Varget Alternative for .223 target rifle

[DeplorabusUnum]

I recently stumbled into a Savage model 12, bolt action, .223, long range, heavy barrel, single shot rifle. I want to develop some loads with Varget, but no one has it locally, and I don't want to pay hazmat and shipping charges for 1 pound of powder. So I'm thinking about using Win 748, Hodgdon BL-C2, or maybe even CFE 223, all of which are in stock at Sportsman's Warehouse locally.

I'm interested in anyone's experience with target loads for this caliber with these powders. These won't be blam, blam loads for an AR. I'm looking for consistent velocity.

I tested out the rifle the other day with factory Armscor 55 gr loads, and it's already sub MOA with those at 100 yards. I'm looking to achieve sub 1/2 MOA or better.

Thanks in advance for any input you might have.

 

[kb1903]

223 varget alternatives

For 52 and 69 match bullets I use Surplus WC844, which is the same as H335. For 75-80 grain bullets H4895 has same or better accuracy than Varget. IMR8208 is very popular also.
Check manuals for loads.

 

[DWalt]

It is difficult to beat IMR 4198 for .223 target loads, 50-55 grain bullets with 21-22 grains of 4198. If your rifle won’t shoot well with that load, you have other problems.

 

[rockquarry]

Lots of good powders. You don't mention two very important factors: twist rate of your barrel and the weight of bullets you want to use. I'd get at least Lyman and Hodgdon manuals as a minimum.

 

[jem102]

VV N-140 or RL-15 for 69's and up.

 

[barkbark]

I have used a bunch of powders. I like CFE 223 for 55 grain plinkers. I do get better accuracy for 7 twist service rifles with 77s using N 140, 8208 XBR, RL 15, or Varget. As mentioned above, your twist rate and intended projectile weight are necessary to make a better suggestion.

 

[burneyr]

For lighter weight to 60 gr I have really good luck with H335.

If I'm shooting 69+ gr XBR 8208 is tough to beat.

I have a Savage 223 LRPV that shoots 50 grain Sierras in the .3s with H335.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Lots of good powders. You don't mention two very important factors: twist rate of your barrel and the weight of bullets you want to use. I'd get at least Lyman and Hodgdon manuals as a minimum.

I do have Lyman and Hodgdon, as well as Bergers reloading book. Barrel is 1:9 twist, so I'm looking at 70gr. bullets or lighter. I'm shooting Berger bullets. Starting with 52 gr FB Target.

Berger's web site has a nice twist rate calculator. Enter all the bullet data BC, length, weight, velocity, and twist rate and it tells you whether that bullet will be stable. Looks like with 1:9 twist, anything over 70 gr won't have great stability.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

For lighter weight to 60 gr I have really good luck with H335.

If I'm shooting 69+ gr XBR 8208 is tough to beat.

I have a Savage 223 LRPV that shoots 50 grain Sierras in the .3s with H335.

Thanks, I have some H335 and have loaded rounds for my AR. Accuracy has always been mehh, but it's an AR, so I'll definitely try it out with the 52 gr. bullets.

 

[scooter123]

I have an AR-15 I built with a 20 inch Shilen Target barrel. BTW, with scope it weights in at 11 lbs. so it's a rather heavy barrel. With 68 grain Hornady BTHP bullets loaded with Varget it's sub 3/10 MOA. With my Throw and Go practice rounds featuring a 60 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips in combination with CFE223 the groups open up to 0.43 MOA. The really odd thing is that the Nosler bullets in combination with Varget produces horrible accuracy, group average is 1 5/8 inch. I never have figured that out but it's most likely a bullet stability issue.

Anyhow I would suggest you give CFE223 a try. It really does reduce the copper fouling, accuracy is good, and it meteres wonderfully. With Varget I have to hand weigh each charge and trickle it to weight, with the CFE223 the metering is good enough I can just throw the charge into the case and go to the next.

 

[sndbggr1484]

Trolling around the net I saw accuracy load data listed for a Savage model 12BVSS in 223 with a 1-9 twist barrel:

Hornady 50 gr. VMAX

25.7 gr. H335 MV 3,300 FPS 5/16'' Groups at 100 yards
25.1 gr. 3031 MV 3,000 FPS 5/16'' Groups at 100 yards

Hornady 60 gr. SP

23.0 GR. H335 MV 3,000 FPS 1/4'' Groups at 100 yards

I haven't tried any of these loads so use caution and verify for yourself before using.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

For 55 grain, 26.0 grains WW748 with CCI Sm. Rifle Mag. Primer Has performed very well (1/4 to 3/8") in 1/10 AR & 1/12 Rem 700.

For 50 grain Blitzking, This is Sierra's Accuracy Load! In my Cooper 21 1/10 twist, I get groups that start with ".0xx" or ".1xx" @ 100 yards when I moved the bullet to touch the lands. 27.3 grains H-335 Fed 205M primer, any good brass (I used Winchester)

I have the same Savage M12 rifle, also 1/9 twist. When you can find or are willing to pay for Varget: Hornady 75 A-Max or Berger 75 VLD over 26.0 Varget. Very important, use only Rem 7 1/2 primer! (BR-4 and 205M do not have the thick primer cup!) COAL: 2.482" (way over magazine length!) In my gun this is just touching the lands. This load consistently provides 5" groups at 1000 yards when using the factory Overmolded (rubber coated) stock and 3" groups @ 1000 yards when using a Boyt's Bench Rest Stock (that has been pillar bedded). These results were in virgin LC brass, but if you can find "223 Lapua Match" brass, is has a slightly thicker case wall at the base, you can substitute it! Standard brass will not support this load and accuracy will suffer!

I don't crimp target loads, but I do use 6/1000ths of neck tension! In Redding Full Length Collet dies. (The collet is 6/1000" smaller than a .224" bullet and 2 case wall thicknesses [and will vary with brands and batches of brass]).

You spent the money for one of the most accurate production rifles ever made! Don't cheap out on component or reloading equipment prices. That goes for optics and mounting also. I used to buy match rifles for what Redding Competition Die sets cost now!

You can't have tiny groups without a good gun, good components, good sighting, and good loading equipment! Then it is all about you!

Ivan

PS. Some other common powders that can produce good groups in 223 are: H-322, Hodgdon Benchmark, and IMR 8208 XBR.

 

[rockquarry]

Try as many powders as you can. I'm not criticizing Varget; it may work very well, but many who use it see it recommended and don't go beyond it. In a variety of cartridges, I've found H4895 to be a bit more versatile than Varget and I've seen slightly better overall accuracy with H4895. Granted, there are exceptions. I've also used a lot of TAC; a fine powder but a second to H4895 in my experience.

Bergers are fine bullets, so are Sierras. They cost more than the Hornadys but are often worth it if your primary interest is accuracy. Here again, there are sometimes exceptions. Good luck-

 

[Marlin57M]

I have two Savage Model 12VLP’s, one in 223 REM and other in 22-250, both with 1 in 9” twist. The 223 loves 55 gr bullets with BL-C2, while the 22-250 loves Superformance powder with 62 - 70 gr. bullets. They are very accurate rifles!

 

[Racer X]

one advantage of 748 is that it has a lower flame temp, so it doesn't erode barrel throats as fast.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Good luck with achieving sub MOA. I think you may be splitting hairs here. Mostly that .5 MOA has to do with the shooter, bullets and the rifle, not the powder. Powder companies have been playing this game for awhile but none have any accuracy standards associated with their use. Out of their control. There are many powders that will work for you if you know how to work up a load. Bullet selection is way more important than powder for precision shooting. W748 has been a .223 favorite for a long time. Dial it in.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

For 55 grain, 26.0 grains WW748 with CCI Sm. Rifle Mag. Primer Has performed very well (1/4 to 3/8") in 1/10 AR & 1/12 Rem 700.

For 50 grain Blitzking, This is Sierra's Accuracy Load! In my Cooper 21 1/10 twist, I get groups that start with ".0xx" or ".1xx" @ 100 yards when I moved the bullet to touch the lands. 27.3 grains H-335 Fed 205M primer, any good brass (I used Winchester)

I have the same Savage M12 rifle, also 1/9 twist. When you can find or are willing to pay for Varget: Hornady 75 A-Max or Berger 75 VLD over 26.0 Varget. Very important, use only Rem 7 1/2 primer! (BR-4 and 205M do not have the thick primer cup!) COAL: 2.482" (way over magazine length!) In my gun this is just touching the lands. This load consistently provides 5" groups at 1000 yards when using the factory Overmolded (rubber coated) stock and 3" groups @ 1000 yards when using a Boyt's Bench Rest Stock (that has been pillar bedded). These results were in virgin LC brass, but if you can find "223 Lapua Match" brass, is has a slightly thicker case wall at the base, you can substitute it! Standard brass will not support this load and accuracy will suffer!

I don't crimp target loads, but I do use 6/1000ths of neck tension! In Redding Full Length Collet dies. (The collet is 6/1000" smaller than a .224" bullet and 2 case wall thicknesses [and will vary with brands and batches of brass]).

You spent the money for one of the most accurate production rifles ever made! Don't cheap out on component or reloading equipment prices. That goes for optics and mounting also. I used to buy match rifles for what Redding Competition Die sets cost now!

You can't have tiny groups without a good gun, good components, good sighting, and good loading equipment! Then it is all about you!

Ivan

PS. Some other common powders that can produce good groups in 223 are: H-322, Hodgdon Benchmark, and IMR 8208 XBR.

Thanks Ivan. Good advice. I don't skimp either, when it comes to accuracy. That's what reloading is all about right? Making loads that are way better than what you can buy at any retail store.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Good luck with achieving sub MOA. I think you may be splitting hairs here. Mostly that .5 MOA has to do with the shooter, bullets and the rifle, not the powder. Powder companies have been playing this game for awhile but none have any accuracy standards associated with their use. Out of their control. There are many powders that will work for you if you know how to work up a load. Bullet selection is way more important than powder for precision shooting. W748 has been a .223 favorite for a long time. Dial it in.

Very true. I've been able to get sub .5 MOA with my 6.5 Creedmoor using Berger bullets, so I think I'm going to stick with them for now. I'm going to use at least 2 powders to work up loads for. Should be fun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use a lot of H335 from my AR style .223/5.56mm rifles. I've gotten good results with Varget for my bolt action .223. If it's not available maybe give CFE223 a try or Ramshot TAC.

I have a bullet suggestion for your bolt action .223. The Sierra 55gr HPBT bullet #1390. I can't find a powder that won't shoot that bullet accurately. I can do sub 1/2 MOA @100 yards and just over 1/2 MOA @200. (those groups were done with that bullet and Varget) The groups were slightly larger, but still under 1 MOA with H335 and the Sierra #1390 bullet.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I use a lot of H335 from my AR style .223/5.56mm rifles. I've gotten good results with Varget for my bolt action .223. If it's not available maybe give CFE223 a try or Ramshot TAC.

I have a bullet suggestion for your bolt action .223. The Sierra 55gr BTHP bullet #1390. I can't find a powder that won't shoot that bullet accurately. I can do sub 1/2 MOA @100 yards and just over 1/2 MOA @200. (those groups were done with that bullet and Varget) The groups were slightly larger, but still under 1 MOA with H335 and the Sierra #1390 bullet.

That's good info on the Sierra bullet. I'll try a few. (I already have some Ramshot TAC too)