Some 308 reloading feedback requested

[Boogaloo]

I know most people prefer Varget for their precision 308 loads. I have some Varget inbound but I also have several other powders in hand I would like some feedback on.

CFE 223
BLC-2
TAC
X-Terminator
RL-15
IMR-4064
IMR-4895

I also know that 4064 and 4895 are powders that a lot of people use in 308 as well, but have any of you developed loads using any of the other powders in my list for accurate 308 ?

The bullets I have in hand are:

Lapua 155 Scenar
Sierra 155 MatchKing
Sierra 175 MatchKing

The Primers I have in hand are:

Federal 210M
CCI-BR

The brass I have in hand/inbound is:

Lapua
Winchester

I have been loading .223 for quite a while so I am not green, but really looking for feedback that will help me start developing loads with each of the projectiles I have listed, but more importantly, looking for feedback from those of you who may have experience using the other powders I have listed.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

I'd start at 45 grains Varget with those 155 SMKs and work up. I threw together 47 grains Varget with them yesterday to show my buddy how to shoot long range and ended up with a 2" group at 500 yards, and ringing a 12" plate at 800 just fine. Velocity was right around 3000 fps in my gun, and I didn't check to see how far off the lands the bullet was or anything. That combo has always shot great for me.

 

[ksthomas]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

Boogaloo,

The 308 is one of those cartridges that it's almost harder to come up with a bad load than it is a good one. You;ve got several powders there that are perfectly suited to this application. As you mentioned, both 4064 and 4895 are old, long time favorites for match loads in the 308. The RL-15 has been the powder used in LC M118LR Match ammo for many years now. Varget was the primary powder used in Sierra's QC shooting for the 308 for the past ten years or so, and always delivers outstanding results. I'd focus on one of these four first. They'll all work, but as far as which one works best in yours, that's one you'll have to figure out in your own rifle.

 

[700sendero]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

The military mk 316....fed or lc lr brass..210m. 41.7 imr 4064.. 175 smk or 178 bthp very accurate..its at the very bottom of the lee manual....you can mess with the powder charge a little to get the timing for your rifle...but will probally shoot .75 to .5 as is..oh and coal 2.81-2...

 

[Boogaloo]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

Hey thank you fellas for the replies, I hope you all had a good Xmas with your families, loved ones, and or friends.

Now that we have the powder covered, I am looking deeper into the precision aspect of loading 308, and wondering if you gents might help point me in the right direction when it comes to neck sizing dies.

I think I need to get a set of dies to supplement the Dillon carbides that I have now so I can take care of my good brass.
If you were going to buy a new set of competition dies for 308 right now, what would you buy, and why would you choose them? I am thinking I need a competition seater, and a good bushing type neck die. I have never neck only sized and am having a severe case of decision constipation when it comes to the various options and could use some guidance.

 

[.50 Cal Cow]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

For sizing take a look at the Forster bushing neck size/shoulder die and see if that would work. Able to bump shoulders and neck size. Comes with .332/.334/.336 sized bushings which have covered any of the brass I've used so far and was fairly decently priced.

As for seater die still using just the regular hornady custom seater die. From what I am able to tell any runout issues have been from brass or sizing as most of the rounds than not have little to no runout. Do find though that I do have to take my time and rotate the case while seating.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

I noticed CFE223 in your powder list.

I have a huge supply of it and have been working up some loads for my .308.

48.1 gr of CFE223 in a Win case with Wolf Primer and a 168 gr Nosler Custom Comp is a nice fast load and accurate as all get out.

For 178 gr Hornady Amax bullets 44.5 gr of CFE223 with the same case primer combination also is great.

Best of all, the "Copper Eraser" feature really works. Far less fouling after a lot more rounds. Also, about 75-100 fps faster than Varget in the same case.

 

[l115a3]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I noticed CFE223 in your powder list.

I have a huge supply of it and have been working up some loads for my .308.

48.1 gr of CFE223 in a Win case with Wolf Primer and a 168 gr Nosler Custom Comp is a nice fast load and accurate as all get out.

For 178 gr Hornady Amax bullets 44.5 gr of CFE223 with the same case primer combination also is great.

Best of all, the "Copper Eraser" feature really works. Far less fouling after a lot more rounds. Also, about 75-100 fps faster than Varget in the same case. </div></div>


I currently using Varget as main powder for .308 win & .223 Rem

In case of finding some secondary powder for run out period of Varget, what powder should I give a try?

IMR 4064
IMR 4895
CFE 223



My accuracy load were

175 LRBT
43.5 of Varget
Lapua Brass
CCI BR-2
COAL 2.900"
MV = 2,650 fps

and

185 LRBT
43.0 of Varget
Lapua Brass
CCI BR-2
COAL 2.950"
MV = 2,590 fps.

 

[NoFail]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

CFE223 is great for getting heavier pills back up to speed. Since my .308 barrel is 16" I am using it and the speed increase is impressive. Chrono'd load below was over 2550 fps, 60* F, PACT XP Chrono. I have not finished fine tuning this load yet.

47.1 gn cfe223
Hornady .308 match brass
BR-2
178 AMAX
2.810" OAL

I'm loving Varget, imr 4064 & H4895 with 168 AMAX for same barrel. I know I need to pick one of those.

But

42.9 Varget
168 AMAX
Hornady .308 brass
Br2
2.810"

44.5 4064
168 AMAX
Hornady
Br2
2.810"

43.6 gn H4895
168 AMAX
Winchester
Br2
2.810"

 

[TheRedHorseman]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

I had good luck with TAC under 168gr Hornady bullets.
It is my go to powder for .223, so I decided to try it in .308.

44.0gr TAC
168 Hornady BTHP match
Winchester brass
WLR
2.870 (looooong throat on that barrel)

Shot better than 3/4 MOA at 100 out of a cheap Adams and Bennett 24" barrel. I stopped playing with it because Varget and AA2520 gave me slightly better performance.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: Some 308 reloading feedback requested

IMR or H-4895 for the 168's or lighter for me unless it's a Palma match.

None of the following loads are hot out of my rifle. Between the jump and the Tula primers, the pressure seems to be lower. I had to back off my loads a little when I was shooting Win LR primers.

168 Nosler BTHP
43.0 IMR-4895
Tula LR Primer
LC Brass
.04 off the lands

155 Nosler BTHP
44.8 H-4895
Tula LR Primer
LC Brass
.04 off the lands

190 Nosler BTHP
43.6 Varget
Win LR primer
.06 off the lands (the really like to jump)

155 Nosler BTHP
47.2 Varget
Tula LR Primer
LC Brass
.04 off the lands

175 Berger VLD
45.2 H-4895
Tula LR primer
LC brass
.06 off the lands

185 OTM Berger
44.0 Varget
Tula LR Primer
LC Brass
.02 off the lands