Yessirree, Sir Roo it is. You get a Bill Bagwell Bowie tap on the shoulder at the Square Table Rendezvous, whenever that happens. Arise and sally forth with Varget. Many decent loads with that I am sure. It is my favorite powder in the .404 Jeffery with any bullet weight. Top performer in the .500 Jeffery too, from experience with one load there.
Alas, I have not tried it in the .458 WinMag, but if I did, I would first take the Woodleigh manual max loads for the .458 Lott using VARGET: 500-gr Woodleigh RNSN, 83.0 gr VARGET >>> 2220 fps, not compressed 500-gr Woodleigh FMJ, 83.0 gr VARGET >>> 2210 fps, mildly compressed 550-gr Woodleigh RNSN, 79.0 gr VARGET >>> 2110 fps, not compressed 550-gr Woodleigh FMJ, 77.0 gr VARGET >>> 2050 fps, mildly compressed Those .458 Lott loads would be close to 3.600" COL or less, and 62,500 psi or less. If you load a .458 WinMag to 3.600" COL with those bullets and powder charges, you will most likely have better performance regarding velocity and pressure. But start a little lower than max .458 Lott load with the .458 WM+, and you will be able to work up to max .458 Lott load at least !
Standard SAAMI .458 WinMag loads with VARGET follow (Woodleigh manual), not the fastest loads but not far off, and VARGET is supremely accurate and uniform, temperature insensitive, and works great with mild compression. The Woodleigh VARGET data for 24" barreled .458 WinMag at 3.340" COL or less and 60,000 psi or less, most likely:
400-gr Woodleigh PPSN: 74.0 gr VARGET >>> 2210 fps, not compressed 77.0 gr VARGET >>> 2310 fps, mildly compressed
480-gr Woodleigh RNSN: 72.0 gr VARGET >>> 2050 fps, not compressed 77.0 gr VARGET >>> 2150 fps, mildly compressed
500-gr Woodleigh RNSN: 70.0 gr VARGET >>> 2010 fps, not compressed 74.0 gr VARGET >>> 2110 fps, mildly compressed
550-gr Woodleigh RNSN: 69.0 gr VARGET >>> 1960 fps, not compressed 72.0 gr VARGET >>> 2015 fps, mildly compressed
I always go for VARGET as a replacement for RL-15, grain for grain, VARGET is the better powder. Hodgdon EXTREME.
Ron aka "Rip" for Riflecrank Internationale Permanente NRA Life Benefactor and Beneficiary .458 Winchester Magnum, Magnanimous in Victory THE WALKING DEAD does so remind me of Democrap voters. Donkeypox.
