good powder for 150gn 308

[sequins]

Any powder recommendations for 150gn projectiles, specifically the Lapua lock base type?

I'm new to 308 and got a deal on these 150gn lock base bullets, picked up some Varget and CFE-223 and am considering getting one or two more powders for load workup and comparison. I'm hoping for 200 yard accuracy. I've heard IMR4895 and IMR4064 are good but most seem to be loading 168-180gn projectiles and I was curious if a different powder might be more suitable to the lighter bullets I plan to shoot.

Any others I should try? I'd like to get a pound each of "the usual suspects" and then buy 8lb jugs of whatever works best in my rifle after workup so I don't want to overlook a strong contender- I'm only really knowledgable on pistol powders currently.

 

[Jerry M]

If it's a bolt, lever, or single shot rifle Varget should be the powder of choice. Try it before you get anything else. If an older autoloader maybe or maybe-not.

Good Luck

Jerry

 

[jmr40]

Varget is my go-to powder for everything 130-180 gr in 308. There are other powders that I've gotten equally good performance out of, but none better. All of those listed will be as accurate as Varget and give similar speeds. BUT... they are more susceptible to swings in temperature than either Varget or RL15. RL15 is my backup choice if Varget isn't available.

 

[Poper]

Varget is my go-to powder for everything 130-180 gr in 308. There are other powders that I've gotten equally good performance out of, but none better. All of those listed will be as accurate as Varget and give similar speeds. BUT... they are more susceptible to swings in temperature than either Varget or RL15. RL15 is my backup choice if Varget isn't available.

Believe it or not, I have had better results with RL-15 than Varget in my old Rem. 788 Carbine with 150 grain bullets with IMR4064 running a close second. Across all three powders, they actually are very close in velocity and group size.

 

[Nature Boy]

You picked a bullet weight in a caliber that has a ton of options.

Here's my favorites

H4895
Varget
RL15

Here's others that I've tried that also work

Benchmark
BL-C2
IMR 4064
VV N140
W 748

Here's more that are also suitable, but I've not used them

CFE 223
IMR 8208 XBR
IMR 4895
IMR 3031
IMR 4166
IMR 4320

 

[dgod]

I personally likeIMR 4064 and IMR 3031. 1” groups via Ruger Precision and 70 y/o eyes.

good luck..

 

[AJC1]

Tac-best for progressive accuracy
Ar comp- sub for varget
Varget

 

[the Black Spot]

Has anyone mentioned Varget? Lol, my sons 308 with 150 gr bullets, loves it.

 

[JO JO]

my two favorites in 308 so far is AR Comp and TAC ,

 

[LiveLife]

Here's my favorites

H4895
Varget
RL15

Same here.

 

[Nature Boy]

Ar comp- sub for varget

VV N140 is also a good sub for Varget

 

[sequins]

I've heard varget meters poorly. I hate trickling although I'm willing to do it for max loads or if it really is justified by an amazing powder that meters poorly, but usually I can find a powder that meters well and also provides excellent accuracy. How do these powders y'all are recommending meter?

 

[Slamfire]

The cartridge was developed with IMR 4895 during WW2. It is hard to "improve" on IMR 4895 with the 150 grain, or 168 grain bullet. National Match ammunition was loaded with IMR 4895 (though not the same lots as you buy) and a 174 FMJBT. The bullet was not as good as the SMK, so later match ammunition was loaded with 168 SMK's.

I do know that Remington tested their M40X rifles with IMR 3031, and shipped the promised half MOA target with the rifle. That was back in the day when IMR 3031 was a long stick powder, the latest keg I purchased, it is a short stick. I much prefer short grained stick powders.

Any of the powders presented in this thread will shoot fantastically in the 308 Win, because the cartridge is not picky. Varget has developed an outstanding reputation, generally it is used because it gives a bit more velocity before popping primers. I had bud's who loved IMR 4064, and that does shoot well. There are two main problems I have with Vihtavuori powders: 1) too expensive and 2) lots of reports of Vihtavuori powders going bad at 20 years. I think the US is a little too hot for Finnish powders. Heat accelerates the deterioration of gun powder, if you don't know.









I recommend a stick powder, and I recommend single based powders, such as the IMR powders, because single based powders have about twice the shelf life of double based. The nitroglycerine in double based powders attack the nitrocellulose molecule. You don't need the extra energy of nitroglycerine in any civilian small arm.

 

[Walkalong]

Like the man said, shoot it, don't save it.

 

[Walkalong]

I recommend single based powders, such as the IMR powders, because single based powders have about twice the shelf life of double based. The nitroglycerine in double based powders attack the nitrocellulose molecule. You don't need the extra energy of nitroglycerine in any civilian small arm.

I agree, burns hotter, shorter shelf life, what's another 100 FPS or so if barrel life suffers. Too many excellent single base choices.

 

[AJC1]

I agree, burns hotter, shorter shelf life, what's another 100 FPS or so if barrel life suffers. Too many excellent single base choices.

So in a cartridge that has a barrel life of 5k or so were now going to use barrel life as a main factor???? This makes zero sense. If we were talking 243, then maybe.

 

[Charlie98]

I initially settled on IMR4895 for my .308/7.62mm loads, but have since split that up based on the bullet weight and barrel length. I get excellent results with IMR3031 and 150'ish grn bullets in my 16" M1a, and I've moved on to IMR4064 for 168's in my 24" barreled Savage bolt gun. IMR4895 will do the job, however, and would be a good place to start.

 

[AJC1]

I've heard varget meters poorly. I hate trickling although I'm willing to do it for max loads or if it really is justified by an amazing powder that meters poorly, but usually I can find a powder that meters well and also provides excellent accuracy. How do these powders y'all are recommending meter?

Tac is a tiny ball powder and meters like water. Grab a pound for testing and then you dont have to worry about storage either way. Works well in 223 as well if you also have one

 

[Walkalong]

So in a cartridge that has a barrel life of 5k or so were now going to use barrel life as a main factor????

lol, no I am sorry, I would agree, not a concern there, just generalizing for my bolt guns. .

 

[Walkalong]

Oh, and I like TAC too, it's handy stuff. Can't say I have tried it in .308 though, still shooting RL-15 with 168s.

 

[Walkalong]

I started shooting PRS last year, some folks burn through barrels like candy, but I am not a rich man and would rather have a cleaner cooler burning powder if possible. One reason I like 6 dasher over 6 Creed as well, burns less powder, easier on barrels. We shoot stages where we are shooting 8/10/12 rounds in under two minutes, for 8, 9, or 10 stages. We're not pampering barrels, so any little bit that can help.......

 

[Walkalong]

I like single base in pistols as well when I can, although I do use some double base, but I like to stay away from the high nitro content ones though, Tightgroup, Power Pistol......

 

[Ironicaintit]

I've only tried IMR 3031 and IMR 4895. They both work great.... my bolt gun prefers the 3031, my gas guns get the 4895.

 

[sequins]

I'm loading 20 rounds of varget, CFE 223, and 4895 for my first three on a ladder tonight. I'll load more tomorrow using some of the other powders recommended after I stop at the store. I appreciate the details on powde composition I'm learning more every day.

Thanks so much everyone, and a special shoutout to AJC1 for sending me a link to a really in depth article on technique and bullet selection among other things. I'll be trying Sierra 168gn match kings & tipped match kings, Lapua lockbase 150gn, and berger match 168gn all on a ladder with 20 rounds of each atop 5 different powders.

 

[Catpop]

IMR 3031
Old school (like me)