Recommended 308 Powder

[Q-Unit]

I have some reloading equipment on order, but my book has not shipped since it is lumped in with my back-ordered dies.

I hear a rumor the local cabelas has powder and I wanted to call before I made the 1 hour trip to see if they have the powder I need. Since I don't have my book could somebody tell me what powder I should be buying? I am a beginner so I plan on sticking to what the book says.

 

[Muskyjerk]

Bolt or semi?

varget

4895

Hodgdon Smokeless

 

[ArmyJerry]

4064, varget

 

[gpz750]

reloader 15, imr495
what are you shooting and what bullets you plan on using?

 

[lte82]

4064, varget

Yep. Also:

Ramshot TAC
Hodgdon CFE 223
Alliant 2000 MR
Alliant AR Comp
Alliant RL-15
Hodgdon H4895
Vihtavuori N140 or N540
Winchester 748 (last resort)
Accurate 2520

Those will all do well in the 308.

 

[buffybuster]

Varget
IMR4064
IMR4320
H4895
Reloader 15

 

[smschulz]

Varget

 

[elfster1234]

varget

 

[17874]

Varget
4064
4895

 

[mtrmn]

4895 is good
Add Accurate 2495 to your list-it is Accurate's version of 4895

 

[leadbullet]

Whatever you can buy right now, leverevolution is close to varget with temp sensitivity though.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

I use N150

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[DaemonAssassin]

IMR 3031
IMR4895
H4895
Varget
W760
W748 (only with certain bullets)
Ramshot Tac

 

[Q-Unit]

I guess I did not tell you all the information I needed to to get an exact answer.

I'm reloading for a bolt-action 308 (22" DTA SRS). I have been having trouble finding the same manufactured ammo consistently so I figure its time to start reloading. I like to shoot gold match mostly so I think I will be loading Sierra 168 Match King for starters.

What would be a standard powder for that? I have a ton of hornady cases so I'll probably be loading into those if it matters.

 

[17874]

I believe IMR4064 is the powder used in FGMM. Can't go wrong with Varget though.

 

[Q-Unit]

Good to know about the IMR. It seems like Varget is the consensus though. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Jordan1911]

Cabelas seems to be getting a fairly steady supply of IMR 4064 which is a great 308 powder. Also, there is a good chance Cabelas has reloading manuals out for customer use, or go to the IMR website, they publish there load data online.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

I use N150 with 168 SMK and FGMM brass.

 

[Eblade2004]

I use Varget,imr4895 and imr4064.

 

[No1]

If it's the Hornady Match brass then the primer pockets are crimped, FYI. Some primers seat better than others in it the first reload. Unless it's all you've got or can get, CCI BR primers won't go in at all. Fed LR match aren't much better but they work and that is what I use.
Hornady 168 Amax Superformance Match is loaded with Varget and can be duplicated almost exactly with canister powder. I use the Varget with SMKs and Amax, and am lucky that the load is the same for both bullets.

 

[Genius.]

Varget and IMR 4064

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Varget, IMR-4895, and IMR-4064 are good general purpose propellants for .308 (and .30-'06, 7.62x54R, and even .223). Ramshot TAC and Big Game, Winchester W748 and W760 (H-414 is the same powder as W760 with a different label on the bottle) also work well.

Overall, I think IMR-4064 has worked best for me, but it's also been a few years since I handloaded for the .308.

Greg

 

[LRDD]

I like the IMR 4064, and I know it don't get a lot of love but IMR 3031 has always been a good shooting powder for me.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I like the IMR 4064, and I know it don't get a lot of love but IMR 3031 has always been a good shooting powder for me.

IMR 3031 has always been good to my dad and I. He and I have created some incredible handloads tailored for multiple rifles, while using IMR 3031.

 

[mxjunky78]

Don't think its been mentioned here but I've had good luck with IMR 4320 and SMK 168gr.

 

[LowTwelve]

Varget and IMR 4064. I have played around with IMR 8208 XBR a bit while trying to find a suitable substitute the two named above. I have'nt been impressed with it yet.

 

[Aimsmall55]

I'm pushing the 185 OTM Bergers at 2832 fps out of a 28" bartlein. 46.5 grains of pp2000mr. Man I love that stuff got the big boys. Otherwise varget, cfe223, 4064 and when I shoot the 208 amax... Reloader 17 gives me 2649 fps.

 

[Jdaniel343]

I have been using Alliant Power Pro 2000-MR. I really like this powder.
I have tried the powders listed by other and they are good, I just like this one better.
I get a little more velocity, its easy to meter and is a little easier to find.
I am shooting Lapua brass, Berger 185 VLD's at 2800 fps without any pressure signs.
I shoot this load up to outside temps of 75 deg F. I start seeing pressure signs after this temp.

 

[hammerfest05]

Varget for 155gr pills and h4895 for 168gr and heavier.

 

[bruddah]

I had to stock up on IMR 4064 once I saw what it would do in my rifle pushing a 175gr SMK.

 

[Powermac]

N 150 is my go to powder in 308 for 150 grains and up.
If i use lighter bullets N140 is the way to go.

 

[JGorski]

RE15 has worked but velocity is not that good, CFE & 2000MR will give top speeds, IMR 4064 has worked well in some 150NBTs awhile back, never tried that powder with a heavier bullet but worth a try, Varget, as you all know does not work in either of my 308s, 12 or 10 twist. For a 168 grain bullet I'd have to go with CFE since I shot a nice .5moa group at 600yds out of my SPSS, albiet with a slightly low flier.

 

[WhiteHorze]

Since you're running a boltgun, you can push things a bit harder if you're getting better groups.

According to the latest Hornady cookbook:

150gr. bullets:

Accurate 2495 - 42Gr.
H4895 - 42 Gr.
IMR 8208 - 43 Gr.
Accurate 2460 - 43 GR.
IMR 4895 - 44 Gr.
Varget - 42 Gr.
IMR 4064 - 43 Gr.
Alliant RL 15 - 45 Gr.
Viht - N 140 - 44 Gr.
Win 748 - 45 Gr.
CFE 223 - 47 Gr.
Power Pro 2000 MR - 48 Gr.

175 Gr Bullets:

Accurate 2495 - 38Gr.
H4895 - 38 Gr.
IMR 8208 - 29 Gr.
IMR 4895 - 39 Gr.
Varget - 41 Gr.
IMR 4064 - 38 Gr.
Alliant RL 15 - 39 Gr.
Viht - N 150 - 40 Gr.
Win 760 - 45 Gr.
CFE 223 - 43 Gr.
Power Pro 2000 MR - 45 Gr.

190 Gr:

Accurate 2495 - 36Gr.
H4895 - 38 Gr.
IMR 4895 - 39 Gr.
Varget - 38 Gr.
IMR 4064 - 39 Gr.
Alliant RL 15 - 39 Gr.
Viht - N 150 - 40 Gr.
Win 760 - 44 Gr.

That should be enough to get you started.

My 308 favorite load is 41 Gr. of 4064 behind a 190 SMK. Extremely consistant with neckturned brass. I've gotten less that 30 fps spread with match prepped brass and match primers.

 

[samnev]

IMR 4895 and Varget when I can get it. Right now IMR 4895 is my go to powder.