[Unclenick]

Jimro,

They switched to Reloader 15 after the military selected it for M118SB LR for snipers, so it is another good powder to try. I too, prefer IMR 4064 to IMR 4895 for accuracy in .308 (and .30-06), but all military M852 was ever loaded with was IMR 4895, so its still a very good choice.

The thing that turned me to IMR 4064 originally was John Feamster's experiment comparing it to IMR 4895 in the M14/M1A in the mid-90's. He loaded both powders under the 168 grain SMK to fixed velocities of 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, and 2550 fps, IIRC. At the two low numbers it took more 4895 than 4064, indicating 4895 was the slower of the two powders at that pressure level, if you assume identical energy content per grain. At 2400 fps the charge weight was the same within 0.1 grains. At 2500 and 2550 fps the roles reversed, and it took more 4064 than 4895 to make velocity, indicating that at the higher pressures it was now 4064 that was the slower of the two. Taken as a slope of powder charge increase needed to increase velocity any given amount, the 4064 slope was the smaller (more gradual) of the two, suggesting it would be less sensitive not only to charge throw weight error, but to other factors that affect pressure, like barrel temperature or possibly even ignition variation due to primer variation or primer seating variation.

I've had very good luck with Varget in .308 and .30-06, both. I'm surprised you had trouble with it, but every gun…