Recipe for my first handload, .308

[bikemutt]

I've finally assembled all the parts and pieces I think I'll need for handloading. Since I have some prepped brass for .308 Win and a bunch of Sierra Match 168 grain bullets, I figured I'd start there.

I have no powder and no primers at this time.

Hoping for some ideas as to what powder and primers to buy, and maybe a starter recipe for a load?

I also plan to handload for 6.5 Creedmoor, .223 Rem, .35 Rem and 45/70.

Thanks!

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I know that Varget works well in .308 and .223. There is also data for Varget and 6.5CM.

 

[Bart B.]

For the .308:

43 +/- .15 grains of IMR4064 or Varget and a Tulammo LR primer.

If you and the rifle are well built and managed, that load will shoot no worse than 1/2 inch st 100 yards. If not, 'tain't the ammo's fault.

 

[Nature Boy]

I'll add to Bart's suggestion and say my most accurate load is 43g of Varget, 168g bullet, federal primer with detailed preparation of the cause of your choice .010" off the lands and I'm consistently ~0.500" MOA with 5 shot groups

 

[cat_IT_guy]

I use 4064 in 308 with 168gr hpbt bullets.

If looking for one powder that can handle most of hat you need, I've been happy with 3031 for 223 and 45-70, and have heard it's a decent option for 308 as well though I haven't seen reason to stray from 4064 yet.

 

[Slamfire]

If you can find IMR 4895 or AA2495 or H4895

168 SMK, 40.5 grains IMR 4895/H4895/AA2495 and case, any primer, OAL 2.750"

A maximum charge is around 41.5 grs in LC brass, this load is very accurate.

 

[Nature Boy]

And to add to Slamfire's suggestion, I also have a very accurate load with 39.5g of H4895 and 168g bullets....as long as it's using fed 210M primers.

 

[Bart B.]

Don't waste time doing any case prep.

Commercial match ammo cases are not prepped. Neither are new cases used by Sierra to test bullets that shoot half MOA or better in their 200 yard test range.

There's time for case prep when your biggest groups are 1/10 MOA at worst.

 

[mdi]

If I were using Sierra bullets, I would look in my Sierra manual. Personally, I use Varget, IMR 4895 and IMR 4064 in my 308, with CCI and Wolf large rifle primers.

I don't give exact load data on line because I pay no attention to load data from any forum expert, range rat, gun counter clerk, pet loads website, or gun shop guru. I know most are just being helpful, but I prefer to get my own data, and I learn a lot more in the process. I get all (well 98%) my load data from published manuals and I always suggest the same to new reloaders...

A hint; Find a load in your manual before you buy/obtain components. Many fewer headaches, searches that way...

Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...

 

[Orcon]

I gave up on chasing Varget or paying a premium for it. I started using AA2495 and it honestly shoots better than the Varget did and at 25% less cost to boot. I would also suggest you consider CFE223. I borrowed a pound from a friend and so far it's been working really well with heavier bullets but I'm still testing it.

!!! Some of these are MAX LOADS so do consult published data and work up. !!!


Hornady case, WLR primer

168gr A-max COAL 2.820
Varget 45 gr 2624 fps 10 shot avg
AA-2495 43.5gr 2648 fps 10 shot avg

175gr SMK COAL 2.820
AA-2495 40 gr no chrono data

200gr ELD-X COAL 2.988
Power Pro 2000-MR 45.5gr no chrono data

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You are lucky, the .308 is not a picky cartridge. There are many good powders that will produce accurate ammo.

My favorite is IMR4064 with a CCI200 primer or Win LRP. If loading for an AR style rifle I use a CCI#34 primer or a CCI250 primer.

IMR4895, H4895, AA#2495, AA2520, AA4064, Varget and a few others will give similar results. I have had the best results with IMR4064.

 

[Bart B.]

Shoot at least 10 shots per load to check its accuracy.

 

[Bama Drifter]

IMR 3031 will cover a few bases, just keep in mind that it is a stick powder and will meter poorly.

Sent from my HUAWEI G620-A2 using Tapatalk

 

[Offfhand]

Quoted from post above:
"There's time for case prep when your biggest groups are 1/10 MOA at worst."

Actually, if you're not getting better that 3/10 MOA with good components, proper loading technique and good equipment it's high time for some serious case prep.

 

[Gtscotty]

Obviously work up loads for your own rifle, but I've found that my current target .308 likes the following loads with a 168 hpbt Nos CC stuffed on top.

43.5gr IMR 4064, OAL: 2.86", 2610 fps
45gr Varget, OAL: 2.86", 2630 fps
42.4gr AR-Comp, OAL: 2.88", 2650 fps (this one is a recent addition, but AR-Comp is cheap, throws pretty well, and I went 2 for 3 on clay pigeons at 700yds the other day, it's growing on me).

All shot out of a 20" tube. Varget is my favorite, but if all I ever had to shoot out of a .308 again was 4064.... I'd be alright.

 

[Grumulkin]

I have had the best results with IMR4064.

Same here.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

My favorite .308 load is 43.2 grains of IMR 4064 using CCI large standard rifle primers, 168 grain Sierra bthp. I prefer to keep my length at 2.797, No crimp. The first two shots were in one hole at 200 yards.

 

[Nature Boy]

You are lucky, the .308 is not a picky cartridge

I've heard others say that so it must be true, however, I've realized that I'm more picky when I'm shooting my .308 loads. If I don't get 5 shots touching at 100 I'm looking for something wrong

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've heard others say that so it must be true, however, I've realized that I'm more picky when I'm shooting my .308 loads. If I don't get 5 shots touching at 100 I'm looking for something wrong

What gun are you shooting that can do that? 5 touching rounds @100 yards all the time? Really?

 

[bikemutt]

Alrighty then, I got some Varget powder and CCI BR2 primers incoming. I couldn't find 210M primers anywhere in-stock along with the powder, and I didn't want to pay two separate hazmat fees. I did speak with a friend who reloads, he said I should be fine with the BR2 primers.

Thanks for all the tips! I'll report back after the first bullet flies.

 

[Nature Boy]

What gun are you shooting that can do that? 5 touching rounds @100 yards all the time? Really?

Did I say it does it all the time? Did I even suggest a frequency? All I was taking about was how different my expectations are when shooting my .308 loads.

And to answer your question, my main .308 gun as of late is an FN SPR in a A4 McMillan stock

Look, I post enough pictures on here, including all the good, bad and ugly of my reloading/shooting success and failures to not be accused of talking out of my ass, OK?

 

[jmr40]

My go-to load is 46gr of Varget with most 165/168 gr bullets. I normally get about 2740 fps and keep 3 shots well inside an inch.

But I've had darn near equal speeds and accuracy with 4064, 4895, and RL15. I like Varget simply because it is less sensitive to temperature changes. If you can't find Varget I'm betting you can get a good load with any of the other powders as well as a few others.

 

[Bart B.]

Actually, if you're not getting better that 3/10 MOA with good components, proper loading technique and good equipment it's high time for some serious case prep.

Commercial match ammo from Hornady, Federal and Black Hills doesn't use prepped cases and has shot under 3/10ths MOA at a hundred yards in well built rifles shot by competent humans. So has handloads with new cases made by competent humans using well built reloading tools. I've used unprepped and fully prepped cases shooting half MOA or better 15 to 20 shot test groups at long range; never saw any difference in accuracy.

I've seen many a 10-shot test group at Sierra's California plant they tested 30 caliber match bullets shot from unprepped .308 Win cases in the 1/10th to 2/10th inch range; some were under 1/10th.

Unprepped cases, to me, are those who've been trimmed to length and deburred; no neck turning, primer pocket or flash hole uniforming and not sorted by weight or capacity.

 

[Walkalong]

Unprepped new? OK.

Unprepped fired? Not so much.

 

[Nature Boy]

I tried unprepped new Lapua in 308 and found neck tension to be off quite a bit from case to case, enough to cause variation in seating depth.

Ran the rest through my sizing die once and consistency returned.

I prep everything now. Bart may be right in that it's unnecessary, but hell, this whole hobby is unnecessary