308 and H335

Even though H335 will work in the 308 it's actually BL-C(2) that's the 308 powder. It's also a ball powder so it meters just as well as H335. H335 is actually better suited for the other NATO cartridge, the .223/5.56.

H335 = WC844 = 223/5.56
BL-C(2) = WC846 = 308/7.62

But bother powder will work in either cartridge if need be.

I use H335 for 150g and 168g bullets. I use H335 for .223 and use it for .308 also in order to keep the # of powders down in my inventory. Varget works well also, but I do like the way H335 flows.

grubbylabs said:

I have been loading Varget, but I am thinking about getting an AR 10 with my next batch of pups I sell and I would like to be able to use a ball powder on the progressive.

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So what do you think about BL-C(2) like I mentioned in Post #2?

BL-C(2) works well but it will show pressure increases if the load is developed in the winter and fired in the heat of the summer.

You could use 4895... it works great in both, no temp swings

I have used Varget and H335 in my 308s bolt gun and Saiga. I have settled on H335 due to better groups in the Bolt gun and the smoother operation in the Saiga.

I use TAC in both calibers with good success. TAC is right next to H335 and H4895 on my burn rate charts. http://www.reloadbench.com/burn.html

Its a stick Grubby, but its a small one and it meters very well.

I use H335 for bulk 308 rounds for semi-autos. I use pulldown M80 projectiles and range brass and my load duplicates the performance of the South African surplus ammo. H335 measures well in a progressive press too.

Now for the stuff that accuracy matters, I use Varget and hand throw.

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
Hodgdon max book load:
308 WINCHESTER, CASE: WINCHESTER, BBL: 24", PR: FEDERAL 210M, 168 GR. SIE HPBT COL: 2.800" H335, 42.0 gr., 2631 fps, 49,300 CUP
My test:
Pacific .308 Win reamer, VZ24 trued action, A&B fluted stainless 24" F54 barrel, H335, CCI200 primer, 2.9" OAL, Speer 168 gr. HPBT Gold Match, brass: Win308Win:
0) 42 gr. QL= 2565 fps & 46 kpsi, 0% overload, did not load 42 gr.
1) 43 gr. QL= 2618 fps & 49 kpsi, 2% overload, ok
2) 44 gr. QL= 2670 fps & 52 kpsi, 5% overload, cratered primer this and higher
3) 45 gr. QL= 2722 fps & 56 kpsi, 7% overload
4) 46 gr. QL= 2774 fps & 60 kpsi, 10% overload
5) 47 gr. QL= 2825 fps & 64 kpsi, 12% overload
6) 48 gr. QL= 2875 fps & 68 kpsi, 14% overload, mark on brass from bolt face extractor this and higher,
7) 49 gr. QL= 2925 fps & 73 kpsi, 17% overload
8) 50 gr. QL= 2974 fps & 78 kpsi, 19% overload, extractor cut on brass expands .0020"
9) 51 gr. QL= 3024 fps & 84 kpsi, 21% overload, extractor cut on brass expands .0020"
10) 52 gr. QL= 3073 fps & 90 kpsi, 24% overload, extractor cut on brass expands .0110", primer fell out,

What does it all mean?
Per my 308 168 gr H335 testing with a VZ24:
.308 168 gr max published load ...............42 gr
.308 168 gr max long brass life ...............49 gr
.308 168 gr min to make primer fall out .....52 gr

I use H335 in 762x51 loads for my M1A, works fine. Also use WC844 and WC846 which also work fine.

Here is a page that has alot of 308 info
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/308win/

grubbylabs said:

Well I found two pounds of BL(C)-2 last night so I will be giving those a go and see how they do. I have 165 grain Speer bullets. Does any one have an educated guess as to where I will find the sweet spot, close the the starting load or closer to max?

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I would give 44.0gr BL-C(2) a try with that 165gr Sierra bullet. That's a fairly light round and should be very accurate. I think the Max charge weight in several load manuals goes up to between 47.0gr and 48.0gr so that 44.0gr load is not near the max. (but very accurate)