High velocity powder for .308 and 7.62x39?

savage1r · April 5, 2011, 06:30 PM

Hey guys, thought I'd rack the great minds of /reloading and see what the consensus is. I'm starting to reload (with my own setup, have reloaded before with my father's) and I'm wondering what powder gives the best velocities for .308 and 7.62x39. I ask because I like to keep things as consolidated as possible, I'd rather have 1 rifle powder and 1 pistol powder that I go to primarily (I have a .308, an sks, mosin and a sub2000 that I will be reloading for). My father always swore by 4895, but I've seen alot of good stuff about H335. What's the consensus?

Doodlebugger45 · April 5, 2011, 07:44 PM

It kind of depends on the bullet weight you are using, but the most popular powders by far for the .308 are Varget and RL-15.

geetarman · April 5, 2011, 08:30 PM

My favorite powder for .308 is BLC(2). 43.6 grains for 168 and 175 gr. bullets works just great.

Another good one is H380. This powder also works magic in the 22-250.

I have used 4895,4064, Varget with just so-so results.

Geetarman

kraigwy · April 5, 2011, 09:16 PM

I think you'll find out that in the 308 velocity doesn't mean accuracy. Best luck I've had with the 308 is with 4895 then again I don't load for velocity.

Can't tell you about the 7.62X39 as I have had much experience with it.

I wouldn't think the two would use the same powder effectively.

res45 · April 5, 2011, 10:02 PM

For 7.62 x 39 123 gr. .310 dia. bullet in FMJ,SP or V-MAX Your three best powder choices are AA-1680,IMR or H4198 and Reloader #7.

Max charge weights run from 24.6 to 26.8 Lyman #49 manual with a MV range of 2307 to 2412 fps. for these three powders and none are compressed. I generally find Max loads are not always the most accurate.

I don't have a 308 but I shoot a 300 Sav. and I like Reloader #15 in it and I also use load it in my 54r Russian.

FrankenMauser · April 6, 2011, 03:33 AM

Quote:

It kind of depends on the bullet weight you are using, but the most popular powders by far for the .308 are Varget and RL-15.

I think it really depends on the area you're in, and people you associate with.
My experience would say H380, 4198, BL-C(2), and H335 are more popular for .308 Win.

You are correct, though. There's no point in recommending powders, until we know bullet weights and barrel lengths (at a minimum).

tobnpr · April 6, 2011, 01:56 PM

Ditto on the "velocity doesn't mean accuracy" comment above.

Granted, velocity is an important variable especially for long range guys- where minimizing time to the target reduces the effects of wind and gravity...

But I've found that max. load (or close to it) is often not the best load for maximum accuracy, and decreases the "life" of everything from the barrel to the brass...

Varget is our powder of choice for the .223, .308, and 7.62 x 54R that I handload. As an extruded stick powder, doesn't meter well, though...
H335 is supposed to be the "go to" powder for the .223 (I believe it is the formulation for the NATO 5.56 round), but we've found it less accurate in our rifles than Varget.

Every rifle, likes something different...

April 5, 2011, 10:02 PM	#5
res45 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 753	For 7.62 x 39 123 gr. .310 dia. bullet in FMJ,SP or V-MAX Your three best powder choices are AA-1680,IMR or H4198 and Reloader #7. Max charge weights run from 24.6 to 26.8 Lyman #49 manual with a MV range of 2307 to 2412 fps. for these three powders and none are compressed. I generally find Max loads are not always the most accurate. I don't have a 308 but I shoot a 300 Sav. and I like Reloader #15 in it and I also use load it in my 54r Russian. __________________ The Reloaders Network discord Channel https://discord.gg/Nafuzht

April 5, 2011, 06:30 PM	#1
savage1r Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2009 Posts: 313	High velocity powder for .308 and 7.62x39? Hey guys, thought I'd rack the great minds of /reloading and see what the consensus is. I'm starting to reload (with my own setup, have reloaded before with my father's) and I'm wondering what powder gives the best velocities for .308 and 7.62x39. I ask because I like to keep things as consolidated as possible, I'd rather have 1 rifle powder and 1 pistol powder that I go to primarily (I have a .308, an sks, mosin and a sub2000 that I will be reloading for). My father always swore by 4895, but I've seen alot of good stuff about H335. What's the consensus?

April 5, 2011, 07:44 PM	#2
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	It kind of depends on the bullet weight you are using, but the most popular powders by far for the .308 are Varget and RL-15.

April 5, 2011, 08:30 PM	#3
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	My favorite powder for .308 is BLC(2). 43.6 grains for 168 and 175 gr. bullets works just great. Another good one is H380. This powder also works magic in the 22-250. I have used 4895,4064, Varget with just so-so results. Geetarman

April 5, 2011, 09:16 PM	#4
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	I think you'll find out that in the 308 velocity doesn't mean accuracy. Best luck I've had with the 308 is with 4895 then again I don't load for velocity. Can't tell you about the 7.62X39 as I have had much experience with it. I wouldn't think the two would use the same powder effectively.

April 6, 2011, 01:56 PM	#7
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	Ditto on the "velocity doesn't mean accuracy" comment above. Granted, velocity is an important variable especially for long range guys- where minimizing time to the target reduces the effects of wind and gravity... But I've found that max. load (or close to it) is often not the best load for maximum accuracy, and decreases the "life" of everything from the barrel to the brass... Varget is our powder of choice for the .223, .308, and 7.62 x 54R that I handload. As an extruded stick powder, doesn't meter well, though... H335 is supposed to be the "go to" powder for the .223 (I believe it is the formulation for the NATO 5.56 round), but we've found it less accurate in our rifles than Varget. Every rifle, likes something different...