Author Topic: Lookin for the best powder for 308 (Read 2055 times)

longwinters · « **on:** October 26, 2003, 10:09:27 AM »

Just picked up a 308 and dont want to buy every powder in the Nosler book. I will be shooting Nosler 150 Boat tails or Partitions out of a 22" barrel. Any good advice will be appreciated!

long

onesonek · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2003, 12:50:00 PM »

I'm looking at a 308 also. For me it would be a toss up between RL15, or Varget to start

eroyd · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2003, 03:09:31 PM »

I've been messing about with all sorts of powders including surplus and I can't seem to go wrong in any of my three 308's. Maybe I've been lucky or perhaps it's a very tolerant cartridge. Best results so far have been from Varget, RL15 and WC845 (like H335). I haven't been pushing the max.'s

Three brands of 168gr match, 165 rem's, 155 nos J4's, and for fun 110 gr. Sierra's that to my delight shot sub minute at reduced velocities.

EOD3 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2003, 07:47:30 PM »

RL15 and BLC(2) work well for me.

Varmint Hunter · « **Reply #4 on:** October 27, 2003, 07:35:24 AM »

GENERIC ANSWER

If I were to be working with a single loading manual and a new cartridge I'd do one of a few things.

Check the manual for a prefered powder for the bullet weight that you intent to shoot or,
If buying only one powder, than I would look for a medium burning rate powder within the choices listed or
I would buy two cans; one on the faster end and one on the slower end

Guns are funny creatures and you can never tell what they will like the best. Funny thing about the .308 win, its seems to be one of those cartridges that you can work up an acceptable load with many, if not all, of the powders listed in the loading manuals.

Remember: Start with low (listed) powder charges and work up carefully. It is not necessary to ever get to the top velocity. Let accuracy be your guide rather than chamber bursting pressure loads. If you really needed that .308 win to go faster than you should just buy a 300 win mag. :lol:

VH

cotton1 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 27, 2003, 10:44:47 AM »

my .308 loves win 748 and varget reloader 15 don't do bad too lol
i reckon the 308 just aint all that picky

jpuke · « **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2003, 11:09:57 AM »

My Rem Model 7 loves Hodgdon Varget with about every bullet I put in front of it. I also like the fact that Varget is one of their extreme powders and does well in the cold.

KN · « **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2003, 12:23:49 PM »

Mine loves the W-748 also. KN

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2003, 12:36:03 PM »

Don't overlook 4064. Varget, RL15, and TAC are pretty standard for .308. If you load for other rifles, try to find one that will do double or triple duty. All of these will work in most calibers, other than belted mags, from .223 to .458.

longwinters · « **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2003, 01:03:57 PM »

Thanks guys. I (for now) have gone with the Nosler Partitions 150gn and Reloader 15. I figured Varget would be next. So as soon as the RCBS dies get here I'll get to work.

long

Dana3of5 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2003, 04:49:52 PM »

I have tried H-380, 3031, W-748, 4064 for load developement with 150, 165, 168 grainers, and bullets from Barnes, CT BT, Nosler, Speer and Seirra. My gun liked all but the 4064, which suprised me. I use 3031 as the best in my rifle, with H-380 and W-748, and now I am trying Re 15. I think the 4064 makes funny harmonics in SS barrels 26" med barrels.

I think though the .308 is the most forgiving load there is, and fun too. It is good to see people starting to buy this fine round again in lue of the new big whompin' magnums that you can have.

longwinters · « **Reply #11 on:** October 28, 2003, 03:54:34 PM »

Well, I have always been an 06 fan, but sold mine in order to get a Sako in 7mm. And as much as I like my 7mm and my 7m-08 I missed the 30cal. So when I came across this little Sako 308 beauty (used) I had to take the dive. I am really looking forward to carrying it in the deer season.

long

Swany · « **Reply #12 on:** November 03, 2003, 11:56:09 AM »

Quote from: longwinters

Just picked up a 308 and dont want to buy every powder in the Nosler book. I will be shooting Nosler 150 Boat tails or Partitions out of a 22" barrel. Any good advice will be appreciated!

long

The 150gn bullet and IMR4064 and the .308 winchester should have a wedding for top accuracy. Work up slowly and you will find a 200yd hole cutter.

catman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2003, 06:27:57 PM »

swany,
that's the same load i use in my .308, it works very very well for me also.

The Pistoleer · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2003, 01:40:07 PM »

Bringing this thread back up to the top because I just bought a Ruger International with a 18 1/2 bbl.

I have used H4895 in my 7mm-08 XP 100 which has a 14"bbl. with good results but from the manuals it would appear that 4064 is more effcient.

Are there powders that would work best in a short barrel?

Pete

longwinters · « **Reply #15 on:** December 30, 2003, 06:46:17 AM »

I am no expert but I would think faster burning powders work best in shorter barrels.

long

woodseye · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2003, 10:36:39 AM »

The most accurate powder tested in the Nosler book with the 150 grain bullets was Viht. N140....42.5 grains.

woods

hylander · « **Reply #17 on:** January 01, 2004, 12:01:38 PM »

Howd'y:
I love the .308
I shoot a Rem 700VLS.
The most consistent powder I have used is IMR 3031.
I consistanly shoot .50 group's with sierra 168, 165, 150 grain bullets.
however 748, 4064, Varget all work great.
I know I am going to step on some Toe's, but as far as Nosler bullet's and the other high dollar one's (WHY :? ) I have tried them in .308 & .223 in differant fiream's, and they do not perform. Cheap Rem. bulk bullet's perform better. very well I might ad.
Just my 2 cent's.

longwinters · « **Reply #18 on:** January 01, 2004, 12:16:06 PM »

I dont know as the Noslers are better than Sierra bullets are. But When you 1st start reloading, as I did, you gotta start somewhere. I started with Noslers but am expanding to Sierra. I have had real good luck so far with Nosler, but if I can do it with bullets that cost 1/2 as much I will.

long

ricciardelli · « **Reply #19 on:** January 01, 2004, 03:19:42 PM »

W-748 From 39.5 grains to 50.0 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer

Iowegan · « **Reply #20 on:** January 01, 2004, 06:32:20 PM »

I'm a big Varget fan. It's about the most uniform powder I've ever used. It runs through the powder measure pretty good (but not as good as 748) and shoots some really tight groups at factory velocities. Up 'till last year, I had been using 748 with mag primers in a 308 and getting outstanding groups. The reason I went to Varget is the temperature range. 748 performance in sub-freezing weather sucks. The groups spread and there is a lot of residue in the barrel. I never chronographed 748 loads in cold weather but I suspect they are a couple of hundred fps slower. At warmer temps, they work excellent. Varget is designed to work better over a wider range of temperatures. I have chronographed Varget at 10 degrees and it shot just 40 fps slower than at 75 degrees and still maintained excellent groups. I would think temperature would be a big thing for you living in the UP. I used to live in Marquette and experienced the coldest weather in my life. Good luck with your new 308.

smoky · « **Reply #21 on:** January 02, 2004, 05:01:20 AM »

No experience with the 308, but in the 7-08 and the 7-08 ackley that I load for, both varget and AA2520 have given excellent results. With the similar sized cases and bullet weights, I would think that either of these would work well.

Smoky

Bearwolf31 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2004, 12:31:35 PM »

Quote from: Swany

The 150gn bullet and IMR4064 and the .308 winchester should have a wedding for top accuracy. Work up slowly and you will find a 200yd hole cutter.[/quote]

Swany,

How many grains of IMR 4064 do you use for this load??

I plan to use 150grn nosler bt's or hornady's, winchester brass, winchester LR primers and IMR 4064 in my new howa 1500.

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2004, 08:56:43 AM »

I have loaded for the 308 win for years and in the light bullets like 125 gr ballistic tips I use W748. For the 150's I use RL 15 and for 168 grain match I use IMR 4064. :-D

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2004, 01:24:49 PM »

In 1974, my chronograph and I found 4064 for my 20" BLR. Nothing else available then could shoot faster or tighter. It was also the only one with a pressure curve that allows me to work the lever almost like the Rifleman. If I told you how it shot, we'd have to listen to all the disbelievers moaning, crying and ridiculing others to make up for their inabilities, so we won't do that. Over the years, its still come out on top in 4 other bolt guns and another BLR. Start at 44gr, then depending on your bullet, chamber, throat, cases, hairstyle, cologne, whatever, in half grain steps, ease up to 46gr absolute max. I'd try other powders, but I just got lazy and quit looking.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2004, 01:39:54 PM »

My .308 Loves IMR4064 with Nosler Ballistic Tip 150 gr. Sub MOA at 100 yards. From my Savage Tactical.

Bearwolf31 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2004, 03:07:41 PM »

I guess why I am aiming to use IMR4064 in my 308 150gr loads is that the powder charge range is practically the same as what I use in my 270 win 130gr loads. What a coincidence eh? :shock: (44gr to 46gr compared to 43gr to 47gr).

longwinters · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2004, 05:04:01 PM »

Is IMR4064 a good "all temperture" powder?

long

while99 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 08, 2005, 07:39:11 PM »

I use IMR 4064, H-335, Varget, and Reloader 15 in my .308s. All of those powders have all worked well. According to the Alliant Powder web site, Reloader 15 was selected as the powder for the U.S. Military's M118 special ball long range sniper round. That should say something for Reloader 15's consistency under all conditions.