Varget is the best. Look at Saeed's data, do a search. He said he would add to the load data pages but hasn't gotten it posted yet.

He tried RL-15, Varget, and VVN550, IIRC. He got best velocity and accuracy with VVN550, but Varget was not far behind.

I tried RL-15, Varget, and IMR4831.

I could only get about 2300 fps with IMR4831 and 400 grainers before I ran out of powder space, like Alf.

Varget gave me better accuracy than RL-15 or IMR4831, and it is more heat stable than any of the other good powders.

Varget is the best choice, overall, for the .404 Jeffery. There is room to spare for as fast as you need to go with no compression, and perfect loads at about 95% to 100% density with the various 380 grainers and 400 grainers.

And no surprises, hot or cold.

I've probably learned more about the .404 from this thread than all of the literature I have in print combined!
Thanks guys for sharing all the knowledge!

RIP,
If you can only get 2300 with IMR-4831 then you got a problem..I have shot and owned half a dozen 404 and I cannot fathum the results that you and Alf are getting..to start with I have no problem getting 95 grs. in my cases, albiet there is a tad of compaction but not anymore so than one gets with 58 gr. of 4831 in an 06 case...

At any rate I have grown weary of defending this load, but will continue to use it and recommend it to others.

While I would never go against Mr. Ray, I also like IMR4831, RL19 is a bit more accurate in my rifle. If you like the RL series of powders, give RL19 a try, 84gr under a 380grNF is good for 2250fps from my 23"bbl. IMR4831 is a good choice though, I still can't get more than 90gr in my Norma cases unless I compress w/ a mallet!

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Gentlemen,

I will try to post the data in the next few days.

In a custom rifle we built ourselves, on a Sako 75 action, and a 26 inch barrel.

405 grain Walterhog bullets - we make these ourselves on a lathe from pure copper - Federal 215 primer.

VARGET

67.0 - 2078 fps
86.0 - 2591 fps

VVN550

72.0 - 2123 fps
90.0 - 2618 fps

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