Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

notme

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Minuteman
Feb 12, 2009
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TX
Picked up some Lapua .308 Win brass, Lrg rifle primers and 175gr SMk today to begin my quest of reloading. I've read quite a bit and still learning much however, going to start reloading soon with all of the new equipment.

I've read about many different powders for this projectile however, would appreciate your suggestions to include measured weight and velocities.

I'm using a 20" barrel

Thanks in advance
 
Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

Power pro 2000 mr gives me 100 fps more than varget with same brass and bullet with same if not better accuracy. It sucks with smaller bullets though. Varget is an all around good choice too. It shoots the Palma bullets very well as well as the 168 and 175 just not as fast as power pro.
 
Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

I also prefer varget for my 175gr SMK load. I have used 4064 with good results as well.

i have stuck with the standard OAL of 2.800 in my 700 sps. I will probably adjust that on the next batch.

stick between 44-45 g of varget typically
 
Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I keep hearing about cfe223. Who makes it and what's it's burn rate compared to pp 2000 mr(slow) or varget (faster) </div></div>
Hodgdon.
In certain applications its almost identical to 2000MR, but Id say its a tad bit faster.
 
Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

I guess I am off as I tried Varget along with 4895, 4064 and I abandoned Varget. It gave good results but offered nothing over the other two than being a little more stable, I mean a little more. 4895 has been my go to but this batch I am now revisiting 4064...
 
Re: Powder for 308 SMK recommendation

47.1 gn CFE223 & 178 AMAX, Hornady brass. Nice low single digit SD and close to 2600 fps from my 16" .308 AR, in the summer.

IMR 4064 & Varget for 168's do very well. I don't know which one I like better there, but maybe the 4064 with the extremely low ES's I experienced with it.