Handloading .308 Winchester for a short barrel

Scribe · April 3, 2022, 11:58 AM

Hi all, I’ve been reloading pistol cartridges for years and am now moving into rifle cartridges. Any suggestions as to which would be the best powder for .308 Winchester, 150 grain bullet for use in a rifle with a 27 1/2 inch barrel.
Many thanks.

kilotanker22 · April 3, 2022, 12:27 PM

27.5 inch barrel is what I would consider.to be on the long side for 308. Did you mean 17.5 inches? If so, Varget and Power Pro Varmint work well for me.

Nathan · April 3, 2022, 12:38 PM

Are you sure it is 27.5”? What kind of action is it?

ligonierbill · April 3, 2022, 01:01 PM

Short barrel (27.5" is very long) or long, Reloder 15, Winchester 748, CFE223. Or most any similar burn rate powder.

Bart B. · April 3, 2022, 01:19 PM

IMR4895 has been very successful in match rifles chambered for the 308 using 150 to 155 grain bullets.

Ball powders have never been popular among match winners. Most require magnum primers for best accuracy.

Scribe · April 3, 2022, 01:20 PM

My apologies, the rifle is a custom Scout Rifle with a 17 1/2 inch barrel.

hounddawg · April 3, 2022, 01:32 PM

I have had good luck with several different powders Varget, Tac, IMR 4166, IMR 4064. Never used 150 gn bullets though. 155.5's and 168's mostly

**Unclenick** · April 3, 2022, 01:54 PM

H4895, which is slightly faster than the IMR product is another good choice. Another one I've come to like for 30 cal 150-grain bullets is VV N135.

Mike / Tx · April 3, 2022, 07:23 PM

I have two 308s, one with a 16.5" and the other 18".

I tried most of the highly recommended powders and nada. Decided to work up some reduced loads for the oldest grandson when he was a tot, and went with H4895. As he grew so did the charge weight and turned out to work just fine with 150gr bullets.

I personally went with the bulk Rem CL due to using them for feral hogs, and they just worked great. If you could find either one you would would be good to go.

Sharkbite · April 3, 2022, 09:15 PM

I load IMR4064 for my 16.5” FN bolt gun

wachtelhund1 · April 4, 2022, 12:52 PM

4064 is the way to go for 308 win.

Bart B. · April 4, 2022, 01:35 PM

IMR4320 is good for 190's, IMR4350 for 200 grain bullets.

GeauxTide · April 4, 2022, 08:16 PM

The best 308 load I've ever used is 42gr of H4895 for 150 or 165gr bullets. The 150gr load runs 2588 from 20" and has an ES of 22fps. Both bullets print into less than a 1/2".

**Unclenick** · April 5, 2022, 10:35 AM

Unfortunately, IMR 4320 has been discontinued.

longrangeshooter · April 5, 2022, 11:29 AM

I've loaded for .308 for many years for scout rifles like the Savage Scout and on through precision rifles. My experience has been that Varget and a 172 grain Sierra Matchking bullet is the best for me anyway. MOA groups at least out to 500 yards. Watch out for what Geaux Tide says, you gotta watch out for those Bama fans. Of course I live in Auburn but that doesn't have anything to do with anything, just having some fun. Back to serious, I've had excellent service with Matchkings and Varget.

Rick H.

Paul B. · April 5, 2022, 02:21 PM

A lot of good powders have been mentioned. One of my .308s is a Ruger tang safety RSI with a Mannlicher style stock and 18.5" barrel. A real one trick pony as the only thing that works in it is 49.0 gr. W760, Winchester brass and WLR primer. Change any one of those components and accuracy goes all to hell and gone. The load also works well in a Winchester M70 with 22" barrel. Velocity from the 18.5" is 2550 FPS and 2610 FPS from the 22" barrel. I've used the 18." rifle out as far as 250 yards on large Arizona Mule Deer.
Paul B.

308Loader · April 5, 2022, 04:06 PM

IMR4064 and Varget do great for me. 150 to 180gr bullets in a 20+" barrel. Might be slow or wasted powder in 16.5". BLC-2 and CFE223 might work well in a shorter barrel, just a guess, haven't tried them as I don't have a 16" 308.

bamaranger · April 5, 2022, 05:23 PM

IMR 4064 has been my standard .308 powder for over 40 years. Barrel lengths 18, 20 and 22 inches, 150 gr Sierra Pro Hunter for game, 147 gr GI FMJ for practice. Most recent rifle the short barreled Ruger Predator, what a gem!

I use Varget and 175 Match Kings when I shot a wee bit of F -T/R in a long barreled match .308, and a Savage Hog rifle with 180 gr Ballistic Tips uses Varget as well.

Five .308 rifles I'm my safe.

**Unclenick** · April 5, 2022, 09:32 PM

The same powder that produces the highest velocity in a 32" .308 Winchester barrel produces the highest velocity in a 16" barrel, though it will do it with a lot more muzzle blast in the short one.

Metal god · April 5, 2022, 11:19 PM

H4895 is a great powder in my 18” AR-10 pushing 150’s . I use H-335 as well , it’s ok and meters great for throwing charges . IMR-8208xbr would be another powder that would likely work similarly to H-4895 .

As I sit here writing it occurs to me there are to many powders that would work just fine . The 308 is pretty easy to load , it likes many powders ;-)

MarkCO · April 6, 2022, 08:43 AM

Shorter barrel, lighter slugs, TAC. Try it or don't, but better than most of the suggestions above.

Bart B. · April 6, 2022, 01:19 PM

One of the best long range loads I've seen with 308 ammo was Sierra 250 grain HPMK's in a 30 inch 1:8 twist barrel.

**Unclenick** · April 6, 2022, 04:07 PM

What was the powder used in that load?

Nathan · April 6, 2022, 07:53 PM

Looking at Quickload, it seems like:
IMR3031
CFE223
Ramshot Big Game
IMR 4895
BL-C2

All produce similar performance….Around 2700fps and about 100% fill.

Bart B. · April 6, 2022, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclenick

What was the powder used in that load?

As I rember back to 1987, David Tubb used IMR4350. He used that load across 3 days in the USA 1988 Palma Team triouts.

Sierra made that bullet for only a year or two. Copper quality wasn't normally good enough to make extra long heavy bullet jackets uniform enough,

April 3, 2022, 11:58 AM	#1
Scribe Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2005 Location: England Posts: 249	Handloading .308 Winchester for a short barrel Hi all, I’ve been reloading pistol cartridges for years and am now moving into rifle cartridges. Any suggestions as to which would be the best powder for .308 Winchester, 150 grain bullet for use in a rifle with a 27 1/2 inch barrel. Many thanks.

April 3, 2022, 12:27 PM	#2
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	27.5 inch barrel is what I would consider.to be on the long side for 308. Did you mean 17.5 inches? If so, Varget and Power Pro Varmint work well for me. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

April 3, 2022, 01:32 PM	#7
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 4,232	I have had good luck with several different powders Varget, Tac, IMR 4166, IMR 4064. Never used 150 gn bullets though. 155.5's and 168's mostly __________________ “How do I get to the next level?” Well, you get to the next level by being the first one on the range and the last one to leave.” – Jerry Miculek

April 3, 2022, 01:54 PM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	H4895, which is slightly faster than the IMR product is another good choice. Another one I've come to like for 30 cal 150-grain bullets is VV N135. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 3, 2022, 07:23 PM	#9
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I have two 308s, one with a 16.5" and the other 18". I tried most of the highly recommended powders and nada. Decided to work up some reduced loads for the oldest grandson when he was a tot, and went with H4895. As he grew so did the charge weight and turned out to work just fine with 150gr bullets. I personally went with the bulk Rem CL due to using them for feral hogs, and they just worked great. If you could find either one you would would be good to go. __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

April 3, 2022, 12:38 PM	#3
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	Are you sure it is 27.5”? What kind of action is it?

April 3, 2022, 01:01 PM	#4
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,454	Short barrel (27.5" is very long) or long, Reloder 15, Winchester 748, CFE223. Or most any similar burn rate powder.

April 3, 2022, 01:19 PM	#5
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	IMR4895 has been very successful in match rifles chambered for the 308 using 150 to 155 grain bullets. Ball powders have never been popular among match winners. Most require magnum primers for best accuracy.

April 3, 2022, 01:20 PM	#6
Scribe Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2005 Location: England Posts: 249	My apologies, the rifle is a custom Scout Rifle with a 17 1/2 inch barrel.

April 3, 2022, 09:15 PM	#10
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	I load IMR4064 for my 16.5” FN bolt gun

April 4, 2022, 12:52 PM	#11
wachtelhund1 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2007 Location: pelican lake, WI Posts: 414	4064 is the way to go for 308 win.

April 4, 2022, 01:35 PM	#12
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	IMR4320 is good for 190's, IMR4350 for 200 grain bullets.

April 4, 2022, 08:16 PM	#13
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	The best 308 load I've ever used is 42gr of H4895 for 150 or 165gr bullets. The 150gr load runs 2588 from 20" and has an ES of 22fps. Both bullets print into less than a 1/2". __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

April 5, 2022, 10:35 AM	#14
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Unfortunately, IMR 4320 has been discontinued. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 5, 2022, 11:29 AM	#15
longrangeshooter Junior Member Join Date: October 8, 2021 Posts: 13	I've loaded for .308 for many years for scout rifles like the Savage Scout and on through precision rifles. My experience has been that Varget and a 172 grain Sierra Matchking bullet is the best for me anyway. MOA groups at least out to 500 yards. Watch out for what Geaux Tide says, you gotta watch out for those Bama fans. Of course I live in Auburn but that doesn't have anything to do with anything, just having some fun. Back to serious, I've had excellent service with Matchkings and Varget. Rick H.

April 5, 2022, 02:21 PM	#16
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	A lot of good powders have been mentioned. One of my .308s is a Ruger tang safety RSI with a Mannlicher style stock and 18.5" barrel. A real one trick pony as the only thing that works in it is 49.0 gr. W760, Winchester brass and WLR primer. Change any one of those components and accuracy goes all to hell and gone. The load also works well in a Winchester M70 with 22" barrel. Velocity from the 18.5" is 2550 FPS and 2610 FPS from the 22" barrel. I've used the 18." rifle out as far as 250 yards on large Arizona Mule Deer. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

April 5, 2022, 04:06 PM	#17
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	IMR4064 and Varget do great for me. 150 to 180gr bullets in a 20+" barrel. Might be slow or wasted powder in 16.5". BLC-2 and CFE223 might work well in a shorter barrel, just a guess, haven't tried them as I don't have a 16" 308. __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

April 5, 2022, 05:23 PM	#18
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	Go to powder IMR 4064 has been my standard .308 powder for over 40 years. Barrel lengths 18, 20 and 22 inches, 150 gr Sierra Pro Hunter for game, 147 gr GI FMJ for practice. Most recent rifle the short barreled Ruger Predator, what a gem! I use Varget and 175 Match Kings when I shot a wee bit of F -T/R in a long barreled match .308, and a Savage Hog rifle with 180 gr Ballistic Tips uses Varget as well. Five .308 rifles I'm my safe.

April 5, 2022, 09:32 PM	#19
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	The same powder that produces the highest velocity in a 32" .308 Winchester barrel produces the highest velocity in a 16" barrel, though it will do it with a lot more muzzle blast in the short one. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 5, 2022, 11:19 PM	#20
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	H4895 is a great powder in my 18” AR-10 pushing 150’s . I use H-335 as well , it’s ok and meters great for throwing charges . IMR-8208xbr would be another powder that would likely work similarly to H-4895 . As I sit here writing it occurs to me there are to many powders that would work just fine . The 308 is pretty easy to load , it likes many powders ;-) __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

April 6, 2022, 08:43 AM	#21
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	Shorter barrel, lighter slugs, TAC. Try it or don't, but better than most of the suggestions above. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

April 6, 2022, 01:19 PM	#22
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	One of the best long range loads I've seen with 308 ammo was Sierra 250 grain HPMK's in a 30 inch 1:8 twist barrel.

April 6, 2022, 04:07 PM	#23
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	What was the powder used in that load? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

April 6, 2022, 07:53 PM	#24
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,331	Looking at Quickload, it seems like: IMR3031 CFE223 Ramshot Big Game IMR 4895 BL-C2 All produce similar performance….Around 2700fps and about 100% fill.