Varget dispensing

[La Dano]

That's the main problem right now. Varget was the only powder available for the AR. I'll definitely find another one when all this hype dies down.

[La Dano]

Cabellas got a shipment in yesterday. I was able to pick up primers and BL-C2. Loaded 100 this morning with noslers & dogtowns. Metered perfectly and shot fantastic. Thanx for the tip.

[La Dano]

Cabellas got a shipment in yesterday. I was able to pick up primers and BL-C2. Loaded 100 this morning with noslers & dogtowns. Metered perfectly and shot fantastic. Thanx for the tip.

[country gent]

I bought an electronic RCBS measure and scales set was slow for me but if you set up your measure and drop charges 3-5 grns short then hit the dispense button its alot faster as its only dropping that last little bit. My harrels were expensive but when you consider all the screwing around cost of the electronic dispenser to do the above They arnt nearly as expensive. My wife actually bought my first one as a birthday present for me.
I found dropping the short charge into the scale pan on the electrnic dispenser gave me weighted charges much faster than just letting it go from start to finish. But most of my charges at the time were 40-70+ grn charges. 243 w -300 win mag. when you drop 3-5 grns short the electronic dispensers timer per charge is always the same since its only dropping the last little bit.

[La Dano]

BL-C2 worked perfectly. Cabellas got some in stock yesterday.

[zilla]

I to use Varget for .223. Had some some of the same issues with different charge weights. It drove me crazy. Never thought powder to be the issue at first. two new scales later and a new powder dispenser I've determined it is what it is. It may be a bit more time consuming but I know every round will be damn near identical.

[cat223]

Varget through a Lee Perfect Powder Measure has made quite a few .223 and .308 rounds for me. I never noticed any inconsistencies.

[La Dano]

I've been hearing the Lee does the job very good. I'm going to pick one up just to try out. I've read some "tuning" tricks also. This BL-C2 is awesome so far for my AR. Meters dead one, and groups better than I can shoot. Gonna stick with it for the 1K rounds for sure.

[Uncle Grinch]

I have a Lyman #55 and used to use it all the time, to much aggravation. On the suggestion of one of my buddies who shoots bench rest, I switched over to Lee dippers. Once you do your setting up, it goes very fast with very little diviation. I can't tell any differences on my target or over my crono.

[La Dano]

Well I picked up a few K primers and BLC2 the other day. My uniflow is happy now, an it shoots very well. I'll save the varget for another rifle

[DCM]

I have found the Lee perfect powder measure to work the best with stick powders also.
Even more consistant than a friends $$$ Harrells at a small fraction of the cost.
Usually within +-0.1g.

[La Dano]

I've heard that from several people here and another site. I'm gonna order one from Midway on my next order. Thanx

[BD]

I've been loading 24.5 grains of Varget under the 77 grain SMKs for many years. An old Belding & Mull does the trick just fine. It won't work on a progressive press, but as I need to use a drop tube if I'm going to seat the 77 grainers short enough for the AR, it hasn't seemed like much of an issue. I use the Varget by preference as in good neck turned brass they'll stay under 1/2 moa all day long.
BD

[cajun shooter]

La Dano, The RCBS is a good measure and will work better if you use the micrometer stem and a baffle. I've been loading and casting since 1969 and have used many types of measures.
I use four at this time. The RCBS, Lyman 55, Dillon and a Redding. They will all do fine but some work better with certain powders. Don't go and start grinding and changing the angles on the drums as you may cause them to bind.
You may want to try H335 with your 223 when the supply comes back. I also use Varget but H335 will out do it with certain bullets. I'm only about 8 miles from you in Satsuma. Later David

[country gent]

I was a High Power rifle competitor for 20+ years. When I switched from M14/M1-A to AR - 15 I tried several powders and bullets. I finally settled of 2 powders Varget and Reloader 15. I tested many diffrent bullets from several makers. I finally setled on 2 bullets for 200-300 yd lines and 2 for 600 yds. I used the 75 grn hornady bt hp match bullet for 200 and 300 yds primarily with the 77 isierra as secondary. For 600 yds the 80 grn JLK was primary and shot flatter and better than anything else, this was before jlk changed hands. I havent used any of the new ones so...... . The other bullet was the 80 grn sierra also a good performer for me. My barrels were 1-7 twist Kriegers. I perfered the Varget loads. I used the Audette ladder method of working loads up and was really impressed with the ease and accuracy of loads worked up in this way.

[Doc Highwall]

I use 25 grains of Varget with a 80 grain Sierra MK, Fed 205M with Norma cases in my 223 Remington 40X, and 46.5 grains with a 155 grain Sierra MK, Fed 210M with Lapua case.

I also recommend DO-NOT chamfer the edge of your powder measure drum or the housing.

A powder baffle along with the technique you use will go a long way. I have even put two baffles in my RCBS powder measures along with a longer handle.

[country gent]

Doc, I have a highly modified RCBS uniflow. Being a tool and Die maker I just couldnt resist doing it. Started out upgrading to the micrometer adjustment. Then added a baffle to it. Then recut the radious in the top of The stem plug. Then jig ground the housing round and true, made a hardened steel drum to fit with in .0005 clearence. Ground sides of housing square and parallel to bore. Made side plates to limit end play to .001 each way. Polished inlet and outlet holes. made a pretty brass screw in "funnel" / drop tube for it. Of all this work the first 3 listed showed the biggest improvements the others show little or none but the ground surfaces made it much smoother to operate. I hadnt thought about the longer handle so now about the last unmodified piece will be modified. It does throw pretty consistent loads now if you keep the powder in its "range in the hopper". To do over again I would hone the bore if possible ( less metal removal over the jig grinder. That beisng said the baffle and Micrometer adjustment are the real works. Learning the powder level where it does its best is important to.

[ACrowe25]

I have found the Lee perfect powder measure to work the best with stick powders also.
Even more consistant than a friends $$$ Harrells at a small fraction of the cost.
Usually within +-0.1g.

I'm with you. Never had problems with my Lee PPM. Had a buddy come to my house to use MINE over his for Varget...

[Doc Highwall]

country gent, I did not go quite as far as you did, my drum was tight fitting and I did think about side plates but did not do them. I did recut the radius on the stem. My last modification is going to be to the powder measure holder and what my idea is, I want to make the powder measure lean back some so as to make the cavity more upright to make the filling of it more consistent. I also polished the inside of the housing to prevent hang ups of the powder.

[1bluehorse]

I just punch in the charge I want and hit enter.
then enter, then enter, then enter.
it goes as fast as I can seat the bullet and put it in the box.

Yup....that's exactly the same way I do it....wouldn't be without it..(RCBS Chargemaster)