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Reloading Powder why your choice?

rickp

rickp

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 24, 2008
453
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Miami, Florida
www.threatsolutionsgroup.com
#1
I've been doing some research to maybe getting back into reloading. In the past I've loaded pistol and 5.56 not precision 308.

So as I'm searching for the preferred components I'm seeing a lot of R-15, Varget and H4895.

So why one over the other if not just personal preference.

I'm looking at probably shooting 175gr SMK (still need to research the round) but it's what I shoot now out of my AIAW. and I'll be shooting to 1000y.
 
#4
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

I started reloading 308 myself. Ordered 2# of Varget and 2# of RL15. My bolt guns shoot tighter groups with the RL15 and it meters easier then Varget.
 
#5
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BullzeyeNJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I started reloading 308 myself. Ordered 2# of Varget and 2# of RL15. My bolt guns shoot tighter groups with the RL15 and it meters easier then Varget. </div></div>

define "tighter"..??

and temperature is a big one for me.....

The one that has me chomping at the bit is the new Hornady Superformance......
smile.gif
 
#7
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

Varget (AR2208) because it works well and has a proven track record.

Besides that its easier to get ADI powders over here because they are made in Australia. AR2208 actually gets shipped over to the US from Aus, and gets relabelled as Varget.

Same goes for a lot of other powders.
 
#8
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

The one that has me chomping at the bit is the new Hornady Superformance......
smile.gif
</div></div>

So you can blow/pierce primers too, or have they gotten that straightened out
shocked.gif
?

rickp-I'm a fan of IMR4895 for 308, 7-08 and 223. Everyone talks temp insensitivity with Hogdon's, but I shoot in AZ where its 30's now in the morning and 110 afternoons in the summer and my 223 load is 1.5moa difference at 500yds from one end to the other. IMR4895 usually uses ~2% less than Varget to do the same job in these calibers on my loads.
 
#9
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">and temperature is a big one for me.....

The one that has me chomping at the bit is the new Hornady Superformance......
smile.gif
</div></div>

Do we have any idea about hodgdon's superformance powder and it's temp sensitivity?

That's a big deal for me too and one of the main factors in my choosing varget any chance I can.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
So you can blow/pierce primers too, or have they gotten that straightened out?</div></div>

Are we even sure that's the powder and not the brass/primer?
 
#11
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

Alliant powders (i.e. RL-15) generally offer higher velocities at lower pressures but are temp sensitive. Being double based propellants, they may be harder on barrels. In general I have found them to not burn as clean but have experienced excellent accuracy. I choose to not use these powders for field use but will use in a benchrest application

The Hogdon powders, especially the coated, extruded, "extreme" powders may be a better choice for hunting in different climates due to their relative insensitivity to temperatures. Varget is a fine "go to" powder and has a wide range of applications. You can shoot the 155 scenar, 168&175 SMK with varget.

I shoot all year round and don't fiddle with my loads for summer or winter. Temp sensititivity is important to me
 
#12
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> define "tighter"..??

</div></div>

As in, "younger, or less experienced"??





.......giggity
 
#14
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

The one that has me chomping at the bit is the new Hornady Superformance......
smile.gif
</div></div>

So you can blow/pierce primers too, or have they gotten that straightened out
shocked.gif
?

rickp-I'm a fan of IMR4895 for 308, 7-08 and 223. Everyone talks temp insensitivity with Hogdon's, but I shoot in AZ where its 30's now in the morning and 110 afternoons in the summer and my 223 load is 1.5moa difference at 500yds from one end to the other. IMR4895 usually uses ~2% less than Varget to do the same job in these calibers on my loads. </div></div>

is that the powder or the DA changing through the day?
 
#16
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

I think 1.5 moa difference at 500 for a 75gr 223 load from 40* to 100+ degrees shows pretty good temp insensitivity...

I don't know on the DA, its data from my HP service rifle data book, and I haven't shot NRA HP since becoming accustomed to the golden utility of DA......
 
#17
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

For 308 I favor RL15.
- It gives 100% case volume fill when using 175 SMK & LC Brass.
- Has a nice wide accuracy node with 175 SMKs.
(With this in mind, the temp sensitivity is much less of an issue.)
- Can be used in my .223 accuracy loads as well.
 
#18
Re: Reloading Powder why your choice?

I am still working up loads but last weekend I was shooting less then 1/2 groups (best 0.310, 5 shots) at 100 yards off a bench with my GA Precision 308 using 43g RL15 and 175g SMK. The best I could do with Varget was about 1/2 groups at 100 yards (best 0.480, 5 shots)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BullzeyeNJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I started reloading 308 myself. Ordered 2# of Varget and 2# of RL15. My bolt guns shoot tighter groups with the RL15 and it meters easier then Varget. </div></div>

define "tighter"..??

and temperature is a big one for me.....

The one that has me chomping at the bit is the new Hornady Superformance......
smile.gif
</div></div>
 
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