Advice on .308 AR-10 powder for new re loader

[JussRight]

Walked into my local Walmart here in Vancouver, WA and checked their always depleted ammo shelf and saw some reloading dies. I started looking around and saw Large Magnum and Small Magnum primers and then there was 10 100ct. boxes of Winchester Large Rifle primers, so I snagged them. I would have never thought to look at Walmart for reloading supplies. I have my Dillon .308 die set and primers, now I need some brass and powder. Any advice on .308 AR-10 powder for new re loader?

 

[tcoz]

I use Shooters World Match Rifle in both my AR-15 and LR-308 (AR-10) rifles and I’ve been very satisfied with the results. As a bonus, its still available from a lot of online retailers. Powder Valley has eight pound jugs for $148 right now.

 

[Walkalong]

Hard to go wrong with IMR-4895, but a number of powders at that burn rate work. I don't load .308 for an auto, so I would go with one of the "safe for Garands" powder to start if I did.

 

[Charlie98]

Hard to go wrong with IMR-4895, but a number of powders at that burn rate work. I don't load .308 for an auto, so I would go with one of the "safe for Garands" powder to start if I did.

there are a lot of good gas gun .308 powders, and particularly the IMR’s 3031, 4895, and 4064. If you reference Hornady’s service rifle data in their manual, all the powders listed would be suitable for an AR...

 

[Blue68f100]

The proper primer for a AR-10 is the CCI #34. I've had std rifle primers slam fire, on my AR. So only load 1 round when you start to be safe.

 

[748]

748, obviously.

 

[LocoGringo]

I use H4895 with Sierra Matchking 175 and Hornady Amax 178's. They are excellent combinations out of my 18.5" barreled .308 AR.

 

[Thomasss]

4064 and any bullet you want to try and you can pick the velocity too!

 

[JussRight]

I use Shooters World Match Rifle in both my AR-15 and LR-308 (AR-10) rifles and I’ve been very satisfied with the results. As a bonus, its still available from a lot of online retailers. Powder Valley has eight pound jugs for $148 right now.

That is a very good price. Thank you, I have it in my cart right now for back order, which is fine I can wait. @Loco I will research the H4895

What are your thought on the IMR4064...its plastered all over the internet.

Also looking to produce reloads with 150g bullet in the 2800fps muzzle, I want enough gas to cycle my bolt effectively. Had some under powered stuff that sucked.

 

[JO JO]

I am going to try ramshot tac in my gas gun 308 , I called western powders they said tac is in the correct burn speed/range for a 308 gas gun, I am trying tac because it meters well , you said you have Dillon dies , if you are loading on a Dillon press metering stick powder may be a concern,

 

[dh1633pm]

I use IMR4895 myself when I had an AR10. Works well in my GSR and Milspec as well. I use 168 SMK’s and 150 grain Hornady FMJ’s.

 

[Rod47]

AR 10+ 4895 like peanut butter+ jelly.

 

[AJC1]

Powders I shoot in 308, varget. Tac and ar comp. Powders i haven yet shot but on the short list h4895 and rl-15. All are great some are better depending on how you load. Tac is super easy to meter accurately on a progressive or with a dump. If you have an electrical meter use the one you can find.

 

[Rod47]

AJCT....I use H4895 in M1A, 3 M1's, 3 AR 15's, and AR 10 with good results. AR 10's can be fickle about powder choice.

 

[JussRight]

AR 10+ 4895 like peanut butter+ jelly.

You are a good salesman...I like peanut butter and jelly. From what I just read, imr4895 was developed by the military for 30-06 and works on many platforms.

 

[JussRight]

I am going to try ramshot tac in my gas gun 308 , I called western powders they said tac is in the correct burn speed/range for a 308 gas gun, I am trying tac because it meters well , you said you have Dillon dies , if you are loading on a Dillon press metering stick powder may be a concern,

Thanks for that bit of info Jo Jo. I should stay away from stick powders then. I am amazed at just how many different powders there are for .308. Im glad I have this very informative thread! Very helpfull!!

 

[AJC1]

Thanks for that bit of info Jo Jo. I should stay away from stick powders then. I am amazed at just how many different powders there are for .308. Im glad I have this very informative thread! Very helpfull!!

I would not avoid "stick" powders as they are arguably the best. They have the best thermal stability and burn charistics. Check any major shooting event and you will find a lot of them. Some are a lot longer than others. 4064 and 3031 come to mind. Ar comp is very small rods. 4831 sc was made specifically to address this issue

 

[JussRight]

I would not avoid "stick" powders as they are arguably the best. They have the best thermal stability and burn charistics. Check any major shooting event and you will find a lot of them. Some are a lot longer than others. 4064 and 3031 come to mind. Ar comp is very small rods. 4831 sc was made specifically to address this issue

I was just researching AR Comp, that bit of info you just gave is welcomed!! Thanks AJ!

 

[JussRight]

Wow! The Hazmat shipping charge on IMR4831 is $19.95 so 1lbs of 4831 is $58

 

[AJC1]

Wow! The Hazmat shipping charge on IMR4831 is $19.95 so 1lbs of 4831 is $58

Hazmat is normally the same if you order 1 or 64 pounds of powder. If your internet shipping get in bulk. 223 and 308 are fond of exactly the same powders. If you like heavy for caliber bullets 223(80s) and 168/175 308s your good to go.

 

[Charlie98]

Also looking to produce reloads with 150g bullet in the 2800fps muzzle, I want enough gas to cycle my bolt effectively. Had some under powered stuff that sucked.

What is your barrel length?

I reload for my 16" barreled M1a... I don't get standard muzzle velocities even from factory ammos, and you would have to redline a powder like IMR or H4895 to get there, even with a 150grn bullet. Standard M80 (surplus or equivalent,) I get 2650fps out of my 16" barrel... YMMV. 43.5grn IMR4895 and any 145-150grn FMJ gets me 2450-2500fps, which is below factory, but provides me a reliable and accurate cartridge without pushing the limits.

 

[LocoGringo]

I tried IMR 8208 XBR a while back and it didn't have enough to cycle the bolt. Varget is the powder I use in my bolt .308, but it's been hard to beat H4895 in my gas gun. I shoot suppressed and use an adjustable gas block to tune the rifle with and without the suppressor. As a personal anecdote, I entered a PRS match with my 308 AR for fun. My learning curve was nearly straight up and down and I was grossly outclassed, but on one stage I was really proud of my and my rifle's performance. From prone with a cold bore, the shooter had 1 round to shoot an egg off of a golf tee at 200 yards for 50 points. The shooter had a second round to hit for 25 points. If the shooter didn't connect on the second round, zero points for the stage. I earned 50 points and was actually able to see the egg explode. It was fun and satisfying.

I believe IMR 4895 and H4895 are very similar. I also use H4895 for my subsonic 6.8 SPC loads. I believe it is a very forgiving powder, but I don't have a lot of experience.

 

[JussRight]

What is your barrel length?

I reload for my 16" barreled M1a... I don't get standard muzzle velocities even from factory ammos, and you would have to redline a powder like IMR or H4895 to get there, even with a 150grn bullet. Standard M80 (surplus or equivalent,) I get 2650fps out of my 16" barrel... YMMV. 43.5grn IMR4895 and any 145-150grn FMJ gets me 2450-2500fps, which is below factory, but provides me a reliable and accurate cartridge without pushing the limits.

Very helpful information Charlie98. My AR10 is also 16 inch barrel, I went light on building this one. My other AR10 is a 14lbs monster that with a 50rnd mag should be a emplacement weapon...LOL!

So I will not get 2800fps out of my 16 inch barrel only by "redlining my powder charge?"

Also, thank you Loco, very helpful. This community is a excellent storehouse of reloading info!!!!

 

[Average Joe]

I have used W748, BL2-C and WC846 with good results. They are all ball powders which meters really well.

 

[Charlie98]

Very helpful information Charlie98. My AR10 is also 16 inch barrel, I went light on building this one. My other AR10 is a 14lbs monster that with a 50rnd mag should be a emplacement weapon...LOL!

So I will not get 2800fps out of my 16 inch barrel only by "redlining my powder charge?"

Also, thank you Loco, very helpful. This community is a excellent storehouse of reloading info!!!!

I'm actually finishing up a lightweight 16" AR-10 build this week, so I'll have some ciphering to do as well. What I've learned from my M1a should streamline that effort. If you really want 2800fps, you will have to go to a slower powder, like Varget or even IMR4350, et al, and, yes, you will likely be at max charge. You will also very likely have muzzle blast like a cannon. For me, the happy medium was IMR4895, but I've actually switched to IMR3031 for the shorter barrel... it seems to work better overall, at least with 150grn bullets, for me. I use IMR4064 in my .308 bolt gun... but it has a 24" barrel, and I shoot 168grn and heavier bullets.