Varget for a 30-06? Yes or No?

JonM · December 13, 2012, 10:46 PM

A friend of mine is wanting to start reloading for his 30-06. It is a Ruger sporter model. I am currently using Rl15 and Varget for my 308. I'm fairly new to reloading and had someone tell me that the Varget would not work for the heavier bullets, but when I checked Hodgdon's web sight they had it listed for every weight up to 220gr. While it would be convenient to load the same powder for both guns, I don't want to use it if it is not a good choice. Anyone using it with good results?

We will be loading 150gr sp, 155 and 175 matchkings.

Thanks,
Jon

golfnutrlv · December 13, 2012, 11:29 PM

Varget is about as versatile as rifle powder gets.

I have used it in .308 (What is was designed for)
.223 Rem, .30-06, and .303 British.

It performs great in all of them. I confine it to .308 since it is a little pricier, and I have switched to more targeted powders for some of the above cartridges.

Don't get me wrong, Varget really shines in .223, especially heavier bullets in my experience.

Reality is, you can't go wrong with it. I prefer IMR4895 for .30-06, specifically M1 Garand. I use 4895 since the burn rate is a little better suited for the Garand than Varget. Varget is right on the cusp of too slow burning for the M1.

Best way to find out, is pick up 2-3 of the better choices in powder, and run some test loads.

davery25 · December 14, 2012, 12:08 AM

he probably meant it wouldn't shoot accurately in his rifle when he said it would not work.

any loading manual will tell otherwise

noylj · December 14, 2012, 02:01 AM

Varget is OK with bullets less than 170gn. I haven't been that impressed in .30-06, but all rifles are different and I only have one .30-06.
I consider 4350 (A, H, IMR) more a "do everything" powder for .30-06.
YMMV.
Have fun.

Saltydog235 · December 14, 2012, 07:40 AM

For the 30'06 you need to use H4350, H4895 or H4064 to get the best results.

dodge · December 14, 2012, 07:54 AM

In my 30-06 I use IMR 4831.

David Bachelder · December 14, 2012, 08:58 AM

Each rifle will perform differently. Your gun may perform better with Varget and it may perform better with a different selection. The best bet is to load a few with different powders and see how it goes. Not really an economical choice since powder is a bit pricey. Asking for other opinions is always a good idea. I like the look before you leap mentality, and I don't want three more cans of powder laying around that I don't use.

I use Varget for both my 30-06 and my .243, and it performs well in both rifles, I see no reason to change. I did try IMR4350 in the .243, which came highly recommended, but the Varget provided better groups.

Maybe my rifles have strange appetites? I don't know, but I do like Varget in both loads.

30-06
48.3 gr Varget
165gr Hornady SST

.243
35 gr Varget
95 gr Hornady SST

Works for me.

December 13, 2012, 10:46 PM	#1
JonM Member Join Date: September 25, 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 33	Varget for a 30-06? Yes or No? A friend of mine is wanting to start reloading for his 30-06. It is a Ruger sporter model. I am currently using Rl15 and Varget for my 308. I'm fairly new to reloading and had someone tell me that the Varget would not work for the heavier bullets, but when I checked Hodgdon's web sight they had it listed for every weight up to 220gr. While it would be convenient to load the same powder for both guns, I don't want to use it if it is not a good choice. Anyone using it with good results? We will be loading 150gr sp, 155 and 175 matchkings. Thanks, Jon

December 13, 2012, 11:29 PM	#2
golfnutrlv Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,347	Varget is about as versatile as rifle powder gets. I have used it in .308 (What is was designed for) .223 Rem, .30-06, and .303 British. It performs great in all of them. I confine it to .308 since it is a little pricier, and I have switched to more targeted powders for some of the above cartridges. Don't get me wrong, Varget really shines in .223, especially heavier bullets in my experience. Reality is, you can't go wrong with it. I prefer IMR4895 for .30-06, specifically M1 Garand. I use 4895 since the burn rate is a little better suited for the Garand than Varget. Varget is right on the cusp of too slow burning for the M1. Best way to find out, is pick up 2-3 of the better choices in powder, and run some test loads. __________________ 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.

December 14, 2012, 08:58 AM	#7
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	Each rifle will perform differently. Your gun may perform better with Varget and it may perform better with a different selection. The best bet is to load a few with different powders and see how it goes. Not really an economical choice since powder is a bit pricey. Asking for other opinions is always a good idea. I like the look before you leap mentality, and I don't want three more cans of powder laying around that I don't use. I use Varget for both my 30-06 and my .243, and it performs well in both rifles, I see no reason to change. I did try IMR4350 in the .243, which came highly recommended, but the Varget provided better groups. Maybe my rifles have strange appetites? I don't know, but I do like Varget in both loads. 30-06 48.3 gr Varget 165gr Hornady SST .243 35 gr Varget 95 gr Hornady SST Works for me. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

December 14, 2012, 12:08 AM	#3
davery25 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 318	he probably meant it wouldn't shoot accurately in his rifle when he said it would not work. any loading manual will tell otherwise

December 14, 2012, 02:01 AM	#4
noylj Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2007 Location: Between CA and NM Posts: 858	Varget is OK with bullets less than 170gn. I haven't been that impressed in .30-06, but all rifles are different and I only have one .30-06. I consider 4350 (A, H, IMR) more a "do everything" powder for .30-06. YMMV. Have fun.

December 14, 2012, 07:40 AM	#5
Saltydog235 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2010 Location: Pawleys Island Posts: 1,563	For the 30'06 you need to use H4350, H4895 or H4064 to get the best results.

December 14, 2012, 07:54 AM	#6
dodge Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2001 Location: ridgerunner from Northern PA Posts: 291	In my 30-06 I use IMR 4831.