Right powder for .308????

cavscout515 · October 23, 2007, 05:50 PM

I am new to reloading. I have some manuals and some local support. But being new I am confused as to what the best powder is. I shoot a Savage model 12 with 26" heavy barrel thats a couple years old, pre-accutrigger. Shooting american eagle 150gr's I get .5 groups at 100 yrds, but im trying to save money and experiment at longer ranges. I will be loading primarily Sierra MK 168gr. Now reading these forums and others I'm leaning towards IMR 4895 and/or RL15. And I'm hearing to stay away from Varget? Anyone have any input on this? Thanks

Jim Watson · October 23, 2007, 05:55 PM

There is something wrong with Varget?
Oh my, I just bought another 8 pounds. I guess the first ten weren't enough to show me why I should stay away from it. (Either brand of "4895" or Re 15 will do fine if you have been scared off of Varget) Don't overanalyze it, go shooting.

Red_Eagle · October 23, 2007, 06:10 PM

I've had the best luck with Varget and RL-15.

boltgun71 · October 23, 2007, 06:37 PM

I have had great results with IMR-4895 and IMR-4064 in my .308 using 168gr HPBT's. I have several friends who use Varget with great results also. There all good, just pick one and have fun experimenting.

cavscout515 · October 23, 2007, 07:03 PM

Thanks for the input. There is just way to many choices for a newbie to choose from!

tbtrout · October 23, 2007, 08:23 PM

I have great results with IMR 4895 and a friend prefers IMR 4064

rn22723 · October 23, 2007, 10:43 PM

Man who ever related stay away from Varget is NUTZ!

Varget is my choice, except for heavy bullets then N540 shines with 185gr Scenars.
RL15 not a bad choice.
IMR4895 got me through my highpowder days in 8# cans just fine.
IMR4064 is not shabby either.....

Red_Eagle · October 25, 2007, 03:04 PM

Like I said, my only 1st hand experiance is with Varget and RL-15. Although I have put togather a load using H-335 that I haven't tested yet. When the weather warms up again I'm planning on trying out BL(C)-2 and IMR-3031. But my 1st choise would be RL-15. It got my Ruger 77 to do 1 1/4". Not bad for a barrel that light.

Jim Watson · October 25, 2007, 03:18 PM

Frankly, I cannot tell the difference on target between any of the extruded powders named. I think you would do better to settle on one reasonably suitable grade and do your experimenting with different bullets, seating, and velocities. I rang the changes on powders and did not find anything clearly better than Varget (or Re 15, or 4064). Not clearly worse, either, so if you can get them easier, go ahead.

Ball process powders meter great but in two out of three guns I tried, gave less accurate loads.

alan · October 25, 2007, 03:58 PM

cavscout515:

Speaking from personal experience loading for BOLT ACTION RIFLES, I noted the following powders that seemed to work quite well.

IMR 4895
IMR 3031
WC846, this last being a mil. surplus sperical (ball) powder.

4895 worked well with bullets in the range of 168 through and including 190 grains. Ditto for 3031, as I recall.

846 worked well for 200 and 300 yard rapid fire stages, with bullets running from 168 to 173 grain, the last mentioned being FA Match Projectiles.

For the most part, I used Match Brass, either Lake City or Federal. Winchester STANDARD Large Rifle Primers used exclusively.

Hope this helps.

Wildalaska · October 25, 2007, 04:11 PM

40 grains RL15, Fed 210m. neck sized lapua cases, 185 Scenars, oal 2.80.

WildsubmoaAlaska ™

SDDL-UP · October 27, 2007, 02:16 PM

Plenty of great powders for a 308! Varget is one of the best and it's not temperature sensitive like most others, that can be a top consideration depending on where you live.

Varget
BL-C(2)
AA 2520

Those listed by others.

Linear Thinker · October 27, 2007, 02:55 PM

My choices for 308 with 168gr MKs are: AA2520 and N140.
Accurate Arms powder provides good accuracy, meters well, and is less expensive than Vihta's, but N140 is very clean and gives me slightly better accuracy.
So, I load with 2520 for semis, and with N140 for bolt guns.
LT

Trapper L · October 27, 2007, 04:50 PM

IMR 4895 is THE powder for the 308 when used in an autoloader like the M1A or similiar. But you have a bolt gun which opens the door for better powders. I use either IMR 4064 or AA2520 in all of the 308 ammo I load. AA2520 is almost identical to IMR 4064 in burn rate so you can think of it as Ball 4064. The AA2520 will meter better if you are using a measure. Try 47.0 gr AA2520 under a 125 gr TNT bullet. That load shoots under an inch in every 308 I've shot it in. It's a fabulous varmint round but not for taking hides- the bullet has a tendency to go to dust on impact and wound channels are large enough to stand in. It is not for edible game hunting.

rrp · October 27, 2007, 05:56 PM

I use 43 gr of Varget with 168 gr match hp with the best results I have ever had with my Rem 700 sps 308. It is the most consistant sub moa of any round I have ever shot.

October 23, 2007, 05:50 PM	#1
cavscout515 Junior Member Join Date: October 23, 2007 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 5	Right powder for .308???? I am new to reloading. I have some manuals and some local support. But being new I am confused as to what the best powder is. I shoot a Savage model 12 with 26" heavy barrel thats a couple years old, pre-accutrigger. Shooting american eagle 150gr's I get .5 groups at 100 yrds, but im trying to save money and experiment at longer ranges. I will be loading primarily Sierra MK 168gr. Now reading these forums and others I'm leaning towards IMR 4895 and/or RL15. And I'm hearing to stay away from Varget? Anyone have any input on this? Thanks

October 27, 2007, 02:16 PM	#12
SDDL-UP Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 205	Plenty of great powders for a 308! Varget is one of the best and it's not temperature sensitive like most others, that can be a top consideration depending on where you live. Varget BL-C(2) AA 2520 Those listed by others. __________________ Arm yourself, arm a friend!

October 27, 2007, 02:55 PM	#13
Linear Thinker Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Location: Blue State, NE US Posts: 202	My choices for 308 with 168gr MKs are: AA2520 and N140. Accurate Arms powder provides good accuracy, meters well, and is less expensive than Vihta's, but N140 is very clean and gives me slightly better accuracy. So, I load with 2520 for semis, and with N140 for bolt guns. LT Last edited by Linear Thinker; October 27, 2007 at 10:39 PM.

October 27, 2007, 05:56 PM	#15
rrp Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2006 Location: west central Wi Posts: 300	308 powder I use 43 gr of Varget with 168 gr match hp with the best results I have ever had with my Rem 700 sps 308. It is the most consistant sub moa of any round I have ever shot.

October 23, 2007, 05:55 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	There is something wrong with Varget? Oh my, I just bought another 8 pounds. I guess the first ten weren't enough to show me why I should stay away from it. (Either brand of "4895" or Re 15 will do fine if you have been scared off of Varget) Don't overanalyze it, go shooting.

October 23, 2007, 06:10 PM	#3
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I've had the best luck with Varget and RL-15.

October 23, 2007, 06:37 PM	#4
boltgun71 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 547	I have had great results with IMR-4895 and IMR-4064 in my .308 using 168gr HPBT's. I have several friends who use Varget with great results also. There all good, just pick one and have fun experimenting.

October 23, 2007, 07:03 PM	#5
cavscout515 Junior Member Join Date: October 23, 2007 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 5	Thanks for the input. There is just way to many choices for a newbie to choose from!

October 23, 2007, 08:23 PM	#6
tbtrout Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 234	I have great results with IMR 4895 and a friend prefers IMR 4064

October 23, 2007, 10:43 PM	#7
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	Man who ever related stay away from Varget is NUTZ! Varget is my choice, except for heavy bullets then N540 shines with 185gr Scenars. RL15 not a bad choice. IMR4895 got me through my highpowder days in 8# cans just fine. IMR4064 is not shabby either.....

October 25, 2007, 03:04 PM	#8
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	Like I said, my only 1st hand experiance is with Varget and RL-15. Although I have put togather a load using H-335 that I haven't tested yet. When the weather warms up again I'm planning on trying out BL(C)-2 and IMR-3031. But my 1st choise would be RL-15. It got my Ruger 77 to do 1 1/4". Not bad for a barrel that light.

October 25, 2007, 03:18 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	Frankly, I cannot tell the difference on target between any of the extruded powders named. I think you would do better to settle on one reasonably suitable grade and do your experimenting with different bullets, seating, and velocities. I rang the changes on powders and did not find anything clearly better than Varget (or Re 15, or 4064). Not clearly worse, either, so if you can get them easier, go ahead. Ball process powders meter great but in two out of three guns I tried, gave less accurate loads.

October 25, 2007, 03:58 PM	#10
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	cavscout515: Speaking from personal experience loading for BOLT ACTION RIFLES, I noted the following powders that seemed to work quite well. IMR 4895 IMR 3031 WC846, this last being a mil. surplus sperical (ball) powder. 4895 worked well with bullets in the range of 168 through and including 190 grains. Ditto for 3031, as I recall. 846 worked well for 200 and 300 yard rapid fire stages, with bullets running from 168 to 173 grain, the last mentioned being FA Match Projectiles. For the most part, I used Match Brass, either Lake City or Federal. Winchester STANDARD Large Rifle Primers used exclusively. Hope this helps.

October 25, 2007, 04:11 PM	#11
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	40 grains RL15, Fed 210m. neck sized lapua cases, 185 Scenars, oal 2.80. WildsubmoaAlaska ™

October 27, 2007, 04:50 PM	#14
Trapper L Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 804	IMR 4895 is THE powder for the 308 when used in an autoloader like the M1A or similiar. But you have a bolt gun which opens the door for better powders. I use either IMR 4064 or AA2520 in all of the 308 ammo I load. AA2520 is almost identical to IMR 4064 in burn rate so you can think of it as Ball 4064. The AA2520 will meter better if you are using a measure. Try 47.0 gr AA2520 under a 125 gr TNT bullet. That load shoots under an inch in every 308 I've shot it in. It's a fabulous varmint round but not for taking hides- the bullet has a tendency to go to dust on impact and wound channels are large enough to stand in. It is not for edible game hunting.