I walk into the Gun shop to buy powder....

MackForce

MackForce

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"I need powder for 308 rounds to shoot 180 grain bullets" is what im going to say.

There isn't much selection where I have to go, so what should I be looking for?

Is there going to be a large amount of correlation between the bullet and the powder? If I buy, for example 2-3 types of 308 bullets, should I purchase 2 different powders?

This is my first reload. I have a few books. Haven't got to reading too deep yet, and wont get a chance until I get back from a trip to the shop.


Thanks. Im green here, so the more simple the better.
 
MackForce said:
"I need powder for 308 rounds to shoot 180 grain bullets" is what im going to say.

There isn't much selection where I have to go, so what should I be looking for?

Is there going to be a large amount of correlation between the bullet and the powder? If I buy, for example 2-3 types of 308 bullets, should I purchase 2 different powders?

This is my first reload. I have a few books. Haven't got to reading too deep yet, and wont get a chance until I get back from a trip to the shop.


Thanks. Im green here, so the more simple the better.
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Don't expect them to tell you, they likely wont.
This is to protect themselves from a mistake.

From my Hornady book here are some common ones for 308 win and 180 grain bullets

H4895
VARGET
IMR4064
IMR4895
 
In no particular order Varget , IMR 4895, IMR 4064, IMR 3031 all good to use for 308. You can use the same powder for different bullet types of the same weight. There are many options if you go to the hodgon reloading site. very good list powders for selected bullet weights and styles. It will give you good starting load and max load issues to use as the baseline.
 
I load primarily for my 7.08 and 243 (both "children" of the 308).

Since it has been hit and miss over the past couple years as to "what's available" I always have a "if I can't get what I want" list.

So while I "prefer" to load with Varget or 4064 since my manual also gives me options for using 4895, 4350, W760 etc those are on my "will do in a pinch" list.

That doesn't mean that I'm not going to have to re-work my load to get the velocity or accuracy I'm looking for, but I probably won't have to switch bullets or rezero my scopes just because I have to use a (for me) non-typical powder.

And sometimes this has the benefit of leading you to a new load that actually works better for you when you use a powder that you wouldn't have typically taken home with you.
 
308 uses a medium speed rifle powder. If you are loading 180gr bullets, you can use powders on the slower side of "medium".

Here is a list of powders well suited for 180s in a 308. hopefully they have at least one of them. A pound will only load 150 rounds, so you might want to buy 2 pounds.

Reloader 15
Varget
Win 748
4064
4895.
Win 760
H414
H380
4350
4320
 
I have CFE 223, per Hodgon's reload center it will support 180gr. Disclaimer: I haven't reloaded my .308 or .223 yet. I'm about to as I just purchased my projectiles.
 
Great suggestions here, but I would recommend you read those manuals front to back before purchasing components. Then read some more.

It's a great hobby and pastime! Stay safe and enjoy it!
 
Here is some info from Nosler:

308-Win-175gr-180gr-version-7-0.jpg
 
Most all of the powders listed MAY get er done for U. Your rifle may only like 1 of em, or it might like 2 or 3 of em if yur lucky. Whatcha gotaa do is read yur book, pick one out start with a minimum charge and work up, watch for pressure signs (READ YUR BOOK). You will want to get a chronograph to log your muzzle velocity's to see how each one performs, without a chroney yur pretty much in the dark. Try the OCW method, just google OCW method, read and read some more. Load up some rounds go to the range and put in some trigger time. Pretty soon your question will be answered, I guarenteee it. I have been reloading for over 10 years and I can get 1/4 inch groups with my 308 at 100 meters. (Did a full stock bedding job) There was only one powder that would get er done for me, I had to reload, shoot, reload some more try a different powder and test some more. This reloading thing can become an obsession if you are looking for maximum accuracy. If not and you are only looking to hit a 10 inch pie plate sized target at 100 meters (anywhere on the 10 inch pie plate) your job will be very easy indeed. One other thing Bullet type and brand can have a HUGE effect on accuracy, here again your rifle may only like one brand, one gr weight, and one type. The good thing that you have going for you is the 7.62X51 (308) is one of the most accurate caliber offerings ever to come along. It is hard to miss with the proper powder, bullet, and wt.
 
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Cleftwynd said:
Great suggestions here, but I would recommend you read those manuals front to back before purchasing components. Then read some more.

It's a great hobby and pastime! Stay safe and enjoy it!
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THIS! Read the manuals BEFORE you buy components. There is zero point in buying powder etc that you do not have data for. Sure lots of use Varget but if your load manual doesn't contain data for that then you are kinda screwed. Buy a powder for which you have data.
 
Ganderite said:
308 uses a medium speed rifle powder. If you are loading 180gr bullets, you can use powders on the slower side of "medium".

Here is a list of powders well suited for 180s in a 308. hopefully they have at least one of them. A pound will only load 150 rounds, so you might want to buy 2 pounds.

Reloader 15
Varget
Win 748
4064
4895.
Win 760
H414
H380
4350
4320
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Id add N140 and N150 to this list
 
MackForce;12226380 Is there going to be a large amount of correlation between the bullet and the powder? If I buy said:
No. You will go broke. take a bullet and load it with whatever appropriate powder you have chosen. work the load, from bottom to the top in 1gr increments.
There is a little bit of fudging that can be done. sometimes its the length of the bullet, sometimes its the powder charge, sometimes its a powder primer combination that will make the difference.
Powder isn't cheap. buy a pound, see what comes of it. if you get good results, tweak your loads to get better results. If everything about it was terrible, then switch powder.

Get a notebook. record everything you do. If you are new to reloading, there may be something you discover in the next few months you will want to look back on in a few years. There are many other valid and worthy reasons to have a log book.
welcome to reloading!
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