jwisecarver

Just wandering is any one using Varget for thier M1A I have 8 pounds and am looking for some load starting load data. I have once fired Lake City brass.

Detrick Hess

I was thinking the same thing I have federal brass and 165 grain bullets

NJKen

I worked up to about 40 grains under a hornady 168gr HPBT. I did not really like it. It really slammed the bolt back hard at that point even though it was published load data for the M1a and not the max either. Accuracy was OK and may have been better if I didnt abandon the load. I switched to IMR4895 and H4895 and it doesnt seem to hit the bolt as hard witch means less stress on the oprod.
Ken

Chuy

Awesome timeing as I have been buying the same powder. I was told by some old guy to use the recipe on the container. I have yet to start reloading.

Rocket Skates

I've heard that it burns too slow and, therefore, builds up too much pressure compared to 4895 or H335.

tokiwartooth

Love Varget in my Garands, hate it in my M14s...

brycom1

There is more of a difference between h4895 and IMR4895 then Varget to IMR4895.

Varget is a bit slower. I have used it in both M1 and M14 with decent results. The only problem I had is it tended to fill the case up alot which would sometimes compress the load depending on what you were stuffing in the neck.

I still have some and plan on using it up.

Phil McGrath

Varget is compairable to IMR-4064 its just tic slower.

M1A's r BEST

Your rifle might "like" Varget.

I tried Varget in mine and ended up with IMR4895.

Just recently, while working up some 150 grain deer loads for my son's M14S we tried Varget, H4895, IMR4895 and H335. IMR 4895 gave him the best group size.

bd111

The answer's yes but a lot of shooters who try Varget decide there's no benefit over 4895 and 4064 if you have to load down for the M1A.

us rifle

It all depends on if you rifle likes the powder or not. I know some folks use it. I recently got some to try out along with a few other powders. I haven't loaded any of it yet.

saw filer

I've used it with decent results. my experience with Varget has been it's good in all my .308's but it's never the best.JMHO

meterman

varget is not a bad powder at all does awesome in an '06 but its just to slow to run in a m1a m14 I wouldn't chance bending breaking my op rod and if you try it you'll find 4895 just can't be beat in one 4064 and varget both do fine in a garand and I can't tell you why but,I've tried them all and I promise you'll wish you just stayed with 4895

AKA Hugh Uno

I doubt anyone has EVER "broken" an M14 operating rod. Also, unlike the M1 Garand (post-Gas Trap) the M14/M1A gas system is a modified gas cut-off and expansion system (JC White) and thus far less likely to develop excessive port pressures (at least with "normal" powders and bullet weights). Certainly no normal Varget load is EVER gonna upset the M1A/M14 system or bend/break any op-rods. The best answer is TRY it and see how it does.

Phil McGrath

What many are overlooking is the our rifles have a range of powders that work well some are fast and some are a tad slower, with that line of thought keep this is mind when developing your loads you will find that lite bullets well work best with the faster powders, and the heavier bullets work best with the slower powders. This will cut down on reloading frustation, trying too make a non-standard combo work.

110-147 IMR-3031
135-168 IMR-4895
155-175+ IMR-4064

This is just a general rule of thumb and not a absolute and there are load combo's that overlap and still work well thats called powder flexablity and is a good thing to know what works well and what doesn't.

Not that this is a substute for YOUR load development, but what works well in my rifle should work almost as well in yours +/- as long as there not at the extream, if load data sounds wild/outragous question it and for your own safty do your due diligence.