Load Development - Changing Powder

[260 Rem]

No luck finding Varget so with only a pound left, decided to open the vault and try something different. Settled on burning up some IMR Enduron 4451 that I bought a few years ago .... so started load development for the two rifles I will use to hunt Antlered Elk (30-284) and Antlered Mule Deer (6.5 X 47L). The 4451 dialed in very quick with the ‘47 and I am encouraged with the early potential shown in the ‘30 which has handles Varget reasonably well. Being short on powder, I can justify shooting 3 shot groups



Top is the 30-284. BAT action / KSA barrel, bottom metal / HS magazine. Wildcat Stock designed by KSA. 8.6 lbs
Bottom is 6.5 X 47L. Stiller action / Kreiger barrel / KSA bottom metal / HS magazine. Wildcat stock. 7.5 lbs
Both topped with Leupold VX 11 4 - 12 X 40.

[Cheyenne 1]

My 6.5-47 liked H-4350 with a BR-4 primer
My 30-284 worked well with R-26.
Both shot well under 1/2 moa with those powders.

[260 Rem]

I did not chrony the ‘47 with these 135gr Classic Hunters but when I was shooting 130 VLD (H) it was producing 2850 fps with 41gr of H4350 with decent accuracy (probably a tickle over 1/2MOA). The three groups in the pic with the 4451 ... agg. at 0.39 but I would not count that as a true sub 1/2 MOA load as I need to see 4 consecutive 5 shot groups. Three shot groups can be pretty forgiving.

[Big Lou]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

I did not chrony the ‘47 with these 135gr Classic Hunters but when I was shooting 130 VLD (H) it was producing 2850 fps with 41gr of H4350 with decent accuracy (probably a tickle over 1/2MOA). The three groups in the pic with the 4451 ... agg. at 0.39 but I would not count that as a true sub 1/2 MOA load as I need to see 4 consecutive 5 shot groups. Three shot groups can be pretty forgiving.

The 135gr Classic Hunter does 2770fps out of my ‘47 over 40.7gr H4350. If you need some powder Jim, I’m sitting on some Varget and I don’t use a pile of it. I have a solid stash of H4350 too. You’re welcome to a pound or two if you like.

[260 Rem]

Thanks BL, I’ll take you up on a pound of Varget. Give me a shout when you are coming my way.
I should be good with H4350 throughout hunting season. To date, it has given best accuracy in the 30-284 but I am crunching powder (55grs) to get above 2900fps which seems to be the start of where the 168 Classic Hunters want to group. The Varget gets me there with 50.5 grs (no crunch) .... and I was surprised that the H4451 also got me there with 52.5grs (no crunch).

[kujoseto]

260Rem, pretty sure I met you at the range. My brother picked up two pounds of Varget on Saturday. We don’t use it and he just couldn’t decide so bought extra powder options knowing Varget is easy to offload.
I sent a PM. I can get that powder to you if you want to meet at the range again.

[260 Rem]

Originally Posted by kujoseto

260Rem, pretty sure I met you at the range. My brother picked up two pounds of Varget on Saturday. We don’t use it and he just couldn’t decide so bought extra powder options knowing Varget is easy to offload.
I sent a PM. I can get that powder to you if you want to meet at the range again.

PM sent .. thanks. Please ignore all the other guys that will be after it

[kujoseto]

Haha most certainly. If I didn’t like this forum so much I’d take the highest bid lol. Would sure be great if inventory could replenish and prices could go back in time