. But since it's such a good temp insensitive powder for 308 win parent case cartridges my mindset is to save it for them. It's up to the individual's priorities.