.308 AR powder recommendation

[Ape_Factory]

Looking for a little guidance on powder choice for an AR-style in .308 as I explore my first hand loads in this caliber and I'm looking to avoid the rabbit hole and go with a good "starting" powder that'll work with a wide range of loads and may be more tailored to an AR-style rifle.

What I'm looking for...
-16" barrel, 1:10 twist, not currently suppressed but will be in the near future. Muzzle brakes are just too loud.
-Want two different loads, a hunting/defense load (deer, hogs) and a plinking fairly accurate load out to 600 yards, def 1 moa@100 yards.

My initial batch of bullets to experiment with;
-Nosler Custom Competition 155gr HPBT (plinking)
-Hornady 150gr FMJBT #3037 cannelure (plinking)
-Hornady SST 150gr #30302 (hunting/defense)
-Hornady GMX 150gr #30370 (hunting/defense)
-Hornady GMX 165gr #30470 (hunting/defense)

I may try something in the 125gr range as well as a few other bullets in the 165gr arena from other manufacturers for hunting (open to suggestions here too). Nothing lead tipped.

So far I've seen Hodgdon Varget mentioned frequently along with BL-C(2), and H4895. I currently use H335 for my .223 loads with good effect. In addition there's IMR4320 and Alliant AR Comp which seems to be tailored to heavier bullets. Ideally it's fairly available (ha!) now too. I've been reading a lot of the recipes on this forum and most are using bolt gun/precision rifles.

I don't see myself going 180gr+ due to the barrel twist, length and intended use. Ideally, like I said, I'd like something that's a solid, good starting point that I can purchase an 8lb. jug and not feel like I just wasted $200.

 

[Batemanb12]

For an AR 308 my goto are Varget or 4064 for the bullet weight that you are looking to shoot.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Just ordered 8lbs of N550, hope it works out. Gonna try it out with 155’s and 168’s. I have varget on standby, but not gonna touch it until I can accumulate more than 10lbs of it.

 

[GIXXER2000]

I also run 4064 just cause I don't want to use up my Varget. I shoot a Sig 716 1-10 16 inch barrel.
Nosler Custom Comp 175 bullet
Black Hills brass
210 primer
42.6 of IMR 4064
avg fps 2447
sd 12.1
Shot well out passed 875yards.

 

[Ape_Factory]

Is Varget impossible to find these days? Is there an advantage to Varget over the others?

 

[padom]

Varget
H4895
4064

All have been excellent in my 308 gassers and bolt guns with 155-178gr bullets

 

[Ape_Factory]

Forgot to mention, it's a DI and not piston.

 

[GIXXER2000]

Also IMR 4166 seems to be the same burn rate as Varget. I have used 4166 in both bolt and AR-10 and the load data was the same as Varget. Both Varget and 4166 are very temp stable and the only reason I when with 4064 was a got a good deal on an 8lb jug. Powder Valley has IMR 4166 in stock

 

[Ape_Factory]

Thanks Gixxer, that reminds me...climate. I'm in South Central Texas so hotter than hell during the summer months and mild winter temps. I'll look into the 4166 and 4064 differences.

 

[steelsnob47]

agree with varget, 4064, 4895, but would add reloader15

 

[GIXXER2000]

I am in NW AZ and shoot in temp well over 100. I like the 4166 as it less temp affected bu high temps. I will switch to 4166 after the 8 of 4064 runs out.

 

[steelsnob47]

varget rl15 and imr4064 are each very temp stable

 

[BrienM]

varget rl15 and imr4064 are each very temp stable

+1 for the above three options and add Shooters World Precision. Any of those four are great!

 

[Punkur67]

Varget is my go to for 168, 175, and 178 grain loads in my AR-10 and bolt gun

 

[Ape_Factory]

Ended up with IMR4064 as I was able to find it in stock. Most everything else was sold out.

 

[padom]

Ended up with IMR4064 as I was able to find it in stock. Most everything else was sold out.

My favorite 308 bolt gun powder for 168/175smk

I'll be doing full work up for a 308 barrel test/review/comparison in the next few weeks. Bartlein 5R and Kreiger 4 groove 1:11.25 twist.

 

[bghartm]

I use Varget in the majority of my AR's.

 

[steelsnob47]

Ended up with IMR4064 as I was able to find it in stock. Most everything else was sold out.

back in 2007 i began reloading. at that time mostly for 308. at that runup to obamanation debacle it was hard to find unobtainium varget. i made up all recipes using imr4064 for 556 and 308 because it was readily available still. never bothered to change.

 

[ormandj]

varget rl15 and imr4064 are each very temp stable

RL15 is definitely not temp stable, nor would I consider 4064 to be. Try AR Comp. Varget is a great choice, as well, I do agree with that one.

 

[Wading]

IMR4064
H4895
VV140
RL15

 

[Baddog 0302]

VVN 140 w/ 155's
N203B w/ 168 's
I 4064 & H 4895 w/ 175/178
Go to the Hodgdon's load data site and check out their "service rifle"
With that short a Bbl. I'd avoid ball powders