[S-Hurt]

I have CCI large rifle primers, casings that are prepped and 168 gr bullets but no powder! I've had no luck finding Varget powder and wonder what is a good second choice that might be available? HELP! I'm ready to reload but there is one small component missing .... powder.

Please give me a good solid second choice for powder and maybe your load data such as how many grains and overall length. I could use the help to get me started or in the ball park.

Rifle: DSA tactical 16" fluted barrel

Thanks


ps. Do you know where Varget is available?

This post has been edited by S-Hurt: 14 April 2009 - 02:20 PM

[uscbigdawg]

RL15 is a great option. VV N140 (I think) too.

Rich

[gino_aki]

I had good luck with IMR 4064 when I had a .308. I think my load was 44gr with Federal primers.

[S-Hurt]

Thanks for the input. I hope 30 - 40 people who reload 308 will respond to this post.

[big_kahuna]

gino_aki, on Apr 14 2009, 02:40 PM, said:

I had good luck with IMR 4064 when I had a .308. I think my load was 44gr with Federal primers.

+1 to 4064. Awesome powder with 168 SMKs. It is what I used before I discovered Varget. Be advised that it doesn't meter as nicely as Varget.

Also consider BL-C2 and WW 748. They are spherical powders so they meter great. Drawback is that they're a little temperature sensitive.

[David Sinko]

I've been using mostly BL-C2 for .308 primarily because I started loading .223 first and I had lots of it. As far as ball powders go it works quite well in .308 and meters so well that it leaks out of my 550. I'm not sure about the metering qualities of IMR 4064 since I used it in rather small quantities and weighed every charge, but if I were to get a stick powder for .308 it would certainly be 4064.

But I don't think you can go wrong with BL-C2, especially if you load .223 too.

Dave Sinko

[S-Hurt]

What kind of velocity should I be striving for? 2,400 - 2,500 - 2,600 ?

[anachronism]

S-Hurt, on Apr 14 2009, 06:10 PM, said:

What kind of velocity should I be striving for? 2,400 - 2,500 - 2,600 ?

Safety first, reliability second, accuracy third, velocity fourth.

[DMS42]

A time tested load in NRA Highpower Rifle competition is 41.5 grains of IMR4895 with a 168 Sierra Matchking. Vel. is around 2550. It is a very accurate load in most .308 rifles.

[P.E. Kelley]

DMS42, on Apr 14 2009, 07:29 PM, said:

A time tested load in NRA Highpower Rifle competition is 41.5 grains of IMR4895 with a 168 Sierra Matchking. Vel. is around 2550. It is a very accurate load in most .308 rifles.

DMS42's post is worth about 25 of the 30 or 40 you wanted.

This ain't idle B.S. it is the knowledge of a NRA High Power Distinguished rifleman who did it with a M14!

He has given much to teach many how to shoot accurately. I am lucky to be included among them.

On task to the O.P.'s question. What 308 suitable powders can you get? We may be able to offer choice loads based on your availability.

BL-C2, W748, AA2520, IMR4895, Ramshot TAC?

Patrick

[kgunz11]

H4895 is going to be the best powder for your application considering the 168gr bullets and short 16" bbl. H4895 is fast enough to get you some decent velocity in the short tube, I'd guess 2525fps is obtainable from that pretty easy. An 18" DPMS AR-10 would get to 2580 without pressure.

[M118LR]

Here are a few powders that I use. Some have already been listed:

RamShot Tac
IMR4064
Benchmark
RL-12 (if you can still find it)

[Religious Shooter]

What weight heads are you going to use?

RL15 is good but currently unavailable at Powder Valley.

H4895 is good... but out of stock.

I4895 is good... but out of stock.

BLC(2) is OK (I find it extremely temp sensitive)... but out of stock.

... Ramshot Tac is available. A2230 is available.

If I couldn't wait I'd use A2230 first and Tac second.

[Dan Sierpina]

Another vote for IMR 4895.

[S-Hurt]

I value all the responses the post has been getting. This information from those who have been there ... done that ...... is priceless. It helps me with my decision making and spares me the time and expense of testing several different gun powders. I am fortunate to have this web site, and it's members who are willing to take the time and help another rookie rifle reloader.

Reloading components are hard to find in my area. I'm afraid it's a taste of things to come this year for us shooters and wonder what will happen to competitive shooting. I've loaded a million handgun rounds but this is my first shot at loading 308 rifle. I have a whole new respect for the rifle reloader in the case prep alone!

Thanks again and keep adding to the post!

[kar45]

S-Hurt, on Apr 15 2009, 09:59 AM, said:

I value all the responses the post has been getting. This information from those who have been there ... done that ...... is priceless. It helps me with my decision making and spares me the time and expense of testing several different gun powders. I am fortunate to have this web site, and it's members who are willing to take the time and help another rookie rifle reloader.

Reloading components are hard to find in my area. I'm afraid it's a taste of things to come this year for us shooters and wonder what will happen to competitive shooting. I've loaded a million handgun rounds but this is my first shot at loading 308 rifle. I have a whole new respect for the rifle reloader in the case prep alone!

Thanks again and keep adding to the post!

[kar45]

kar45, on Apr 15 2009, 10:28 AM, said:

S-Hurt, on Apr 15 2009, 09:59 AM, said:

I value all the responses the post has been getting. This information from those who have been there ... done that ...... is priceless. It helps me with my decision making and spares me the time and expense of testing several different gun powders. I am fortunate to have this web site, and it's members who are willing to take the time and help another rookie rifle reloader.

Reloading components are hard to find in my area. I'm afraid it's a taste of things to come this year for us shooters and wonder what will happen to competitive shooting. I've loaded a million handgun rounds but this is my first shot at loading 308 rifle. I have a whole new respect for the rifle reloader in the case prep alone!

Thanks again and keep adding to the post!

If you are looking for accuracy, try 43.0 W748, Lake City match brass, F210M, seat your 168s to 2.800. Regards, Kirby

[G-ManBart]

Religious Shooter, on Apr 14 2009, 10:35 PM, said:

What weight heads are you going to use?

Heads?

His first post said 168gr bullets.

[kgunz11]

Consult a "Powder Burn Rate" chart and find the powder with the correct burn rate for your shorter barrel. You will need something a little on the faster side to get your MV up. No since wasting money on powder that's going to be too slow.

[DMS42]

P.E. Kelley, on Apr 14 2009, 07:50 PM, said:

DMS42, on Apr 14 2009, 07:29 PM, said:

A time tested load in NRA Highpower Rifle competition is 41.5 grains of IMR4895 with a 168 Sierra Matchking. Vel. is around 2550. It is a very accurate load in most .308 rifles.

DMS42's post is worth about 25 of the 30 or 40 you wanted.

This ain't idle B.S. it is the knowledge of a NRA High Power Distinguished rifleman who did it with a M14!

He has given much to teach many how to shoot accurately. I am lucky to be included among them.

On task to the O.P.'s question. What 308 suitable powders can you get? We may be able to offer choice loads based on your availability.

BL-C2, W748, AA2520, IMR4895, Ramshot TAC?

Patrick

Thanks for the kind words. I'm not sure that I helped you all that much, but it is always a pleasure to work with someone that listens and at least tries doing what I am telling them. And you did.

[Bacon]

H4895

[pbcaster45]

In my SAI NM I prefer H4895 over everything else. It burns a little cleaner than IMR-4895 plus it's less temperature sensitive. My rifle shoots 6 inches high at 100 yards with 168 gr HPBTs - so I stick with the 155s. Experimenting with different bullets, powder, and primers gets old so I stick with what works. This is my favorite load and it gives me ten shot groups measuring about 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards (open sights, off the bench).

Bullet: Nosler 155 gr Custom Competition
Powder: Hodgdon H4895 42.0 grs
Case: Lake City 64
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
LOAL: 2.800
Velocity: 2700 fps

If you want pictures of how this load groups I'll post them...

Here's my 168 gr load.

Bullet: Nosler 168 gr Custom Competion
Powder: Hodgdon H4895 41.0 grs.
Case: Lake City 64
Primer: Winchester Large Rifle
LOAL: 2.810
Velocity: 2580 fps

This post has been edited by pbcaster45: 21 April 2009 - 02:08 PM

[kgunz11]

I was using 46.5 grains of H4895, and using the Berger 155 they are moving quite a bit faster when they leave.

[swandme]

42.5 Grains of 2520 w Lake City case and Seirra Match King 168

Superb results

in 308 Bolt.


I also am looking for other best load for 3 gun with @ M1A


Thanks

[DMS42]

I've had good luck with 42.5 grains of IMR4895 and either a 150 Sierra BTFMJ or the Sierra Palma 155 HPBT out of my M1As. The 150's were cheaper and shot almost as good at 200 yards. Both loads were used for Highpower Rifle.