Which is better for this bullet in a .308?

[R. Chapman]

H4350 or IMR 8208 XBR? I'm launching a 185 Berger Hybrid out of a 30" 4 groove 1-10.5" Bartlein tube on a 700 action for use in long range F/TR matches? I was thinking H4350 would be the ticket but I also wonder if it's a hair bit too slow? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Rex

 

[RyeDaddy]

If I had to choose between those two I'd try H4350 first. I got better velocities with powders slower than 8208 with all bullets over 168 grains in 308. 8208 is great for 155's and for short barrels, but will gain you nothing in a 30" tube with heavies over say Varget. 8208 will be considerably slower. In my limited pressure testing with 185 VLD's in a 16.5" I got 80 FPS more with Varget than 8208 before pressure signs. I don't personally have any experience with H4350 in 308, but I would hypothesize that your 30" tube could make more efficient use of it than 8208 if you can fit enough powder in the case.

Hopefully soon an F/TR shooter will come along and shed some light, as I'd be interested to hear from someone on the matter.

 

[TimeWillTell]

For those 185s it's hard to beat varget. Can't fit enough H4350 in there and it's even too slow for the 185s... Maybe 215s would work with H4350 but haven't tried that but I should note I've been told by some very well informed shooters that varget even works very well with 215s contrary to popular belief. I run a 30" tube with a 0.168" freebore so quite a bit a room to fit as much powder as possible. 8208 is probably too fast but haven't tried it. I am looking to investigate 200gr hybrids when I find some and will be using varget.

 

[R. Chapman]

If only one could find Varget.

 

[RyeDaddy]

There is that.

 

[TimeWillTell]

That's true. I was lucky to come across a 8lb jug a few months ago. 4320 is prob a good alternative to explore. Normally I'd go to 4064 for a Varget alternative but I think it's too fast for the heavies.

 

[dauntedfuture]

I am confident that H4350 is too slow. For what its worth, you can find IMR 4064 online. 4064 was the standard for 190g bullets years ago and it still works very well. I am confident it would be better then H4350 and 8208.

 

[R. Chapman]

Got a few unopened, 8 pound kegs of 4064. Will have to give that a go.

 

[SWRichmond]

I've never heard of anyone having any success with H 4350 in 308 with heavy bullets

 

[sib1948]

I use IMR 4064 43.9 gr.to launch my 185 gr. VLD Bergers. Great combination when shooting greater than 700 yards. For shorter range use SMK 168 or 175 gr. with 42.8 gr. out of 22 and 24" barrels. Good luck!

 

[Aimsmall55]

Got a few unopened, 8 pound kegs of 4064. Will have to give that a go.

I shoot IMR 4064 with the 185 juggernaut and it's the most accurate powder I have tried. Shooting a 28" Bartlein


I also shot yesterday at 193 yards just to see what 42.0 grains and a 178 amax looked like. Shot 4 shots and was .19 moa!!

 

[dauntedfuture]

AIMSMALL: What kind of velocity are you getting with the IMR 4064 and 185 bullets in the 28"?

 

[Aimsmall55]

AIMSMALL: What kind of velocity are you getting with the IMR 4064 and 185 bullets in the 28"?

I'm getting about 2745 to 2760 fps