What powder would you go with for this .308 load
- Thread starter Artie Fufkin
- Start date
Glock4ever
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I would use either Varget or IMR 4064. I prefer Varget though - temp insensitive is a big deal for me (hunting). I have the same load - 168 SMK, Lapua Case, Federal GMM Primers and 46.0 grains of Varget.
Dont forget to full length resize your brass and switch out primers to a CCI # 200 Large rifle to help prevent slam fires if you shoot in an M14... F/L resizing makes sure your round fully chambers allowing the bolt to lock up, while the cci 200 primer has a thicker/harder shell that helps with the m14's floating firing pin.
I personally use imr 4895 with my 168 grain SMK's. I have heard H4895 is less temp sensative and less dirty but works just as well as its imr counterpart.
Just my 0.02
Yes, aware of the slam fire issue with semi-auto's and have a bunch of CCI #34's for that. The M14 is a whole different kettle of fish isn't it...
AF
- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
I have used a lot of IMR 4895 in the .308, but Reloder 15 really does work well too. I have used it in the .338 with very good results.
My No5Mk1 with 150 and 180 grain bullets likes R-15 also. R-15 seems to get better velocities without gaining more pressures....
Varget & Reloader 15 in that order.
The opposite of what he said
Seriously either will work, but I had the best results with re15.
Kodiak99317
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan, Canada
Were is an old benchrest saying from back in the days when 308s were big in HBR(Hunter BR), that is, if it will not shoot a bughole with 40g of H4895 at 100 yds, it will just plain not shoot period, get a new barrel.
I've been firing RL15 for a good while now, a good 150+ rounds loaded with it and I've had good results, though after buying a new scope and really getting serious at the range I've come to the decision that its time to try a new one.
here is alliant powders description for RL-15
As you can see, both designed for the .308 and both do a very good job with them
I'm probably going to try varget to see what all the hype is about
here is a good article about it: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_9_52/ai_n16547824
Hodgdon's description for Varget:
but one that hasn't been mentioned and should be is Bl-c(2) which was designed specifically for the .308 round and I've had amazing groups with it. Why I didn't stick with it I don't know, but do consider it. It is a great powder in my experience.
Here is what Hodgdon has for a description
Right now I'm tossed between the two as I've done well with Blc2 but I want to check out varget as well. I'll probably have to load a bunch in both to see.
but yea BL-c(2).. look into it
here is alliant powders description for RL-15
As you can see, both designed for the .308 and both do a very good job with them
I'm probably going to try varget to see what all the hype is about
here is a good article about it: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_9_52/ai_n16547824
Hodgdon's description for Varget:
but one that hasn't been mentioned and should be is Bl-c(2) which was designed specifically for the .308 round and I've had amazing groups with it. Why I didn't stick with it I don't know, but do consider it. It is a great powder in my experience.
Here is what Hodgdon has for a description
Right now I'm tossed between the two as I've done well with Blc2 but I want to check out varget as well. I'll probably have to load a bunch in both to see.
but yea BL-c(2).. look into it
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Of all the ones I've played with, Reloader 15 was supreme, and Varget was a very close second. Reloader 15 will buy you an extra 50 to 80 FPS of velocity, and/or lower pressure so your brass lasts longer. Given that it's $30+ a pound, and Varget can be had down near $24 a pound, I've been shooting Varget for a while now.
Side note - the whole "temperature insensitve" thing regarding Varget - ummm, not as much as you might think -- I still loose 50 to 80 FPS when the temperature drops much below freezing. That's not the end of the world, and indeed, is an improvement over some other powders, but it is not really what the advertising folks would have you believe, either.
Side note - the whole "temperature insensitve" thing regarding Varget - ummm, not as much as you might think -- I still loose 50 to 80 FPS when the temperature drops much below freezing. That's not the end of the world, and indeed, is an improvement over some other powders, but it is not really what the advertising folks would have you believe, either.
IMR 3031 It's was what the military used with 168 grain bullets in the match loads... I have shot some exellent groups with my M14 3/4" 5 shot groups out of a scoped stock norinco aint bad.
I dont know why everyone is so varget happy its one of the more ex#####ve powders per pound... I have never used it... I just switched back to H335 for my rifle loading because IMR 3031 is getting a bit on the expensive side. I have had exellent results with H335 in the .223 so I am going to give it a shot in the .308 as well
I dont know why everyone is so varget happy its one of the more ex#####ve powders per pound... I have never used it... I just switched back to H335 for my rifle loading because IMR 3031 is getting a bit on the expensive side. I have had exellent results with H335 in the .223 so I am going to give it a shot in the .308 as well
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