Best powder for .308

[Dogleg]

Some cartridges are very easy to load for due to their long histories as target rounds, and military rounds with match ammo that has been thoroughly thought through.
4895, 4064, RL15 and Varget have all had their days in the sun, but it sure seems like Varget is ruling the roost these days. Its all I use in my 308s anymore sith bullet weights from 150 to 210 gr.

 

[B]

Varget is supposed to be cool, yup. If you get into it buy lots and lots so you can maybe avoid the seemingly constant shortages of it.

 

[ampegor]

I have used blc2,varget, 4064, 748, 3031, RL15 all with success. I tend to use blc2 for plinking loads as I have lots and it meters very well and 4064 for target ammo.

 

[zupermann]

I like Win 748 because I have it on hand and can use it for .308 and .223.
If I could do it again, I'd go with Varget

 

[downwindtracker2]

Best advice is read the manuals.

 

[call2arms]

Besides availability is there any real negative to Varget or is it the perfect powder?

 

[remington jim]

Lots of good ones :

Winchester StaBALL Match
Varget
H4895
Benchmark
RL15
Ramshot TAC
IMR 4064
IMR 4895
IMR 8208xbr
CFE223

Your Kidding Yea all those are Good but what’s the “ BEST “ hes wants to know. RJ

 

[oneadam12]

Besides availability is there any real negative to Varget or is it the perfect powder?

Too slow for a semi auto.

I found N140 burn rate too fast and got over pressure in 308. But lots of people like it.

Lots of good choices already mentioned. I loved 4166 until it was discontinued.

 

[B]

I used Varget with 168grn BTHP in an M305. It worked just fine.

 

[iron cat]

My goto powder for the 308 are N140 , 3031 4895 and Varget, depending on the bullet and not necessarily in that order.
Cat

 

[DiMP]

I tend to stock IMR4064 since it works in damn near everything in the 30-cal range. I load for a lot of milsurps so it's what I keep on hand. I found a load that worked for my Tikka in 308 using 168 SMK using IMR3031, so I stick with that. Since that Tikka is lower volume, I use the 3031 only as I have about 6lbs left of the same lot number so no need to adjust anything

 

[remington jim]

Too slow for a semi auto.

I found N140 burn rate too fast and got over pressure in 308. But lots of people like it.

Lots of good choices already mentioned. I loved 4166 until it was discontinued.

N150 is a Good 308 powder .slightly slower then N140

 

[tigrr]

Blaine you need to be more specific. I have 11 different bullets and weights and 5 different powders.
You have to provide a couple of bullet weights, your intentions for your shooting, target or hunting and your brass and then the guys will go from there.

 

[Hmatt]

This

I tend to stock IMR4064 since it works in damn near everything in the 30-cal range. I load for a lot of milsurps so it's what I keep on hand. I found a load that worked for my Tikka in 308 using 168 SMK using IMR3031, so I stick with that. Since that Tikka is lower volume, I use the 3031 only as I have about 6lbs left of the same lot number so no need to adjust anything

Agree, I run 4064, 3031 and 4350 in most of the rifles I have.

 

[Sask Bearman]

H4895 is my go to.

 

[TERMINATOR101CA]

A friend is a world class target shooter w 308. He says all he uses is varget

What class and which world ? I use Varget as well . Fireformed Win brass HPBT Nosler Custom Comp 155gr. with CCI BR primers.

 

[Northernfly]

This year I did ~1K rounds of testing with different powders and bullets in the 175gr range. IMR 4064 and VVN150 took top spot for me.
N540 is good as well, but hasn't been able to out perform the N150 out of my 24" 11 1/4T barrel.

Winchester Staball Match and H4895 also gave excellent results.

You'll hear a lot of people recommend Varget, and I've tried it, and it's good. I just like to be different I guess.

I ended up grabbing 3kg of N150 and that's what I'll be using next year out of my .308.

 

[peterdobson]

Northernfly, you are not different in using VihtaVuori. Attend an FClass, Target Rifle, PRS or BR match and ask what they use. VV burns cleaner than all other powders, is consistent lot-to-lot, performs well in all temperatures and is used to win matches.

Regards,

Peter

 

[Steve Stevens]

Yep, Varget.