Load suggestions .308 win

[heretohunt]

I’m looking for load suggestions for my son’s .308 with 165gn BTSp interlocks. I’m assuming Varget but would rather not use up my precious stash.
Thanks in advance

[Dick284]

4895, 4064, 4166, RL15, Tac, BLc2, Vv140

[prarie_boy1]

Have had good luck with with 4895 and 4064 in 150-168 grain range

[jungleboy]

I use 4064

[fps plus]

I use re-15

[Sask Bearman]

H4895 is a nice powder that 308's like.

[Peebles]

Originally Posted by prarie_boy1

Have had good luck with with 4895 and 4064 in 150-168 grain range

These are the most popular alternatives.

4895 was the .308 powder of choice before varget and remains highly recommended. If you search online people seem to like 4064 nearly as much, but complain about metering and being more temperature sensitive. Both have similar but slightly faster burn rates than varget and can also end up as compressed loads. I'd try 4895 first in your shoes; 4064 will probably do a little better if you want to shoot 180gr or heavier.

There are a couple spherical powders not yet mentioned that are known to do well in the .308 and if you have them already you could go ahead and try H335 or BL-C(2).

[heretohunt]

Thank you for your help everyone. I think I will try the h 4895. I also see that CFE 223 and h414/win760 are possible options. Anyone try these?

[Coiloil37]

I always used RE15 with 165’s and it gave me ~2850 from a 22” barrel. Varget never broke 2700 in my rifles with book loads. I can’t remember how the other powders shot for me but they must of been slow.

[Dean2]

BallC2 was a long time favourite. I now use 4895 in all three 308s for hunting loads. I use Varget only for target loads.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Dean2

BallC2 was a long time favourite. I now use 4895 in all three 308s for hunting loads. I use Varget only for target loads.

That’s h4895?

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

That’s h4895?

Actually I use IMR4895. I find I get much better velocity from it. I use CCI 250 primers in load development. Out of a 20" barrel I can get a 150 grain Hornady flat base SP to 3000 fps, at well below published max charge weight and a 130 TSX to 3150, also well below published max charge weight.

[ScottFitter]

I use 4166 in 308 with 165/168 Barnes TTSX's. I have had pretty good luck with it. I like the temperature stability factor with it as well. Not a pro reloader by any means.

[fordtruckin]

IMR 4064, IMR 3031 Varget…. The powder used in the M118lr sniping round is IMR4064.

[heretohunt]

Any thoughts to what seating depth works well with interlocks? I know I can experiment but that will cost bullets powder ETc. Do they like to jump? Close to the lands or not fussy?

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

Any thoughts to what seating depth works well with interlocks? I know I can experiment but that will cost bullets powder ETc. Do they like to jump? Close to the lands or not fussy?

That one really does depend on the gun. I load my test 3 round batches at just under what fits in the Mag, assuming that is only touching lands or shorter. I fire the test batches starting with the bottom load and measuring velocity. When I get to max velocity or pressure signs I stop. From there I load a bunch close to max velocity then seat them shorter .o15 at a time in 6 round batches and shoot them for group. As soon as I find the best group, I pull the rest and load. It should not take you more than 40 rounds to do both max velocity test and COAL determination.

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

Any thoughts to what seating depth works well with interlocks? I know I can experiment but that will cost bullets powder ETc. Do they like to jump? Close to the lands or not fussy?

Usually max OAL is defined by your magazine length.
Generally I end up 7-10 thousandths of an inch(.007”-0.010”) off the start of the lands, and get pretty good results at this length, if the loaded rounds will function through the magazine, if that is not possible I’ll seat at the magazine length less 10 thousandths of an inch or there abouts.

[bulletman]

Sorry,

both my target .308's simply love the Varget. With the 165 Hornady's we love the flat base version better than the BT's!

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by bulletman

Sorry,

both my target .308's simply love the Varget. With the 165 Hornady's we love the flat base version better than the BT's!

Varget is ABSOLUTELY a great target load powder. You would be hard pressed to find better. That said, to me there is a very big difference between target loads and hunting loads. I use Varget on targets and IMR 4895 in hunting loads. Accuracy is great but accuracy that is close with an extra 200 fps is way better for hunting.

[omega50]

Guesses powder used 150g silvertip

My BAR Liked it

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Varget is ABSOLUTELY a great target load powder. You would be hard pressed to find better. That said, to me there is a very big difference between target loads and hunting loads. I use Varget on targets and IMR 4895 in hunting loads. Accuracy is great but accuracy that is close with an extra 200 fps is way better for hunting.

Totally agree, Varget is my long range match powder for my 308's and my. 303"s but for hunting I like 4895 for sure in both.
Cat

[Dick284]

Originally Posted by omega50

Guesses powder used 150g silvertip

My BAR Liked it

Probably a canister grade powder not sold to reloaders.

[hogie]

8208 XBR is another power choice that works well. It was available at many places. Not as forgiving as Varget for max loads, but can produce very good results.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Usually max OAL is defined by your magazine length.
Generally I end up 7-10 thousandths of an inch(.007”-0.010”) off the start of the lands, and get pretty good results at this length, if the loaded rounds will function through the magazine, if that is not possible I’ll seat at the magazine length less 10 thousandths of an inch or there abouts.

Agreed! I learned this the hard way. I got the OAL tool and measured everything. Came off .02, .03, .04 etc off the lands. Went to load them and they wouldn't fit in my magazine. Now I believe I am around .06 off. (Maybe dropped a 0... can't remember). Anyways the point is measure your magazine length first THEN go from there.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Actually I use IMR4895. I find I get much better velocity from it. I use CCI 250 primers in load development. Out of a 20" barrel I can get a 150 grain Hornady flat base SP to 3000 fps, at well below published max charge weight and a 130 TSX to 3150, also well below published max charge weight.

That’s good to know. 130 gn ttsx are the other bullets that I got for him. I’m going to get him shooting the interlocks for now because they’re cheaper and I can’t find any more of the 130 gr TTSX

[omega50]

Throat erosion made my handloads wayy too long for my 7mm rem mag Savage 110 to be used in any other rifle.I like to be very close to the lands

[Battle Rat]

3031 has been my go to for 308.

[heretohunt]

Originally Posted by Battle Rat

3031 has been my go to for 308.

What weight bullets?

[Battle Rat]

Originally Posted by heretohunt

What weight bullets?

Primarily 150 with a max of 165.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Battle Rat

3031 has been my go to for 308.

For years the goto standard load for 300 meter International match was the 308 and a 168 bullet and 39 grains of 3031
Cat