I made it to the range on Saturday to try some new loads in my Garand. I had previously been shooting BobS Load, and while plenty satisfied, I had several pounds of Varget and RL-15 on the shelf I purchased for an AR-15 I no longer own. So, loads test loads were created, and I am duly posting my results.
As a control I took along two clips of Greek HXP, and two clips of BobS Load. My bullet is a Lee 200 gr sized .310, checked with Hornady gas checks and lubed with Felix lube.
The test loads were 32gr and 34 grains of RL-15 under .75 gr dacron, and the same weights of Varget under the same dacron. The bullets were seated to the crimp groove, and crimped hard in a Lee Factory Crimp Die. Primers were CCI large rifle.
All shots were taken at 50 yards, using the standard Garand sights. Shooting was from the bench, but the rifle was supported by me, not a rest or sandbags. The 5 shot groups were fired from a full 8-round clip. Between each shot, the group was checked with a 60X spotting scope, but no extra time was taken to allow the barrel to cool.
The targets were SR-1 200YD reduced for 100YD, with a 1" round orange sticker over the X to increase visibility. The sights were not adjusted, as shots were only to test function and group size.
The HXP turned in a 1.7" group, slightly oblong vertically, about 1.5" above point of aim.
The BobS Load rounds turned in a 1.5" group, oblong vertically about 5" below the point of aim.
The two RL-15 loads both turned in 2.5" + groups, one oblong vertically, the other horizontally. I had two short strokes in which empty brass did eject, but a fresh cartridge did not get fed. One short stroke with each charge weight. All shots were similarly about 5" below the point of aim.
The 32 grain Varget load turned in a 1.25" group, with three shots in a perfect triangle within .75". Function was flawless.
The 34 grain Varget load turned in a 1.75" group, slightly vertical. Function was likewise flawless. Both Varget loads were also about 5" below point of aim.
RL-15 is further down the burn rate chart than Varget, and may benefit from a higher charge. Since I have two pounds on hand, charges of 36 and 38 grains will be tested in the future.
None-the-less, Varget is definitely a darling in my gun. Next up is to have a mold altered to a plain base design. If Varget will still perform without leading against a plain base design, then I can break the $0.10/shot barrier shooting my Garand!