.308win powder choices

[6MT]

I am in the process of changing out the barrel on my .308win target rifle. My bullet choice is the Berger 185gr Juggernaught. I am leaning towards using Varget. But I would like to know what others are using with the medium heavies (180-190gr class bullets). I have read that some other popular choices are RE-15, RL-15, N-150, N-550, IMR-4064, IMR-4895, and BLC-2.

I will be throating the chamber to have between .168" and .170" free bore. Most likely, my jump will be .010" off the lands. So with Lapua brass, there will be plenty of capacity for a fast node charge. And the barrel will be finished at 28", so I am interested what kind of speeds I will achieve at 800 to 1100 metres above sea level (my elevation above sea level I mostly shoot at). The barrel is a Krieger 17 Heavy Varmint contour (MTU) 1:9".

So, please chime in on your powder choice and why you chose that. And what results you obtained with your set-up.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I am in the process of changing out the barrel on my .308win target rifle. My bullet choice is the Berger 185gr Juggernaught. I am leaning towards using Varget. But I would like to know what others are using with the medium heavies (180-190gr class bullets). I have read that some other popular choices are RE-15, RL-15, N-150, N-550, IMR-4064, IMR-4895, and BLC-2.

I will be throating the chamber to have between .168" and .170" free bore. Most likely, my jump will be .010" off the lands. So with Lapua brass, there will be plenty of capacity for a fast node charge. And the barrel will be finished at 28", so I am interested what kind of speeds I will achieve at 800 to 1100 metres above sea level (my elevation above sea level I mostly shoot at). The barrel is a Krieger 17 Heavy Varmint contour (MTU) 1:9".

So, please chime in on your powder choice and why you chose that. And what results you obtained with your set-up.

My 185 juggs do well with ~41.3 gr of IMR 4064 giving me MV's averaging at 2560 fps, .010 off lands, out of a 24" Krieger barrel with a 10:1 twist (altitude at 880 ft above SL in temps between 68 - 83°F). I've also tried 45.1 grs of Pro 2000MR, which produces about 100 fps more. I like the 4064 over the Pro 2000MR as it's more temp stable, which is important to me as my shooting is in Arizona where temps get pretty warm. I'm able to get single digit SD's and low teen ES with the 4064 with this bullet. According to the QuickLoad app, if I were to use a 28" barrel, the MV would go up to 2650 fps with my load.

If you go with Varget, QL shows that 2650 fps can be achieved with 43.7 grs with a COAL of 2.968" and at a pressure well under SAAMI max.

 

[Ned Ludd]

There should be a good node with Varget somewhere between approximately 2700 and 2725 fps from a 28" barrel with ~0.170" freebore in Lapua Palma brass. H4895 would be another good choice and should tune in approximately 20-25 fps faster than Varget. Optimal seating depth ought to fall somewhere between about .010" and .030" of the lands. Predicted pressures for these loads (Quickload) should fall in the 58K to 60K psi range or thereabouts.

I'm not really clear why you would select a 9-twist barrel with the Juggernauts. An 11- or even 12-twist is plenty with that bullet. It's not that it won't work, but running a twist rate that fast will potentially increase torque in the rifle and make gun handling more challenging than it really needs to be. Nonetheless, with 0.170" freebore and a 9-twist barrel, you might consider giving the 200.20X bullet a try. They ought to tune in somewhere around 2600 to 2625 fps in your setup with Varget. In my hands, optimal seating depth with the 200.20X is usually .009" or .012" off the lands.

 

[Nature Boy]

H4895

 

[Dgd6mm]

My 11 twist shoots the 185 Juggernaut with H4895 real well.

 

[D-4297]

I'm using the 185 Jugg OTM and 185 Hybrids with Varget , H-4895 , and even tried out some N-150 & H-335 , out of a 30" Kreiger , 180 FB with moderate success . The 185 OTM's , .015 off with the H-4895 are a excellent combination .

 

[NC308]

I shot the juggernauts with 42.0 grs of varget and 42.2 grs of 4064. My powder choice for the 308 is 4064. Showed the best accuracy and velocity over varget for me. I love that power for several different cartridges!

 

[chkunz]

I have never used Varget. As reported by many others it gives excellent accuracy for many applications but usually at reduced velocity. For the application of competition we need both accuracy and velocity so that eliminates Varget due to the lower velocity for many applications.

The 308 is one of the most researched cartridges for load development. You will find a lot of data for loads that give excellent accuracy and velocity for any bullet or application that you choose.

There is one exception that I will mention and others can comment. For the M14 the port pressure is dominant for powder choice with IMR4895 being the default. Varget may be a good choice for consideration for this application.

 

[mgdietrich]

N140 or n150 both work great. I shot some great scores with 185 jugs in a 13 twist. No reason to go so fast of a twist for a 185.

 

[OKBoomer]

I’ll give IMR4166 a mention for a 308Win with 185gr Juggs. Velocity has been very consistent for me from 60-96 degrees F and the tune I have prints very flat. I picked it over IMR4064 for the advertised temp tolerance. My barrel is a 30” Krieger heavy varmint 10 twist. I seat these bullets .010” off the lands (as measured by the Wheeler method) over 41.0gr IMR4166, Federal LR match primer in ADG brass. 2650-2660fps average. The attached target is typical for the tune I have. A couple bad wind calls in there for some let-ups I didn’t catch - no flags. I shoot in Oklahoma, so light wind is relative .

 

[lotech]

There are many good .308 powders. If I was going to try only three or four, I'd make certain H4895 was on the list.

 

[Damfino]

I am in the process of changing out the barrel on my .308win target rifle. My bullet choice is the Berger 185gr Juggernaught. I am leaning towards using Varget. But I would like to know what others are using with the medium heavies (180-190gr class bullets). I have read that some other popular choices are RE-15, RL-15, N-150, N-550, IMR-4064, IMR-4895, and BLC-2.

I will be throating the chamber to have between .168" and .170" free bore. Most likely, my jump will be .010" off the lands. So with Lapua brass, there will be plenty of capacity for a fast node charge. And the barrel will be finished at 28", so I am interested what kind of speeds I will achieve at 800 to 1100 metres above sea level (my elevation above sea level I mostly shoot at). The barrel is a Krieger 17 Heavy Varmint contour (MTU) 1:9".

So, please chime in on your powder choice and why you chose that. And what results you obtained with your set-up.

FWIW I've shot W748 and IMR-4064 in HP silhouettes using a 308 Remington and 168 grain SMKs and the painfully effective 190 grain SMK "Rambusters." I've shot H4895 in MIA/service rifle to good effect.

But, more to the OP's point shooting F-TR at Tullahoma, TN the closest thing to a standard load was 185 grain Bergers, mostly Juggernauts, and "around" 43 grains of Varget. It was renowned for its temperature insensitivity and was very effective for both mid-range and long range. This was the general consensus of High Masters, Masters, and Experts from several states using 1-11 and 1-10 twists and 28-30 inch barrel. This was extensively discussed before matches and in the pits. In our clenched little circle it was generally believed that if this combination didn't produce good results something was wrong. YMMV.

 

[Twicepop]

IMR 3031 was at one time one of the "go to" powders for outstanding accuracy with the 308. It's still a good selection, it meters reasonably well for an extruded powder also.

 

[STOMP442]

My vote goes to H4895. The more I use it the more I like it. Great velocity and great accuracy with 155's to 185s.

 

[6MT]

Thank you to all who chimed in. I decided to give IMR-4064 a try. And at least part of my decision was because I could actually find it to buy. Man, powder is scarce in these unprecedented times in Canada.

 

[robert8904]

Thank you to all who chimed in. I decided to give IMR-4064 a try. And at least part of my decision was because I could actually find it to buy. Man, powder is scarce in these unprecedented times in Canada.

I just finished 308 load ladders with 168 SMK's for two rifles using some IMR-4064 I've had for a while. Results were outstanding. It was surprisingly accurate all the way up.