69 gr Nosler load

[JDBrum]

I'm looking for some quick advise on where to start with my powder charge.

69gr Nosler, Federal Match Primer,Varget Powder... Barrel length is 16" and 1-9" twist.

Reloading book suggest 23.4 - 26+

What do you think I should start with???

[Graham Smith]

Always the same advice - start with the bottom charge and work up in 0.5 increments to get a rough idea then tune.

FWIW, I tried Varget with 69gr SMK and had less than stellar results. It doesn't flow well in my Dillion for one thing. When I tested it, 24gr and 25gr yielded nearly identical results and were slower than the same amount of AA2230, so I quit trying.

Your mileage may vary.

[ken hebert]

I was at 25g of Varget before I switched to RL15.

[dirtybomb]

I was also using 25 gr of Varget with 69 gr SMK and switched to Vit N133 with better results.

[AlamoShooter]

I am at 24.7 Varget with the 60 Nos and 69 Sr in a 18" 1in 8 twist 2,815fps and I use the CCI 5.56 primers

[KentG]

I was at 25g of Varget before I switched to RL15.

Did you switch for the way the powder metered or accuracy or?? Im collecting the stuff for my 650 a little at a time to reload and havent bought bullets,brass or powder yet. But Im going to use 69 SMK and Scharch brass. The powder is the only thing unsettled still. No hijack ment.

Edited October 26, 2010 by tnek

[Nick Weidhaas]

Varget would not meter in my 550. Powder all over the place. I use 26.2gr. of H335 with a 55gr. NBT and because H335 is a ball powder it flows like water. I've got some Benchmark powder and some 69gr SMK that I want to try. The Benchmark is suppose to meter much better in the Dillon press than Varget. Good luck.

[JDBrum]

Thanks guys for all of the feedback..

I'll start to work up some loads and head to the range to see how they perform.

Additionally, it appears the general consensus is.. I may need to look for another powder..

[smokshwn]

Varget reportedly works great with the heavier bullets in .223.

It sucks in the dillon powder measures though.

I love 25ish grains of Ramshot TAC with the 69's. It has been sub moa in both of my match guns.

[KentG]

What about using a Redding powder throw on the Dillon??

[outerlimits]

24.6 of AA2230 is sweet...

[ken hebert]

I was at 25g of Varget before I switched to RL15.

Did you switch for the way the powder metered or accuracy or?? Im collecting the stuff for my 650 a little at a time to reload and havent bought bullets,brass or powder yet. But Im going to use 69 SMK and Scharch brass. The powder is the only thing unsettled still. No hijack ment.

slightly better performance and it does meter better in my dillon550.

but with the results i'm expierencing in my .40 loads since changing from titegroup to vv n320, (can you say smooooooth) i'm giving some serious thought to trying out another VV powder, such as n133 as previouly mentioned in this thread.