308 Win 150gr BTSP load help

[TriggerHappyHippy]

All of my manuals and even online, have a wide difference in max loads for this bullet in 308win (Hornady 150gr BTSP)
On hand I have a fair bit of the following:
Varget
imr 4064
imr 4320
imr 4895
h4895
win 748

Ideally I was planning on using a 4895. From various sources I have found a max load from 43 to 46C. I was going to start at 42.0 gr imr 4895 but some places this looks low, and in some it looks high for a starting load..
Anyone else load for this?? What is your favorite powder and load? I realize they will all work but was curious what you all use...

 

[Ganderite]

My rifles max out at 44gr to 45gr 4895. never had one that would take 46.

 

[Lyallpeder]

I use 45gr IMR4895 with hornady 150gr spbt bullets. I could have gone hotter but the kick was a little much for target shooting.

 

[rodregier]

Assuming you want safe higher velocities the choices in sequence from your list would be:

Varget
IMR4895
H4895
W748
IMR4064
IMR4320

(Based on velocity ranking in Lee #2).

Pick a powder that you have enough on-hand that you won't have to change for the size of the production run
your are planning. That means you won't have to re-develop your loading. Approx. 150 loads/lb for the cartridge and projectile you're discussing.

Start low, work up.

I've used a bunch of Varget in .308 Win with 155g projectiles for long-range match usage.
Part of my rationale for selecting Varget is it's relatively low sensitivity to ambient temperatures.
I wanted to develop a single load for summer and winter usage w/o a lot of velocity change between the two seasons.
Given the poor near-term availability of new Varget I also worked up a load using H4895 for that case/projectile.
Varget tends to be volume rather than pressure-limited in .308 Win, so I use a long drop tube to pack
it a bit tighter and reduce compression.

In the long term I'll be using N-140 for that application because of it's better ongoing availability to me
(not because it's wildly superior to Varget). N-140 meters better than Varget, which permits me to use the same propellant
for .223 Rem/75g projectile loadings too.

 

[Melnibonean]

I load 46gr W748 or 43gr H4895. Approximates the military load.

 

[kayaker1]

I use that bullet with 45gr Varget, cci200 primer at 2.8" OAL. The .308 is probably the easiest cartridge I have ever loaded for accuracy.

 

[MLine052]

I just did, 355 .308 with Hornaday 150gr SP at 42grs with CCI primer and IMR 4895. No problems on range.

 

[rojogrande]

150 grain Nosler Accubond....45.0 grains of IMR4064....Remington case....CCI-200 primer......sub MOA and 2,800+ at the muzzle of a 24" barrelled 308 Winny.......A charge of 46.0 grains of RL-15 with the same components was slightly faster but not as accurate...

Work up to these loads....

Rojogrande