All in on a 8# jug 556-308

3

308Loader

New member
My shooting budget is tight, if you all were to go for a 8 pound jug of powder to feed your 308 and 556 what would it be? 308 is bolt and 556 as ar15 (if that matters). I have developed good loads for both with BLC2, IMR 4895, and IMR 4064. I shoot 1-2k or so per year of each. I know that one powder for all might be a stretch, and may be leaving some velocity and such on the table. But to spend $200 on a jug of powder to feed all (bullet weights + 2 cal) what would you go for? 4064 also works well for other cal I'm loading for, and has preformed well in the 2 aforementioned cal. Is their a powder that I'm not considering (varget or others)? Am I asking too much of one powder?

As always thanks for your input.
 
I am sure that all mentioned will work but I doubt any will deliver the flexibility and temperature stability than Varget does
 
I am sure that all mentioned will work but I doubt any will deliver the flexibility and temperature stability than Varget does
Click to expand...

Agreed , how ever 8208xbr only lacks on getting you max velocities . It does real well but Varget will likely edge it out . It was specifically developed to be temp stable , it may even be more temp stable then Varget . I believe 8208xbr is stable from 20* through 140* or something like that . Might even be below zero to well over 100 degrees .

So I'd drop the 748 and my first choice would be Varget with 8208xbr second .

There are so many variables to consider that have nothing to do with ballistics . Like both those powders are short cut stick powders and fill the case faster and don't throw as well as 748 . This is why I even considered throwing in H-335 as a possible choice . It is also the reason I DID NOT throw in IMR-4064 which works great in both those cartridges but fills the 223 case way to fast to where most of my loads are compressed in 223 using IMR-4064 and it throws like crap .

So your reloading procedures matter as well . If you weigh every charge then stick powder is no big deal but if you run or plan on running a progressive some day . Then a powder that throws from a powder measure more consistently may be better in the long run .
 
Last edited:
For the most part I would agree with what Metal God said... I've not had very good luck with stick powders (IMR's) in the .223, although they gave reasonable accuracy. I have a 20#+ stash of IMR4895 and I don't use it in .223... I just bit the bullet and bought an 8# of H335.

You might also consider something like TAC, it's a little less expensive than some of the others and I've read of good results in both .308 and .223.

OP, I would probably figure out which cartridge you load for more... .223 or .308... and pick the best powder for that cartridge that you can also use the other... until you can afford another 8# of powder for the other cartridge. I've found powder selection in .308 a little less picky vs .223, particularly for a bolt gun, so I would probably put the emphasis on .223 powder. YMMV
 
First, 308Loader, I don't shoot anywhere near as much as you do, but lately, I've discovered Varget. After using IMR 4350 a lot through the years for my 6MM Rem. and my '06s, I'm using loads now for those rifles using Varget. It's great stuff. I also have been using it in my .223 and my 30-30s. All good, all around. If this stuff keeps working as it has for me lately, I'm being more persuaded that it IS the all-around, one and only propellant I'd need (IMO). I can only imagine that the .308 could/would shoot well with Varget and proper load development. I'm talking about loads used for hunting in my usage here, so one-hole, bench-rest accuracy isn't necessarily what I'm after with my hunting rifles. I have shot some of my very best 5-shot targets (100yds.) with my .223 using Varget. It's just a factory Rem 700, out of the box, and is capable of .5" groups when well rested. I'm absolutely good with that. Varget is the only propellant I use in that rifle now. Last year I dropped a good 4x4 mulie with one of my 06s using a Varget load, and that's the first time I've ever varied from my old IMR 4350 loadings. I'll use that Varget load again this year chasing mulies. I you haven't tried Varget yet, get a pound and maybe you'll be surprised.
 
Thanks for all the reply's. I might have to try the varget, I've been hearing good things about it for a while. might have to try a # before I go in on 8.
 
IMR4064. It's more consistently accurate than IMR4895. At least with 168 grain match bullets.
"...might have to try a # before I go in on 8..." Always work up the load before buying anything in bulk.
"...most of my loads are compressed in 223 using IMR-4064..." Max loads of IMR4064 are compressed with most cartridges. Including .308 and .223 with all bullet weights. So are Varget loads with both cartridges and all bullet weights. Compression usually starts at less than mid range loads. Compressed loads are nothing to worry about.
 
Win 748, and a close second is H4895. I've got about 37# of W748, awesome gas gun powder, and works well with lighter 147-168 gr 308 bullets.
 
"IMR4064. It's more consistently accurate than IMR4895. At least with 168 grain match bullets."

I have found this to be true, that's why I go through enough of it to consider an 8#er. I have been playing with it in the 223/556 and have also found some good loads there.

"I've got about 37# of W748,"

holey cow! now that's all in!
 
Charlie_98 -

OP, I would probably figure out which cartridge you load for more... .223 or .308... and pick the best powder for that cartridge that you can also use the other... until you can afford another 8# of powder for the other cartridge. I've found powder selection in .308 a little less picky vs .223, particularly for a bolt gun, so I would probably put the emphasis on .223 powder. YMMV
Yesterday 11:57 PM
Click to expand...

that is true, seems the less volume the pickier it is, I would pick a .223 bullet weight, find a good powder with known accurate pet loads for that weight and also works well in .308
 
I reload for .223/5.56 and .308/7.62x51. and I use W748 for both, have tried others, but for best metering you can't beat W748, and also has very low flash....Shoots great, and pretty accurate too.
 
WCC 844 and 846 (H335 and BLC-#2)_ are some of the very best for .223 and.308.

they're excellent for a dozen other calibres as well. I buy 8# jugs of both.
 
I shoot 2 308 bolt guns (rem 700p and savage mod 10-t-sr) off bench with the 168's most frequently. I also shoot lots of AR15 out of two rifles one 16" and one 20" (not really precision rifles 1-2" @100). The AR's seem to eat more than the 308's due to their semi auto nature and my lack of self control. That coupled with the fact that the 308 case is two 556's in powder charge (roughly) makes it hard to gauge what I use more powder on. I think for my use, a tack driver 308 and acceptable or better 556 is the goal. My 308 loads are working well for me from 168-180, I'm happy. The 556 are still a work in progress, haven't settled on a bullet I like for both. I charge from the Hornady auto charge trickle thingy so extruded powders don't bother me too much. Even when throwing with the old dispenser and trickling up to weight I'm ok with the stick powder, its slow but it is ok. I haven't timed it yet but I would bet over a hundred rounds the old way is faster, with the over charges the auto thingy randomly tosses. but I digress... varget looks like a shorter stick than 4064, might work out better?
 
Last edited:
So the WCC (western cartridge?) are pull down powders? I have no experience with them. I read some where that's how hodgdon got started, blending these powders for civilian use? lots differ greatly? I apologize for my ignorance.
 
Varget for both; otherwise 748 for .223 and 760 for .308 with the possibility of 4064 as a good alternative.
 
My .223 re-loads use bullets to and including 62 grains. The heaviest bullet used in .308 is 150 grains.

Been using IMR 3031 for both calibers since 1967-68. IMR 3031 has worked very well for me. It beats W748.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top