.308 win powder

Over my reloading career I've put more than 40lbs of 4064 through 2 30-06's (Garand and BAR), 2 308's (FR7 and M305) and a few 6.5x55's. All kind of mid range loads but very accurate. The rifles did what I asked of them. Garand and 305- informal service rifle shooting/plinking, BAR- hunting and 6.5's informal target shooting/plinking. Never had a reason to try anything else!
 
Hmatt, you just aren't giving us enough useful information to answer your question properly, without have to make assumptions.

For one thing you don't mention the type of rifles you're shooting these two cartridges out of.

The reason this is important is because you are comparing apples to oranges as far as pressure differentials between the two cartridges.

Depending on the rifles being used, and depending on what sort of performance you're looking for out of them, you may just need two powders.

Either of your original choices are just fine for both cartridges. However, you can greatly enhance the performance of the 6.5x55 if it's chambered in an acton that is stronger/safer than the M96 type Swede Mauser receivers.

If you're willing to accept the limitations of one powder between the two, all of the recommended powders so far will do equally as well.
M96 and a modern cz .308
 
M96 and a modern cz .308

OK Hmatt, you have rifles with TWO DIFFERENT STRENGTH THRESHOLDS

Between IMR4064 and Varget, the latter would be your best bet for bet for both. Only because it's about 1% slower burning than IMR4064. They're kissing cousins on the burn rate charts and deliver similar pressures/velocities with almost identical charge weights over the same primers.

Now comes another dilemma. Both of your rifles may not shoot the same powder/primer combination well, because of barrel harmonics generated for all sorts of reasons, such as bore volumes, lengths, stiffness and the list goes on.

Both are excellent systems and very strong but both are built for different pressure levels.

If you can only find or afford one powder pick the one that gives you the best accuracy in both rifles with the handloads YOU develop for each of them.

Lots of good advice here but that mostly applies to personal rifles and not all rifles in general.

That doesn't in any way reflect on the people or their advice, because from what I see all of the suggestions would be an excellent choice.

Welcome to the slippery slope of "one hole group chasing"
 
The one thing I forgot to mention is that 4064 is a "long" stick powder that may not dispense well in some powder measures. Certainly not as smoothly as shorter stick or ball powders. My Lyman 55 handled it not too badly.
 
The one thing I forgot to mention is that 4064 is a "long" stick powder that may not dispense well in some powder measures. Certainly not as smoothly as shorter stick or ball powders. My Lyman 55 handled it not too badly.

Not to be picky but when most people use powder measures, usually the charges are dumped into a weighing pan and put on a calibrated scale to be topped up to a specified weight with a trickler, unless they're using an automated powder throw, which does the same thing for them.

You're right though the ganules do tend to hang up a bit but not really a big deal unless you're charging hundreds of cases.
 
Another IMR 4320 user


They quit making it in 2020 and supposedly replaced it with Enduron 4166 with the Hogdon logo. I don't like it as much, bit faster than IMR4320 and more sensetive at the top end of loading.

Consistent though and cleaner burning.

There was a rumor last year that Enduron powders were no longer being made either?????? Their site says they're still available though
 
When I was reloading, I used 41.5 Grains of IMR4895 pushing a 168 Grain Sierra Matchking. I found it to be very accurate.

Great load, great powder then and now.

I don't think the OP has a lot of choices as to which powder is available to him or like many folks these days can't afford to have a decent selection of different powders and primers.

His question was about the two powders he has at his disposal, so I kept the reply within those parameters as they are both suitable for his circumstances.
 
Great load, great powder then and now.

I don't think the OP has a lot of choices as to which powder is available to him or like many folks these days can't afford to have a decent selection of different powders and primers.

His question was about the two powders he has at his disposal, so I kept the reply within those parameters as they are both suitable for his circumstances.

a little off track, but that there is a good reason to find some IMR4895. Works in many calibers.
 
a little off track, but that there is a good reason to find some IMR4895. Works in many calibers.

Great advice, most reloaders don't even know how good IMR4895 or H4895 really are.

If the Enduron powder line is continued to be produced, it's very likely we will see these powders discontinued as well.
 
"Just like grand-pappy" I use IMR3031 to send 168gr SMK. No issue putting cloverleafs at 100 yards or hitting 8" steel at 500+ yards
 
Not to be picky but when most people use powder measures, usually the charges are dumped into a weighing pan and put on a calibrated scale to be topped up to a specified weight with a trickler, unless they're using an automated powder throw, which does the same thing for them.

You're right though the ganules do tend to hang up a bit but not really a big deal unless you're charging hundreds of cases.
This is my current approach.
Great load, great powder then and now.

I don't think the OP has a lot of choices as to which powder is available to him or like many folks these days can't afford to have a decent selection of different powders and primers.

His question was about the two powders he has at his disposal, so I kept the reply within those parameters as they are both suitable for his circumstances.

I have access to most of the powders on the market. Calgary and red deer both fairly close along with many LGS, I’m just trying to pick a single powder that would be a good all around performer. I already had preference to 4064, and was considering going to varget. But I think I’ll just stick with the 4064 as I stated earlier :) whenever commented on it working well in cold and warm temps was a real seller as I live in central Alberta and she gets pretty cold, which doesn’t slow down my shooting haha.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom