Benchmark or Varget?

B

batman1262

New member
Been reading on loads for 22-250. See alot of both benchmark and varget users and have a few questions. Varget is a very temp tolerant powder, is benchmark as temp tolerant? I live in KY and shoot year around, I harass all preds and deprevating critters equally. Yotes during winter and crows, groundhogs, ect during summer. Want to find the best performance in one load if possible. By performance I mean, accuaracy and good speed. Looking for the fastest accurate round I can produce, but dont want to change loads form summer to winter.

Gun is savage mod 12 with 26" barrel and 12 twist.

Kinda new at all this!
 
Do u really change loads per season?....I believe benchmark is an extreme powder so yes...if you load to an accuracy node with your particular rife it won't matter much...velocity may vary a bit but accuracy shouldn't suffer..look up OCW...optimal charge weight...practical riflery forums its Dan newberrys site....your looking for same impact spot for a range of charge weights...mess with seating depth a little...u will find a load that will shoot well in just about any condition...hope this helps..
 
They are both Hodgdon Extreme powders. I think Benchmark fills the case easier than Varget due to the shorter kernels. also, you can get a bit more speed with a slightly smaller charge with Benchmark.

I your case, I'd go ahead with Benchmark and not look back. It should be just fine in the temp swings. They are both stable powders...

Refer to Hodgdon.com for more data than you would need.
 
I have the same rifle and same caliber. I use a Hornady v max 55gr with varget loaded at max by hornady book. It is stupid accurate. I wish my skills were as good as the rifle and load.
 
Originally Posted By: tugboaterI have the same rifle and same caliber. I use a Hornady v max 55gr with varget loaded at max by hornady book. It is stupid accurate. I wish my skills were as good as the rifle and load.

Same here. 36.5 grains varget with a vmax 55.

I'm sure benchmark will shoot as good just no experience. If it is true about benchmark being shorter then go with it. Varget doesn't flow very well.
 
Originally Posted By: batman1262Thanks for the thoughts guys. I dont have alot of experience with this type stuff so more silly questions may follow.

There are no silly questions when it comes to reloading! Ask away - that's why we're all here. I've learned a bunch from these guys (I think - LOL!), and hopefully will continue to do so.
 
I use 36.4 grains of varget, behind a 55 gr. vmax out of 2 Remington 700's. best load I have found for my 22-250. no need to look any farther for a more accurate load for me.
 
My gun is a Savage model 11 22" barrel.. 36.5 Varget behind 50gr Vmaxes lit by cci 200's gives me 3660fps & 7/16" groups at 200yds off bags.
 
Mine likes 24.8 gr Benchmark and Nosler's CT 55 gr Ballistic Silvertips or Sierra 55 gr BlitzKing and 26.8 gr of Varget.
 
Originally Posted By: tugboaterI have the same rifle and same caliber. I use a Hornady v max 55gr with varget loaded at max by hornady book. It is stupid accurate. I wish my skills were as good as the rifle and load.

foe my rem 700 sps varmint 22-250 I load same bullet /piwder. the most accurate load is with 36 gr of powder, but its very fast for a 22-250, if I recall it was lije 3980 ft/s
 
Am I the only one in the world that got a weird batch of Varget?

I see so many of you shooting 36.5 gr loads. I tried that one in my .22-250 with a 52 gr bullet, it clocks 3400 fps. At 38.0 gr I can actually hit 3690 fps. Same thing in my .308, takes at least 2 gr more.
 
Originally Posted By: skolMine likes 24.8 gr Benchmark and Nosler's CT 55 gr Ballistic Silvertips or Sierra 55 gr BlitzKing and 26.8 gr of Varget.

hmmm those appear to be 223 loads, and the original poster was asking about 22-250,

just trying to make sure we are all on the same page to prevent any problems
 
Originally Posted By: joedAm I the only one in the world that got a weird batch of Varget?

I see so many of you shooting 36.5 gr loads. I tried that one in my .22-250 with a 52 gr bullet, it clocks 3400 fps. At 38.0 gr I can actually hit 3690 fps. Same thing in my .308, takes at least 2 gr more.

I'm not sure about velocity,have never used a crono. It groups real tight and was super easy to work up loads. I haven't pushed it past max.
 
Originally Posted By: joedAm I the only one in the world that got a weird batch of Varget?

I see so many of you shooting 36.5 gr loads. I tried that one in my .22-250 with a 52 gr bullet, it clocks 3400 fps. At 38.0 gr I can actually hit 3690 fps. Same thing in my .308, takes at least 2 gr more.

What's your twist? Barrel length?
I will try to get mine clocked this weekend. I got 3900 out of 39 grains of H380 with a 55 vmax.
 
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I also live in Ky. and have loaded Varget for some time now in my 22-250 and also in my 223. My Tikka T-3 22-250 prefers a lighter load then what most people on this site are using. I load 34 gr. of Varget with a 55gr Hornady sp. Haven't shot it through graph yet but have killed coyotes at 300 to 350 yards while still holding crosshairs inside the body. As far as temps, I have never had any problems in winter or summer with said powder.
 
I have the same rifle
I have been using a near max load of varget and get good velocity and accuracy. I have tried benchmark and got very good accuracy but this is almost always on the lower end of charge weights. Groups tend to open up a bit when you get closer to max loads with benchmark
 


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