powder choices for .308 win

[Dream of long range]

Every time I see a person ask what powder to use for .308 win there are multiple people who bring up win 748 as being a good choice. Being the only powder choice from my lee 2nd edition manual at the time of purchasing my first powder win 760 is what I ended up with. After picking up some acc 2520 today and jumping around online to find out what kind of results people were getting from this powder I find varget, 4895, and win 748 being mentioned a lot. Although I did see many people suggesting acc 2520 I have never seen anyone suggest win 760. Why? I know temp sensitivity is a concern with win 760 but from my limited experience the only problem I have notice is case capacity when loading close to max(starts compressing).

155 gr A-max over 49.0 grs of win 760 with a COAL of 2.769 performs very well from my bolt for me just couldn't find anymore win 760

 

[frankmako]

4895 is what i use. have been for many years.

 

[ldlfh7]

As long as the load is listed by a reputable source it does not matter if it is compressed. Different powders have different volumes and a compressed load is not necessarily a bad thing. Just depends on the powder. If it is listed in your manual, it is safe to shoot.

 

[Dream of long range]

I was just wondering if there are draw backs to 760 that I haven't noticed or its just not a "premier" powder.

 

[Storm_Shadow]

I use Varget and like it. I used to use 4895 too but I couldn't find it for some time and developed a load that worked well with Varget.

 

[Dream of long range]

I too wish I could find some varget. I have saw nothing but good things about it but since all powders are hit or miss now finding one good powder for multiple calibers is more difficult so I will save my win 760 for 30-06 I'm about to start working up loads for and use the acc 2520 to work up a new pet load for .308. I will be pleased if I can get at least the same results from the 2520 as the 760 so how it is the journey has begun agin.....

 

[ldlfh7]

I have had good results with Varget, 4895, and 4064. Also have been experimenting with 4007-ssc. Experiment with different powders and your rifle should tell you what it's "premier" powder is.

 

[gamestalker]

As already mentioned, as long as you are sticking to published data, just use the powder in the published data, according to the load tables, and you'll be just fine.

As for what's the best performing for your .308, only you can determine the answer to that. I like IMR-4350, but that's in my firearms, with the components I use, with an oal my firearm likes. Compressed loads are no more dangerous, than non compressed loads, just so as long as the data reflects such.

FYI, I like using powders that produce compressed charges. It seems they produce more consistent accuracy and velocity in my rifles.

GS

 

[Bio-Chem]

the .308 is the rifle equivalent of the .45 there are only about 50 different powders with countless favorite receipes published worthy of taking a look at.

 

[jmr40]

I've had good accuracy and speed from several powders. Prefer Varget for a couple of reasons, but wouldn't feel handicapped with 4895, 4064, RL15, or several others. The 308 is easy to load for.

 

[sig2009]

I used to use 4895 but found it impossible to throw correct charge in Dillon so now I use BLC-2. Works and meters great!

 

[grubbylabs]

I have doing a little experimenting and I am finding that with 175 grain bullets a stick powder is going to perform a little better. I would not say this is a hard and fast rule, but that's the way it's turning out for me.

I am loading up some 150 grain bullets with some BLC2 to see if I can get a ball powder to work well with my 308.

 

[HexHead]

Varget for me. I may try Benchmark when I run out of it, but that might take a while. I have about 11-12 lbs.