Recomend a powder.

[MacDuff]

W748 has worked well for my AR loads and I want to begin loading 308 for practice ammo.

I need to stock up on some supplies and only want to stock one rifle powder. It doesn't need to be perfect just versatile enough for both 223 and 308.

BL-C2 or H335 seem like good choices for metered loads. What are your personal choices? Thanks.

MacDuff

 

[Slasher]

I am in the same situation with loading for 308 also. I have a 4lb jug of WC846, from which I understand is the same as BL-C2, and I have some TAC that I use to load my 223's. Once I get a chance to load some up and test them out I can let you know for sure but I have been told that both of these would be fine for 308.

 

[68wj]

I hear Varget recommended often. No .308 here, but I know it works well in .223.

 

[Floppy_D]

I've been using H4895. It's always available, and it's about as versatile a rifle powder as you'll find. I haven't had any issues with metering.

 

[cheygriz]

WW 748, H335, BL-C2 will all work wonderfully in both calibers. Being ball powders, they will all flow easily and accurately through any quality powder measure.

Pick one, stock up on it, and ENJOY!

 

[rsbible]

I use Varget for my son's .308 (shooting 165 gr Sierra GameKings out of Winchester Brass using WLR primers) and it works wonderfully!

 

[GRIZ22]

I use Accurate 2230 for 308 and 223/5.56. Works well in either caliber. Ball powder so it meters well. You can also use the 2230C which is a data powder and when available is pretty cheap.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

For me, the powder would be IMR-4895, I'm very happy with it in .308.

 

[rfwobbly]

Ramshot TAC works in both, meters well, runs clean, and is very inexpensive.

 

[dawico]

I vote for IMR/ H4895 also. It will load almost every rifle round on Earth, and usually gives some pretty good accuracy and velocity. I use it in 204 Ruger and 458 Lott, and everything in between.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'll never understand why anyone wants to use only 1 powder for more than 1 caliber even if there are better choices. I'm not telling you you're wrong, I just don't get it though.

If I had to choose only 1 powder for both NATO rounds I would use BL-C(2).

 

[mjyeagle]

what about imr 4064 i use it in everything form 375 rum to 22-250 i have do not 223 know how though just a thought

 

[41 Mag]

I can totally understand your logic here, but by the same token I am also working my way towards the fewer powders, wider variety thing myself.

I guess for me it began when I went through what I had on hand and found that some of the lesser loaded powders were starting to or had already began to turn on me. After inspecting them all and dumping quite a bit, I decided to cut back on how many I was using, and simply use more of one or two to cover a wider spectrum.

Since I don't load for top end but in only a couple of cases, having all the different powders for specific loads was just overkill. I can easily load for 98% of my handguns and rifles with only three to four verses 12 or more. Makes purchasing and storage a bit easier as well.

 

[steve4102]

Another vote for TAC.

 

[Slamfire]

I prefer any of the 4895 series of stick powders, that includes IMR 4895/H4895/AA2495. AA2495 is Accurate Arms knockoff of IMR 4895 but stupidly they call it something different and confuse everyone.

I like the fact that IMR 4895 has a wide sweet spot, was the powder the 308 round was developed around, and gives more warning before blowing primers than ball powders.

I have used lots of AA2520, a ball powder, and that stuff does not telegraph pressure problems. You just start blowing primers.

I dump my powder and seat the bullet on a Dillion 550B. For my ammunition out to 300 yards I cannot tell any on target difference due to powder throw varience. At 600 yards my loads are maximum and I weigh the charges.

People think the .1 grain difference they get with thrown ball powders means increased on target accuracy. It is not so.

Incidentally the Palma team ran tests of all sorts of powders on their Dillion. IMR 4895 was the most accurate.

 

[cheygriz]

Slamfire,

You're absolutely right about 4895. It's a great powder, and it meters very well indeed for an extruded powder.

I would respectfully disagree about the ball powders though, since I prefer them. But again, when comparing downrange accuracy, .1 or even .2 grains won't make any difference. (actually, in the large magnum cases, .5 won't make any downrange difference except perhaps in a benchrtest rifle). )

But back on topic, IMHO, if you can get to one and only one powder, and I agree 4895 is a good one also, why not use one powder, and save money by buying in bulk.

When I buy a case of four 8 pound caddies (32 pounds) of brand new H335, or HS-6 through my club, it's as cheap as buying MilSurp at a gun show, or even cheaper.


ArchangelCD,

The reason for only one powder in several calibers is saving $$$$$$$$

 

[Floppy_D]

@ArchangelCD,
I like the fact that I can shoot everything I own on three powders; Unique, 2400 and H4895. It's easy for me to keep track of how much powder I have. It's easier to justify bulk buys if I'm going to use it on many calibers, and bulk = less expensive.

 

[Offfhand]

Simple answer: Keep it simple, stay with the 748. It's one of the best propellants for the .308

 

[Cemetery21]

Good thread and something for younger reloaders to think about. Over the years, I have bought a lot of powder based on what somebody else said or wrote. Now, I'm like one of the other posts - have unused powder 20-30 years old sitting around.
Most of the powders mentioned above will do a very good job (except 4064, which is a little slow for the 223, I think).

 

[MacDuff]

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[Afy]

Vv n140

 

[Slamfire]

I would respectfully disagree about the ball powders though, since I prefer them.

I am not a fan of ball powders in rifles.

For rifle, I have used AA2520 and WC852. According to Accurate Arms AA2520 ball powder duplicates the IMR 4895 pressure curve grain for grain. In my chronograph testing the velocities are very close by weight in .223, 308 and 30-06.

However, AA2520 is filthy. I have used different lots of the stuff since the 80's and all lots leave a lot of crud in AR gas systems. Much more than stick powders. Settling is a huge issue. If I shoot AA2520 out to 300 yards and then switch to a stick at 600 yards, it takes about 4 shots before the rifle stops flinging rounds.

You can imagine the anxiety this causes. After all I have spend all day competing in this match, got up at 400 in the morning to get there and then I will get home after 8 pm. And here at 600 yards my first two sighters will have absolutely no correlation with the last sight settings and or with the range wind. You don't get mulligans in Highpower, each shot counts and by the time I get to the record portion of Long Range, I still don’t know what the heck is going on.

Stick powders, I switch from 4895, 4064, N140, N135, no settling issues at any distance at any time.

I have lots of AA2520 because it was sold at $64.00 a keg a one time. It works great as blasting ammunition. I keep the stick powder for serious work.

The WC852, I use in Garands or 30-06 rifles at 100 yard matches. No settling issues there.

For pistol, hey W231 is a great powder. But handguns are spitting distance things, I don't need great accuracy I need great function.

 

[cheygriz]

Well that's what makes this country great. You can have stick powderr and I can have ball powder.

 

[jerkface11]

Varget.

 

[Funshooter45]

Varget, H4895, TAC all work great in both rifles. The 748 you already have will work OK in the .308, but only for the lighter bullets of 150 gr or less. Not so good for the heavier bullets. I like spherical powders just fine. They meter wonderfully. I have used W-780 in a few rifles and it does well.