Powder for My .308

straz · May 13, 2008, 11:06 AM

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what powder I should start reloading in my .308 if i want to shoot a 168gr. BTHP. In my book there are so many powders to choose from, where do I start? I dont want to buy the 10 different powders they list just to find that only one gives me the accuracy I want.

MNgunnerbmg · May 13, 2008, 11:17 AM

You will have real good luck with IMR 4064 or Varget....

Wildalaska · May 13, 2008, 11:42 AM

RL 15 gives me sub 1/2" 5 shot groups.

WildrlfanAlaska ™

rn22723 · May 13, 2008, 11:43 AM

You need to pay attention to the brass that the data is using. If you look at the Hodgdon web site they use WW brass. Whereas, Sierra uses Federal brass.

I would look at:
Varget
RL15
IMR 3031
IMR 4895
IMR 4064

whiplash · May 13, 2008, 11:50 AM

Varget and or RL15

TimRB · May 13, 2008, 11:54 AM

If you are shooting an M1A/M14 you need to pay attention to the powder burn rate or you could damage your rifle. You can't go wrong with H (or IMR) 4895.

Tim

boltgun71 · May 13, 2008, 12:04 PM

I stick with IMR-4895 or IMR-4064 for my .308's with great accuracy results.

Smokey Joe · May 13, 2008, 01:03 PM

Straz--I load 165 grain bullets in .308 Win, but all the manuals say that loads for 165's can be used with 168's and vice versa. The difference, apparently, is too small to futz with.

Anyhow, I get XLNT results using IMR 4350, or H 380, loading for the .308.

Dragunov54 · May 13, 2008, 05:25 PM

I shoot 175 gr Sierra Match BTHP through my Savage .308 rifle. For powder, I like using Accurate 2520. Good powder for 168 gr and up.

T. O'Heir · May 13, 2008, 08:17 PM

I've always started with the powder given for the accuracy load. Mind you, Not all maunals give one. Lyman does.
IMR4064 gives consistent accuracy with 168 grain match bullets though.

May 13, 2008, 11:06 AM	#1
straz Junior Member Join Date: May 1, 2008 Location: virginia Posts: 10	Powder for My .308 I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what powder I should start reloading in my .308 if i want to shoot a 168gr. BTHP. In my book there are so many powders to choose from, where do I start? I dont want to buy the 10 different powders they list just to find that only one gives me the accuracy I want.

May 13, 2008, 01:03 PM	#8
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	A minority report... Straz--I load 165 grain bullets in .308 Win, but all the manuals say that loads for 165's can be used with 168's and vice versa. The difference, apparently, is too small to futz with. Anyhow, I get XLNT results using IMR 4350, or H 380, loading for the .308. __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe

May 13, 2008, 08:17 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	I've always started with the powder given for the accuracy load. Mind you, Not all maunals give one. Lyman does. IMR4064 gives consistent accuracy with 168 grain match bullets though. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

May 13, 2008, 11:17 AM	#2
MNgunnerbmg Junior Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Posts: 1	You will have real good luck with IMR 4064 or Varget....

May 13, 2008, 11:42 AM	#3
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	RL 15 gives me sub 1/2" 5 shot groups. WildrlfanAlaska ™

May 13, 2008, 11:43 AM	#4
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	You need to pay attention to the brass that the data is using. If you look at the Hodgdon web site they use WW brass. Whereas, Sierra uses Federal brass. I would look at: Varget RL15 IMR 3031 IMR 4895 IMR 4064

May 13, 2008, 11:50 AM	#5
whiplash Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 334	Varget and or RL15

May 13, 2008, 11:54 AM	#6
TimRB Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 1,049	If you are shooting an M1A/M14 you need to pay attention to the powder burn rate or you could damage your rifle. You can't go wrong with H (or IMR) 4895. Tim

May 13, 2008, 12:04 PM	#7
boltgun71 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 547	I stick with IMR-4895 or IMR-4064 for my .308's with great accuracy results.

May 13, 2008, 05:25 PM	#9
Dragunov54 Member Join Date: April 27, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 52	I shoot 175 gr Sierra Match BTHP through my Savage .308 rifle. For powder, I like using Accurate 2520. Good powder for 168 gr and up.