Powder used by marine snipers?

Ammo Junky · August 23, 2006, 08:25 PM

Anyone know what powder our military snipers use in 308 for 168gr and 175gr rnds?
Thanks.

WIL TERRY · August 23, 2006, 10:30 PM

It is non-canister.

Bogie · August 23, 2006, 11:11 PM

Yup. And it's painted a special tactical black color.

918v · August 23, 2006, 11:22 PM

Use whatever gives you the best accuracy. +/- 50 FPS does not mean anything downrange.

**Mike Irwin** · August 24, 2006, 09:25 AM

In an episode on snipers from the History Channel, it showed a Marine assembling his rounds at the training base.

It appeared that he was using an IMR type powder, and I seem to recall a shelf with a LOT of different powder bottles on it.

Given that each gun is an individual, I suspect that they try a number of powders in each gun to see what works best.

L Puckett · August 24, 2006, 10:38 AM

The issue round is a M118LR. The reload uses the same materials, 175 grn SMK and RE-15 powder.

LP

tINY · August 24, 2006, 01:42 PM

I would have guessed RE-15 or IMR4041 if it's a canister propellant. Those seem to be in the middle of 308 efficiency with 165 - 180 grain bullets.

-tINY

amamnn · August 24, 2006, 05:43 PM

Dave Reed and Mark J. Miller co- authored an article in which powder preferences were mentioned. I believe you can read a copy on http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles.htm They liked IMR 4350 as a good all round powder.

Powderman · August 25, 2006, 02:34 AM

Quote:

I would have guessed RE-15 or IMR4041 if it's a canister propellant. Those seem to be in the middle of 308 efficiency with 165 - 180 grain bullets.

Do you by chance mean IMR-3031? I've never heard of the one you mention.

I have heard, however, that IMR4064 was used at one time for the military match/sniper rounds, as well as IMR 4895.

And, L. Puckett is spot on. Reloaded rounds are used for competition--the issue round is Cartridge, Special Ball, 7.62x51 NATO, M118LR.

Johnny Guest · August 25, 2006, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tINY

I would have guessed RE-15 or IMR4041 if it's a canister propellant. Those seem to be in the middle of 308 efficiency with 165 - 180 grain bullets.

I think Powderman is correct. See the IMR powder profiles here. No 4041 listed.

Johnny

pumpkinheaver · August 25, 2006, 11:39 PM

I remember seeing some military marksmen loading ammo on the history channel. If you are talking about the same footage I saw they where loading .300 win mag for their compitition rifles.

tINY · August 27, 2006, 05:15 AM

I use both 3031 and 4064 for 308....

I guess I combined them in my head. I was thinking 4064 as it tends to work better with heavier bullets in longer barrels.

-tINY

rn22723 · August 31, 2006, 02:16 AM

It used to be non cansister grade IMR 4895 in M852 (168 SMK)
It is non-canister grade RL15 M118LR (175 SMK), the change may be due to the fact that ATK under contract runs Lake City.

hpg · September 1, 2006, 06:48 PM

use WW748

works great in the 7.62 NATO

August 23, 2006, 08:25 PM	#1
Ammo Junky Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: IL Posts: 537	Powder used by marine snipers? Anyone know what powder our military snipers use in 308 for 168gr and 175gr rnds? Thanks. __________________ Will work for brass. I apologise in advance for spelling errors.

August 23, 2006, 10:30 PM	#2
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	Yep. It is non-canister.

August 23, 2006, 11:11 PM	#3
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2000 Location: Job hunting on the road... Posts: 3,827	Yup. And it's painted a special tactical black color. __________________ Job hunting, but helping a friend out at www.vikingmachineusa.com - and learning the finer aspects of becoming a precision machinist. And making the world's greatest bottle openers!

August 24, 2006, 09:25 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	In an episode on snipers from the History Channel, it showed a Marine assembling his rounds at the training base. It appeared that he was using an IMR type powder, and I seem to recall a shelf with a LOT of different powder bottles on it. Given that each gun is an individual, I suspect that they try a number of powders in each gun to see what works best. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 24, 2006, 05:43 PM	#8
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Dave Reed and Mark J. Miller co- authored an article in which powder preferences were mentioned. I believe you can read a copy on http://www.snipercountry.com/Articles.htm They liked IMR 4350 as a good all round powder. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

August 23, 2006, 11:22 PM	#4
918v Junior member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Posts: 1,372	Use whatever gives you the best accuracy. +/- 50 FPS does not mean anything downrange.

August 24, 2006, 10:38 AM	#6
L Puckett Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2002 Location: Mid-Tennessee Posts: 150	The issue round is a M118LR. The reload uses the same materials, 175 grn SMK and RE-15 powder. LP

August 24, 2006, 01:42 PM	#7
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	I would have guessed RE-15 or IMR4041 if it's a canister propellant. Those seem to be in the middle of 308 efficiency with 165 - 180 grain bullets. -tINY

August 25, 2006, 11:39 PM	#11
pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 294	I remember seeing some military marksmen loading ammo on the history channel. If you are talking about the same footage I saw they where loading .300 win mag for their compitition rifles.

August 27, 2006, 05:15 AM	#12
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	I use both 3031 and 4064 for 308.... I guess I combined them in my head. I was thinking 4064 as it tends to work better with heavier bullets in longer barrels. -tINY

August 31, 2006, 02:16 AM	#13
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	It used to be non cansister grade IMR 4895 in M852 (168 SMK) It is non-canister grade RL15 M118LR (175 SMK), the change may be due to the fact that ATK under contract runs Lake City.

September 1, 2006, 06:48 PM	#14
hpg Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2002 Location: in the Bluegrass State Posts: 1,610	use WW748 works great in the 7.62 NATO __________________ NRA member Semper Paratus