Recommended Powder for 308

[Murphy's Law]

Have a new toy coming today... actually have to drive over to Orlando (from Tampa) to pick up from private seller a Rem 700 PSS in 308. I already reload for 40 & 45 along with my .223 AR Colt and appears now I will have to get some dies for my Dillon 550B along with conversion plate. Along these same lines, I'll need powder, brass, bullets.... hell everything needed to reload. However for those that reload this calibre, what's a good powder to start with and what might be your opinion (highly respected) on bullet weight, etc for this new toy having a 26" barrel? A couple of recipes wouldn't hurt either.
1079

[creophus]

Hey Murph!

I load 45 grains of Varget under a 150gr FMJ and get great results. Sub MOA in my 308 AR.

I hear Win 748 is good stuff too, but I've never tried it. That's a super nice rifle you got there. Been wanting one for a while. Don't tell me how much you paid for it...especially if it was a good deal!

[Murphy's Law]

Hi Creophus

Got a good/fair deal but not a super great deal. I'm happy and I believe we both will walk away satisfied after the transaction today. Just when I thought I had everything I needed to keep me happy/busy reloading, now this! As my wife would say "doesn't it ever end"? LOL

[creophus]

What kind of scope is on that rifle?

Just a bit of my experience so far is that I found Federal Gold Medal Match ammo to be superbly accurate. Ironically, the brass is GARBAGE to reload. I loaded up 50 rounds of ammo that won't feed through my gun.

[Slim Chance]

Varget and a 150 or 165 grain Ballistic Tip. Your 45 shell plate might work. Try it before you order one.

[gokyo]

by far my favorite sub MOA recipe is

Sierra Gold Medal Match 168 grain HPBT
RE-15 powder 42.1 grains
COAL 2.800
Trim length 2.010

Second up is
42.0 grains of Varget

I like Winchester brass and starline. However I have a lot of Federal from back in the day when I bought my match ammo (when it was 19.00/box).

[Murphy's Law]

Interesting and thanks for the information. I hope a few others pop in and add what they know about reloading 308. The scope BTW is a Springfield Armory 4X14X56 2nd generation with internal bubble/leveling. After meeting the seller, I find out the book (gave it to me on the scope) recommends zeroing in at 200 yards, and then the markers are 200, 300, etc. I'm not sure how to zero in for 100 yards but will find out by researching or calling the company. Also, the guy I purchased told me this rifle likes to eat 168gr bullets with 42gr of IMR cant remember now which type of IMR). He's going to send me some further information on recipes he used and which worked exceptionally in this specific weapon. This guys whole shooting time was really centered around competition
with focus on long range.

[Washington,D.C.]

The very best 308 brass is Lapua. 43.1 grains of Vihtavuori N-140 with a 168 grain Sierra Match King loaded to 2.80" is a factory Sako load.

[BigSlick]

Beautiful rifle Murph :thumbsup:

IMR4064
168 SMK
Fed 205
Lapua or Norma brass

For something a little easier to load, H4895, RL15 or a new favorite AA2460

For hunting, a SGK, SST or Nosler for ultimate accuracy, or a Remington CoreLokt to save some bucks and get the job done in fine fashion



http://www.glockpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1079&d=1298036391&

[Cfish]

Try seveveral diiferent combos of powder and bullets but my suggestions are.
Powder 4064 or AA2520
Bullets 165-168gr

[Murphy's Law]

All you guys are great ..... and I meant that ! Never takes long when someone needs information or advice. Only problem is ... most of you got me interested in reloading and now after nearly 3 years, I've taken over a whole spare room ... to my wife's dismay not to mention a dent in my pocket book! :jawjaboy:

[Frostback]

I run 45gr of Varget with a 168gr Hornady A-max bullet in Remington brass. Out shoots me.

Frosty

[Rollis]

The. 45 and 308 shell plate are the same. IMR 4064, and, 168 HPBTM, is the go to start load.

[BigSlick]

All you guys are great ..... and I meant that ! Never takes long when someone needs information or advice. Only problem is ... most of you got me interested in reloading and now after nearly 3 years, I've taken over a whole spare room ... to my wife's dismay not to mention a dent in my pocket book! :jawjaboy:

But reloading is saving you money Murph :rofl:

If you were into anything else just think of all the time and space you'd have to find a way to waste ;)

[Jerry Snyder]

43 grains of Varget under a SMK 175.

Meet Thor the Hammer and and Son of Thor....

I also use a Springfield Amory 6x20x56 Goverment Mildot scope on Thor.


http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j277/1911jerry/DSCN0026-1.jpg

[Murphy's Law]

Wow, so the shell plate is the same for 45 and 308. This I did not know but will now save me $45 not purchasing under different stock number I believe. Got to admit, this 550b has been the best plus "blue" matches the curtains..LOL
:woot_jump:

[Rollis]

I, believe that when the .45 was developed, the .30-06 was the parent case.

[BigSlick]

Yep, so some of the same machinery could be used to load/mfr brass ;)

Shell plate pins are the same too, just order a powder funnel and you're ready to go.

PLUS, (as you know) the same will work for .308 or 30-06

So... go buy another gun to make sure the investment in that powder funnel pays off :rofl:

[Charly]

I shoot 168gr HPBT Sierra
43grs VV N133 or 135

out of my Clnl Jeff Cooper Scout Steyr

[Washington,D.C.]

I shoot 168gr HPBT Sierra
43grs VV N133 or 135

out of my Clnl Jeff Cooper Scout Steyr

Wow Charly, that sounds like too much N133 or N135 with a 168 grain bullet.

[Charly]

Wow Charly, that sounds like too much N133 or N135 with a 168 grain bullet.


you made me hesitate so I went and checked my data and guess what ? you are right !

it is 39,1 grs of N133, sorry for my misleading information... (oupssss)

[swingpress]

I run Varget in my 308, but be careful with quoted Varget loads as the lot-to-lot variation is reported to be more than other powders.

[swingpress]

I load 308 on another press and weigh my charges. Do Varget and RL15 do OK through the Dillon powder measure? I would think not.