I found IMR4895 works best in all my semi 308s .
Me too
I found IMR4895 works best in all my semi 308s .
Just load them up and see how they shoot. A little different comparing the XCR M to the M14 or AR10's. Besides, if you damage the op rod Wolverine has good customer serviceI see a lot of guys shoot 175 and 185's in the 308 AR's. I am going to be doing some load development for a DPMS GII 308 and will be testing 175 SMK's, 185 Juggernaut's with TAC and Varget for powder.
That going to be your new 3 gun heavy metal rig?

As long as the OP reads his manual (RTFM) and sets his gas port pressure a bent op should never be a problem.
I had a co-worker who would not listen to good advice and used IMR-4350 in his new M1 Garand and bent his op rod. This poor guy had a extremely thick scull and had to learn the hard way.
XCR-M Operating Rod Standard Type 2 Assembly $75.00 is still a costly mistake when you spend that much for this rifle.
http://4.bp.########.com/-oMRn511knEc/TxeTW_MoiqI/AAAAAAAABiE/Yw_spjCI2ns/s1600/IMG_0370.JPG
http://2.bp.########.com/-HYIroIx1Ao0/TxeTMrGFrgI/AAAAAAAABhU/GdajpPDlUQQ/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG
I cannot speak to your rifle but I have done a lot of research on the Garand/M14 for reloading. On the Garand/M14 what matters is the speed at which the op rod moves. The rod itself is not straight It was designed to move at a certain speed, If the speed is excessive it takes a beating and because of the design it wants to bend if speed and the impact at the end of its stroke, The rod wants to bend outwards. And the op rod spring cannot slow the rod down. So everything depends on the port pressure into the gas cylinder. Your op rod is straight so things are a bit different. Do you have a adjustable gas valve? If so if you turn it down so it just allows the rod to cycle the bolt and chamber an other round. If not load at starting loads and move up till it (the bolt/op rod) seems to be moving at its normal speed and stop there. It is going to be difficult to judge but with out some kind of measuring device theres not much else. I guess the feel of the action during its normal cycle is all you really have to go by.
sorry bigedp51 got ahead of myself wanted the picture




























