stokesrj wrote:The reason that Varget underperforms in this application is that a 20” barrel is unable to burn the full charge. Longer barrels are much more capable in this regard. The Palma load uses Varget to drive the 155 or 156 Palma bullet to 3,050-3,100 FPS from a 30” barrel. That load in a 20” is a flame thrower and looses more than 200 FPS.
Thanks Bob. I thought that might be it, but I am surprised that Varget is so bad in 20".
Probably explains why some 22"/23" barrels like H4895 and some like Varget. Those very common lengths might be right around where the two powders start to cross over.
If the temptation to reload for the 308 Stutzen overpowers me, I will use 2206H, or some of the 2206 which I still have. And, as has been discussed, 8208 appears suitable for shorter barrels. In these applications, it seems that most people who are using Varget or H4895 are happy enough not to give 8208 a try.
I did some quick trials with 8208 in a 23" 308 which normally runs Varget/150s and the results seemed to be sufficiently similar that I didn't bother starting the whole load development process again with 8208.