Powder fo .223Rem, .308Win, .300WM

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Paulusmaximus2

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I am new to reloading and am setting myself up with components.

What I need is powder for these three rifle calibers .223 remington, .308 Winchester and .300 Winchester Magnum.

I notice there are powders i could use for all 3 of them eg. Varget.

Would I be better served buying 3 or more (depending on application) different powders though? I can only assume that diffrent powders would be better suited for the 3 diffrent calibers.

I am not opposed to buying 3 diffrent powders, but if one can handle all 3 and still give me good accuracy it might be easier just having one.

also what powders would you recomend for these 3 cartridges and why?

Thoughts, Opinions, Advice?

I will be using the .308 and .300 win mag for fun at the range as well as hunting, maybe a longer distance competition here and there just for fun. The .223 will be relegated to fun at the range as well as maybe a friendly competition as well.

Ease of use, repeatability, and accuracy are important to me.

thank you for your time.
Paul
 
I shoot all 3 of those cartridges as well. I know I can use IMR4895 for all three and have done so. It works about as well as you can achieve in my 223 using heavier bullets (75gr) and in my 308 using 150 gr. In the 300WM I can shoot a maximum bullet weight of 165's using that powder. I've also shot 155's using that powder as well. You can't find a load for 180's though in a 300WM using that powder. So in summary, for 223, 308 it works great, in 300WM it works but is a compromise. I prefer 4831 for it. I suspect you will find the same thing with varget, it will probably be ideal for the 223 and 308, and a compromise in the 300WM in that it limits bullet weight and amount of powder. But, for shooting at targets, with the 300WM, it might be fine. The 155 palmas shoot great out of my 300WM with that lighter charge.
 
I've had good luck with H335 in .223, and it meters really nice. Seen lots of loads for .308 with it as well.

check out hodgdons load data, and you're load manuals, that's what I did. Looked for common powders to figure out which I wanted to try first.
 
are all 3 guns bolt?---- if for a semi you might have to use a different powder
what bullet weight are you using for the 3 guns
what press are you using?
in 308 you will only get 100 rounds +- for a pound of powder depending on load data
300 wm even less
 
My personal preferences:

223 = H322
308 = Varget
300 Mag = H4831

The price per-lb of powder doesn't change; so for any given cartridge, you might as well pick a powder that's well suited to the cartridge in question.

If you know where to lay hands on a great deal on a specific powder, well, then maybe I'd think about "making do". But generally, I vote you buy the right stuff for the job at hand -- it won't cost you a penny more (or less) in the long run.
 
I don't think you'll do well with any powder in all three because 300 wm prefers slow burning powders while the other two do better with medium or fast burning.
I like H335 for .223 the best, but Varget is nice too. Reloader 22 is supposed to be great for 300 wm from what my friends tell me, but I have a 300 wsm so I can't speak from experience on that.
There is a powder made by Accurate that is made specifically for both .223 and .308 used by the military. Can't remember the exact number, but they sell it at the shooting edge and it's quite cheap for a lb of it.
Bottom line, I think you're further ahead to buy at least two different powders for the calibers.
 
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223 - W748 , ( varget and imr 3031 don't fit in )

308 -W748 , ( varget works great,not available)

300 - H4831SC ( tried imr4831 ,works good but H4831 is too good)
 
TAC or Varget in the 223 and 308, Magnum or RL22 in the 300. TAC gives great accuracy and is clean burning. Varget is less temp sensitive if you shoot in a wide range of temps. The 300 ideally needs a slower burning powder than the 223 and 308, with the usual bullet weights. Magnum and RL22 give good accuracy, and a good fill % of the case for efficient burn. (223 with 40-55 gr. bullets, 308 with 150-168gr., 300 with 165-180's).
 
thanks for the replies so far, I have decided to just get 3 different powders.

i am using an ar-15 .223 55 grain, an m-14 .308 150 and 155 grain and a savage bolt 300 wm if that changes anything.
 
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Give Mysticplayers article about reloading for the M14 a read. I was surprised when he advised against Varget, while I can't quantify his thoughts, the theory does make sence: Varget produces more gas, so for the same amount of powder, puts more stress on the moving parts.

I guess I'll look for some other case to put my Varget in...
 
I am having great results with H355 and 55gr projectiles out of my Douglas barreled Rem 600.
I shoot the primers out of shotgun hulls at 100m for kicks.

Good luck with your project.

CS45
 
I have not used Varget/ .308 loads in a gas gun, but if Jerry advises against it I personally wouldn't bother to try. It is my go to powder for bolt guns though.
 
223 - H4198
308 - Varget, H4831
300WM - H4831

While Varget will for all three, you have to take into consideration which powder works best for the given calibre yielding best accuracy, maximum speed and filling the brass.

You have to try them out and determine which powder they like best.
 
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