best powder for reloading 308.

[Mram10us]

H4895. Can't get enough Varget in the case for top velocities especially for 150g bullets. Both are very temp. stable.

I'm curious what you mean by this. I'm a bit slow, so it is probably me IMO, you can get overpressure with a 155 and varget before you reach case capacity

 

[cohunt]

If you run nato brass, back off your charges by at least a full grain

Varget, cfe223, tac, i4895

I find that tac has a larger muzzle flash from 16" barrels so I only use it for plinking loads

 

[Ace Quackhunter]

I am new to reloading and wanted to get some advice on the best powder for the 308?, or the best several. I will be loading with the 150 grain bullet.
Thanks

I have tried Winchester 760, good speed but a mess to clean. A2520 very good groups 1/2 MOA or better, a little slow on the velocity . N550 has been my best powder so far, great groups, not hard to clean and very good velocity. I have been using 155 Sierra HPBT in my Remington and with the N550 they have put me in the X-Ring many times.

 

[EWY]

If you run math brass, back off your charges by at least a full grain

Varget, cfe223, tac, i4895

I find that tac has a larger muzzle flash from 16" barrels so I only use it for plinking loads

I've only run TAC in my 24" bolt action so I hadn't noticed the flash problem. Good to know for those running short barrels.

 

[cohunt]

I've only run TAC in my 24" bolt action so I hadn't noticed the flash problem. Good to know for those running short barrels.

In the ar10 with 16", I could see the flash in broad daylight when running 130ssot pills , the 223 with 55gr pills wasnt quite as bad

I hear it may not be temp stable, but never checked it out

 

[Benman73]

I get the highest velocities with the most consistency with 150's out of my 16" 308 using H4895, and the highest velocities with heavies (210 grainers) using Reloder 17 out of my 26" 308 (single loading only with these). This is after testing at least a dozen powders for them over the years. 748 yields good velocity with 125's and 150's as well, and it meters nicely if you are just wanting to load quickly and go shooting. I have found very accurate loads with both powders in these rifles. I cannot speak to the temp instability because I generally do not shoot past April when temps start climbing above 70 degrees due to the high humidity around here, and it hardly ever drops much below freezing. For a general purpose powder, I do like Varget though. I also keep a stock of various powders on hand such as Reloder 15, BLC2, and Shooters World Prec. Rifle. They all work fairly well depending on the bullet in the 308.

 

[Black Hat]

Varget, Varget, Varget

AR2208/Varget.
The only powder you need for .308Win

 

[Master Yoda]

I get the highest velocities with the most consistency with 150's out of my 16" 308 using H4895, and the highest velocities with heavies (210 grainers) using Reloder 17 out of my 26" 308 (single loading only with these). This is after testing at least a dozen powders for them over the years. 748 yields good velocity with 125's and 150's as well, and it meters nicely if you are just wanting to load quickly and go shooting. I have found very accurate loads with both powders in these rifles. I cannot speak to the temp instability because I generally do not shoot past April when temps start climbing above 70 degrees due to the high humidity around here, and it hardly ever drops much below freezing. For a general purpose powder, I do like Varget though. I also keep a stock of various powders on hand such as Reloder 15, BLC2, and Shooters World Prec. Rifle. They all work fairly well depending on the bullet in the 308.

thx, I appreciate this information.

 

[Ol' Red]

BL-C(2) has worked fine for me in semi- autos.

I tried BLC-2 in my Remington 722 / .308. I was sighting in a scope with it and shot 5 rounds into the same hole. I did n't get to move the target out to longer ranges due to a 35- 45 MPH wind that kicked up, and then I moved that scope to another rifle. After I install another scope, that powder will get used again. I see a couple others listed here to buy and try.

 

[byrddog]

Varget, reloder 15, h4895, 4064. reloder 16 is too slow. N140 might work, I've never used it. I shoot n150 with 175 grain and above, but think n140 would be better with 150 grain bullets. Go to hodgon website, you can play with different powders to see what fits your needs. If it doesn't work in that case, they won't even give it as an option.

 

[Kimber7man]

If I had a 308, I'd try to back order 64 lbs of Varget, about 500 pieces of Lapua brass and about 5,000 Lapua 155 scenars.

 

[bassassassin104]

+1 on the Varget!!! Someone said 46 grains...... Start MUCH lower. I have seen significant pressure at 44 grains depending on brass.

 

[ojr]

There is but one reloading powder for the 308 and that is Ar2208 or Varget in your language.
If this doesn't work try 2206H or again H4895.
If your 308 will genuinely not shoot with either of these powders then you really need a new rifle.

 

[Dolch]

Let's narrow this down a little. Do you have a pet powder for short barrels? I's like to start loading for my newly acquired 16.5" barrel to shoot suppressed.
Anything working better for your short barrels to get your velocity and accuracy?