1 powder to feed both ammo pigs

[hitch.bd]

I have an M-14 that I reload for and now I have an AR platform as well.
I reload 150gr FMJ for the .308 with IMR 4895
I reload 63gr FMJ for the .223 with BLC-2

The question is what powder out there is good for both cals that I can buy in an 8 lb keg?
take into concideration that it needs to be good for both semi-autos.
Thanks for your input!
-Hitch

 

[ampegor]

use the bl-c(2) for both

 

[hitch.bd]

The book I looked in didn't have a load for the .308 but after seeing your post I looked in another book and sure enough there it was 45 gr start up to 49 gr max!
Thanks
Are there any other powders that work well in both? incase I have a hard time getting BL-C(#2)

 

[sulisa]

I wonder how Varget would work in a .308. It seems to be a plentiful enough powder, and I use it on the .223.

 

[hitch.bd]

I wonder how Varget would work in a .308. It seems to be a plentiful enough powder, and I use it on the .223.

It isn't in any of my books for the .308 with 150 FMJ

 

[AB.boy]

I wonder how Varget would work in a .308. It seems to be a plentiful enough powder, and I use it on the .223.

That is the only powder i use in my .308's. Usually loading 150gr or 155gr bullets.

 

[LUTNIT]

The hodgdon website has load data for .223 and .308 using Varget.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[9x19p]

I use Varget in my .223 for any bullet over 60gr, and I've never used anything other than Varget in my .308

 

[hitch.bd]

Ok I'm confused... I just looked at the burn rate chart . I was told imr 4320 was too slow for use on semi-autos like the m14 that I should use imr 4895 . BL-C#2 is slower than imr 4320 and Varget is only one faster than 4320 . You use it no problem in your semi-auto .308?
IMR 4895 (#89 on chart)
Verget (#99 on chart)
IMR 4320 (#100 on chart)
BL-C#2 (#102 on chart)


It is semi-autos you use Varget on right?

 

[na1lb0hm]

I found my happy place with imr4064 for:

.204 40gr for savage
.223 60gr for rob arms xcr
.308 150gr fmj for m14s
30-06 150 gr. for garand

bought 4lbs from hodgdon, they have 8lb bags as well.

 

[B]

Varget is an excellent choice for both and runs semis just fine.

 

[bearhunter]

use the bl-c(2) for both

He tells the truth. Not only that, it will work very well in both rifles.

It was designed as a general purpose powder to be used in a plethora of cases from small to medium capacity.

 

[CanuckWR]

BL-C2 meters like a dream and is well suited for both loads.

 

[hitch.bd]

Thanks all who gave info here. I'll see what I can get in quantity at a good price!

 

[LUTNIT]

Ok I'm confused... I just looked at the burn rate chart . I was told imr 4320 was too slow for use on semi-autos like the m14 that I should use imr 4895 . BL-C#2 is slower than imr 4320 and Varget is only one faster than 4320 . You use it no problem in your semi-auto .308?

Who said slow powders won't cycle a semi auto? I've run my Norc M305 on H4831 which is significantly slower than any of the powders you mentioned. As far as I know peak barrel pressure has far more to do with cycling a semi auto than burn rate.

Also keep in mind the powder burn chart only shows what is faster than what (and even then only most of the time.) It doesn't say by how much one powder is faster than another. The gaps in burn rates between powders adjacent to each other would be quite different from different parts of the chart. It isn't a linear relationship.

Many people I talk to use Varget for Norc M305's and have no issues whatsoever. I use H4895 because it's the same powder I use for 7.62x54R, .303 British, 8mm Mauser, some .45-70 loads, and some cast bullet loads for .300 Win Mag. If I was going to primarily load .223 and .308 I would probably switch to Varget.

 

[hitch.bd]

One of the guys at the gun shop said not to use 4320. I had no experience reloading for a semi so I believed him.

 

[vondnik]

I use h4895 in my:

308 both semi and bolt
30-06 semi
303 brit bolt
8mm mauser
223 and 5.56
6.8 spc
7.62x39
And 270

 

[hk33ka1]

I would use the powders that work best in your rifles. If you need to stock more than one to do it then so be it. Some people use Varget in M14/M1 actions some people say you shouldn't.

It is generally recommended to load between 147-173gr bullets for the M1 Garand or M14 using standard jacketed bullet loads.

A powder in the suitable burn rate range for the action of this type of semi auto gas rifle such as IMR 4895, H4895, AA 2495, BL C2, H335, Win 748, IMR 4064 (and there are others).

A good example would be the Sierra Matchking HPBT .308" 168gr with IMR 4895 or IMR 4064 powder.

 

[buckbrush]

TRY Higginsons WC-735

 

[Bitumen]

I have an M-14 that I reload for and now I have an AR platform as well.
I reload 150gr FMJ for the .308 with IMR 4895
I reload 63gr FMJ for the .223 with BLC-2

The question is what powder out there is good for both cals that I can buy in an 8 lb keg?
take into concideration that it needs to be good for both semi-autos.
Thanks for your input!
-Hitch

H-4895

Get yourself 8 lb kegs of it.