Powder Suggestions and Misc Questions

[BoomFlop]

I have reloading manuals and have referenced online sources. I am aware of starting low and working up.

I'm looking for most popular powder choices for these cartridges. Thanks to those that have gave me their recommendation. Looks like Varget (which I was planning but hard to find) and 4064 are really popular. I haven't really heard many people using 4064 in the 7mm-08. Varget, RL-15 and Big Game seem to be popular along with 4895.

Steve

 

[thwatson2]

4064 has been go to for my 308 and 7-08. I would suggest 1 pound bottle for testing. If it works well grab big bottles....there are other powders that work well in those rounds and both have oodles of info on the web. By way I know many who love varget, but I've had real pressure issues and large deviations using it. Not sure why but just my experience.

 

[Savage 22-243 AI]

So, I'm a new Reloader. I currently have only reloaded for my son's Remington 700 Varmint 223 Rem and my Remington 700 LTR with very good results.

Anyway, Iam going to start reloading for a Remington 700 LTR in 308 Win and multiple 7mm-08's(3 total).

I am overwhelmed by the multitude of powders that seem to work well with both the 7mm-08 and 308 Win. Do you guys usually buy a bunch of 1# containers of powder to see what a rifle/bullet/primer likes or should buy an 8# of one powder to insure lot number and tune load? I am probably over thinking this, however, I tend to overthink everything. Lol

Any advise on choosing a powder to start with (new Reloader without any powders other than Benchmark for 223 Rem) would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks
Steve

VARGET

 

[RetiredSniper]

I have tested many powders in 308 over the years and settled on IMR 4064 a long time ago. It gives me great results and accuracy. I have no reason to switch and screw up a good thing.

 

[BoomFlop]

So do you recommend getting 1 pound bottle, test it in each rifle, etc. If it works out, then order 8 pound bottle and completely start over (as lot number will be different). Any change in lot number of any component requires to start over. Or, can I just reduce the original charge by .5 grain and work back up?

Thanks.
Steve

 

[Savage 22-243 AI]

VARGET

One of my favorite powders since it came out in the late nineties. Can be used in most caliber rifles I have. .223/22-250/22-250AI/22-243AI/6mmbr/.243/.308/30-06/45-70.

 

[Seabeeken]

So, I'm a new Reloader. I currently have only reloaded for my son's Remington 700 Varmint 223 Rem and my Remington 700 LTR with very good results.

Anyway, Iam going to start reloading for a Remington 700 LTR in 308 Win and multiple 7mm-08's(3 total).

I am overwhelmed by the multitude of powders that seem to work well with both the 7mm-08 and 308 Win. Do you guys usually buy a bunch of 1# containers of powder to see what a rifle/bullet/primer likes or should buy an 8# of one powder to insure lot number and tune load? I am probably over thinking this, however, I tend to overthink everything. Lol

Any advise on choosing a powder to start with (new Reloader without any powders other than Benchmark for 223 Rem) would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks
Steve

I tested a number of powders in my 308 with 150gr bullet and the best accuracy in my rifle came with SW Precision, Varget, and TAC.

 

[Remington 788]

So, I'm a new Reloader. I currently have only reloaded for my son's Remington 700 Varmint 223 Rem and my Remington 700 LTR with very good results.

Anyway, Iam going to start reloading for a Remington 700 LTR in 308 Win and multiple 7mm-08's(3 total).

I am overwhelmed by the multitude of powders that seem to work well with both the 7mm-08 and 308 Win. Do you guys usually buy a bunch of 1# containers of powder to see what a rifle/bullet/primer likes or should buy an 8# of one powder to insure lot number and tune load? I am probably over thinking this, however, I tend to overthink everything. Lol

Any advise on choosing a powder to start with (new Reloader without any powders other than Benchmark for 223 Rem) would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks
Steve

I use imr 4064 in both 7mm08 and 308 they both do well with the same powder charge

 

[Dr. Richard Gray]

So do you recommend getting 1 pound bottle, test it in each rifle, etc. If it works out, then order 8 pound bottle and completely start over (as lot number will be different). Any change in lot number of any component requires to start over. Or, can I just reduce the original charge by .5 grain and work back up?

Thanks.
Steve

It depends on the use. If you are a competitive shooter you will want extreme consistency. If your a meat hunter the consistency concern is not nearly as great, due to lot number discrepancies. I have 2 Winchester 94's, 26" octagon barrel, 30-30 cal. (.308). Loads are 150gr IMR 4064 shoot a 2"-3" grouping at 300 yards. I am a hunter not a competition shooter.

 

[tnek13]

Just get VARGET. I load 223 and 308 on your list and have tried multiple powders over the years, but Varget gives me the accuracy and in the 308 the velocity that makes it the only powder that I use in those calibers. I do not load for a 7mm-08 but since the case is based on the 308 I am confident that you can find a load that works well.

 

[Blackhawk]

LVJ76

Happy Father's Day!!!

Unfortunately I do not have anyone that I know that reloads.

My original plan was to load 120 gr Ballistic Tips with Varget in the 7mm-08's and 168 gr Berger Classic Hunter's in my LTR with Varget and all with BR2 primers. Varget is just really hard to find as you probably know.

What are your thoughts on brass brand. I was planning to buy Lapua. I purchased Starline for our 223 Rem and although they shot well, I wasn't impressed with the variation in overall length, which was even more difficult with loading 40gr bullets. I mean a lot of them were .015 short of trim too length.

Have a great day all!
Steve

I am very surprised that you have experienced brass from Starline that was - .015" short.
I have handloaded a lot of Starline rifle brass in 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester ,.300 Winchester Magnum , .338 Winchester Magnum, and 45 -70 and have yet to experience brass hulls that were undersize.
I am not saying that it can not happen , what I suggest is to call Starline Brass customer service and tell them what you have found. ( the one problem that I did encounter was the fact that I was shorted several brass hulls in the sealed plastic bag.) One phone call to Starline solved that issue for me.
They are an honest company and will make it right for you !
May I suggest that you find another supplier for your brass, or simply
go with your thoughts and purchase quality brass such as Lapua.

 

[Ward Thurman]

We have 3 rifles in 308, a Savage 99, Savage AR-10, Savage Edge bolt action. Just by dumb luck, both the 99 and AR-10 love the same load; 150 grain bullets in front of 42.0 grs of 4895 (H4895 seems a bit better). Grouping is really good for both rifles as they both have short barrels. The Edge has a 22" barrel and I found 2 loads that really work well: 130 gr Hornady bullets w/ 47 gr of H380 and 165 gr Nosler ballistic tips or Accubonds over 4320. I am not at home right now (Paris) so can't look up the powder weights. I hope that will narrow down the choices a bit.

 

[Ward Thurman]

Oh, we will weigh the brass and group by weight if we are looking for extremely tight grouping.

 

[BoomFlop]

Blackhawk,

I purchased 500 rounds directly from Starline to insure the same lot number. I contacted them and they said that was within there allowable range. Made it more complicated as I am loading a short 40 gr Ballistic Tip.

I'll probably just do Lapua from now on, went with Starline so that if I messed up a piece it wasn't the end of the World and they are for our coyote rifles and ejecting a piece of Lapua into 18" of snow makes them hard to find as well. LOL

Thanks,
Steve