308 powder opinions needed

I use Varget for my accuracy loads. I use H335 for my plinking loads.

H335, BL(c)2, RL15, Win748, all good choices. the various 4895s, 4064s, 3031s, etc. all good too. There's basically anything you want out there for 308 loading... advise you pick up some manuals and read up on the subject, Hodgdon has their info online for free.

I have a rem 700 XCR in 308 and I reload using 43 grains of Varget with Sierra 175 grain Matchking bullets and BR2 primers. I jump the lands by .010 and have realized that trigger time is way more important than finding the "perfect reloading combo"

I have had excellent results using Varget, BLC-2 and Ramshot TAC with a variety of bullets 130 to 168. My best results are a combination of 155 A-Max over Varget @ 100 yrds to a long way out.

I regularly get great groups from Varget in my Remington 700 5-R Milspec. Best bullet weight for this rifle, with it's twist, is 175 gr. I prefer the Nosler Custom Comp 175 gr. BTHP but Sierra's are OK too.

Speeds between 2550 fps and 2650 fps are easy to obtain from varget without having to "crunch".

For MY rifle, 43.5 grains of Varget and a 175 gr. bullet makes "ragged hole" groups @ 100 yards.



Psssst! Clark- After 10 or more .308's that don't shoot worth a darn, have you considered another possibility??? Operator Error?????

Mine likes 43 grains of either Varget or IMR 4064. Both out shoot me.

Jim Watson said:

I'd consider 748, TAC, 2520, BlC2, and other ball process powders in the appropriate burn rate range (see your manual.) The ball powders measure SO precisely and easily as to be a major convenience.

Unfortunately, my F-T/R class rifles get SLIGHTLY better accuracy with extruded powder like Varget, Re-15, 4895 or 4064. So I run them through a PACT dispenser+scale because what is hardly visible at 100 yards is a problem at 1000.

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What he said. I use Varget & 4895 for everything - but I wanted to try Ramshot TAC, because of it's metering ability.

Western Powders recommended a load range of 39.9 to 44.0 gr.'s of TAC. I started out with 41.0, 41.5, 42.0, and 42.5 - five each. Each group gets progressively tighter, but it's not where I'd call it 'great' yet. I'm going to give 42.8, 43.1 a try next week...

Good luck with your choice - Varget, 4895, or whatever you choose...

Varget Varget Varget

Reloader 15 shoots amazingly in both my 308s. Varget would be my 2nd choice

varget works great on heavier loads and bullets, But i can honestly say i have never gotten better results than H-4895. i have tried EVERYTHING, and can say that NOTHING has been more tolerant, and consistent no matter WHAT the variables. it likes all bullets, primers, cases, guns, weather conditions, ranges. Best powder ever designed, hands down. From the light range into heavier bullets. I use it EXCLUSIVELY for .308 with both hunting, and target shooting. And i shoot 150 grain bullets as well. the 168's work well, but i prefer the 150's. I use Nosler B Tips, Hornady V max, Barnes T TSX and TSX, Accubonds, Swift Scirrocos, Lapua's and even sierra and speer bullets, with No problems getting excellent groups.

Great info. Looking into buying a Remington 700 in .308 and wanted to start loading round as well.


Thanks...

Varget. The end!

My rem loves 45.1 g with 168g nosler cc's and a win primer

I am real happy with 150 grain and AA2015 in all my rifles in308. 180 grain is best with IMR 3031 also. YMMV

I'll be sticking with IMR-4895, today I shot (3) 5 shot groups of 5/8", 7/8" and 5/8" at 100 yards, with a 168 Nosler HPBT over 44.5 grains.

See my thread "really good day with my .308" in the rifle forum, for pic's.

Redneck with a 40 said:

I'll be sticking with IMR-4895, today I shot (3) 5 shot groups of 5/8", 7/8" and 5/8" at 100 yards, with a 168 Nosler HPBT over 44.5 grains.

See my thread "really good day with my .308" in the rifle forum, for pic's.

Click to expand...

Just for giggles...when you get some more powder..try Sierra MatchKing 150g HPBT and 41.9g of IMR 4064 and a CCI BR2 primer. 1/2" groups with a Savage Mod. 10 5R barrel.
I also use the same weight.. 41.9 in Varget with a 168g Sierra MatchKing, It also performs extremely well