Powder/bullets for .308 WIN?

[Jcalder]

That 12 twist will send 168s just fine.

 

[Wiley]

You are both using heavier bullets. Would a lighter bullet like a 150 or 155 shoot flatter at long distance for a target round? I'm certainly not arguing, I'm just trying to get my thinking right.

The .308 was birthed with a 168gr bullet.

 

[kornbread]

Mine loves Hornady GMX 165gr with 44gr of Varget. Stock Browning Abolt

 

[FredRog72]

As far as powder, don't overlook BLC-2 or H335 for the .308. I've had very good success with both and they seam to be easier to find. As far as projectiles, the Speer partitions or Hornady partitions are fairly easy to find on your larger sites like Brownells, Midway, Natchez, Graf, Powder Valley and Midsouth.

Hodgdon Reloading Data Center – The Brand Thats True

shop.hodgdon.com

The Hodgdon data center is a good source for finding out what powders they have data for. Plug in the caliber, bullet weight and just check all boxes for powder brand and it gives you a list of which powders they offer free data for.

Also, if you make your way up to Mt Juliet, run in Reloaders Bench on Mt Juliet road right by I-40. They usually have a decent powder and bullet selection along with a ton of other items to run the credit card up. Great store and great guys to talk with.

 

[FredRog72]

FYI, Graf & Sons has H335 and TAC in stock. TAC is another good .308 powder.

Ramshot TAC Smokeless Powder 8 Pound - Graf & Sons

TAC is a double-base spherical propellant that sets the standard for extreme accuracy and reliability with heavy bullets in the 223 Remington and match applications in 308 Winchester. Excellent flow characteristics ensure consistent metering and charge weights for repeatable results with...

www.grafs.com

Hodgdon H335 Smokeless Powder 1 Pound - Graf & Sons

This spherical powder originated as a military powder and is perfect for the 5.56 NATO/223 Remington. Multiple applications in the 222 Remington and other varmint cartridges. Prairie dog shooters will find this a favorite, as J.B. Hodgdon has for years!

www.grafs.com

 

[Red-Team-98]

130 TTSX most excellent for Deer
IMR 8208

With 150/155 in 308 Win
IMR 4895 has won a lot matches !
N140 and Norma 202

165/168/175/180
IMR 4064 / Varget / Reloader 15 and 15.5 / Norma 203B

Over the years RL 15 has been my favorite in my 308 Win with 165gr

 

[ROVERBOY]

Check out some of the smaller companies if you have trouble finding bullets. Maker and Hammer. Theymake excellent quality pure copper hunting bullets.

I just looked on both companies sites. They look good. Thanks

 

[Red-Team-98]

I tried 150 grain in my lr308, and was not as happy with the accuracy as I am with the heavier bullets. I have not tried anything lighter than 165's in my other 308's. For what I am shooting, typically under 200 yards, I am not as concerned with potential differences in drop between a 150 and 178 grain pill. Realistically the 178 eldx for longer ranges will likely perform better anyway with a higher bc, and less likely to be influenced by any wind drift. Where the lighter pills have a higher muzzle velocity, they may not continue to carry it downrange as far as the heavier options. I have not input a 150 into a ballistic calculator to know at what point the heavier bullets are maintaining a higher velocity.

All the extreme long range does not apply to hunting with a 308 Win. A reasonable distance off the cuff with my 308 Win hunting would be about 375 yards of deer sized game. In the 178 ELDX look mostly at bullet performance at certain velocity ranges will dictate your max range and based on your shooting ability.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

My favorite is imr4895 with 168 smk's. That being said, if I was looking for info I would go with whatever mr.big recommends

 

[Red-Team-98]

That 12 twist will send 168s just fine.

Also if you can find some 175 Berger Tactical OTM work excellent in 1/12 Twist .

 

[TiminTN]

I shot 600 yd matches many years ago with a guy that shot 308. He finally settled on a load and kicked our butts with it pretty regular. I was suprised when I found out his load. 155 Hornady Amax and IMR8208 powder. Mr big mentioned this same load as a good one.

 

[RockMcL]

FYI, Graf & Sons has H335 and TAC in stock. TAC is another good .308 powder.

Ramshot TAC Smokeless Powder 8 Pound - Graf & Sons

TAC is a double-base spherical propellant that sets the standard for extreme accuracy and reliability with heavy bullets in the 223 Remington and match applications in 308 Winchester. Excellent flow characteristics ensure consistent metering and charge weights for repeatable results with...

www.grafs.com

Hodgdon H335 Smokeless Powder 1 Pound - Graf & Sons

This spherical powder originated as a military powder and is perfect for the 5.56 NATO/223 Remington. Multiple applications in the 222 Remington and other varmint cartridges. Prairie dog shooters will find this a favorite, as J.B. Hodgdon has for years!

www.grafs.com

I used to use a lot of TAC because I could get it when everything else went missing. Good accuracy & consistent with a little work.

I use a lot of Ramshot powders for handgun now because they were available when scares caused shortages. Now it look the feared manipulations that caused the scares are real and in place so you might want to look at a jug or two of the below...

If you plan on a lot of shooting over long term you can look for pull down military powder like WC846. Work that up slow and always start over when you start a new jug/batch.

 

[Wiley]

If you plan on a lot of shooting over long term you can look for pull down military powder like WC846. Work that up slow and always start over when you start a new jug/batch.

I have some WC844 that I've been using in .223 and it is outstanding. That stuff was dirt cheap back in the day. I may try a few rounds of .308 with it.

 

[ROVERBOY]

I've killed a bunch of deer and a few coyotes with 150 gr. Hornady Interlocks and Win. 748.

 

[Red-Team-98]

I've killed a bunch of deer and a few coyotes with 150 gr. Hornady Interlocks and Win. 748.

I never used ball powder in 308 win except for factory loads 150gr Silvertip was always a favorite in 30/06 and 308 win for deer hunting. Pretty sure they used 748/760 in their factory loads. I always wanted to try 748 in 308 win.

 

[Hammer]

45.6 varget
155 scenar

 

[ROVERBOY]

I never used ball powder in 308 win except for factory loads 150gr Silvertip was always a favorite in 30/06 and 308 win for deer hunting. Pretty sure they used 748/760 in their factory loads. I always wanted to try 748 in 308 win.

748 is about the right burning rate for .308 but, in my opinion a little fast for .30-06 and similar long action calibers.

 

[Red-Team-98]

748 is about the right burning rate for .308 but, in my opinion a little fast for .30-06 and similar long action calibers.

760 for 30-06
748 for 308 win

 

[Red-Team-98]

Reloader 15 and Reloader 15.5
Varget
IMR 4064
My top 4 powders in my 308 Win with the popular 165/168 gr.
Keep your shots at realistic 308 win ranges your not sniping insurgents.