308 win, imr 3031 or 4064 and 168 gr bthp

bsand

bsand

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
56   0   2
Location
vancouver, bc
Hey guy,

Ive already gone through a pound of varget and 100 175 smk. I went to wss in langley bought a pound of imr 4064 and 3031 after looking at stock availability and manual compliance.

I have read good things about both powders but how many of you use it for 308 win in a rem 700?

Mines a 5r 1in11.25". I also picked up a box of nosler 168gr custom competition bthp blets to try out and fire form lapua cases (saving the 175 smks for rnd 2).
 
Both of those powders have been around for 80+ years and they are still very good powders. Especially with the new coatings they are using on the granules today. They do tend to be a bit temperature sensitive but for the most part if you use magnum primers you will never notice a difference. Some of those old powders are very efficient to this day and are often overlooked by many that either don't remember how good they were/are or just to young to know.
 
I have used both Varget and IMR4064 on my I:11 twist ssg3000 (not your rifle but likely close in potential?) and haven't noticed any difference so I mainly use the 4064 since it's easier to find and cheaper. I have used 150-175 g bullets and my rifle likes the 150 Sierra Match kings and 155g Hornady Amax the best. That might change if I reach out further but have only shot 100 yards. Not sure about the magnum primer issue, I have just used CCI 200 and BR2 and they work fine for me.
 
IMR4064 is almost identical to Varget and the load data usually shows this (loads of the two powders from the same source will be almost the same and sometimes exactly the same; check your data on your own of course). Both are excellent for 168gr bullets.

I couldn't get IMR3031 to shoot worth a damn in my R700 with 168gr bullets but that is likely just an anomaly specific to my rifle. Lots of others have praised it in the 308 with 150-168gr bullets.
 
My HB M700 with a 168gr bullet really can't see much difference in group size between IMR3031, IMR4895, IMR4064, H4895, W748, Varget and BLC2. I'd give it to the first 2 by a nose, but the best performer by a margin is WC755, a long discontinued Olin ball powder.
 
I dont shoot .308 myself but my father and 3 of my friends all have .308 target rifles.. none are R700 but Savage TR Taticals.. I do reload for all there guns and between all the powders I have tried (Varget, 4064 and Benchmark) the powder I ALWAYS go back to is Benchmark. I have never tried 3031 but have read alot of excellent things about it but have no 1st hand experience with it..
Varget was so so for me.. and 4064 was a total bust.

My go to is 42.5gr Benchmark with either a 165 or 168. CCI BR2 primers in both Remington and Winchester brass. Velocity is on average 2725 fps and 5 shot groups are always 1/2" groups.. although my my one friends gun will make itty bitty holes with this load.

I wouldnt mind hearing how you make out with 3031 though.. :D

Regards
Josh
 
Got 40 rounds made up with 3031, 130 with varget (pulled 10, FL sizing issues, about 0.005" outside spec for headspace gauge) will report back this weekend.
 
My 5r seems to like the Benchmark the best so far. But I'm just in the preliminary stages yet. I'm actually loading up some 3031 right now. I have tried the Varget and the 4895 but find the BM to be tighter. I wont have access to my 500 yard range for another month or so. Still have yet to try the 4064, but I have two pounds in the wings. I'm running 168 Sierra matchkings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom