All in on a 8# jug 556-308

[MarkCO]

TAC is what I would suggest.

Varget is very good for bolts, but it is not an optimum powder for DI gas guns. Gas port erosion as well as gas ring wear are higher. It is very good powder for some bolt guns though. TAC meters well, works well in bolt guns and is a much better choice for the AR15.

[Ben Dover]

I try very hard to avoid any kind of extruded or "stick" powder whenever possible.

[flashhole]

The Super Short Cut or SSC Hodgdon Extreme powders meter well and have good packing density. My personal favorite is H-4895. I found it to be more accurate with higher velocity than Varget. FWIW it works really well in 45-70 too.

[Ben Dover]

I will try that. 4895 is a great powder. A version of it that meters well would be a God's send.

[disseminator]

Look into AR-COMP or PP2000MR, there are working well for me.

[lordmorgul]

Accurate LT32 for both calibers.


Andrew - Lancaster, CA
NRA Life Member, Calguns.net contributor, CGF / SAF / CRPA / FPC / USCCA member

[Average Joe]

the op said he wants one powder for both, so giving him two powders isn't going to help the guy out....just sayin.....

[FM12]

Ww748

[Road_Clam]

If the op is thinking 4064, just a head's up it's a MISERABLE metering powder through a drum powder dispenser. "Chopping matchsticks" is my coined phrase. My suggested fav W748 is a ball powder and meters like a dream no matter what type of dispensing method.

[308Loader]

"MISERABLE metering powder through a drum powder dispenser. "Chopping matchsticks" is my coined phrase."

I do agree, but with a "auto charge" power trickler its not so much an issue. I do have 3 different measures. only reason I'm thinking of 4064 is I have good tested loads, and temp stability is a must where I live. in the last week we went from 90f high to 65f temp swing. in the next month I expect to see 70f to 30f swings. 4064 has done well in this so far. from dec to feb I will be in the neg numbers and then spring will come again and so on with temps.

I'm not opposed to trying new things, but $200 in powder is an investment. only reason for asking one powder for 2 Cal - 4 rifles. It might not be possible, thought I might ask the community.

One thing I've seen in the responses is gas tube and ring life, what gives with that? stick powder is more abrasive?

[cw308]

I like IMR 4064 for target shooting , you could shoot mild loads with this powder an it will fill the case just right . Shooting 1 - 2 thousand rounds in each a 8 pounder will go pretty quick anyway . 4064 is a good all around powder , alittle harder to meter.

[2ndtimer]

IMR-4064 has been my main .308 Win. powder for the past several years, while Ramshot TAC is my go to for the .223/5.56. I have tried TAC in the .308 Win., but it doesn't match the accuracy of 4064. And 4064 doesn't match TAC velocity or accuracy in the .223/5.56. TAC is cheaper than IMR-4064, and may be adequate for your needs, it does meter much better than 4064. I suggest giving it a try, and if it proves inadequate for your .308 Win., use it up in your .223.
https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/product/ramshot-tac/
Or you could try IMR-8208XBR, it meters decently, and works better than 4064 in the .223 and may prove better in the .308.

[308Loader]

Thanks for all the replies guys, its pay day and I went and got a jug of 4064. As mentioned before it may not be the best for both applications ( because there isn't one), meters like crap, but is a good temp stable powder for target shooting and more. Don't tell the wife but I also picked up a # of varget. They didn't have Tac or H335, I will sneak some home when I can. With my shooting habit the 8#er will be gone by spring, still have some blc2, imr4895, cfe223 to burn through as well so I'm set for a while. Next thing I will run out of is primers, only have 1k of each, that will be another post. Oh then their is bullets...

Interested in the WC powders but not sure they are for me. Can to can the commercial stuff seems pretty consistent for my loads. The commercial stuff is listed in my load manuals. Would have to double down on some pull down powders to make it worth while. load ladders for a given bullet weight, after ladder to tune, there goes 2# -3#. Then I have the issue of, what if it sits too long, it's already rejected right? What if I don't find a load I like, what if, what if... Too many what if. Then again I haven't tried it so there is that.


again thanks all, lots of food for thought

[Metal god]

I think that was a good choice in so much as you already have loads worked up using that powder and it's working well for you . I got to a point where I was sick of doing load developments . That's all it seemed I did and each range trip felt more like work then recreation . I had to tell my self to stop trying new powders and bullets . That was a year or two ago now and I'm having much more fun when I go to the range now .


I do like that you picked up a # of Varget . You'll find it works quite well and I suspect by the time you're done with this 8#er You'll know if the Varget is worth a 8#er .

[2ndtimer]

IMR-4064 is a great powder to have on hand. I have used it in the .223 Rem., 22-250, .243 Win, .270 Win, 7mm-08, .308 Win, and 30-06, with decent to very good performance in all of them. Favorite powder for 168 gr and 175 gr Match bullets in the .308. Varget meters better, but for some reason, I have always had better results with IMR-4064, and have had Varget misbehave at the upper end in some cartridges. (22-250 and .243 Win) It was the first powder I ever purchased and used for my first handloads (early '80's) in my first centerfire rifle. (.243 Win, 80 gr Speer spitzers). It worked great back then and still does today.

[gwpercle]

For the "matchstick" powders you have so much trouble metering , use a Lyman 55 and adjust the slides to give a deep narrow cavity...it will work like a charm after you develop a consistent metering technique .
Gary

[Road_Clam]

O/p you made 2 very good versatile choices. Imo you will end up choosing Varg as a better choice for ALL aspects of loading ease, versatility and precision. However be forewarned, when the next powder scare happens like it did in late 2013, Varg will be the FIRST powder to become nonexistiant. I suggest testing other powders as well so you always have a load to keep yourself shooting reguardless of negitive political atmosphere. Reloading is a passion and a skill. It always starts out as "I will just do it casually for fun" But if you're like me I started out with a pound of W748, and now i'm up to 11 different calibers, 14 different powders totaling about 112# and I cast my own boolits. Confident to say i'm almost completely shooting independent.

[5whiskey]

I would also tend to agree, but I've always been intrigued by the 'one powder for everything' exercise.

I've also been tempted this way, but have pet loads that I've developed over the years that work really well and I'd be hard pressed to discard them. I do try to stick with just a couple of three powders for rifle and the same for pistol. Now I use reloader 10x for .223 (I don't shoot heavies) and H414/Win 760 for 30-06 and up. I don't reload for .308 or other intermediate calibers, but H414 would work in a pinch should I decide to. Were I to play the "one powder for all" game, Varget would look very attractive. CFE 223 and BLC2 would be contenders as well.

[Charlie98]

Were I to play the "one powder for all" game, Varget would look very attractive. CFE 223 and BLC2 would be contenders as well.

I've already played that out in my head... IMR4895. I can load everything rifle on the bench with it, and reasonably so.

I did drop 2 off the list, H4831 and H322, but I've picked up 4 others. Oh, well.