[Caleb C]

What's your preferred powder for 308 win? I'm shooting a 150 gr Hornady SST with Hodgdon H380 and IMR 4064. The 4064 doesn't meter too consistently. The H380 is very accurate but there's not enough case capacity in the 308 to avoid going +P on the hot loads. I'd like to use something that is fine enough to meter well yet require a relatively low weight to obtain around 2800 fps muzzle velocity. It would also be great if this powder would transition into a 270 win load as well. Any suggestions would be greatl appreciated.

 

[Doug Bowser]

IMR 4895, you can load everything from .223 to .458 Winchester with it.

Doug

 

[jbpmidas]

We've had good luck out of H335 in .223, .308, ,.30-06 and .45-70. It does not like to be pushed too fast, so 2800 may be pushing it. It seems to like the lower ends for best accuracy.

 

[X-Ring]

Invest in a digital powder dispenser then metering is not a issue then you won't have to limit your powder selection. I shot 155's with Varget powder at 2840 fps out of a 24" barrel. It's not temperture sensitive and you can load a lot of calibers with it.

 

[Doug Bowser]

I have had no problem using a Lyman 55 Powder Measure with IMR4895. I have shot prone 10 shot groups at 500 yards about the size of a playing card.

Doug

 

[msredneck]

I got a cheap Lee Perfect Powder measure and a nice RCBS scale

Several of my 308's like 4064

 

[Caleb C]

I have no complaints with the 4064 powder itself but I'm using a RCBS meter and it won't throw the same charge twice. Maybe it's time to invest in an electronic meter / scale. It's just an investment that I'd rather not make at the moment

Are the 4895 powder granules relatively fine?

 

[msredneck]

I don't really care how consistent my "thrower" is..

I trickle charge every rifle load by hand until it is perfect as I can get it

I will never trust a "thrower" except on pistol...where it aint that important...all I care about there is making sure they aint got a double charge...I visually inspect each one before bullet seating...rifle or pistol

 

[isit5]

I use the Lee Perfect Powder measure and weigh every 5th load to make sure the loads are consistant.

44 gr of H335 with a Hornady GMX 150 gr gets me 2790 out of a 20 inch barrel.

 

[Doug Bowser]

I attended an accurate rifle clinic at the NRA Convention in San Antonio, TX in 1979. The teacher was Creighton Audette. He said the most important parts of accurate ammo was the bullet and that the cartridge is concentric. The powder charge does not have to be exact. If the powder charge is within .4 grains it will perform. Mr. Audette was a member and the adjutant of the US Palma Rifle Team. In other words perfect powder charges are a waste of time to his idea.

Doug Bowser

 

[Guest]

IMR4895 loads and shoots very well. However, in my Savage, H335 is the most accurate powder for long range shooting, usually pushing a 168 grain A-Max bullet.

 

[msredneck]

I attended an accurate rifle clinic at the NRA Convention in San Antonio, TX in 1979. The teacher was Creighton Audette. He said the most important parts of accurate ammo was the bullet and that the cartridge is concentric. The powder charge does not have to be exact. If the powder charge is within .4 grains it will perform. Mr. Audette was a member and the adjutant of the US Palma Rifle Team. In other words perfect powder charges are a waste of time to his idea.

Doug Bowser

Doug,

For me, I've found that it indeed makes a difference for my super anal 600 yard match ammo.

I can find just as many reloaders who will tell you that bullet sorting, and case concentricity is not that big a factor.

I'm about to start getting anal on case concentricity as well.

For me, its a mental thing...I want to know how much powder is in that case...so I throw low and trickle up.



There are many ways one can make less than a pefect reload...some only care about Minute of deer accuracy..some may desire 5 shots in the same hole...

Time is a "realtive" thing...we all get to choose how we spend it...some view reloading as a chore...I view it as a learning opportunity...and I have much more to learn to improve my "process"......

My point is...I don't think its possible to find a mechanical or digital thrower that will throw consistently each time...I sure have not found one....no matter what powder I use....so I trickle...problem solved...I'm only loading small batches of "precision" match ammo at a time...say 100 rounds...so its really not a big deal...

Based on a survey on 6mm BR a lot of Benchrest shooters do the same...whether or not it really matters is highly debateable.


http://www.6mmbr.com/polls/poll/1307694/16571.htm

 

[savageshooter]

I agree with Doug. 4895, i tried varget, but went back to imr 4895 and stuck with it. my 2cents

 

[300 ATLAS]

Varget has been mentioned and it meters well. I would say that the IMR 4064 would be your best bet. It is my favorite with the .308 Win… If you need something that will meter better, try Reloader 15. It falls in between IMR 4064, Varget – H380. It meters very well out of a RCBS Charge Master.