Powder for 16" barrel .308

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nightshift

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I will be loading for a .308 gas-operated semi auto, using 155 or 150 grain bullets.

Barrel length is 16 inches. I'm looking for a powder that will render about 2700 fps, probably a faster-burning powder. Any suggestions are appreciated.
 
My suggestions:

1. Forget about finding a special powder just because the barrel is only 16 inches long. Use the powder that gives the best performance accuracy wise. In, lets see, five 308 Winchesters, including two semi autos and a handgun, for me that has been IMR 4064. IMR 8208 XBR is another good powder choices and I think the chances are excellent that you'd get the desired velocity with it.

2. I wouldn't stress over getting 2,700 fps or not getting it. Once again, use the load that gives the best results on paper.
 
Like said above several times, the powder that delivers good velocity in a 20" barrel will also do so in a 16" barrel. Look for accuracy IMO. All the velocity in the world means nothing unless you make good hits. IMR 4064 has always been a good powder for the .308.
 
Why not just use 168 grain? I’m curious, because 168 grain is the bullet I use for m1a, and I plan on using it for a socom and a scout squad as well I plan to buy, as well as a gunsite scout rifle and an ar10.

As far as powder goes, I’m gonna stick with h4895 for all of them. It may be wishful thinking, but I want to find a good all around accurate cartridge for all these. For accuracy beyond 250-300 yards or so, I’ll probably tailor up a load special for my hawkeye m77 and my m70. Is my thinking wrong?
 
IMR 3031. Worked well in my 18" .30-06 742 Carbine. I had a very accurate 165/168 gr. load, 43.0 gr. IMR 3031 with either 168 BTHP Hornady or 165 Partition.
 
IMR 3031... I've switched from IMR4895 to 3031 in my 16" barreled M1a, I've gotten better velocity and consistency.
 
Thanks for all the replies! A lot of good info. I will post results, but it may take while.

Nothing happens fast around here.
 
I use IMR4064 in 308. The accuracy is great. I also love the way it smells.
Depending on the type of semi auto, you may be limited on how slow of powder you can use without breaking parts.
 
I shoot a 16” AR10. My pet load is 38.5gr LT32 under a 150 sst. Load them to dang near mag length.
I’ve also had luck with h4895.

It makes a big difference in the short barrel to run a fast powder and not too high of a charge. Slow powder or big charges and you’ll just blow fire out the barrel without increasing velocity and make lots of extra noise.

I tuned mine for accuracy as well as sound through the suppressor. With everything I tried the best accuracy nodes were just before I started blowing fire (noted by a sudden increase in sound)
 
It makes a big difference in the short barrel to run a fast powder and not too high of a charge. Slow powder or big charges and you’ll just blow fire out the barrel without increasing velocity and make lots of extra noise.

This has been proven wrong many times over, and is discussed earlier in the thread. Even the slowest powders burn completely in just a few inches. Faster powders burn in a few less inches of barrel. But they all burn well before reaching the length of a legal rifle barrel. This may be a concern with pistols chambered in rifle rounds.

I won't give any specific advice because the needs of a semi are much different than my bolt guns. But the same powders that give me the best speeds in a 24" barrel work the best in a 16-18" barrel as well. And with 308 I only see about 60 fps less speed between 22" and 18"
 
I like BL-C(2) and IMR 3031 for 150ish grain bullets but I use them in an 18 inch barrel though. Plenty accurate and minimal flash for me. If you have Reloader 17 that might work as well but I have not tried it as of yet as mine are as accurate that I need.
 
This has been proven wrong many times over, and is discussed earlier in the thread. Even the slowest powders burn completely in just a few inches. Faster powders burn in a few less inches of barrel. But they all burn well before reaching the length of a legal rifle barrel. This may be a concern with pistols chambered in rifle rounds.

I won't give any specific advice because the needs of a semi are much different than my bolt guns. But the same powders that give me the best speeds in a 24" barrel work the best in a 16-18" barrel as well. And with 308 I only see about 60 fps less speed between 22" and 18"

Think what you want, but my suppressor as well as the light sensor on night vision say otherwise. If they are completely burned why the huge fireball and extra sound?
I own 4 16” 308 rifles.
 
Even the slowest powders burn completely in just a few inches. Faster powders burn in a few less inches of barrel. But they all burn well before reaching the length of a legal rifle barrel.


Then what the hell is this fireball in front of my AMD-65?
Sal AMD-65_zpsukdejq1b.jpg
 
Hot high pressure gases hitting the atmosphere. Sure, there can be a little bit of unburned powder in some loads, but that is not what you see "burning".

Bottom line, is the vast majority of the powder is burned long before it exits the barrel and the powder that gives the most velocity in the long barel will do so in a short barrel. It may not be as efficient, but it will still give the most velocity.
 
Actually, it’s the uncombined oxidizer resulting from combustion of powder meeting the open atmosphere. Contributes to muzzle flash and recoil. Powder is consumed within 3-4”, Likewise peak pressures. Additional speed from longer barrel is due to continued expansion of gasses.

My first trials would be with the “usual suspects “ for the .308;
Varget, IMR4064, H4895, IMR4895, Win748, BLC2.

Had a Tikka that was like a shotgun till I put IMR3031 in it. Started shooting bug-holes with Nosler B.T. H322, likewise.
They like, what they like...
 
I would just focus on working up an accurate load that functions within the cycling parameters first. Sometimes it's frustrating when everything is at least reasonable in terms of component selection and the results are no better than inexpensive factory ammo - like 2.5 to 3 moa. I wouldn't limit yourself to only forum advice, it may take some trial and error since 308 semi's are finicky in terms of finding an accurate load that cycles.

As others have said and I can attest, the thought of "fast powder for short barrels and slow powder for long barrels" is a myth. Try various powders. The old standby of various flavors of 4895 usually work well. IMR 3031, IMR4064, TAC, CFE 223, Varget and others can work well also. Something that I ran into when trying to reload a 308 semiauto is that I could get good accuracy with one powder, but the charge weights to attain it were at the top of the data, meaning flat primers, rough extraction, etc. Another powder worked reasonably at low charge weights (near the minimum load) but it didn't get the velocity.

I also wouldn't limit yourself to 150-155gr. It's possible that your rifle may not like them as well as others. An experiment with 125gr were accurate near the top of the data, but loosened up my carrier key. 150's and 165's just weren't impressive in my individual barrel. I was about to just give up and accept that it was a 3 moa rifle until I tried 180gr with IMR4895. While it will never be a tack driver, that combo achieves the accuracy portion, but would not meet the OP's fps goal.

Sometimes, we get spoiled with how easy it is to get an accurate 223 rem load in an AR-15. It doesn't always translate into other calibers and firearms.
 
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