Varget for 300 Savage?

kingstrider said:

I bought this 1946 Model 81 a few months ago and finally got my hands on some brass and Hornady 150 grain SST bullets. I have several pounds of Varget so would like to use it if possible but none of my newer loading manuals has any info with this powder. Does anyone have an older loading manual with Varget info for this cartridge? Thanks in advance!

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What a cool rifle!

My 10th edition Hornady manual shows this for the 300 Savage and 150-155 grain bullets with Varget:

Minimum charge of 33.6 grains for 2200 fps

Maximum charge of 42.2 grains for 2600 fps

*It also shows two different 150 grain SST bullets, #30302 and #30303.

Regards, Guy

I've shot quite a bit of 300 Savage in two 99's and a model 10. Varget is good for accuracy and velocity. Vihtavuori N140 was my favorite powder for the 300 Savage. I just wouldn't go out and pay $50 for a pound of it if you have a supply of Varget on hand. Benchmark is another good one for the 300 Savage.

That’s all I use, started with 3031, tried Varget and got minute of angle in my old model 99 with 150 gr Sierra flat base bullets and 40 gr of powder. Had to switch to lead free, hated the idea but in actual use hornady monoflex is fantastic and would use them even if I didn’t have to. Still use the same load but get better accuracy with the hornady’ s. Any way, yes good powder for 300 sav.

Very nice Remington 81!!!!!

T.S.

Was gonna quote from my Hornaday manual but M700 beat me to it.

rosco547 said:

That’s all I use, started with 3031, tried Varget and got minute of angle in my old model 99 with 150 gr Sierra flat base bullets and 40 gr of powder. Had to switch to lead free, hated the idea but in actual use hornady monoflex is fantastic and would use them even if I didn’t have to. Still use the same load but get better accuracy with the hornady’ s. Any way, yes good powder for 300 sav.

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Sounds like you reside in the PRC (People's Republic of California).

I got a nice 81 too. I use IMR4895 exclusively but I see no reason that varget would not work.

Love it. I'm looking for one of these in 35 rem. Perhaps the last thing on the list!

OP mine has a similar recoil pad and spacer. I assumed that it was an aftermarket job as I assumed all these came with a steel buttplate. Do you know anything about that?

It looks great to me! thanks for pics! hey my birthday is coming soon!

I don't reload for that caliber but that is a beautiful rifle!

Sierra manual #5, Varget, Sierra 150 gr bullets:

37.5 grs 2300 fps
40.3 2500
43.1 2700
44.5 2800 max

This was shot with a 26 inch barrel or some reason, expect actual velocities to be 100 fps or more slower from a 22 inch barrel. I prefer mid range loads 300 Sav, recovery time between shoots is very fast and efficient, and still good out thru at least 200 yards. Recoil is down somewhat, and is gentle on these old rifles.

Well that is good to know as I have 6# of varget and 1000 of those 30303 Hornady bullets. I will have to try those loads along with the IMR-3031