• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

what powder should i switch to for .308

dmiller369

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 26, 2012
54
0
34
i developed a good round using IMR 4895 and i ran out of powder right when the Kaos all began and ending up being left in the dust. I cant find ANY IMR 4895 so can you point me in the direction on where to find some? IF NOT, then i would like some advice on what powder can still be found at your local bass pro or shooting store if any at all.

thanks
 
I recently picked up some RE15 and worked it up with some 168 Amax, man it is a thing of beauty. If it wasnt for the powder shortage, I might have never tried it.

Anyway, fill out your profile, this way folks can pm you some local resources.

also here is a burn rate chart you can print out and take it with you. Sometimes it is difficult to remember all of the powders.

vvburnchart.jpg
 
I "started" using RL15. Nice stuff. Some times Viht-135, when I can't find varget. Burns clean, and is my favorite, for 308. BUT it's not cheap! Probably why it's "left on the shelf".
 
dmiller post where your located and folks near you may know where to send you. Would you be willing to order?

RL-15
VARGET

both work well for me.
 
Nice chart Roggom, thanks for posting. Tagged.

Thanks, It is actually the chart from the vihtavuori reloading manual, but is very easy to just look across at the burn rate and see what other manufactures burn at similar rates. Of course they will all have to be worked down a bit and back up.
 
RL-15 and Varget are just about interchangeable as far as their applications go, that is, anything one will do, the other will do just as well. The good news here is that it's probably harder to find a "bad" powder for the 308 than it is a good one. Depending on what bullet weight you're talkning about, the 308 will work well with a pretty wide variety of burn rates. I'f you're using mid-weight (155-175 grain) bullets, Varget, RL-15, N140 or N540, 4895 (IMR or H) or IMR 4064 will all give outstanding results.
 
RL-15 and Varget are just about interchangeable as far as their applications go, that is, anything one will do, the other will do just as well. The good news here is that it's probably harder to find a "bad" powder for the 308 than it is a good one. Depending on what bullet weight you're talkning about, the 308 will work well with a pretty wide variety of burn rates. I'f you're using mid-weight (155-175 grain) bullets, Varget, RL-15, N140 or N540, 4895 (IMR or H) or IMR 4064 will all give outstanding results.
I agree. 4064 IS great also. Forgot to mention. Very common powder, and "over looked".
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ravenworks
Ive had bad luck getting many powders too. Accurates were left in my area so i started playing with them. AA-4064 in my 308 has produced some good results.
 
I live in Fort Wayne Indiana.

is a 168 grain favored with a faster or slower burning powder?

also since I used imr4895 can I move across on that list and use anything at the same speed?
 
I live in Fort Wayne Indiana.

is a 168 grain favored with a faster or slower burning powder?

also since I used imr4895 can I move across on that list and use anything at the same speed?

Lighter bullets use faster powders, heavy bullets are the opposite. 168s are on the lighter side.
 
IMR 4895 would be considered a mid-burning range powder with the 168s. This was the standard powder used by LCAAP for the M118 and M852 loads back when Remington had the contract. Remington has also used 3031 (definately a fast burning powder in this app) with the 168s as the test ammo for their 40-X's out of the Custom Shop. Bit lower int he velocity, but it DOES shoot.
 
  • Like
Reactions: domdoc
Here are recipes I've put together for the stuff I have in my loading cabinet. Some from the net, most cut and paste from different loading manuals.
I have 100 rounds of ladder test bullets loaded using 4064, 2230, N135 and RL17 using the 150 - 180gr bullets below. Just no time to go to the range and spend a whole day.


BulletWeightCaliberPowderCOLGrainsVelocity FPSPressure PSIMax GrsMax FPSMax PSI
Hornady Spire Pt110.308"IMR 40642.600047.02,95043,300
Nosler 125 BT125.308"VV N1332.756040.12,72146.33,120
Nosler B-TIP125.308"AA 22302.720041.42,82146.03,12058,950
Nosler 125 BT125.308"VV N1352.756041.62,73248.93,143
Speer 125 gr HP125Reloder 10X2.615042.03,073
Sierra SP125.308"IMR 40642.700046.02,89142,50050.13,11952,100
SpeerHP130.308"IMR 40642.615045.02,80943,60049.53,03652,300
Speer 150 gr SP150Reloder 10X2.700039.52,755
Sierra SPBT150.308"AA 22302.750040.12,64344.52,86559,500
Nosler 150 Bal Tip SP150.308"N1352.810041.02,617
Nosler E-TIP150.308"IMR 40642.800042.92,65947,50046.72,88359,800
Nosler BT150.308"IMR 40642.800043.02,66344,70047.72,90357,100
Nosler 150 Bal Tip SP150.308"N1352.810043.02,74045.02,863
NOSLER BT150.308"IMR 40642.755045.02,84058,000
Hornady 150gr BTSP150IMR 40642.800045.02,860
Speer 150 gr BTSP150Reloder 172.800050.02,763
Sierra HPBT155.308"IMR 40642.775043.02,60242,90047.52,87156,500
Sierra1550.308RL172.800045.02,68942,200
Speer 165 gr SP165Reloder 10X2.800038.02,596
Nosler Ballistic Tip Spitzer165.308"IMR 40642.810040.52,560
Hornady SP165.308"IMR 40642.750042.02,55447,70046.32,76759,700
BARNES X165.308"IMR 40642.800042.52,60058,000
SIERRA HPBT165.308"IMR 40642.755042.52,64057,000
Nosler Ballistic Tip Spitzer165.308"IMR 40642.810042.52,63044.52,700
NOSLER BT165.308"IMR 40642.755043.02,64057,000
Speer 165 gr BTSP165Reloder 172.800050.02,739
Sierra HPBT168.308"AA 22302.800037.42,46141.52,67661,000
Sierra HPBT168.308"IMR 40642.800041.52,51843,80045.92,76658,800
Barnes TTSX BT168.308"IMR 40642.800043.02,53947,40045.02,74358,900
Sierra Match King175.308"N1502.795036.82,23643.52,573
Sierra Match King175.308"N5502.795039.62,29045.82,631
Sierra Match King175.308"IMR 40642.800041.52,50045,20045.62,72859,500
Sierra Match King175.308"RL172.800047.52,55048.52,675
Hornady 180 SP180.308"N1352.795036.02,16941.82,510
SpeerSP180.308"IMR 40642.800040.72,44544,10045.22,68358,200
Hornady PTD Spcl180.308"IMR 40642.600043.52,58051,700
Speer 180 gr BTSP180Reloder 172.800048.72,641
Hornady BTSP190.308"IMR 40642.740039.42,36547,80043.72,56959,100
SFT SP200.308"IMR 40642.700039.02,26846,10042.52,46658,400
Hornady A-MAX208.308"IMR 40642.820037.72,20745,10041.02,39156,700

<tbody>
</tbody>
 
Last edited:
Nice burn rate chart in a format Ive never seen gives a better feel for comparing rather than the usual numbered column
 
Good God I just noticed the price of 8lb Hodgdon varget on midway is $174.00. Accurate 2520 is $146 per 8lb
 
how come?


What is a good .308 168gr load for cfe 223?

Cuz varget chooses not to be very accurate in either of my 700s,(works great in 708s, though) RE15 is very, very accurate in my 308s, I use 47grs of either 2000MR & CFE with lapua brass, 168AMAXs.
 
Cuz varget chooses not to be very accurate in either of my 700s,(works great in 708s, though) RE15 is very, very accurate in my 308s, I use 47grs of either 2000MR & CFE with lapua brass, 168AMAXs.

I've got a good load with 42.9 gr Varget & 168 AMAX. I prefer IMR 4064 & for heavier bullets CFE 223 with 178 AMAX & 180 Nosler's.
 
I really like W748, there is not a lot of love for it on the Hide though. Varget has too much lot to lot variation and people hate on 748 for temp sensitivity.

Varget runs at considerably higher pressures then just about every other powder available for .308.

For match loads, I have yet to see anything in my guns out perform IMR-4895
 
I'm currently working up a load for Varget as I just got some (HURRAY!) Though, my rifle just flat out Loves H4895. It's uncanny how accurate and precise the rifle is, I just need to find some more H4895 somewhere.
 
H4895 > Varget in my .308

I had 2 lbs Varget. My bro in law wanted some Varget to try in his .223. I was like, meh, whatever I'll sell you one pound. This was a month ago while its all still hard to come by.

DON'T TOUCH MY CFE!!!
 
A powder that I think is going to gain popularity fast is the IMR 8208 XBR. Its temp stable, has a burn rate clost to Varget but shorter kernals! it meaters like a dream!
 
  • Like
Reactions: popapi and OG10
H4895 > Varget in my .308

I had 2 lbs Varget. My bro in law wanted some Varget to try in his .223. I was like, meh, whatever I'll sell you one pound. This was a month ago while its all still hard to come by.

DON'T TOUCH MY CFE!!!
I picked up 2 lbs of cfe 223 from bass pro this weekend. I need to work up some loads with it .
 
168gr and/or 175gr smk.

Federal brass
Winchester LR primer
So you cant sleep either, my wife cant sleep as well. You mightve seen this target before, both are 47grs under 168AMAXs. Id say fed & Lapua brass, which I used are very similar for capacity, so Id start there or maybe .5grain lower since you're using a hotter primer. That CFE load also shot a 4.7" group out to 600yds last Aug.
BLZU4n6.jpg
 
So you cant sleep either, my wife cant sleep as well. You mightve seen this target before, both are 47grs under 168AMAXs. Id say fed & Lapua brass, which I used are very similar for capacity, so Id start there or maybe .5grain lower since you're using a hotter primer. That CFE load also shot a 4.7" group out to 600yds last Aug.
BLZU4n6.jpg

Ok I lied, im changing over to CCI LR primers. I keep reading that Winchester primers are pretty hot, and I was having a little bit of overpressure signs on my last trip to the range so Im going to switch primers and work my way back up again.

I work 2nd shift so im always up at stupid hours of the night lol
 
Ok I lied, im changing over to CCI LR primers. I keep reading that Winchester primers are pretty hot, and I was having a little bit of overpressure signs on my last trip to the range so Im going to switch primers and work my way back up again.

I work 2nd shift so im always up at stupid hours of the night lol
Yeah, I use CCIBRs, so.... I got off nightshift Monday morning.
 
Ok I lied, im changing over to CCI LR primers. I keep reading that Winchester primers are pretty hot, and I was having a little bit of overpressure signs on my last trip to the range so Im going to switch primers and work my way back up again.

Ive got some hunting loads for my Classic 308 loaded with WLRs and 2000MR under 178s, 47.3grs, they actually work pretty well.
IMG_0580.jpg
 
I've only ever used Varget. Its was the first powder I tried in both of my 308's and never had any reason to try anything different. Great velocity and accuracy for anything from 155's to 178's and not very temperature sensitive...
 
8208 XBR is what I am going to use now that the Varget is all gone.
 
A powder that I think is going to gain popularity fast is the IMR 8208 XBR. Its temp stable, has a burn rate clost to Varget but shorter kernals! it meaters like a dream!

+1... I use it with 168 Amax in my .308 and also for 77/75 bthp in my AR. Times like these its nice to have multiple reliable loads. My .308 likes Varget, Reloader 15' and 8208xbr equally well.

Good luck in your search...
 
&

CFE223
Alliant power pro 2000mr
H4895

Want to try VV 150 & or 550

.308, hard to say there is a best powder. Most that are good for .308 are just that, good. I have 4 powders on the shelf for my .308. I've found good nodes with all of them & ES/SD's are all great except Varget I can't get lower than 20's, but it groups very well with my 168 AMAX.
 
Okay, great!! Are you one of the SS 1-6 guys? I have that one now, it's pretty decent.

Nope, it's this Burris 1.5-6 Signature, it's also the first Burris scope I bought back in 92. Not quite as clear as my newer models, could use a rubber cap on the eye piece, too.
IMG_0453.jpg
 
I like Varget, but I have several friends that use RL15, RL17, IMR4895, and CFE-223 with good results.

I use CFE-223 in my .223 AR loads, works great.
 
I recently picked up some RE15 and worked it up with some 168 Amax, man it is a thing of beauty. If it wasnt for the powder shortage, I might have never tried it.

Anyway, fill out your profile, this way folks can pm you some local resources.

also here is a burn rate chart you can print out and take it with you. Sometimes it is difficult to remember all of the powders.

vvburnchart.jpg
What grain are you putting in for powder. I'm trying to work up a load
 
And so it has been reborn!!!!

Only seven years later. Half credit for trying to use the search function, maybe next time they'll see the active, 24 page thread in the reloading depot.