308 hunting load, debating for the powder.

[chemo]

Got some Nosler Accubonds (white tip) 180gr
And got two powders at home, H4895 and IMR4350

my IMR4350 is still sealed, would I get any benefits from it for the heavier bullet over the h4895?

 

[brotherjack]

First, IMHO, the 180 Nosler AccuBonds are not all that grand an idea for a 308 Winchester (and I say this as a HUGE fan of AccuBond's -- I shoot them exclusively in all my hunting loads). Despite what Nosler (and everyone else who makes bonded bullets) might tell you, they are tougher bullets than their more traditional counterparts, and ideally really should make impact north of about 2400 FPS for best results. Those 180's in pirticular, are a bullet made with magnum's and ultra-magnums in mind. I highly recommend you use 150 (preferable) or 165 grain (if you must) AccuBond's in a 308 Winchester. If you feel you need 180 grain bullets, use Ballistic Tips -- they'll cost less, and will perform wonderfully on-game at 308 velocities. I'm not saying the 180 AccuBond's won't work, but I think you'd be a lot happier with the results of 150 accubonds or 180 ballistic tips.

As to powder -- I have tried a wide variety of flavors over the years, and the one I settled on is Varget. My velocities are insanely consistent (+/- 3 or 4 FPS), and accuracy has been superb.

So, as you might guess -- I shoot 150 grain AccuBond's fueled by a stiff charge of Varget in my 308 hunting loads. Everything I've ever shot with that load died where it stood. I highly recommend it.

 

[brotherjack]

Oh, and side note re: powder -- you can't really fit enough 4350 in there to get the pressures (and velocities) up very high. Accuracy is often excellent, but velocity will leave a lot to be desired (probably around 2400-ish FPS vs 2600-ish FPS with 4895 or Varget).

 

[chemo]

First, IMHO, the 180 Nosler AccuBonds are not all that grand an idea for a 308 Winchester (and I say this as a HUGE fan of AccuBond's -- I shoot them exclusively in all my hunting loads). Despite what Nosler (and everyone else who makes bonded bullets) might tell you, they are tougher bullets than their more traditional counterparts, and ideally really should make impact north of about 2400 FPS for best results. Those 180's in pirticular, are a bullet made with magnum's and ultra-magnums in mind. I highly recommend you use 150 (preferable) or 165 grain (if you must) AccuBond's in a 308 Winchester. If you feel you need 180 grain bullets, use Ballistic Tips -- they'll cost less, and will perform wonderfully on-game at 308 velocities. I'm not saying the 180 AccuBond's won't work, but I think you'd be a lot happier with the results of 150 accubonds or 180 ballistic tips.

As to powder -- I have tried a wide variety of flavors over the years, and the one I settled on is Varget. My velocities are insanely consistent (+/- 3 or 4 FPS), and accuracy has been superb.

So, as you might guess -- I shoot 150 grain AccuBond's fueled by a stiff charge of Varget in my 308 hunting loads. Everything I've ever shot with that load died where it stood. I highly recommend it.

My question was: I've got 180grs in hand. I've got imr4350 and h4895 in hand, which powder?

so too late for switching bullet, and as to Varget, well h4895 is pretty close.

 

[chemo]

Oh, and side note re: powder -- you can't really fit enough 4350 in there to get the pressures (and velocities) up very high. Accuracy is often excellent, but velocity will leave a lot to be desired (probably around 2400-ish FPS vs 2600-ish FPS with 4895 or Varget).

Yeah, Sierra's data give 2600fps for a compressed 47,7 gr (max charge according to them, but I've been used to have much lower data from Sierra than from Hodgdon's data) of imr4350. However, for IMR 4350, only Sierra have data for the 308win, so I can't compare

 

[SuperCub]

I'd use the 4895. 4350 is a bit on the slow side for 308.

Varget, BLC2 or RE15 would be good alternatives.


.

 

[brotherjack]

My question was: I've got 180grs in hand. I've got imr4350 and h4895 in hand, which powder?

so too late for switching bullet, and as to Varget, well h4895 is pretty close.

In that case, Is say you load it to the gills with 4895, and aim for the shoulder bones.

 

[firemachine69]

When I was looking at listed velocities for my first powder (for .308 Win loads), I noted that 4895 seemed to have a lot more "oomph" than the 4350 can I had in my hands originally.

According to the specs, anyways.

 

[brotherjack]

Yeah, Sierra's data give 2600fps for a compressed 47,7 gr (max charge according to them, but I've been used to have much lower data from Sierra than from Hodgdon's data) of imr4350. However, for IMR 4350, only Sierra have data for the 308win, so I can't compare

Yeah, that would be insane. At standard OAL's, about 45 grains is all the powder you're likely to fit in there with a 180 grain AccuBond/Ballistic Tip (and even at that, you'd hear a nice "crunch" of powder when you seated the bullet).

 

[colinmatchett]

another vote for H4895

 

[JasonYuke]

4895 has been launching 308 bullets for years, with great success.

I made the switch to Varget, but could go back to 4895 anytime, with almost the same results.

 

[Northman999]

H4895. I shoot 308's a fair bit and IMR 4350 (which I also use LOTS in other calibers) is not what you're looking for here.

 

[Katana]

Yeah, Sierra's data give 2600fps for a compressed 47,7 gr (max charge according to them, but I've been used to have much lower data from Sierra than from Hodgdon's data) of imr4350. However, for IMR 4350, only Sierra have data for the 308win, so I can't compare

I would double check those number before reloading any. My load for 180 gr Barnes ### in 42.5 of IMR 4895 and maxing out at 43.0.

I know it's not the same powder but it still seems a bit high.

 

[brownie]

4350 is too slow burning for your .308. it works better in a larger case that holds more powder, ie. 30-06.

 

[lcq]

4895 is one of the extreme powders and not sensitive to temperature, something really useful when hunting, IMR4350 is very sensitive to temperature. If your hunting deer Nosler ballistic tips or Hornady SST are DRT bullets for deer sized critters. Save the Accubonds for bigger stuff.

Brian

 

[icanuck]

+1 h4895

 

[blargon]

My question was: I've got 180grs in hand. I've got imr4350 and h4895 in hand, which powder?

so too late for switching bullet, and as to Varget, well h4895 is pretty close.

4895 it is. 4350 is too slow for the .308, I've tried it......

 

[chemo]

I'm at the fine tuning the powder charge already, won't play with seating depth with these ones, cause I'm running out of h4895.
I just hope I'll have enough to roll a couple

4895 is one of the extreme powders and not sensitive to temperature, something really useful when hunting, IMR4350 is very sensitive to temperature. If your hunting deer Nosler ballistic tips or Hornady SST are DRT bullets for deer sized critters. Save the Accubonds for bigger stuff.

Brian

It is for moose

 

[Boomer]

Both 4895 and 4350 will drive a 180 at 2600 from a .308 hunting rifle. The difference is when you are charging your cases with 4350 chances are you will have to use a drop tube to get the full charge weight into the case and then it will be heavily compressed when you seat the bullet short enough to feed through a magazine. I do not like that arrangement because its a nuisance to use a drop tube and compressed loads are often less consistent then when there is a bit or air space in the case. My vote is for 4895.