Best DPMS 308 Powder?

tank1949 · December 23, 2013, 10:35 PM

I am getting ready to purchase a DPMS 308 24" but don't know best powder to use. My M1A and M1 Garand seem to prefer faster burning rifle powder vs. slower burning. As most Garand owners know, the weapon's op rods don't like slower burning powder and can be damaged. I am not sure if a slower burning powder has any affect on the DPMS 308 gas system. I suspect the burn rates should perform like the ones already preferred by M1A users. I also want to use an "extreme" temperature stable type powder but get maximum velocity and accuracy and NOT damage the weapon. Any recommendations?

Damon555 · December 23, 2013, 11:56 PM

I've been loading for a DPMS LR-308 24 bull barrel also. I tried varget, H335 and H4895 with no problems what so ever. The rifle runs like a Swiss watch, I love it. Use published loads and you shouldn't have any issues.....

ronl · December 23, 2013, 11:58 PM

Varget, RL-15, IMR 4895, 4064. All of those will work well. The AR systems are less picky as to port pressure because of the design. No op rods to bend.

hodaka · December 24, 2013, 07:43 AM

Ronl is right. You don't have the issues that you do with a Garand. I tried Varfet, 4895, 4350 and ended up favoring 4064.

tobnpr · December 24, 2013, 01:33 PM

From a standard SAAMI chamber, I can't see how the round could ever know whether it's in a bolt gun or a semi...

Meaning, it's the rate of twist, length of the barrel and the usual "individuality" of barrel harmonics that comes into play here- with the added limitation of mag length.

Just mounted the scope on my son's "Xmas" DPMS LR-308, and when we head to the range to see what it likes to eat, the same load as his Savage bolt .308 will be on the menu (43.5 of Varget under a 175 SMK).

Varget is most always the powder of choice for the .308.

tank1949 · December 24, 2013, 11:29 PM

I was hoping for a slower powder to get best volicity and accuracy but more are telling me to stick with the same burn rates that M1As like: 4064,4895, Varget, 8208.

thx!

tobnpr · December 25, 2013, 12:33 PM

No expert here on burn rates, and honestly I don't test a gazillion different powders and charge weights when doing load development. I'll do an OCW test with a couple of different powders, and go with the best result.

But burn rate selected is somewhat depended on the weight of the pill you're pushing down the bore, and the diameter of the bore (as it relates to the volume of the gas you're burning).

As we shoot only long-range, we use heavier, high-bc bullets (incl. VLD's) and these generally require slower burning powders. Lighter bullets don't require the same "kick in the azz" to get moving- and faster burning powders may yield better results.

"Best velocity" and "accuracy" are unrelated. I've never had a max load that yielded best accuracy, but I know it happens. Velocity is definitely an important consideration for long-range, but if that's not the application I would see it as mostly irrelevant.

At least, that's how I understand it...others here know much more.

Jimro · December 25, 2013, 12:42 PM

Quote:

I also want to use an "extreme" temperature stable type powder but get maximum velocity and accuracy and NOT damage the weapon. Any recommendations?

Velocity
Accuracy
Safe

Pick any two. I recommend accurate and safe. Any powder from CFE223, PowerPro 2000, Reloader 15, Varget, IMR4895, IMR4064, Win748, BLC-2, will work just fine.

I recommend IMR4064 for accuracy, it seems to be more temp stable than Reloader 15, and more consistent between lots than Varget. Unless you have a progress press you intend to use, then I recommend Power Pro 2000.

Jimro

rogn · December 25, 2013, 01:05 PM

Hogdon's CFE223 seems to give god function, cleanliness, velocity and accuracy in my AR10. Only a few dozen rounds so far but results are god in bolt gun too.

tank1949 · December 25, 2013, 09:08 PM

I have experienced good results with H4895 over a wide range of range temps using it in M1A. I thought 223 was hot stuff. I tried it in M1A with poor accuracy but
great metering. My best in M1A was H4895 and IMR 8208. I plan on shooting 168-175 SMK or equalvlant. Mostly 168 SMKs. 24" barrel should get me 2700 fps. I also believ that DPMS barrels are 1x11.25 not 1x10??????

tobnpr · December 25, 2013, 09:17 PM

The LR-308 with the 24" stainless bull barrel we just unboxed is stamped 1 in 10.

December 23, 2013, 10:35 PM	#1
tank1949 member Join Date: November 12, 2012 Posts: 243	Best DPMS 308 Powder? I am getting ready to purchase a DPMS 308 24" but don't know best powder to use. My M1A and M1 Garand seem to prefer faster burning rifle powder vs. slower burning. As most Garand owners know, the weapon's op rods don't like slower burning powder and can be damaged. I am not sure if a slower burning powder has any affect on the DPMS 308 gas system. I suspect the burn rates should perform like the ones already preferred by M1A users. I also want to use an "extreme" temperature stable type powder but get maximum velocity and accuracy and NOT damage the weapon. Any recommendations?

December 24, 2013, 01:33 PM	#5
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	From a standard SAAMI chamber, I can't see how the round could ever know whether it's in a bolt gun or a semi... Meaning, it's the rate of twist, length of the barrel and the usual "individuality" of barrel harmonics that comes into play here- with the added limitation of mag length. Just mounted the scope on my son's "Xmas" DPMS LR-308, and when we head to the range to see what it likes to eat, the same load as his Savage bolt .308 will be on the menu (43.5 of Varget under a 175 SMK). Varget is most always the powder of choice for the .308. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

December 25, 2013, 12:33 PM	#7
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	No expert here on burn rates, and honestly I don't test a gazillion different powders and charge weights when doing load development. I'll do an OCW test with a couple of different powders, and go with the best result. But burn rate selected is somewhat depended on the weight of the pill you're pushing down the bore, and the diameter of the bore (as it relates to the volume of the gas you're burning). As we shoot only long-range, we use heavier, high-bc bullets (incl. VLD's) and these generally require slower burning powders. Lighter bullets don't require the same "kick in the azz" to get moving- and faster burning powders may yield better results. "Best velocity" and "accuracy" are unrelated. I've never had a max load that yielded best accuracy, but I know it happens. Velocity is definitely an important consideration for long-range, but if that's not the application I would see it as mostly irrelevant. At least, that's how I understand it...others here know much more. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

December 25, 2013, 09:17 PM	#11
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	The LR-308 with the 24" stainless bull barrel we just unboxed is stamped 1 in 10. __________________ Remington 700/Savage Rebarreling /Action Blueprinting 07 FFL /Mosin-Nagant Custom Shop/Bent Bolts Genuine Cerakote Applicator www.biggorillagunworks.com

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December 23, 2013, 11:56 PM	#2
Damon555 Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Posts: 384	I've been loading for a DPMS LR-308 24 bull barrel also. I tried varget, H335 and H4895 with no problems what so ever. The rifle runs like a Swiss watch, I love it. Use published loads and you shouldn't have any issues.....

December 23, 2013, 11:58 PM	#3
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	Varget, RL-15, IMR 4895, 4064. All of those will work well. The AR systems are less picky as to port pressure because of the design. No op rods to bend.

December 24, 2013, 07:43 AM	#4
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	Ronl is right. You don't have the issues that you do with a Garand. I tried Varfet, 4895, 4350 and ended up favoring 4064.

December 24, 2013, 11:29 PM	#6
tank1949 member Join Date: November 12, 2012 Posts: 243	I was hoping for a slower powder to get best volicity and accuracy but more are telling me to stick with the same burn rates that M1As like: 4064,4895, Varget, 8208. thx!

December 25, 2013, 01:05 PM	#9
rogn Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2005 Posts: 203	Hogdon's CFE223 seems to give god function, cleanliness, velocity and accuracy in my AR10. Only a few dozen rounds so far but results are god in bolt gun too.

December 25, 2013, 09:08 PM	#10
tank1949 member Join Date: November 12, 2012 Posts: 243	I have experienced good results with H4895 over a wide range of range temps using it in M1A. I thought 223 was hot stuff. I tried it in M1A with poor accuracy but great metering. My best in M1A was H4895 and IMR 8208. I plan on shooting 168-175 SMK or equalvlant. Mostly 168 SMKs. 24" barrel should get me 2700 fps. I also believ that DPMS barrels are 1x11.25 not 1x10??????