Varget shortage?

StripesDude · October 6, 2019, 03:13 PM

I’ve not seen anything posted about shortages lately. Am trying to restock my Varget supply and can’t find any in stock at my LGS, Cabelas or any online retailer. Does anyone have info on this? Issues at the factory?

NoSecondBest · October 6, 2019, 04:17 PM

I don't know where you are, but I'm not having any trouble getting it. I just bought a pound recently and I remember there was more on the shelf.

hounddawg · October 6, 2019, 04:55 PM

recent thread on another forum. Your LGS have some instock but don't expect to see any at Grafs/Powder Valley etc till next spring or summer

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/thr...arget.3987066/

StripesDude · October 6, 2019, 05:36 PM

Thanks guys. Appears the guys at Hodgdon have again mismanaged supply and demand.

std7mag · October 6, 2019, 05:45 PM

www.cacassociatesinc.com

Try here. My local distributor.

reynolds357 · October 6, 2019, 06:17 PM

They are good at supply mismanagement. They discontinued Winchester's best powders.

Marco Califo · October 6, 2019, 06:49 PM

Varget is actually made in Australia by ADI. May not be Hodgdons faults. Supply irregularity is common. Powder Valley is out too. PV does have R17 back in stocks.

std7mag · October 7, 2019, 11:46 AM

I may be up for making some trades..
Norma and Ramshot Big Game for Varget and Alliant powders.

hounddawg · October 7, 2019, 06:29 PM

I am good for a while. I keep a year or so's worth of "go to" components on hand for situations like this. I don't resell anything to anyone and the supplies are are for the sole purpose of being able to load. I have not so fond memories of crawling around on the floor looking for a dropped primer back in 2009. In the Navy we had a saying that if you found yourself crawling around on the floor of jeepney ( google it) looking for a dropped peso you were either real drunk or real hard up. Well that was most reloaders 10 years ago

StripesDude · October 7, 2019, 07:55 PM

Well, I started reloading right after Sandy Hook. I was buying anything I could get my hands on. Had to get by with some undesirable powders, but at that point I was only loading for handgun. Lots more forgiving than rifle. I’ve not seen any shortages of anything I use now...until this latest Varget shortage.

hounddawg · October 7, 2019, 08:05 PM

this also why you should develop fall back loads if you shoot a lot. Only thing I shoot Varget in now is .223 and there are about a dozen fallbacks if Hogdon stopped selling it completely. Always good to have a few recipes in the bank from different manufacturers for your favorite loads. There is more than one way to skin a chicken as my Daddy used to say

StripesDude · October 7, 2019, 09:05 PM

I’ve tried other loads. Just don’t get the same accuracy. Even tried duplicating the Fed Gold Match rounds (my rifle is 308) and can’t even get close with 4064. 4064 is what I shoot in my ARs but it doesn’t work as well in my 308. I’ve tried half a dozen other powders as well and keep coming back to Varget.

Dufus · October 7, 2019, 10:14 PM

IMR 4320 is an old sleeper powder for the 308 Win. If you haven't tried it, it just might surprise you.

Note: I use a lot of it and have never owned or used any Varget.

cptjack · October 8, 2019, 02:26 AM

using LOVEX PRECISION ..VERY CLOSE TO VARGET AND CHEAPER

std7mag · October 8, 2019, 03:26 AM

And we can get that where?
And without paying the hazmat fee?

Road_Clam · October 8, 2019, 06:43 AM

This is why you should always experiment with substitute powders. While I have about 24# of Varget , I can easily substitute excellent precision with W748 , H4895 , and 2000MR.

RC20 · October 8, 2019, 12:43 PM

If you are in AK PM me. I have a sudden surplus.

T. O'Heir · October 8, 2019, 01:05 PM

"...at my LGS..." Midway is showing Varget as being on No Back order. So does Brownell's. They even say it's not available for backorder. Isn't the first time Varget has been scarce either. There are lots of posts from 10 + years ago on assorted forums about the same issue.
"...mismanaged supply and demand..." When you're the only game in town you can do what you like. However, they could drastically increase the price in response to the demand and lack of supply, but they have not.
"...tried duplicating the Fed Gold Match..." Reloaders cannot get the powders used by the manufacturers.

berettaprofessor · October 8, 2019, 08:11 PM

Well this thread panicked one reloader into picking up another lb jar he came across and now one more town is out of Varget. And he (I ) forgot that I already had an extra lb or two beyond my need. Trade goods, I guess.

308Loader · October 19, 2019, 04:02 PM

oh no, I'm too late. the local fleet and farm usually has plenty of varget, IT'S GONE! even the 8lb keg that has been on the shelf for the last 3 years.

Dufus · October 19, 2019, 04:59 PM

This place shows to have 1 LB in stock....doesn't say how much they have.

https://www.brunoshooters.com/mm5/me..._By=disp_order

jmr40 · October 19, 2019, 07:01 PM

I like Varget, but RL15 works just as well for me and is also temperature stable. The best thing about 308 is that I've never found a bad powder for it. I've had good luck with 4064 and Ramshot Tac as well as several others.

Maybe it's just my rifles, but finding accurate 308 loads is easy too. Most any suitable powder, and any powder charge seems to be MOA or better. Adding more powder usually only results in velocity increases.

**Unclenick** · October 20, 2019, 03:05 PM

Actually, RL15 proved not to be temperature stable enough in desert conditions. The army found their M118LR ammunition loaded with it was giving high-pressure signs in the M24 platform in Iraq. So, when Federal developed the Mk 316 Mod 0 sniper ammunition for that platform they went to flash-suppressed IMR 4064. IMR 4064 has always been good about temperatures, which is why a lot of target shooters have historically preferred it in 308 Win and 30-06 match loads.

reynolds357 · October 20, 2019, 06:57 PM

Varget covers a lot of cartridges pretty well, but is great in very, very, few.

308Loader · October 21, 2019, 07:22 PM

woo 4064! seems to be old school. right next to Varget in burn rate.

October 6, 2019, 03:13 PM	#1
StripesDude Member Join Date: June 29, 2014 Posts: 88	Varget shortage? I’ve not seen anything posted about shortages lately. Am trying to restock my Varget supply and can’t find any in stock at my LGS, Cabelas or any online retailer. Does anyone have info on this? Issues at the factory?

October 6, 2019, 04:55 PM	#3
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	recent thread on another forum. Your LGS have some instock but don't expect to see any at Grafs/Powder Valley etc till next spring or summer http://forum.accurateshooter.com/thr...arget.3987066/ __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

October 6, 2019, 05:45 PM	#5
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	www.cacassociatesinc.com Try here. My local distributor. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

October 6, 2019, 06:49 PM	#7
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	Varget is actually made in Australia by ADI. May not be Hodgdons faults. Supply irregularity is common. Powder Valley is out too. PV does have R17 back in stocks. __________________ ............

October 7, 2019, 11:46 AM	#8
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	I may be up for making some trades.. Norma and Ramshot Big Game for Varget and Alliant powders. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

October 6, 2019, 04:17 PM	#2
NoSecondBest Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2009 Location: Western New York Posts: 2,736	I don't know where you are, but I'm not having any trouble getting it. I just bought a pound recently and I remember there was more on the shelf.

October 6, 2019, 05:36 PM	#4
StripesDude Member Join Date: June 29, 2014 Posts: 88	Thanks guys. Appears the guys at Hodgdon have again mismanaged supply and demand.

October 6, 2019, 06:17 PM	#6
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	They are good at supply mismanagement. They discontinued Winchester's best powders.

October 7, 2019, 06:29 PM	#9
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	I am good for a while. I keep a year or so's worth of "go to" components on hand for situations like this. I don't resell anything to anyone and the supplies are are for the sole purpose of being able to load. I have not so fond memories of crawling around on the floor looking for a dropped primer back in 2009. In the Navy we had a saying that if you found yourself crawling around on the floor of jeepney ( google it) looking for a dropped peso you were either real drunk or real hard up. Well that was most reloaders 10 years ago __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

October 7, 2019, 07:55 PM	#10
StripesDude Member Join Date: June 29, 2014 Posts: 88	Well, I started reloading right after Sandy Hook. I was buying anything I could get my hands on. Had to get by with some undesirable powders, but at that point I was only loading for handgun. Lots more forgiving than rifle. I’ve not seen any shortages of anything I use now...until this latest Varget shortage.

October 7, 2019, 08:05 PM	#11
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	this also why you should develop fall back loads if you shoot a lot. Only thing I shoot Varget in now is .223 and there are about a dozen fallbacks if Hogdon stopped selling it completely. Always good to have a few recipes in the bank from different manufacturers for your favorite loads. There is more than one way to skin a chicken as my Daddy used to say __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

October 7, 2019, 09:05 PM	#12
StripesDude Member Join Date: June 29, 2014 Posts: 88	I’ve tried other loads. Just don’t get the same accuracy. Even tried duplicating the Fed Gold Match rounds (my rifle is 308) and can’t even get close with 4064. 4064 is what I shoot in my ARs but it doesn’t work as well in my 308. I’ve tried half a dozen other powders as well and keep coming back to Varget.

October 7, 2019, 10:14 PM	#13
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	IMR 4320 is an old sleeper powder for the 308 Win. If you haven't tried it, it just might surprise you. Note: I use a lot of it and have never owned or used any Varget.

October 8, 2019, 02:26 AM	#14
cptjack Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2014 Posts: 314	using LOVEX PRECISION ..VERY CLOSE TO VARGET AND CHEAPER

October 8, 2019, 03:26 AM	#15
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	And we can get that where? And without paying the hazmat fee? __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

October 8, 2019, 06:43 AM	#16
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,695	This is why you should always experiment with substitute powders. While I have about 24# of Varget , I can easily substitute excellent precision with W748 , H4895 , and 2000MR. __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

October 8, 2019, 12:43 PM	#17
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,014	If you are in AK PM me. I have a sudden surplus. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

October 8, 2019, 01:05 PM	#18
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...at my LGS..." Midway is showing Varget as being on No Back order. So does Brownell's. They even say it's not available for backorder. Isn't the first time Varget has been scarce either. There are lots of posts from 10 + years ago on assorted forums about the same issue. "...mismanaged supply and demand..." When you're the only game in town you can do what you like. However, they could drastically increase the price in response to the demand and lack of supply, but they have not. "...tried duplicating the Fed Gold Match..." Reloaders cannot get the powders used by the manufacturers. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 8, 2019, 08:11 PM	#19
berettaprofessor Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1,091	Well this thread panicked one reloader into picking up another lb jar he came across and now one more town is out of Varget. And he (I ) forgot that I already had an extra lb or two beyond my need. Trade goods, I guess.

October 19, 2019, 04:02 PM	#20
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	oh no, I'm too late. the local fleet and farm usually has plenty of varget, IT'S GONE! even the 8lb keg that has been on the shelf for the last 3 years. __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

October 19, 2019, 04:59 PM	#21
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	This place shows to have 1 LB in stock....doesn't say how much they have. https://www.brunoshooters.com/mm5/me..._By=disp_order

October 19, 2019, 07:01 PM	#22
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	I like Varget, but RL15 works just as well for me and is also temperature stable. The best thing about 308 is that I've never found a bad powder for it. I've had good luck with 4064 and Ramshot Tac as well as several others. Maybe it's just my rifles, but finding accurate 308 loads is easy too. Most any suitable powder, and any powder charge seems to be MOA or better. Adding more powder usually only results in velocity increases. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

October 20, 2019, 03:05 PM	#23
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,060	Actually, RL15 proved not to be temperature stable enough in desert conditions. The army found their M118LR ammunition loaded with it was giving high-pressure signs in the M24 platform in Iraq. So, when Federal developed the Mk 316 Mod 0 sniper ammunition for that platform they went to flash-suppressed IMR 4064. IMR 4064 has always been good about temperatures, which is why a lot of target shooters have historically preferred it in 308 Win and 30-06 match loads. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 20, 2019, 06:57 PM	#24
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Varget covers a lot of cartridges pretty well, but is great in very, very, few.

October 21, 2019, 07:22 PM	#25
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	woo 4064! seems to be old school. right next to Varget in burn rate. __________________ Just a dude with stuff.