308 powder help

[csmith]

I'm getting ready to load up some 168gr smk's for a new rifle with a 22" 1in10 twist. Out of Varget, Benchmark, and RL15 which would you try first and why.

 

[Slow Hand]

Varget has been my choice. I've used 4895 as well, but the varget is a little more versatile so I keep it around.

 

[Slapstick]

Varget has been my choice. I've used 4895 as well, but the varget is a little more versatile so I keep it around.

^^^Same here ^^^^

 

[redneckmedic]

Hat trick for Varget.

 

[Leo]

Varget or RE-15 both will work fine, I never used benchmark, so I cannot comment yea or nea. Good Luck

 

[bigdaddy1427]

Every 308 that I have ever reloaded for has done great with IMR 4064. It is a little hard to meter, but a great powder if you can't find the others for 308.

 

[Dave Doehrman]

I shoot 168 A-Max bullets out to 1,000 yards using Varget and from the dead of winter until the hottest days of summer, my point of impact only changes about 10 inches. I think temperature stability is one of the reasons most .308 and .223 reloaders choose Varget.

 

[kludge]

Out of those three Varget for sure. If IMR4064 was on your list we'd have a fight on our hands. Varget wins for temperature stability, but you need to compress a bit for top loads. IMR4064 is the sweet spot for 168gr SMK. You get to max velocity and hints of pressure signs just after you start to compress, but it is more temp sensitive.

 

[billybob44]

Another fan of IMR-4064. Especially if your top three are not to be had. Another good choice for me in 22-250, .243, 6MM, and .308 is BL-C(2)...Bill.

 

[j706]

Varget or RE-15 both will work fine, I never used benchmark, so I cannot comment yea or nea. Good Luck

Same here. Recently tried some Vit.550 I got a deal on. This stuff is hands down the most accurate powder I have ever used on one of my 700's. But I don't think i have ever had any powder that didn't shoot good in a .308

 

[Josh Ward]

Of those 3 definatly Varget. Take a look at CFE223 and IMR8208 also.....

 

[Broom_jm]

I have become a big fan of H4895, for a variety of reasons. It is great for reduced recoil jacketed loads and is one of the best powders around for shooting cast bullets from hi-power rifles. Since I had some on-hand, I tried it in my son's Savage M10, in 308, under 155gr A-Max bullets. To my surprise, we quickly found a load that shoots under half-MOA, when we do our part. I'm sure other powders would do just as well, but I can't realistically expect a whole lot better than that.

 

[csmith]

Thanks for the help guys. Those are the 3 powders I have on hand that are suitable for .308 but I'm not opposed to picking up a can of H4895 and giving it a try.

 

[bwframe]

...Take a look at CFE223...

What have you loaded with this?

 

[csmith]

Well here's an update. I ended up trying 44.0gr of Varget behind a 168gr SMK. At 100 yards after getting the scope adjusted shooting 3 shot groups all within 3/4 inch at 100 yards. 3 of the 4 groups shot #1 and shot #3 were touching with shot#2 a little bit high. The gun is a brand new T/C Venture predator and now I can't wait to stretch it out a few hundred more yards and see how this load does.

 

[Broom_jm]

Can't complain about groups like that! When I get that close, I often start micro-adjusting the load by seating bullets slightly longer or shorter, to see if I can really dial it in. I don't always find a better group that way, but sometimes it's well worth the effort.

 

[ben992]

I like Varget, but RL15 has given me the best results in accuracy, but when the weather changes the load must change to--unlike Varget....

 

[longbarrel]

Varget, consistency of the burn

 

[biggen]

TAC, works good in 223 also, and meters like water.

 

[sloughfoot]

I just loaded up a bunch of 308, 155 grain HPBT with a bunch of RE-15 powder behind them. I have been using RE15 for lots of years. Varget is good too. Equal, but I never seem to buy quantities of it....

The load will shoot great. If only I was a good enough shot to make it worthwhile at 1000 yards.

BTW, this early in the year when loading ammo, I load them all super long and seat them to final depth a couple of days before the match. Cold welding and all....