best powders for 20 inch .308 barrels

[realhunt]

What is a good powder to use for a 20 inch .308 barrel I load for longer barrels and I have no experience with shorter barrels . He will be shooting 168 smk its a hr handi rifle and I am not sure of the twist rate.

 

[necchi]

Simple answer?
The same powder, just a little less of it ;D
I have good luck with my 22" useing RL-15 and IMR 4064

 

[scout1]

RL-15, Benchmark, IMR-3031.. A little quicker powder = a lot less muzzle blast / flash

 

[CJ6]

VV N-135 , VV N-140

 

[390fe]

My Savage Hog Hunter (20 inch barrel) shoots fine with IMR4064. I know Varget is an acceptable powder as well.

 

[Nowhere Man]

Don't forget IMR8208xbr. A fast burning powder.

 

[Ray B]

The Rem 700 308 that I got in 1963 uses W748 but on occasion H335 & BlC-2. All with 180 grain bullets. I haven't seen the need to try anything newer.

 

[gsg5pk]

I would prefer RE-15 for that 168smk

 

[geraldgee]

AR-Comp works well with the 165-168gr class Bullets.

 

[pburr]

I have a 20” Rem 700 I use with 175 smk’s. I’ve tried to use Varget, 4166, and 4064 and couldn’t get it to shoot worth a crap! It seems to prefer a faster burning powder and does well with H4895. Benchmark is even faster and might be worth a shot.

 

[rijndael]

I have a 20" 700 5R and Varget works really well with 168 and 175s. 3 shot groups are .4 and 5 shot groups are still < .5 MOA.

 

[JSH]

After having played with XP's and Encores with mostly 15" barrels, a majority of my loads are quite similar to rifle loads.
Fast powders because of a short barrel, is mostly because of flash. Bothered other shooters more than me. Varget is a go to in my 308 pistols.