powder options for .308

[Detritus]

In the aproximately 15 years or so since I first "rolled my own", I can thnk of only two Rifle powders that I've actually worked up loads with, Varget and IMR 4895. And they've served me well. But i'm currently down to the dregs of a single pound of IMR-4895 and have as of yet not found a local shop with either of my preferred powders.

until recently i never really had reason to widen my knowlege/awareness of what other powders i might use as alternatives.

anyway I am hoping to get some oppinions onwhat OTHER powders i might consider for my current needs...

my "current needs" are as follows

• I am currently ONLY handloading for .308win, and for a single rifle a Rem. 700 SPS-V
• Loads will be utilizing Sierra 175 SMKs, with the possibility of working up a backup load on the 168 smk, if the 175 become locally scarce etc.
• the load(s) i work up will be used at the local 600 and 1K yard prone matches, (well 600 and "300, reduced course" with the possibility of 1K sometime next year) So I don't want to be operating out on the ragged edge of a powder's envelope trying to get good results at 600 and 1K

Like I said i'm just looking for alternatives, i figure the more i know the more options i'll be comfortable with and therefore the more likely i'll be to find a powder that will work. Without having to wait who knows how long for IMR4895 or Varget

As always thank you for your time and any info or advice you choose to share.

 

[Jim Watson]

Reloder 15 is in the same ballpark.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

IMR 4064 or H-4895

 

[bobotech]

Ramshot TAC

 

[dirtman]

I have used 3031 and also really like 748 with mag primer... but i mostly shoot 165 grn. btsp hornady... i have never used these powders with a heavier bullet..

 

[dubbleA]

R-15 works well right along side Varget and IMR-4895. If your barrel will shoot the 155gr Scenar you might be pleasantly suprised, it has a great BC.

 

[Kernel]

With 175gr bullets I'd look to powders like N550 & IMR4064.

 

[Detritus]

If your barrel will shoot the 155gr Scenar you might be pleasantly suprised, it has a great BC.

don't know about how well my barrel would do with em, but my wallet currently has trouble with $43 per 100. but when my cashflow improves I plan to look into them.

Also something i forgot to ask in the original post, Is there a sort of Known hierachy of which powders are most likely to give good results in .308? i.e. "powder A is most likely to work well in a decent/good gun, but if you can't get A try and find powder B or C"

IMR 4064 or H-4895

it's good to know these should work well, since the nearest shop with powder has multiple canisters of each on hand. still gonna wait till Friday, and my chance to go to Houston, before I buy anything. still hoping to find one of my preferred powders. but having a viable back up or two helps

Ramshot TAC

I noticed this one on the shelf someplace a few years back, and haven't heard much about it. what kind of results are folks getting with it??

thanks for the info so far, please feel free to add to it clarify etc. the more the merrier.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

I load on a progressive press so metering quality is important to me. Ive been using alot of ramshot tac lately and really like it. I bought it first because with all the shortages it was the only ball powder in that burning range i could find. Now id buy it anyway.