.308 Winchester, Any pet loads out there?
- Thread starter Ballenxj
- Start date
Again... it would be a good place to start... IMR4064 and either the 168 or 175grn BTHP, it's what I shoot in my Savage 10T. I did start with IMR4895, it's what I load for my Garand and initially in my M1a, but with the longer barrel and heavier bullet, the IMR4064 worked much better. If you are shooting beyond 300yds or so, the 175 is the better choice. Any of the powders in the IMR4064 burn range will work, but that's where I would start.
bacardisteve
New member
Less than 500yds 42gr 4064 168 amax runs 2550fps
Out to 1000yds 44gr varget 178gr hornady bthp 2514fps
Hunting 45.5gr varget 168gr nosler ballistic tip 2740 fps
The varget loads are are max load approach with caution.
All the above loads give 1/2 moa or better at 100yds
Out to 1000yds 44gr varget 178gr hornady bthp 2514fps
Hunting 45.5gr varget 168gr nosler ballistic tip 2740 fps
The varget loads are are max load approach with caution.
All the above loads give 1/2 moa or better at 100yds
4064 is a good powder, but I like Varget or RL15 better. Accuracy and velocity are exactly the same for me, but 4064 is a lot less stable with regards to temperature changes. For a hunting load I think that is important. I do have some 4064 and use it for loads that I'll only shoot at the range.
In August when working up loads it can easily be 100+ here. I've hunted in single digits even here in GA, it was 10 degrees where I hunted in Colorado just a couple of weeks ago. With 4064 that 100 degree temperature swing could see velocity change 200-300 fps. With Varget or RL15 you'd only see about 50 fps difference. No particular reason, but Varget is my go-to 308 powder.
It really varies depending on the individual bullet and the brass I'm using, but I tend to get very good accuracy with most combo's right at the max listed 46 gr at about 2740 fps. With some I back off about 1/2 gr from max.
In August when working up loads it can easily be 100+ here. I've hunted in single digits even here in GA, it was 10 degrees where I hunted in Colorado just a couple of weeks ago. With 4064 that 100 degree temperature swing could see velocity change 200-300 fps. With Varget or RL15 you'd only see about 50 fps difference. No particular reason, but Varget is my go-to 308 powder.
It really varies depending on the individual bullet and the brass I'm using, but I tend to get very good accuracy with most combo's right at the max listed 46 gr at about 2740 fps. With some I back off about 1/2 gr from max.
A 308 M70fw pre 64 was my first brand new rifle, actually purchased in 1964. I
only hunted deer and black bear with it and used 150gr bullets in it for years. It
has 6x scope and is outstanding accurate and would outshoot other pre64 M70 Standard models. When Springfield 1st came out with M1a they included loading
manual with suggested accuracy loads. One of these was the 130gr Speer HP -
#2005 / 47.0gr IMR-4895 / WIn LRP at 3000fps. This was outstanding load in
M1a. I tried in in the 70fw and at 100yds off bags I can drive a roofing nail. If
I don't it's my fault. I was hesitant to go down to 130gr, I always believed 150
gr to be perfect weight for 30 cal. Bullet opens nice on deer and I made longest
off hand shot on deer 250yds. I shot a load of groundhogs out in 300yd range
excellent accuracy but GHog not meaty enough for bullet expansion. I tried this
bullet in other 30cals from 30/30 to 300mg. I had a H&R Ultra rifle in 300Win
that liked these bullets. With 130Speer HP/ 65.5 gr IMR 3031/ 3425fps. I never
shot anything but varmits with this rig but I would reach out and touch. Don't
use this load without backing it off 10gr and working up. My buddies Savage
had problems with stuck bolt and excessive pressure with this load.
only hunted deer and black bear with it and used 150gr bullets in it for years. It
has 6x scope and is outstanding accurate and would outshoot other pre64 M70 Standard models. When Springfield 1st came out with M1a they included loading
manual with suggested accuracy loads. One of these was the 130gr Speer HP -
#2005 / 47.0gr IMR-4895 / WIn LRP at 3000fps. This was outstanding load in
M1a. I tried in in the 70fw and at 100yds off bags I can drive a roofing nail. If
I don't it's my fault. I was hesitant to go down to 130gr, I always believed 150
gr to be perfect weight for 30 cal. Bullet opens nice on deer and I made longest
off hand shot on deer 250yds. I shot a load of groundhogs out in 300yd range
excellent accuracy but GHog not meaty enough for bullet expansion. I tried this
bullet in other 30cals from 30/30 to 300mg. I had a H&R Ultra rifle in 300Win
that liked these bullets. With 130Speer HP/ 65.5 gr IMR 3031/ 3425fps. I never
shot anything but varmits with this rig but I would reach out and touch. Don't
use this load without backing it off 10gr and working up. My buddies Savage
had problems with stuck bolt and excessive pressure with this load.
I don't have science to prove it,but here is my hunch.
Feel free to disagree.
A lot of target shooters aren't real concerned about upper end pressure/fps loads. An accurate,consistent 2550 fps load is just fine.
Fact is,I have not spent time with 4064. No doubt,it earned its fine reputation.
I stand by Varget as my #1 choice,but it seemed to perform at the near max loads or max loads that many just don't pursue.
Stay safe,of course,but I suggest using plenty of throttle to evaluate Varget.
If you only shoot to 200 yds ...Varget may be hard to appreciate.If you shoot 600 yds and twist its tail a bit,you might get a grin out of Varget.
Feel free to disagree.
A lot of target shooters aren't real concerned about upper end pressure/fps loads. An accurate,consistent 2550 fps load is just fine.
Fact is,I have not spent time with 4064. No doubt,it earned its fine reputation.
I stand by Varget as my #1 choice,but it seemed to perform at the near max loads or max loads that many just don't pursue.
Stay safe,of course,but I suggest using plenty of throttle to evaluate Varget.
If you only shoot to 200 yds ...Varget may be hard to appreciate.If you shoot 600 yds and twist its tail a bit,you might get a grin out of Varget.
my savage fat barrel mod.10 likes varget and nosler comp 175gr bullets really good,,,kinda unreal good,,,,if i could get pics to post here i would show you,,6 shots covered with a dime at 100 type show you,,,that isnt a cherry pick target,,,it will do it anytime,,,when i was testing loads,,, first three shots i had to walk down the the target to see what was going on,,,a nikon 20 power spotting scope wasnt seeing it,,,1 hole not much bigger than the bullet,,,,maybe .400,,(i thought i missed the whole target for shot 2 and 3),,and the next three didnt open it up much,,,,but still 1 hole,,,dime covers very easy
i have done this many times with this load in this rifle,,,sure makes me look good,,,and a nice fat smile always follows
HIBC,,,, i looked at your article,,,the 308 stuff didnt make it,,,,i only got 16 pg of stuff
Happy Thanks Giving to ALL of you
ocharry
i have done this many times with this load in this rifle,,,sure makes me look good,,,and a nice fat smile always follows
HIBC,,,, i looked at your article,,,the 308 stuff didnt make it,,,,i only got 16 pg of stuff
Happy Thanks Giving to ALL of you
ocharry
For hunting I would go with any powder alittle over the center range of the powder scale that performed best in your rifle . Plenty of knock down power , safe and accurate . IMR 4064 , RL15 or Varget. It took me three years testing charges , powders , bullets two types Sierra 168gr MK and 168gr A-Max. Both bullets were good , powders and charges were the challenge . Each rifle will have a preference the fun part is finding it . Hunting rifle it's alittle easier do to round count , benchrest barrels are in the thousands in a short period of time , then a barrel change , hunting in the max . hunderds.
I think we all have our favorite powder for that given special gun. Aside from the ever popular powders like IMR 4064, IMR 4895, Varget and RL 15 a few years ago I began experimenting with AA 2495 which I have not seen mentioned. I was running with about 40 to 41 grains which is pushing the max depending on loading manual. Below a Sierra 168 grain match king bullet. In my old trued Remington 700 26"barrel it was giving me about 2538 FPS and in my M1A about 2516 FPS. While performance in the M1A was nothing to get excited about it consistently shot really well in the bolt gun.
I think it's a matter of finding what works best for you in your rifle trying any of the more popular powders, primers and bullets.
Ron
I think it's a matter of finding what works best for you in your rifle trying any of the more popular powders, primers and bullets.
Ron
Reloadron
Never looked into AA2495 , Must be a large stick powder , I like IMR 4064 it fills the case to the base of the shoulder with a light load 40.8 I'm using thick brass with less volume , good combination for my loads . I like stick powder fills the case at the same time allows air between grains to give a even burn . Looked up the powder , looks good 40.1 starting load right up my alley .
Chris
Never looked into AA2495 , Must be a large stick powder , I like IMR 4064 it fills the case to the base of the shoulder with a light load 40.8 I'm using thick brass with less volume , good combination for my loads . I like stick powder fills the case at the same time allows air between grains to give a even burn . Looked up the powder , looks good 40.1 starting load right up my alley .
Chris
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