Best powder for 308 168 bthp

JLK · January 15, 2009, 03:04 PM

I want to load some 168 grain sierra for my 308. What do you recomend for the most accurate in your experance. Would like something that meters well in a dillon press. I would be shooting in a bolt rifle using federal brass and primer. would probably use a light crimp to be able to shoot in a semi auto.
Thanks for all advice

cookhj · January 15, 2009, 03:41 PM

i don't know how it meters in a dillon, but i'm pretty fond of 41.5gr IMR 4895 with a 168 sierra.

PDXGS · January 15, 2009, 05:50 PM

I use 42 grains of RL-15 per Sierra's Suggested Accuracy Load guidelines.
RL-15 is cylindrical in shape so I'm not certain how a Dillon will throw it.

TATER · January 15, 2009, 06:20 PM

I have way too much Varget and 4895 to change direction But,
If I were using a dillon or any other progressive press, I would use a spherical powder..
With that in mind I would look at the RamShot line of powders. All Ramshot powders
are spherical. For .308 it would be TAC up to 165 grain, then BigGame for 168 up.
Though I do not use it, I have seen some really nice groups.. HTH

SNFullerAK · January 15, 2009, 06:28 PM

So far out of the loads that i have brewed up 42gr. of varget has been the best load for 168gr. It gets me 1/4 MOA groups. Seat the bullet .01-.02 off lands for target shooting or if your going to use for hunting audviously seet them to where they will fit in the magazine.

V/R
SN Fuller
USCG

BurkGlocker · January 15, 2009, 07:03 PM

I've used Varget and H4895, both with outstanding results. 43.5 grs of H4895 under Hornady 168gr BTHP in military brass with WLR primers, and 45.2grs of Varget with the same combination. I have also used the same weights of powder under 165 gr Sierra HPBT GameKings with pretty close to the same results. All of my 100 yard groups hover around .375-.500".

tbtrout · January 15, 2009, 09:12 PM

I have been using IMR 4895 for a few years with great results.

DEDON45 · January 16, 2009, 12:59 AM

Since you're using a progressive press, and want powder that will meter well in a powder measure... try Win 748... it's what I use in my LnL AP, I imagine it'll work great in the Dillon measure too. The .308 I load in it is shot in my M1a, but the ammo is darn accurate.

**Unclenick** · January 16, 2009, 01:54 AM

748, TAC, BL-C(2) and 2520 are all good sphericals for that bullet and case combination.

Waldog · January 16, 2009, 02:02 AM

I bought a 20lbs. keg of IMR 4895. I have about 1 lbs. left and it was all loaded in the 308 with 168 gr Sierra Match Kings. Wish I could still get 20 lbs kegs.

Sam06 · January 16, 2009, 05:40 PM

If you are going for real accuracy I would move back to a single stage press. I have reloaded on a dillon for years and its a good machine but when I want real accuracy I used my redding T7 in single stage mode.

For loads with the 168gr. Keep the velocity in the 2650fps area.

I am a little old school with my powders and I like stuff that will work in a gas gun or a bolt. I like IMR's 4895,3031,4064 or Varget. The thing about Varget is that its a good powder and it does a lot of things well but nothing great.

I don't know how long a barrel you have but out of my 700PSS(26"tube) my gun likes 3031 and 4895. Not sure why but it does. I think IMR4895 has been the most consistent for me. I buy in bulk also.

Use match primers(Not in a gas gun! Bolt only) and seat as far out as you can. If you are worried about fit in the magazine seat to fit. I like to keep it as close to the lands as I can and I keep the Velocity right at 2660fps measured 10' from the muzzle.

Slamfire · January 16, 2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

i don't know how it meters in a dillon, but i'm pretty fond of 41.5gr IMR 4895 with a 168 sierra.

I have used that load in match and service rifles and it shoots exceptionally well.

I use my Dillion 550 B to dump powder and seat bullets on my 308 match ammunition. I have weighed the charges of IMR 4895, to see what was going on. Basically all loads were within one grain, that is some could be +0.5, some could be -0.5.

And it made absolutely no difference on target out to 600 yards. The only place it makes a difference is in SD's and ES's over the chronograph. Weighed charges have tighter SD's/ES's.

Having shot a number of 308 powders, I like IMR 4895/AA2495/H4895 the best in the 308. IMR 3031 and IMR 4064 shot just as well, but are longer grained. AA2520 throws well, shoots well, but does not seem to have as large a sweet spot as the stick powders.

AA4064 is a sleeper in the 308. It is short grained, slower burning version of IMR 4064. It shot very well in 100 yard load testing.

Dirty Bill · January 17, 2009, 07:33 PM

I really like varget,but I can change.(I'm almost out) I like to have powder on hand that will load several calibers.

P.S. my .308 is an M1-A scout.

maggys drawers · January 17, 2009, 09:25 PM

Give AA2520 a look. It's a spherical powder that meters like a dream. I have had good results with it and like it as well as Varget.

January 15, 2009, 03:04 PM	#1
JLK Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2001 Posts: 135	Best powder for 308 168 bthp I want to load some 168 grain sierra for my 308. What do you recomend for the most accurate in your experance. Would like something that meters well in a dillon press. I would be shooting in a bolt rifle using federal brass and primer. would probably use a light crimp to be able to shoot in a semi auto. Thanks for all advice __________________ Rsrc

January 15, 2009, 03:41 PM	#2
cookhj Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2001 Posts: 330	i don't know how it meters in a dillon, but i'm pretty fond of 41.5gr IMR 4895 with a 168 sierra. __________________ You may be whatever you resolve to be. - Gen. TJ "Stonewall" Jackson

January 15, 2009, 05:50 PM	#3
PDXGS Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Aloha, Oregon, USA, Earth Posts: 204	I use 42 grains of RL-15 per Sierra's Suggested Accuracy Load guidelines. RL-15 is cylindrical in shape so I'm not certain how a Dillon will throw it. __________________ "He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"-HST-Rest in Peace

January 16, 2009, 01:54 AM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	748, TAC, BL-C(2) and 2520 are all good sphericals for that bullet and case combination. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 16, 2009, 02:02 AM	#10
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	I bought a 20lbs. keg of IMR 4895. I have about 1 lbs. left and it was all loaded in the 308 with 168 gr Sierra Match Kings. Wish I could still get 20 lbs kegs. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

January 15, 2009, 06:20 PM	#4
TATER Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 963	I have way too much Varget and 4895 to change direction But, If I were using a dillon or any other progressive press, I would use a spherical powder.. With that in mind I would look at the RamShot line of powders. All Ramshot powders are spherical. For .308 it would be TAC up to 165 grain, then BigGame for 168 up. Though I do not use it, I have seen some really nice groups.. HTH

January 15, 2009, 06:28 PM	#5
SNFullerAK Junior Member Join Date: January 13, 2009 Location: Kodiak, Alaska Posts: 11	So far out of the loads that i have brewed up 42gr. of varget has been the best load for 168gr. It gets me 1/4 MOA groups. Seat the bullet .01-.02 off lands for target shooting or if your going to use for hunting audviously seet them to where they will fit in the magazine. V/R SN Fuller USCG

January 15, 2009, 07:03 PM	#6
BurkGlocker Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2008 Location: Sheppard AFB, TX Posts: 568	I've used Varget and H4895, both with outstanding results. 43.5 grs of H4895 under Hornady 168gr BTHP in military brass with WLR primers, and 45.2grs of Varget with the same combination. I have also used the same weights of powder under 165 gr Sierra HPBT GameKings with pretty close to the same results. All of my 100 yard groups hover around .375-.500".

January 15, 2009, 09:12 PM	#7
tbtrout Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 234	I have been using IMR 4895 for a few years with great results.

January 16, 2009, 12:59 AM	#8
DEDON45 Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2008 Posts: 278	Since you're using a progressive press, and want powder that will meter well in a powder measure... try Win 748... it's what I use in my LnL AP, I imagine it'll work great in the Dillon measure too. The .308 I load in it is shot in my M1a, but the ammo is darn accurate.

January 16, 2009, 05:40 PM	#11
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	If you are going for real accuracy I would move back to a single stage press. I have reloaded on a dillon for years and its a good machine but when I want real accuracy I used my redding T7 in single stage mode. For loads with the 168gr. Keep the velocity in the 2650fps area. I am a little old school with my powders and I like stuff that will work in a gas gun or a bolt. I like IMR's 4895,3031,4064 or Varget. The thing about Varget is that its a good powder and it does a lot of things well but nothing great. I don't know how long a barrel you have but out of my 700PSS(26"tube) my gun likes 3031 and 4895. Not sure why but it does. I think IMR4895 has been the most consistent for me. I buy in bulk also. Use match primers(Not in a gas gun! Bolt only) and seat as far out as you can. If you are worried about fit in the magazine seat to fit. I like to keep it as close to the lands as I can and I keep the Velocity right at 2660fps measured 10' from the muzzle. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

January 17, 2009, 07:33 PM	#13
Dirty Bill Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2008 Location: West by God Virginia Posts: 109	I really like varget,but I can change.(I'm almost out) I like to have powder on hand that will load several calibers. P.S. my .308 is an M1-A scout.

January 17, 2009, 09:25 PM	#14
maggys drawers Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2006 Posts: 178	Give AA2520 a look. It's a spherical powder that meters like a dream. I have had good results with it and like it as well as Varget.