H414 vs Varget

[jaybic]

Hello all,

I am trying to decide on which powder to shoot in my Savage 22-250 and I would like to know any advantages one over the other. I am shooting a 50gr Vmax at coyotes and using Win cases and BR2s. Both powders shoot almost identical speed(3700 fps +/- w/22 inch bbl) and both group very well with 414 doing just a bit better but not much. The Varget is a 35.5 gr and the 414 is at 40gr.

I hunt here in Minnesota and quite a bit in North Dakota in the DEC-FEB months(cold months) and I know that the Varget is supposed to be less temp sensative but by how much I dont know.

Any input or experiences good or bad would be greatly appreciated.

Pros?

Cons?

Thanks for your time.

Jamie

[Larry Elliott]

About 15 years ago I used H414 in a .22-250 I had. The loads were developed in Western WA at temps about 70-75, then shot in Eastern Montana at 90-95 degrees. Loads that showed "normal" pressures at 70-75 were way too hot at 90-95. When I got back home I did a little experiment, and increased the charge of H414 until I got about the same pressure signs I'd gotten shooting prairie dogs. Turned out that I could NOT get enough H414 in the case to get those pressures and still seat a bullet.

I switched to Reloder 15 and never had those problems. If I were you I'd use Varget with confidence.

[Riflemeister]

H414 is also a lot dirtier than Varget, but don't let your rifle decide or it might just pick H414 anyway.

[Bob Kingsbury]

Might go up a tad with Varget, its commonly shot around 36 with 52's
all summer in 80 deg. here. And thats in a savage

[MarkR]

I've always had the best luck with Mag primers and H-414.
Mark

[lefty o]

in cool or cold weather you need to light H414 with a magnum primer.

[Big Al]

Varget is my powder of choice, just remember Varget does not work out so well in really cold temperatures. Mag primers are all ways your go to primer in cold temps. Powder gets harder to proper light off in cold weather.


By the way when I write cold I'm talking below "O" F.

[f d shuster]

jamie: I'll second the posting that said H414 is dirty: the heaviest carbon fouling of any of the ball powders I've ever used, and I make it a point to never use it again. A real shame, because with your charge of 40 gr., with any high quality 50 gr. bullet, out of my Hart & Shilen barrels, it was extremely accurate, I just could not accept the carbon buildup on the case necks,(impossible to remove) and in the bore as seen with my "Hawkeye" borescope. Varget and H4895 are my choices now. The traditional 38 grs. of H380 shot very well also, but still carbon fouled, although not as bad as the H414. Another otherwise excellent ball powder, for me, has been Winchester 748, but again, a lot of carbon build-up. Of all the ball powders I've tried, H335 seems to burn the cleanest. Just my experience, I'm sure others have other (experiences).

[MrGee]

well the weather extreme hot/cold differences have effects on the pressures i agree , but what about air densities between the seasons.. i would think that would play a roll in the poi change as well... that's just a thought ..

but i have a question on which brand/make 60gr bullet you fellas are using in the 22-250, i've not have tried one yet..

[Noth Fork]

I have had real good luck with H380 in my 22x250 with 55gr v macks.

[Greg Fowl]

Jaybic-I've read many times that 4064 is one of the most temp stable powders. I believe that is not a rumor. I shoot it in mine with 55's and get an honest fingernail sized group-consistently. I shoot in the opposite extreme-Alabama-but have shot it in the 40 degrees with no noticeable change in accy. E-mail me if you want a load(I'm registered) V/R Greg