M1 Garand and Varget: Who has tried it???

golfnutrlv · November 23, 2010, 11:25 AM

Well, who has tried Hodgdon Varget in their M1 Garand? I know it is on the "safe" list, but who has actually tried it??

The Hornady manual lists Garand data with Varget in 150 Gr, but does not list anything for IMR4895 in 150

I use a ton of varget in my .308 loads, and occassionally .223 loads, but need some opinions of shooters who have actually run Varget through their Garand.

Thanks,

AlaskaMike · November 23, 2010, 02:29 PM

I tried my first Varget loads in my Garand about two weeks ago. I'm at work right now and don't have my notes, but I believe the load was 48 grains in LC68 Match cases using 152 grain FMJs (pulled M2 bullets from gibrass.com I bought awhile back). Accuracy was very good and seemed on par with my HXP Greek surplus ammo.

I'm still looking for a load that will eject the brass more softly though, so I'd like to play with 3031 or even something a little faster (with smaller charge weights obviously) in order to reduce the gas port pressure.

For what it's worth, my IMR4895 load is 47 grains with the same bullet I mention above.

Tim R · November 23, 2010, 03:08 PM

I've used some Varget in a 308 M-1 with 168 gr SMK's and went back to IMR 4064 or IMR 4895. Varget is a good powder over all though. One of these days I'm going to try Reloader 15 and see what happens.

maggys drawers · November 23, 2010, 05:52 PM

I've found 2 good Varget loads for my Garand. Both use military brass (LC), 147-150 grn FMJ bullets and CCI #34 primers.

42.9 grns with a COL of 3.330
45.2 grns with a COL of 3.320

One is at the lower end of Hornady's tables, the other is towards the high end. Both give me good results at 200 yards. I went through 8 pounds of it with these 2 loads.

Taroman · November 23, 2010, 06:30 PM

Varget is all I have ever used in my Garand. Started on it whan 4895 was not available. As was said before, its comparable to HXP and the American Eagle I have used.

golfnutrlv · November 23, 2010, 10:03 PM

Thanks for the replies thus far everyone. Just wanted to hear from some actual users. Should be getting my Garand from CMP in a couple weeks, and want to have some rounds loaded and ready to go.

dmazur · November 25, 2010, 03:33 AM

I use 46.0gr Varget with Hornady 150gr FMJBT's in Winchester brass.

golfnutrlv · November 26, 2010, 12:20 PM

Well, loaded 20 round of .30-06 for my Garand yesterday. I don't even have the rifle yet!

Winchester brass, WLR primer, 46.0 gr of Varget, Hornady 150gr FMJBT seated to 3.185".

I'm going to load up some 168gr Hornady Match bullets as well soon, and then see if they shoot when I get the rifle.

Thanks for the insight everyone!

November 23, 2010, 11:25 AM	#1
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	M1 Garand and Varget: Who has tried it??? Well, who has tried Hodgdon Varget in their M1 Garand? I know it is on the "safe" list, but who has actually tried it?? The Hornady manual lists Garand data with Varget in 150 Gr, but does not list anything for IMR4895 in 150 I use a ton of varget in my .308 loads, and occassionally .223 loads, but need some opinions of shooters who have actually run Varget through their Garand. Thanks, __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. Last edited by golfnutrlv; November 23, 2010 at 11:28 AM. Reason: spelling

November 23, 2010, 06:30 PM	#5
Taroman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2010 Posts: 166	Varget is all I have ever used in my Garand. Started on it whan 4895 was not available. As was said before, its comparable to HXP and the American Eagle I have used. __________________ -jwk- Si vis pacem, para bellum

November 23, 2010, 10:03 PM	#6
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Thanks for the replies thus far everyone. Just wanted to hear from some actual users. Should be getting my Garand from CMP in a couple weeks, and want to have some rounds loaded and ready to go. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

November 25, 2010, 03:33 AM	#7
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	I use 46.0gr Varget with Hornady 150gr FMJBT's in Winchester brass. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

November 26, 2010, 12:20 PM	#8
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Well, loaded 20 round of .30-06 for my Garand yesterday. I don't even have the rifle yet! Winchester brass, WLR primer, 46.0 gr of Varget, Hornady 150gr FMJBT seated to 3.185". I'm going to load up some 168gr Hornady Match bullets as well soon, and then see if they shoot when I get the rifle. Thanks for the insight everyone! __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS "The price of liberty is vigilance" America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.

November 23, 2010, 02:29 PM	#2
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 943	I tried my first Varget loads in my Garand about two weeks ago. I'm at work right now and don't have my notes, but I believe the load was 48 grains in LC68 Match cases using 152 grain FMJs (pulled M2 bullets from gibrass.com I bought awhile back). Accuracy was very good and seemed on par with my HXP Greek surplus ammo. I'm still looking for a load that will eject the brass more softly though, so I'd like to play with 3031 or even something a little faster (with smaller charge weights obviously) in order to reduce the gas port pressure. For what it's worth, my IMR4895 load is 47 grains with the same bullet I mention above.

November 23, 2010, 03:08 PM	#3
Tim R Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2004 Location: God's side of Washington State Posts: 1,601	I've used some Varget in a 308 M-1 with 168 gr SMK's and went back to IMR 4064 or IMR 4895. Varget is a good powder over all though. One of these days I'm going to try Reloader 15 and see what happens. __________________ God Bless our Troops especially our Snipers.

November 23, 2010, 05:52 PM	#4
maggys drawers Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2006 Posts: 178	I've found 2 good Varget loads for my Garand. Both use military brass (LC), 147-150 grn FMJ bullets and CCI #34 primers. 42.9 grns with a COL of 3.330 45.2 grns with a COL of 3.320 One is at the lower end of Hornady's tables, the other is towards the high end. Both give me good results at 200 yards. I went through 8 pounds of it with these 2 loads.