Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

[notme]

Picked up some Lapua .308 Win brass, Lrg rifle primers and 175gr SMk today to begin my quest of reloading. I've read quite a bit and still learning much however, going to start reloading soon with all of the new equipment.

I've read about many different powders for this projectile however, would appreciate your suggestions to include measured weight and velocities.

I'm using a 20" barrel

Thanks in advance

 

[Rooster931]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Hodgdon Varget is a good powder in .308

 

[maggitas]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

IMR 4895
Hodgon Varget
Alliant Powder Pro 2000MR
IMR 8208 XBR
Vihtavhoura N140

Varget is the most forgiving however

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Varget is the only thing I use in my .308, no matter which bullets I have shot.

 

[George63]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

no one has mentioned IMR 4064

 

[LWILLIAMS]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

I run Varget in mine as well. Seems to do great accuracy wise as well as handling our huge temperature swings we have here in WY

 

[clmayfield]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

My short range accuracy load is 43.0 gr Varget and a 175 SMK.

The 175 SMK and Varget go together like peanut butter and jelly.

 

[jo300]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Reloader 15 and IMR 4064.

 

[1Sg (ret)]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Varget,RL15,IMR4895,BLC2,and 4064.Varget is my go to.Lapua brass 44 gr and a 178amax or 175SMK.As always work up your own load.

 

[notme]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Much thanks to all. Your suggestions give me a good place to start and build upon.

 

[l115a3]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

I'm happy with 43.5 of Varget in my 700 XCR Compact Tactical 20"

FC Brass
175 SMK
COAL 2.810

 

[700sendero]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

+ 1 4064...

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Power pro 2000 mr gives me 100 fps more than varget with same brass and bullet with same if not better accuracy. It sucks with smaller bullets though. Varget is an all around good choice too. It shoots the Palma bullets very well as well as the 168 and 175 just not as fast as power pro.

 

[Trigger Time 23]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Varget and IMR-4064. I almost exclusively use Varget now.

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

2000MR, R15, and Varget are my choices. I haven't tried 4064 or 4895 yet but, I intend to at some point. My preference is 2000MR because it has slightly more speed and larger nodes.

 

[JGorski]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

2000MR or even better, CFE223, shot a 4.7" group at 600yds with CFE and 168AMAXs in a factory 700 SPSS.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

I keep hearing about cfe223. Who makes it and what's it's burn rate compared to pp 2000 mr(slow) or varget (faster)

 

[svons7]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

I also prefer varget for my 175gr SMK load. I have used 4064 with good results as well.

i have stuck with the standard OAL of 2.800 in my 700 sps. I will probably adjust that on the next batch.

stick between 44-45 g of varget typically

 

[JGorski]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I keep hearing about cfe223. Who makes it and what's it's burn rate compared to pp 2000 mr(slow) or varget (faster) </div></div>
Hodgdon.
In certain applications its almost identical to 2000MR, but Id say its a tad bit faster.

 

[Teggy1]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Reloader 15

 

[jyd]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Started with 4064, then went to varget. It's hard to beat the extreme powders.

 

[GhostFace]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

I guess I am off as I tried Varget along with 4895, 4064 and I abandoned Varget. It gave good results but offered nothing over the other two than being a little more stable, I mean a little more. 4895 has been my go to but this batch I am now revisiting 4064...

 

[NoFail]

Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

47.1 gn CFE223 & 178 AMAX, Hornady brass. Nice low single digit SD and close to 2600 fps from my 16" .308 AR, in the summer.

IMR 4064 & Varget for 168's do very well. I don't know which one I like better there, but maybe the 4064 with the extremely low ES's I experienced with it.