What powder... (.308)

[Pheonix]

do you use. This is for a .308 Savage 112 (26" barrel)? I plan on buying the RCBS master reload kit in the next couple of weeks and would like to start with a good powder. The bullets are 150g. I was thinking (through reading and research) Winchester 748. What is your formula for success with this bullet and weight?

 

[Swamp Yankee]

WW748 is a good choice. It meters easily and consistantly. I 've used it with 147 grain Winchester bullets and had decent results.
That said I now use Varget for just about all my .308 loads, with bullets in the 147 to 168 grain weights. It produces the best groups of all the powders I've experimented with from my AR10, Remington PSS, and Tikka.
Take Care

 

[The Shadow]

I must agree with Swamp Yankee, Varget is a very good all around powder, it gives great results.

 

[jem375]

My best powder for the 308 is probably IMR4064.....I also use AA2520, RL15(fastest), Varget, and H414(slowest)....all are good powders for the 308..........

 

[Dan Morris]

I use a SWAT load....44gr IMR 4064, CCI std primer and a 165 Hornady.....darn accurate! Don't know the figs but pre 64 absolutely lovet it.
Dan

Disclamer...this load is safe in MY GUN....go by a loading book.

 

[Bacchus]

I recommend giving 748 a try.

 

[ms1200]

i have had my best results in the .308 useing IMR4064, with varget comeing in a close second.

 

[P95Carry]

I use a lot of Vit powders these days ... very clean burning. having said that I'm still loading some .308 to use up some Reloader 7 .... (38.6 grn behind a 150 grainer) ......

I use Vit N-140 for hunting loads ... but can't remember amount right now.

 

[45Badger]

Anybody using BL-C2?

 

[Gewehr98]

For my .308 guns...

which include a 700PSS, BM-59, and M14NM, I run IMR4895, behind bullets weighing 147 up to 168 grains.

http://stevespages.com/page8c.htm has a good chart of applicable powders for different bullet weights in the .308 Winchester. Hell, he has charts for basically anything that can be handloaded!

 

[Powderman]

As G98 mentioned, in my M1A I use IMR 4895 behind the 150 grain boat tail FMJ, and the 155 grain MatchKing. Great results.

 

[MLC]

Just tested the waters with BLC-2 but had excellent results, I could've been me but my BLC-2 loads with hunting bullets shot better than my 4064 loads with match bullets.

 

[cheygriz]

My best loads in .308 have come with H335, but BL-C2 runs a close second.

 

[dakotasin]

my most accurate 308 loads use varget, w/ a close second going to rl-15. rl-15 gives my best, by far, velocity w/ 150-165 grain bullets.

i always use win brass, and cci br-2 primers.

 

[bogie]

Don't use surplus 4895.

I want it all.

 

[Pheonix]

Thanks for all of your help. I will return to my origional plan and start out with BLC-2 (it is cheaper than the others too).

 

[Blackcloud6]

US Military specs for M80 ball (146 gr. bullet) is 46 gr. of WC 846.

 

[Mikul]

The Lyman manual recommends IMR4064 and Winchester 760. 4064 is a short stick powder which some people have claimed gives them irregular readings on their powder throwers, but even my Dillon powder feeder seems to do well with it. 760 is more of a ball powder.

 

[shu]

When I started reloading (which was with 308win for 26 inch barrel) I got some AA2460, some H414, and a brick of magnum primers for them. Seemed like a good idea at the time, and it was all totally new to me.

If I had it to do over again, I would start with Varget, which I got after the AA2460 finished. It seems to do well, and covers a good spread of bullet weights in 308win and 223rem. However does not use the magnum primers.

To finish off the magnum primers, I got some 748 Winchester, which also has a good spread in both 308win and 223rem.

All in all I think I like the Varget best, can't say why. The powder shape (little cylinders) however give me fits with those small 223rem cases.

Have fun. P.S. You might as well get some calipers (a caliper? a set of calipers?). I too started with the RCBS master kit, and they aint in there. You will need a brass tumbler. I tried everything from tying the brass in a sock in the washer to coffee can with cat litter and bon-ami, hand shaken. Finally gave in and got the tumbler from Midway. If you do pistol also you will want the smaller bore cylinder for the powder measure. Ask RCBS nicely and they may send you one free. You will want a chronograph, but that can come later.

Read alot, lurk on the b.boards, and stay safe.

 

[pooch]

I guess I will echo what several others have said here. I used several different powders in my .308 but finally settled on Varget. 4064 is good too, but Varget is less temp sensitive and meters better in the measure. Also in my rifle, Varget gives me better velocity with less pressure signs. It's also good sprinkled on your grapefruit in the morning. (that's a joke) Seriously though, Varget is a great powder in the .308. ...pooch

 

[echo3mike]

Another Varget fan...just hooked up with a 8lb keg for my 175 and 168gr SMKs.

To date though, my money load was a 175gr SMK behind 42.0gr IMR4895 with WLR primers. Put 15 shots into a .6" hole at 100yds. Anymore shots at that target felt pretty unnecessary.

I've since abandoned WLR primers...too hot, too inconsistant. I've moved to CCI-BR2s, so I gotta work up some loads for the 175gr stuff again. 45gr of Varget seems to be pretty popular. I'll let ya know.

S.