what powder should i switch to for .308

[dmiller369]

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

 

[dmiller369]

im shooting SMK 168gr from a savage FCNS 11

 

[roggom]

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.

 

[JoshcBoucher]

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".

 

[Scratchthejeepguy]

Nice chart Roggom, thanks for posting. Tagged.

 

[KHOOKS]

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.

 

[roggom]

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.

 

[ksthomas]

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.

 

[JoshcBoucher]

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".

 

[Savage308FP]

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.

 

[dmiller369]

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?

 

[Down South]

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.

 

[ksthomas]

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.

 

[tinytree]

another + for 4064.

 

[JGorski]

RE15, 2000MR & CFE223, leave Varget on the shelf. Seriously.

 

[P7id10t]

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.

Bullet	Weight	Caliber	Powder	COL	Grains	Velocity FPS	Pressure PSI	Max Grs	Max FPS	Max PSI
Hornady Spire Pt	110	.308"	IMR 4064	2.6000	47.0	2,950	43,300
Nosler 125 BT	125	.308"	VV N133	2.7560	40.1	2,721		46.3	3,120
Nosler B-TIP	125	.308"	AA 2230	2.7200	41.4	2,821		46.0	3,120	58,950
Nosler 125 BT	125	.308"	VV N135	2.7560	41.6	2,732		48.9	3,143
Speer 125 gr HP	125		Reloder 10X	2.6150	42.0	3,073
Sierra SP	125	.308"	IMR 4064	2.7000	46.0	2,891	42,500	50.1	3,119	52,100
SpeerHP	130	.308"	IMR 4064	2.6150	45.0	2,809	43,600	49.5	3,036	52,300
Speer 150 gr SP	150		Reloder 10X	2.7000	39.5	2,755
Sierra SPBT	150	.308"	AA 2230	2.7500	40.1	2,643		44.5	2,865	59,500
Nosler 150 Bal Tip SP	150	.308"	N135	2.8100	41.0	2,617
Nosler E-TIP	150	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8000	42.9	2,659	47,500	46.7	2,883	59,800
Nosler BT	150	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8000	43.0	2,663	44,700	47.7	2,903	57,100
Nosler 150 Bal Tip SP	150	.308"	N135	2.8100	43.0	2,740		45.0	2,863
NOSLER BT	150	.308"	IMR 4064	2.7550	45.0	2,840	58,000
Hornady 150gr BTSP	150		IMR 4064	2.8000	45.0	2,860
Speer 150 gr BTSP	150		Reloder 17	2.8000	50.0	2,763
Sierra HPBT	155	.308"	IMR 4064	2.7750	43.0	2,602	42,900	47.5	2,871	56,500
Sierra	155	0.308	RL17	2.8000	45.0	2,689	42,200
Speer 165 gr SP	165		Reloder 10X	2.8000	38.0	2,596
Nosler Ballistic Tip Spitzer	165	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8100	40.5	2,560
Hornady SP	165	.308"	IMR 4064	2.7500	42.0	2,554	47,700	46.3	2,767	59,700
BARNES X	165	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8000	42.5	2,600	58,000
SIERRA HPBT	165	.308"	IMR 4064	2.7550	42.5	2,640	57,000
Nosler Ballistic Tip Spitzer	165	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8100	42.5	2,630		44.5	2,700
NOSLER BT	165	.308"	IMR 4064	2.7550	43.0	2,640	57,000
Speer 165 gr BTSP	165		Reloder 17	2.8000	50.0	2,739
Sierra HPBT	168	.308"	AA 2230	2.8000	37.4	2,461		41.5	2,676	61,000
Sierra HPBT	168	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8000	41.5	2,518	43,800	45.9	2,766	58,800
Barnes TTSX BT	168	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8000	43.0	2,539	47,400	45.0	2,743	58,900
Sierra Match King	175	.308"	N150	2.7950	36.8	2,236		43.5	2,573
Sierra Match King	175	.308"	N550	2.7950	39.6	2,290		45.8	2,631
Sierra Match King	175	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8000	41.5	2,500	45,200	45.6	2,728	59,500
Sierra Match King	175	.308"	RL17	2.8000	47.5	2,550		48.5	2,675
Hornady 180 SP	180	.308"	N135	2.7950	36.0	2,169		41.8	2,510
SpeerSP	180	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8000	40.7	2,445	44,100	45.2	2,683	58,200
Hornady PTD Spcl	180	.308"	IMR 4064	2.6000	43.5	2,580	51,700
Speer 180 gr BTSP	180		Reloder 17	2.8000	48.7	2,641
Hornady BTSP	190	.308"	IMR 4064	2.7400	39.4	2,365	47,800	43.7	2,569	59,100
SFT SP	200	.308"	IMR 4064	2.7000	39.0	2,268	46,100	42.5	2,466	58,400
Hornady A-MAX	208	.308"	IMR 4064	2.8200	37.7	2,207	45,100	41.0	2,391	56,700

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[rweaver00geo]

Nice burn rate chart in a format Ive never seen gives a better feel for comparing rather than the usual numbered column

 

[Truth223]

RE15, 2000MR & CFE223, leave Varget on the shelf. Seriously.

how come?


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

 

[Macmathews]

RE15, 2000MR & CFE223, leave Varget on the shelf. Seriously.

Wow, that's a large statement

Kyle

 

[rweaver00geo]

Good God I just noticed the price of 8lb Hodgdon varget on midway is $174.00. Accurate 2520 is $146 per 8lb

 

[JGorski]

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.

 

[NoFail]

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.

 

[jwp6114]

by all means, stay away from the varget... more for me...

 

[UrbanSi]

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

 

[aur0ra145]

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.

 

[NoFail]

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!!!

 

[MTyotehunter]

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!

 

[Truth223]

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 .

 

[JGorski]

I picked up 2 lbs of cfe 223 from bass pro this weekend. I need to work up some loads with it .

For what round, 308? Bullet you'll be using? Brass?

 

[Truth223]

For what round, 308? Bullet you'll be using? Brass?

168gr and/or 175gr smk.

Federal brass
Winchester LR primer

 

[JGorski]

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.

 

[Truth223]

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.

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

 

[JGorski]

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.

 

[JGorski]

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.

 

[NoFail]

^ at what distance was that shot, JGorski?

 

[JGorski]

^ at what distance was that shot, JGorski?

200yds, like it says on the target. With a 6X scope no doubt.

 

[nashlaw]

Nowadays, when I find R15, Varget or 4064, I load up on 'em.

 

[dragonjr45]

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...

 

[walnuts]

8208 XBR is what I am going to use now that the Varget is all gone.

 

[NoFail]

200yds, like it says on the target. With a 6X scope no doubt.

Okay, great!! Are you one of the SS 1-6 guys? I have that one now, it's pretty decent.

 

[mkollman74]

In no particular order:

Varget
XBR8208
4064
AR-Comp
RE-15

 

[wrhunter]

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...

 

[NoFail]

&

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.

 

[Boogaloo]

Definitely like the burn rate chart! Thanks for posting!

 

[JGorski]

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.

 

[scorpion168]

I scored 3 lbs of 4064 from Powder Valley yesterday.

 

[exx1976]

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.

 

[Pgambrell]

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.

What grain are you putting in for powder. I'm trying to work up a load

 

[charnicus]

And so it has been reborn!!!!

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

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.

.308 Winchester

VSP had a great idea to put this up as a Sticky. Since we get SO many questions about this, this will aid everyone( esp Noobs) on a good load. Please list ALL components, twist, barrel mfgr,length, neck tension. Since we know changing any variable will alter the ultimate outcome.

www.snipershide.com