Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 300 savage Varget loads

Hi all,
Was wondering if anyone has any load data for 300 savage using Varget (AR2208) with a 150gn Hornady SP?
I have a bit of this powder, and would like to get the old 99 back in action. My ADI load data manual lists the 2208 (Varget) as being equivalent to IMR4064, but any data I've found online has the Varget load starting 2 grains heavier (38) than the 4064 (36).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

38 grains should be a good starting load with a cup & core 150gr. I've used higher charges in the 1920 bolt action, but 38 is where I would start, especially with older rifles including takedown 99's. I don't have it handy but the Nosler manual lists Varget loads for the .300.

Thanks TnC,
The data I got for the Varget load was from the nosler Web site.

MAY 28, 2003 – TEST OF HODGDON’S VARGET RIFLE POWDER

I loaded Varget powder in amounts ranging from 40.4 to 42.2 grains (.2 grain over “maximum suggested load”) of Varget using 5X fired, accurized Winchester cases, Winchester standard large rifle primers and a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, boat-tailed bullets.

According to the latest (2002) popular Reloading Handbook I read at Olde English Gun Shop, a maximum load of 42.0 grains of Varget with a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet was chronographed by ballisticians at 2740 fps. In my tests, I could come no where near that velocity chronographing the rounds with my chronograph.

As a “control”, after I finished chronographing all the Varget loads, I fired and chronographed a 3-shot “control” group using my “back-up” hunting loads of 41.5 grains of IMR4895 w/ a 150 grain Nosler B.T. and Winchester standard large rifle primers which yielded an average muzzle velocity of 2686 fps. This MV is slightly higher than my previous average MV of 2675 fps.


The following are the average muzzle velocities attained by the amount of Varget Rifle Powder shown. This test was done on 5/28/03, temperature 70º at the rifle range at Troy Fish & Game Club.

40.4 grs. = 2514 fps average MV.
40.6 grs. = 2525 fps avg.
40.8 grs. = 2546 fps avg.
41.0 grs. = 2539 fps avg.
41.2 grs. = 2523 fps avg.
41.4 grs. = 2576 fps avg.
41.6 grs. = 2590 fps avg.
41.8 grs. = 2606 fps avg.
42.0 grs. = 2615 fps avg. (MAXIMUM Published load)
42.2 grs. = 2621 fps avg.

Control load: 41.5 gr. IMR4895 =
2671, 2698, 2684 fps = 2686 avg. fps.




CONCLUSION: Varget Rifle Powder

Varget is not particularly more accurate than any other powder I’ve tried in my Savage Model 99EG Rifle and it was a complete disappointment in that it was unable to attain the muzzle velocity (2740 fps-24” barrel) published in a 2002 popular Reloading Handbook with the published maximum load (42.0 grains), reaching only an average muzzle velocity of 2615 fps… well below the 2740 fps indicated in the 2002 Reloading Handbook.

I hope this information helps although the data is a bit old and powder qualities and velocities may have changed.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Thanks for the response Ron. That's a good bit of info for me to ponder on. Appreciate your time.

I find that 43.0 grains behind a 150 grain Power Point is most accurate in my 99R in 300S. It yields 2,650 fps from a 24" barrel and yes it is 1 grain over book maximum so start with new brass, work up carefully using all precautions and a good chronograph. The recipe includes WW Brass and CCI BR2 Bench Rest primers.

Thanks Jimmy.
New brass! That would be a wonderful thing to be able to get over here in Oz.
I have about 30 used 300 savage brass, and about half a dozen I've formed from 308win brass to test out. My local doesn't even have any Remington or Winchester brass in 308, only Nosler and Lapua. Lapua is too pricey, and Nosler is a little steep in cost as well.
Please take this post in the good humour in which it was written.

Anyway, I have some other avenues to pursue some new 308 brass, and as an aside, if anyone can help me out there in the states with acquiring and sending me some new 300 savage brass, it would not be knocked back.
I've had 24hcf forum members help out before, and am familiar with the requirements for component importation. I'd cover all costs on the brass and postage.
Thanks again for your help.

AussieLad, I can help you out with 300 Sav brass, have 34 new 300 SAV Win brass and have formed 300 sav from once fired LC 308 Match brass and 308 PPU Serbian brass. Have fired both and work just fine. I also have never fired REM61 pull down MIL brass, good stuff. I have shot hundreds of rounds of it in my M1A .
yours for free. PM info ncgary

My 1953 EG is Varget fed, with decent velocities and respectable groups using Sierra 150 grain Pro Hunters.
40.5gr......2569
41.0gr......2631
41.5gr......2681
42.0gr......2745

I stuck with 41 gr of Varget /2631 fps cause it grouped the best in 3 trial runs. Besides, the meat in the freezer doesn't know the difference between moderate and fast bullet speed. They all expire the same, and get good brass life.
Jerry

Thanks ncgary and oldotter, appreciate the information. Ncgary, a pm inbound.

Be careful. We have new laws in the U.S. that deal with shipping such things as ammunition and components out of the country.

Dan

Thanks for the heads up Dan. Will re-check the regulations.

One of the QLD stores has 300 sav ammo in stock & I believe hornady brass. Try the big ones, Cleavers, Rebel etc

Johno

Thanks johno. 39gn of 2208 under a 150 grain projectile had no pressure signs, that was in one of the 300 savage brass. As for the 303 savage, 32 grains of 2208 under a sierra 150 grain flat nose groups quite nicely, a bit better than 31 grains. That will be my hunting load for the old girl.