Varget?

[The Cupcake Kid]

Isn't it likely that the current UK importer of TR140 will become the UK distributor of the RS powders?

I don't think TR140 will disappear. It might be sold under a different brand name/number, but I think supply will be OK for the foreseeable future.

[paxtond]

big thanks to Chapuis, managed to pick up 8Lbs today, should keep me going

[phaedra1106]

Also posted in General Discussion .....................

"We have just spoken to Edgar Brothers and have been seeking to get clarification as to the next powder delivery time. We were told that the next shipment is due at the end of the year. However there will be no Varget on that shipment. I repeat again for those who do not read posts fully or constantly ask for what is not available . THERE WILL BE NO VARGET ON THE NEXT EDGAR BROTHERS SHIPMENT FROM HOGDON. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news , but it may well be time people started to look for alternatives. Yours Respectfully Mike Norris Brock and Norris Custom Rifles "

[Alpha1]

I have never been able to source Varget or T140 in the North East of England. Vitavouri is the only powder I use. One of the clubs I belong to buys it in bulk for the price I get it at its not worth bothering with other powders.

[Chapuis]

Not quite the north east Alpha but I understand that Brock & Norris in Shropshire have quite a holding of both TR140 and Vhitavuori N140, I don't know for sure but wouldn't be too surprised if Norman Clark also had TR140 in stock.

I really don't understand why people are so desperate for some of the American branded powders because they usually aren't any better than the European powders and in many cases they are actually European or Australian in origin just packaged for U.S. companies. The European powders usually work out much cheaper also. The last U.S. powder that I used was probably 6 years ago and that was Varget. It was good but certainly not any better than the alternatives that I have used and somewhat poorer in respect of some calibres that I have used it for.

I do hope that the current importer of TR140 and Elcho continues to distribute the powder as I have spoken to the guy a few times via email enquiring about information on particular calibres and found the chap to be most helpful and pleasant to deal with. I've just finished another tub of TR140 and will certainly be looking to replace it.

[dromia]

Any one who puts any faith in the US nowadays will be disappointed, it certainly doesn't seem to be the country it used to be.

I suspect the preponderance towards US powders here is because the US is such a large english speaking shooting community so there is a plethora of data, books and discussion centred around US products.

As I've said earlier in the thread and elsewhere I gave up on US powders for my core loads years ago due to poor availability and converted to Viht and Vectan. Viht N140 can be had at £55-£57/KG on the club group buys I run. I still play about with US powders as that is all part of my interest and have been having good fun experimenting with the Ramshot line of powders, made in europe, which has good availability currently. Personally I think powder choice is overrated when it comes to accuracy, so long as you have a powder in the burning rate that your rifle likes then in the main the label doesn't matter and a fine load can be found.

[Chapuis]

"I suspect the preponderance towards US powders here is because the US is such a large english speaking shooting community so there is a plethora of data, books and discussion centred around US products."


I think you are quite correct in what you say dromia but I also think it is due to the stranglehold that GMK and Edgar brothers have on the market and that the majority of their products come from the states. Like you I would be perfectly happy to stick to Vectan and Vhitavuori (or TR140), I just wish that Vectan were more available. I also have chosen to go the European route for the last 10 or more years if given the choice but as you know it's a matter of what's available normally and not what you actually want.

[dromia]

It is very true that UK shooters are very poorly served by the importers who seem to have a very cynical view of the UK shooting market.

You get what they choose to sell not what the market wants to purchase, typical post modern business model where the customer is only there to be screwed as a source of profit for the business and the business has no responsibility to the customer or his/her needs.

We rarely get what we want and end buying something else that is not quiet what we want but is all that is available.

I gave up buying new years ago and buy second hand whenever I can and in lots of cases if I can't get it second hand I do without.

[Dannywayoflife]

I've done further testing with the ramshot range and the magnum is AWESOME in my 6.5x55 and the wildbore is STUNNING in my 223 with the 75 Amax! And they throw like water! Very very consistent :)

[Hauptman]

I'm using TR140 in .223/73grain Berger, 308/SMK2155, and 6BR/SMK107, all with 30" barrels, and it's fine. Why pay more?

H/man