Can anyone point me in the right direction for a good powder choice for an 18" bolt gun chambered in 308? I'be dabbled with IMR4895 and got decent results, but being that I live in the tropics (south Mississippi.) I'd like a powder with a little less temp sensitivity. Would varget be too slow burning with this length barrel?
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18" 308 loads
- Thread starter lmb7784
- Start date
Re: 18" 308 loads
I have real good luck on my bolt guns with this load. this as a factory barrel the barrel bolt and action trued. Barrel cut to 20 and threaded.
I have real good luck on my bolt guns with this load. this as a factory barrel the barrel bolt and action trued. Barrel cut to 20 and threaded.
Re: 18" 308 loads
That's a pretty hot load. Make sure you work up to it and watch for signs of overpressure.
That's a pretty hot load. Make sure you work up to it and watch for signs of overpressure.
Re: 18" 308 loads
I'm currently shooting 168gr Hornady AMAX's over 43.3gr of IMR4895. This is a max loading according to my Hornady 7th ed. manual. I have no signs of pressure, nice round primers, no case head expansion. This load yields an avg of 2630fps with ES of 20. I'm using this as a hunting load as it currently groups 7/8" at 100yds. (could probably do better with a more skilled shooter.) I may try some work-up loads with varget next.
I'm currently shooting 168gr Hornady AMAX's over 43.3gr of IMR4895. This is a max loading according to my Hornady 7th ed. manual. I have no signs of pressure, nice round primers, no case head expansion. This load yields an avg of 2630fps with ES of 20. I'm using this as a hunting load as it currently groups 7/8" at 100yds. (could probably do better with a more skilled shooter.) I may try some work-up loads with varget next.
Re: 18" 308 loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lmb7784</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm currently shooting 168gr Hornady AMAX's over 43.3gr of IMR4895. This is a max loading according to my Hornady 7th ed. manual. I have no signs of pressure, nice round primers, no case head expansion. This load yields an avg of 2630fps with ES of 20. I'm using this as a hunting load as it currently groups 7/8" at 100yds. (could probably do better with a more skilled shooter.) I may try some work-up loads with varget next. </div></div>
Thats a good load, I just switched from IMR4895 to 45 grains of varget, still using the 168 A-max, with good results.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lmb7784</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm currently shooting 168gr Hornady AMAX's over 43.3gr of IMR4895. This is a max loading according to my Hornady 7th ed. manual. I have no signs of pressure, nice round primers, no case head expansion. This load yields an avg of 2630fps with ES of 20. I'm using this as a hunting load as it currently groups 7/8" at 100yds. (could probably do better with a more skilled shooter.) I may try some work-up loads with varget next. </div></div>
Thats a good load, I just switched from IMR4895 to 45 grains of varget, still using the 168 A-max, with good results.
Re: 18" 308 loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lmb7784</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone point me in the right direction for a good powder choice for an 18" bolt gun chambered in 308? I'be dabbled with IMR4895 and got decent results, but being that I live in the tropics (south Mississippi.) I'd like a powder with a little less temp sensitivity. Would varget be too slow burning with this length barrel? </div></div>
Once you get a load ironed out, PM one of the mods or Lowlight, and see if they will let you start a section just for load data.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lmb7784</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone point me in the right direction for a good powder choice for an 18" bolt gun chambered in 308? I'be dabbled with IMR4895 and got decent results, but being that I live in the tropics (south Mississippi.) I'd like a powder with a little less temp sensitivity. Would varget be too slow burning with this length barrel? </div></div>
Once you get a load ironed out, PM one of the mods or Lowlight, and see if they will let you start a section just for load data.
Re: 18" 308 loads
Will do Teggy. I started this thread because I couldn't find any data for any bbls shorter than 20" My search-fu may just be weak though.
Will do Teggy. I started this thread because I couldn't find any data for any bbls shorter than 20" My search-fu may just be weak though.
Re: 18" 308 loads
45.5 IMR 8208
Laupa brass
210 GM primers
155 laupa moly
match winning load my son used in his 308. I use in my 18" 308 gun.
45.5 IMR 8208
Laupa brass
210 GM primers
155 laupa moly
match winning load my son used in his 308. I use in my 18" 308 gun.
Re: 18" 308 loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kenco Arms</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have real good luck on my bolt guns with this load. this as a factory barrel the barrel bolt and action trued. Barrel cut to 20 and threaded.
</div></div>
This works. The load, I mean. Not sure about your breathing (vert stringing), but 168 grain SMK over 46 grain H-Varget was probably designed by Apple. It just works.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kenco Arms</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have real good luck on my bolt guns with this load. this as a factory barrel the barrel bolt and action trued. Barrel cut to 20 and threaded.
This works. The load, I mean. Not sure about your breathing (vert stringing), but 168 grain SMK over 46 grain H-Varget was probably designed by Apple. It just works.
Re: 18" 308 loads
I am using Varget, but am going to pick up some ARComp. Kombyatch has posted some pretty impressive results RE: temp insensitivity with this powder here. It looks pretty good from that perspective.
I am using Varget, but am going to pick up some ARComp. Kombyatch has posted some pretty impressive results RE: temp insensitivity with this powder here. It looks pretty good from that perspective.
Re: 18" 308 loads
Mine is a gas gun, but still 18"s. My load is 175SMK, RL15 at 43.5, LCM Brass and 210M primers. If I do my part, its less than 3/4 MOA all day. I do use Varget in my 20" bolt gun. 44.5 Varget seems to be my best accuracy/velocity combo.
Mine is a gas gun, but still 18"s. My load is 175SMK, RL15 at 43.5, LCM Brass and 210M primers. If I do my part, its less than 3/4 MOA all day. I do use Varget in my 20" bolt gun. 44.5 Varget seems to be my best accuracy/velocity combo.
Re: 18" 308 loads
Not had much success with Varget out of mine, however 43gr of VV-N140 over a 168SMK shoots great. The only downside is that its a bit on the slow (velocity) side with the shorter tube, accuracy however is outstanding.
Not had much success with Varget out of mine, however 43gr of VV-N140 over a 168SMK shoots great. The only downside is that its a bit on the slow (velocity) side with the shorter tube, accuracy however is outstanding.
Re: 18" 308 loads
Varget works well for me in my 24" and 18" barrels.
No excessive muzzle flash either. You lose some velocity is all.
My charges are not hot by any means. 42.5 in Lapua brass and 43.0 in Win brass using both 175SMK and 178 Horn BTHP.
The 43gr win brass load using the 178 is running about 2450fps vs. 2610fps in the 24" bbl.
Varget works well for me in my 24" and 18" barrels.
No excessive muzzle flash either. You lose some velocity is all.
My charges are not hot by any means. 42.5 in Lapua brass and 43.0 in Win brass using both 175SMK and 178 Horn BTHP.
The 43gr win brass load using the 178 is running about 2450fps vs. 2610fps in the 24" bbl.
Re: 18" 308 loads
I use 46gr of varget with 168smk, and 175smk with great results in both my kids 14.5 inch savage, and my 16 inch Remington. Loads have no pressure signs except flattening of primers. 47.2 grains with a 155smk in the Savage is also very accurate. I use Hornady match brass for these rifles.
I use 46gr of varget with 168smk, and 175smk with great results in both my kids 14.5 inch savage, and my 16 inch Remington. Loads have no pressure signs except flattening of primers. 47.2 grains with a 155smk in the Savage is also very accurate. I use Hornady match brass for these rifles.
Re: 18" 308 loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Coletta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would try varget. I know some 20" barrels like 44.5gr on 175 smk's
</div></div>
44.5 grains of Varget and a 175 SMK or 178 AMAX have produced excellent results in my 20" AAC-SD.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Coletta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would try varget. I know some 20" barrels like 44.5gr on 175 smk's
</div></div>
44.5 grains of Varget and a 175 SMK or 178 AMAX have produced excellent results in my 20" AAC-SD.
Re: 18" 308 loads
For my 20" bolts (TRG & T3) and 18" M1A, the classic 41.5 IMR4895, LC Brass, 168BTHP, GM210M primer, 2.800 COL works year round. I bump 43.5 MR4895 for Win brass. On Saturday, this load averaged 0.399 MOA (6 groups) out of the T3 Scout.
With Varget, the 20" bolts shoot better with with CCI 250 Mag primers--seems to give the powder a better kick start & complete burn. Behind 168BTHP, both like 44.5 at 2.820 COL. I bump to 45.0 in the TRG when loading 0.015" off the lands. I expect about 0.5-0.6 MOA out of my rifles.
For my 20" bolts (TRG & T3) and 18" M1A, the classic 41.5 IMR4895, LC Brass, 168BTHP, GM210M primer, 2.800 COL works year round. I bump 43.5 MR4895 for Win brass. On Saturday, this load averaged 0.399 MOA (6 groups) out of the T3 Scout.
With Varget, the 20" bolts shoot better with with CCI 250 Mag primers--seems to give the powder a better kick start & complete burn. Behind 168BTHP, both like 44.5 at 2.820 COL. I bump to 45.0 in the TRG when loading 0.015" off the lands. I expect about 0.5-0.6 MOA out of my rifles.
Re: 18" 308 loads
I'm playing with two loads right now in my 20" Remington:
46 gr Varget, Federal brass, Win primer, 155 SMK Palma bullet runs 2700 fps.
46.3 gr H4895, Fed or LCD Match brass, CCI BR2 primer, 155 SMK Palma bullet runs just under 2850 fps.
The Varget load seems to be more accurate, although both are usually sub-moa. I haven't decided which load to go with yet, I need to shoot them both more.
I'm playing with two loads right now in my 20" Remington:
46 gr Varget, Federal brass, Win primer, 155 SMK Palma bullet runs 2700 fps.
46.3 gr H4895, Fed or LCD Match brass, CCI BR2 primer, 155 SMK Palma bullet runs just under 2850 fps.
The Varget load seems to be more accurate, although both are usually sub-moa. I haven't decided which load to go with yet, I need to shoot them both more.
Re: 18" 308 loads
Do you think the exposure time of the bullet is short enough to beat the heavier bullet when it comes to wind? I haven't worked it up on a calculator to get a deffinet bennifet of the 155 over the 175. I will try and run the number tonight and see if it's worth dropong down to a lighter bullet, cost as well.
Do you think the exposure time of the bullet is short enough to beat the heavier bullet when it comes to wind? I haven't worked it up on a calculator to get a deffinet bennifet of the 155 over the 175. I will try and run the number tonight and see if it's worth dropong down to a lighter bullet, cost as well.
Re: 18" 308 loads
Just ran the numbers in Ballostic FTE and the 155 looks to be a winner with 20" less drop at 600. With the decreased exposure time it at almost mirrors 175 wind drift for a 10mph. Now I just need a cost comparison on the two.
Just ran the numbers in Ballostic FTE and the 155 looks to be a winner with 20" less drop at 600. With the decreased exposure time it at almost mirrors 175 wind drift for a 10mph. Now I just need a cost comparison on the two.
Re: 18" 308 loads
While you usually go for heavier bullets for the higher BC, the 2156 SMK Palma bullet has a good enough BC compared to the 175 to make it worthwhile.
While you usually go for heavier bullets for the higher BC, the 2156 SMK Palma bullet has a good enough BC compared to the 175 to make it worthwhile.
