.308 Powder recommendations please

M

MDM

New member
I just traded for a new TC Icon in .308. Shot it a bit today and it seemed to like 168 gr factory loads over 150 gr loads. I would like to try some 168 gr Sierra Matchkings. Varget has been my go to powder for my .223 and 22-250, but I've never had a .308 so I don't know if Varget is good for that. Problem is, I can't find it anywhere anyway. Powder recommendations please. Thanks guys.
 
I also use Varget for many calibers including the .308. On another forum a guy has just completed some testing with Reloader 17. Very impressive velocity and good groups. Thought I might give it a try.
 
Varget and Ramshot TAC perform very well in my AR-10 308.
I start at 1.5 grains down from max and work up in .2 grain increments till I find a load and velocity combo that I like best.
 
I get very tight groups(.258)@100 yds with my Ruger .308 M77 MkII Heavy Barrel using Sierra 168 Gr HPBT being pushed by 42 Gr RE-15. I've not tried Varget on my .308 because of the success with RE-15 & IMR 4895 is a close second.
 
IMR 4895 is something worth trying. That is one powder I can usually find on the shelf here, at least. I've had pretty good luck with it and 165 gr. bullets in .308.
 
Have used IMR 4064 for 30 years in 308 and 30-06. Generally was more available than 4895. Only powder I use for 308 in my Super match M1A for Highpower. Started using TAC for 308 for all other uses as I have a lot of it and it works very well. A little dirtier than 4064 but not a big deal.
 
I was able to find some Varget at the local Cabelas. I also had forgotten that I have a 1 lb of 4064 stowed away. Sierra lists max load for Varget at 43.5, but Hodgdon lists max load at 46C. I worked up some loads for the 168gr Sierra's with the Varget, 44, 44.3, 44.6 and 44.9. Per Sierra, these are past max load, so I hope I will be alright. If not, I'll move down and work up some in the 43-44 range.

On another note, I picked up a Chargemaster 1500 while at Cabelas. After I worked up my loads with it, I had to ask myself why I waited so long to get one.
 
Hey MDM,
I just loaded up some 168 Gr Sierra Match HPBT todays just for testing using Varget for my .308. I topped out at 43.3 grs. As to your comments about exceeding the "Max" limit in the Sierra Manual, I'd suggest you closely check your casings for excessive pressure after each firing of any of your loads over 43.5 gr. If you start seeing the classic flatten primers, blowback on the casings, etc, STOP shootin that stuff cause you can cause some REAL damage to your rifle.
 
In looking at the powders already listed, I can add the following:

Win. 748 and VithaVouri N 135 with the 125 gr. class bullets

VithaVouri N140 or N540 with 150/155 gr. class bullets.

H4350 with 175/180 class bullets.

+1 on the previously mentioned
IMR 3031 - IMR 4064 - Varget - IMR 4895 - RL15 - N550 - AA 2520

PaPa 260
 
With the 168 Sierra HPBTM my 700 loves 44.0 grains of IMR 4064. It'll put yer eye out from a long ways away.
 
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