It seems like Varget is hard to find. What is your go to powder now? I have a couple 8 lb jugs of Ramshot TAC and a few lbs of Varget. Is TAC worth a try for this round of should I be using a different powder when my varget runs out. TIA.
What is your favorite powder for 308?
- Thread starter turbohardtop
- Start date
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
I have Varget but also load IMR4895. I have GREAT results with IMR4895 at only 40grn pushing a 155 AMAX. Surprised the hell out of me since I was just starting to work up loads for this and was shooting consistant sub 0.5 MOA with my first loads. I'm going to try the Varget next as it is my primary .223 load.
I have Varget but also load IMR4895. I have GREAT results with IMR4895 at only 40grn pushing a 155 AMAX. Surprised the hell out of me since I was just starting to work up loads for this and was shooting consistant sub 0.5 MOA with my first loads. I'm going to try the Varget next as it is my primary .223 load.
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Varget...the only way to fly prior to that was 4064.
.
Although do love H4895 an Varget in my 223
Varget...the only way to fly prior to that was 4064.
.
Although do love H4895 an Varget in my 223
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Varget first
RL-15 Second with up to 175's
AA2520 for anything heaiver
Varget first
RL-15 Second with up to 175's
AA2520 for anything heaiver
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Varget is my choice as well. If everyone would look a bit further down this subforum you would find my post from yesterday stating Grafs has the 8 pounders in stock and ready to ship.
Josh
Varget is my choice as well. If everyone would look a bit further down this subforum you would find my post from yesterday stating Grafs has the 8 pounders in stock and ready to ship.
Josh
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I will keep the TAC for 223 and try to find more Varget.
Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I will keep the TAC for 223 and try to find more Varget.
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbohardtop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I will keep the TAC for 223 and try to find more Varget. </div></div>
Sound decision. While TAC will work for 308, and I have used it for 308 loads, I prefer 4064 and have been doing some 3031 dabbling. TAC is my go-to load for 223 with 77gr SMKs for 200/300 (23-23.5gr)
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbohardtop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I will keep the TAC for 223 and try to find more Varget. </div></div>
Sound decision. While TAC will work for 308, and I have used it for 308 loads, I prefer 4064 and have been doing some 3031 dabbling. TAC is my go-to load for 223 with 77gr SMKs for 200/300 (23-23.5gr)
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
R/S TAC for 155gr and under, R/S Big Game for heavier. As a single universal powder, Varget and IMR-4064 have both worked nicely for me.
I use IMR-4064 for all my .30-'06 loads, particularly since one of my '06's is a Garand.
Greg
R/S TAC for 155gr and under, R/S Big Game for heavier. As a single universal powder, Varget and IMR-4064 have both worked nicely for me.
I use IMR-4064 for all my .30-'06 loads, particularly since one of my '06's is a Garand.
Greg
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Now with out question IMR 8208xbr
Then Varget and RL 15
Now with out question IMR 8208xbr
Then Varget and RL 15
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
With the shortage of Varget followed by R.L.15 I began looking for suitable alternatives and quickly found them. Benchmark and IMR-3031 were the cats ass for me in the .308 with the 155-175 class bullets. I found them to be clean burners and great preformers in regards to accuracy and velocity. I did try others such as Tac but found it to heat up the barrel and chamber too quickly.
The 8208XBR is next on the list with the 155 Scenar as soon as my rifle returns from the smith.
With the shortage of Varget followed by R.L.15 I began looking for suitable alternatives and quickly found them. Benchmark and IMR-3031 were the cats ass for me in the .308 with the 155-175 class bullets. I found them to be clean burners and great preformers in regards to accuracy and velocity. I did try others such as Tac but found it to heat up the barrel and chamber too quickly.
The 8208XBR is next on the list with the 155 Scenar as soon as my rifle returns from the smith.
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Varget for the mid-weight bullets, now RL-17 for the 208 a-max bullets!
Varget for the mid-weight bullets, now RL-17 for the 208 a-max bullets!
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
I have been looking at the 8208 for some info and it seems that Varget is around the same velocity as the 8208 with Varget having a bit less PSI. I was looking at 155,168 and 175 308 data on Hogdens load data site. I'm not sure if that's a factor when you look at loads. It does seem that 8208 meters better and that's a plus. I could be wrong but it seems most people are getting great results with the lighter bullets in 308, like 155, or in smaller caliber rigs, 223, 6mm's . Is this your guy's experience. I'm thinking of pick'in up a pound to try it out.
I have been looking at the 8208 for some info and it seems that Varget is around the same velocity as the 8208 with Varget having a bit less PSI. I was looking at 155,168 and 175 308 data on Hogdens load data site. I'm not sure if that's a factor when you look at loads. It does seem that 8208 meters better and that's a plus. I could be wrong but it seems most people are getting great results with the lighter bullets in 308, like 155, or in smaller caliber rigs, 223, 6mm's . Is this your guy's experience. I'm thinking of pick'in up a pound to try it out.
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
There was a thread awhile back about TAC powder, lots of people posted up different recipes for the 308 with it. I would give it a try, one I remember was 42.5 + 175 SMK as an "m118" clone. It was the powder I was planning on buying until I found a local place that had varget in stock so I went that route instead.
If you do have 16lbs of it why not give it a try?
There was a thread awhile back about TAC powder, lots of people posted up different recipes for the 308 with it. I would give it a try, one I remember was 42.5 + 175 SMK as an "m118" clone. It was the powder I was planning on buying until I found a local place that had varget in stock so I went that route instead.
If you do have 16lbs of it why not give it a try?
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Varget #1, RL-15 #2, IMR4064 #3 in bolt action
IMR 4064 only in M1a
madd0c
Varget #1, RL-15 #2, IMR4064 #3 in bolt action
IMR 4064 only in M1a
madd0c
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
My 308's w/168's like:
1. IMR3031
2. IMR4895
3. REL-15
4. IMR4064
And I am going to burn in hell but I just couldn't get Varget to work as well as any of the above in my FN SPR and Savage 10FP either with my own experiments or other's proven loads.
My 308's w/168's like:
1. IMR3031
2. IMR4895
3. REL-15
4. IMR4064
And I am going to burn in hell but I just couldn't get Varget to work as well as any of the above in my FN SPR and Savage 10FP either with my own experiments or other's proven loads.
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Most of the guys I shoot with use ADI 2208 or ADI 2206 for shorter barrels.(ADI- Australian Defence Industry)
Most of the guys I shoot with use ADI 2208 or ADI 2206 for shorter barrels.(ADI- Australian Defence Industry)
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: madd0c</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget #1, RL-15 #2, IMR4064 #3 in bolt action
IMR 4064 only in M1a
madd0c </div></div> madd0c:I just bought imr 4064 and BLC to supplement my quickly dwindling supply of varget. Why 4064 only in your semi auto? How do you choose one powder over another based on action? I know there's a reason; even the lyman manual points it out.
I load smk 175 for my repr and am either going to stay with varget and buy a new powder measure or find something that meters better. How's 4064 meter compared to varget?
Thanks!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: madd0c</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Varget #1, RL-15 #2, IMR4064 #3 in bolt action
IMR 4064 only in M1a
madd0c </div></div> madd0c:I just bought imr 4064 and BLC to supplement my quickly dwindling supply of varget. Why 4064 only in your semi auto? How do you choose one powder over another based on action? I know there's a reason; even the lyman manual points it out.
I load smk 175 for my repr and am either going to stay with varget and buy a new powder measure or find something that meters better. How's 4064 meter compared to varget?
Thanks!
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
When loading for the M-14/M-1A or M-1 "Garand", or other gas operated rifles with op rods, people are using only medium burn rate powders like IMR 4064 or 4895 to prevent excessive gas port pressures and subsequent op rod damage.
Not as critical on M-16/AR-15/AR-10/SR-25 types that are using the gas pressure, but don't have an operating rod to bend at $100+ each.
When loading for the M-14/M-1A or M-1 "Garand", or other gas operated rifles with op rods, people are using only medium burn rate powders like IMR 4064 or 4895 to prevent excessive gas port pressures and subsequent op rod damage.
Not as critical on M-16/AR-15/AR-10/SR-25 types that are using the gas pressure, but don't have an operating rod to bend at $100+ each.
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
The Tac has some challenges due to its temperature sensitivity. Varget and 8208XBR don't have this issue.
The Tac has some challenges due to its temperature sensitivity. Varget and 8208XBR don't have this issue.
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Sorry for the delayed reply targaflorio, but jet_lagged answered it.
It is regarding gas port pressures in the M1a that I don't go any slower than 4064. I don't have personal experience with bending the oprod, but I don't want any either. Everything I have read on reloading for the m1a cautions on slower burning powders than 4064, so i have stuck with it.
As for the metering, if you are using a powder thrower to throw the charges, the Varget and the 4064 are very similar, both ar extruded powders, so there is some crunching of the granules when you throw. I have since gone to a chargemaster, and it doesn't have any troubles with the extruded powders.
hope this helps,
madd0c
Sorry for the delayed reply targaflorio, but jet_lagged answered it.
It is regarding gas port pressures in the M1a that I don't go any slower than 4064. I don't have personal experience with bending the oprod, but I don't want any either. Everything I have read on reloading for the m1a cautions on slower burning powders than 4064, so i have stuck with it.
As for the metering, if you are using a powder thrower to throw the charges, the Varget and the 4064 are very similar, both ar extruded powders, so there is some crunching of the granules when you throw. I have since gone to a chargemaster, and it doesn't have any troubles with the extruded powders.
hope this helps,
madd0c
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
Fresh from the gun show I now have 4064, XBR and 8 more lbs of varget. My gas gun is a direct piston impingement, so I don't think I have to worry. If 4064 meters like varget, I might have to change charging systems. The RCBS chargemaster has gotten a number of good recommendations lately. BTW I heard FGMM 168 is 42.5 grs of 4064 imr.
My first attempt at loading smk 175s with light varget loads was a disaster . of course, working up a load at 1000 yds isn't ideal. I didn't go above 43.5 ... I'll try 45grs .
Fresh from the gun show I now have 4064, XBR and 8 more lbs of varget. My gas gun is a direct piston impingement, so I don't think I have to worry. If 4064 meters like varget, I might have to change charging systems. The RCBS chargemaster has gotten a number of good recommendations lately. BTW I heard FGMM 168 is 42.5 grs of 4064 imr.
My first attempt at loading smk 175s with light varget loads was a disaster . of course, working up a load at 1000 yds isn't ideal. I didn't go above 43.5 ... I'll try 45grs .
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GRIM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">XBR8208 with 175 SMK's in a 20" supressed 11.25 twist obermyer barrel on Rem700 action.
Varget with Lapua 155's in same barrel/action. </div></div>
Grim: what's your charge on the XBR ?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GRIM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">XBR8208 with 175 SMK's in a 20" supressed 11.25 twist obermyer barrel on Rem700 action.
Varget with Lapua 155's in same barrel/action. </div></div>
Grim: what's your charge on the XBR ?
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
i used RE15 and it worked great for me.....just ask McCrazy
i used RE15 and it worked great for me.....just ask McCrazy
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GRIM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">XBR8208 with 175 SMK's in a 20" supressed 11.25 twist obermyer barrel on Rem700 action.
Varget with Lapua 155's in same barrel/action. </div></div>
Grim: what's your charge on the XBR ? </div></div>
Scratch that info - just went and looked at my data book- it was a different rifle (I'm getting alzheimers):
Rifle: Rem 700 PSS w/ factory 12 twist barrel. 3 shots each group.
XBR8208 powder
First time out:
39.5 (shot sub 3/4)2406 fps
40.0 - (shot sub 1/2) 2450 fps
40.5 - (shot 3/4) 2471 fps
41.0 - (shot .279") 2510 fps
XBR8208 powder
Second time out:
41.0 - (shot .280") 2520 fps
41.5 - (shot ~3/4 +) 2523 fps
42.0 - (shot 3/4) 2613 fps
42.5 - (shot sub 3/4) 2642 fps
No pressure signs at all, new Winchester brass, Fed GMM 210M primers, OAL 2.805"
I'm sticking with 41.0 grains of XBR8208 on this rifle.
The 20" suppressed rifle shoots the 155 Scenar's in front of 46.1 grains of Varget. Shoots sub 1/2 at 2815 fps.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: targaflorio</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GRIM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">XBR8208 with 175 SMK's in a 20" supressed 11.25 twist obermyer barrel on Rem700 action.
Varget with Lapua 155's in same barrel/action. </div></div>
Grim: what's your charge on the XBR ? </div></div>
Scratch that info - just went and looked at my data book- it was a different rifle (I'm getting alzheimers):
Rifle: Rem 700 PSS w/ factory 12 twist barrel. 3 shots each group.
XBR8208 powder
First time out:
39.5 (shot sub 3/4)2406 fps
40.0 - (shot sub 1/2) 2450 fps
40.5 - (shot 3/4) 2471 fps
41.0 - (shot .279") 2510 fps
XBR8208 powder
Second time out:
41.0 - (shot .280") 2520 fps
41.5 - (shot ~3/4 +) 2523 fps
42.0 - (shot 3/4) 2613 fps
42.5 - (shot sub 3/4) 2642 fps
No pressure signs at all, new Winchester brass, Fed GMM 210M primers, OAL 2.805"
I'm sticking with 41.0 grains of XBR8208 on this rifle.
The 20" suppressed rifle shoots the 155 Scenar's in front of 46.1 grains of Varget. Shoots sub 1/2 at 2815 fps.
Re: What is your favorite powder for 308?
8208 is giving me good results. I'm going to stock up before it catches on. I also switched my heavy 223 load over to 8208.
8208 is giving me good results. I'm going to stock up before it catches on. I also switched my heavy 223 load over to 8208.
