First shots with a new 308 build.

[joshb]

I loaded up a new test batch with H4895 and some old Hornady 168 HPBT I found in the back of my cabinet. Took me a while to remember where I got them. About 20 years ago, I was shooting a lot of 308. These Hornadys shot great groups and I bought 3 thousand of them. These are the last 500. I figured I’d try them.

 

[Desert Fox]

Absolutely. 4895 is number one. 3031 is number two, Varget is 3rd. Like I said, I don't think Varget sucks, it has just never been the best. In re-reading my first post, it DOES sound a little bit glib! Sorry about that.
When I have it available, my first test for a 308 is 41 of 4895 and a Sierra 168. If that doesn't shoot, I look to see where I screwed up on the rifle. With bullets over 168, I like 4064, Varget and 4320.

Every rifle is different. Varget and 4064 is the go to powder by most 308 shooters. I've used Varget on bullet as light as 155 up to 178 grainer with very good result on my rifle. Other's experienced varied of course, but in most cases, you will find excellent result with either 4064 or Varget on heavier bullet from 168 on up. BLC is also great in my experience but I run into pressure issues on hotter days.

 

[DShortt]

Always had good luck with IMR4064 in the .308.

Unfortunately, I've not seen it around in a couple of years.

I'll be looking for an alternative soon myself if that doesn't change.

Please update this thread with your chosen load once you get there.

 

[joshb]

Absolutely. 4895 is number one. 3031 is number two, Varget is 3rd. Like I said, I don't think Varget sucks, it has just never been the best. In re-reading my first post, it DOES sound a little bit glib! Sorry about that.
When I have it available, my first test for a 308 is 41 of 4895 and a Sierra 168. If that doesn't shoot, I look to see where I screwed up on the rifle. With bullets over 168, I like 4064, Varget and 4320.

Thanks for that. I figured you might just be having a bad day. All is good. I always like reading your posts.
I’ve been cogitating for a few hours. I seem to remember some old posts about also using either Benchmark or 748 for the 308. I can’t quite bring it back with my lousy memory.

 

[Will Henry]

I recently tried TAC in one 308 and it didn't perform all that well. That was with a 308 which I subsequently shot very poorly, so that information isn't really valid. I'll be trying it again in a very good 308, which I generally shoot very well and see how it goes. I always want a ball powder to work well but again, have yet to have one be a real stand out. I had great results with Scottish 322 and 150's but that's kind of meaningless. I like 748, but again, it hasn't worked real well for me.
The thing about the 308 is that it actually many different cartridges depending on the set-up and intent. I've shot it mostly at 600m and under and the rifles have varied a lot too.
Maybe I should do a YT series on working with 308's. WH

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I picked up an old Pre 64 Winchester 243. I’ve always wanted a Pre 64 build. The barrel was toast, as expected, so I had a new Bartlien 9 twist barrel smithed in 308. I had it throated for 180s , cut to 20” and threaded for a suppressor. I have a new stock in the works but I put some rounds thru it in the old stock. I loaded up some 168 Sierra BTHP over Varget and took it down to the range, just to get an idea of how it shoots and put a little wear on the new barrel. 3 shot groups at 100 after getting it sighted in.
View attachment 1727542View attachment 1727543View attachment 1727544

JoshB, that looks really nice. I think it would be fun to get it lined out in it's current iteration. We can tell there are some loads it likes already, even with issues unique to 64 action and your rifle as put together. I know your stock will be and look fantastic. Cheers. Very nice.

 

[NF1E]

How does the X Caliber shoot ?

1/4 moa or better when I am awake. Whatta Hobby!

 

[kelbro]

Thanks for that. I figured you might just be having a bad day. All is good. I always like reading your posts.
I’ve been cogitating for a few hours. I seem to remember some old posts about also using either Benchmark or 748 for the 308. I can’t quite bring it back with my lousy memory.

I wish I could find a good 308 load to help get rid of around 10# of benchmark that I bought (for some reason that I can't remember). I think that I was working on some 223 loads at the time.

 

[J_Hensley]

Beautiful rifle. That is a rather interesting stock. I can't say I've seen a laminate stock like that before.

 

[joshb]

I wish I could find a good 308 load to help get rid of around 10# of benchmark that I bought (for some reason that I can't remember). I think that I was working on some 223 loads at the time.

I have 8 lbs. of Varmint I grabbed during the first big shortage. Not a great powder for anything I shoot, so far. It’s kinda OK in 223. I’m saving it for the apocalypse, I guess.
There was a time I bought “anything close” just to have something. Somewhere back in the 90’s, I think.

 

[46and2]

I have 8 lbs. of Varmint I grabbed during the first big shortage. Not a great powder for anything I shoot, so far. It’s kinda OK in 223. I’m saving it for the apocalypse, I guess.
There was a time I bought “anything close” just to have something. Somewhere back in the 90’s, I think.

Try 30.4gr in 6br with Berger 105 Boattail , Lapua brass and CCI450

 

[Will Henry]

I have 8 lbs. of Varmint I grabbed during the first big shortage. Not a great powder for anything I shoot, so far. It’s kinda OK in 223. I’m saving it for the apocalypse, I guess.
There was a time I bought “anything close” just to have something. Somewhere back in the 90’s, I think.

Yes. I have a couple 8 pounders of stuff that could be pressed into service if there were no other powders available anywhere. I also have some that work great but are the last of the line. WH

 

[joshb]

I talked to my buddy that collects Winchesters and he thinks the stock might be a factory offering. He’s going to look thru his old catalogs.

 

[msalm]

MR2000 has been stellar in the 308 for
Me. Recently started loading Leverevolution under 150gr Lapua Mega sp’s for a dandy whitetail load out of 18” bbl BAR. Shoots MOA out of the semiauto which is as good as I was hoping for.

 

[DShortt]

I have 8 lbs. of Varmint I grabbed during the first big shortage. Not a great powder for anything I shoot, so far. It’s kinda OK in 223. I’m saving it for the apocalypse, I guess.
There was a time I bought “anything close” just to have something. Somewhere back in the 90’s, I think.

I've not been 'Wowed' with Varget, either.

Unless you count rapid formation of a hard carbon ring. It definitely excels in that regard.

Edit to add - I guess there is actually an Alliant powder called Varmint. So pardon me if I made an incorrect assumption.

 

[284winner]

With the classic action, I wanted a classic cartridge. I also wanted the long barrel life offered by the 308, given how expensive things have gotten. I bought the barrel a few years ago with the intent of building a 300WSM. I found a lightly used barrel for cheap and scratched that itch, so this barrel was sitting. I have a bunch of other builds in other cartridges and realized I had never built a 308, so…

The 308 will do anything the 300WSM will do at a little closer ranges. Great cartridge and cool rifle.

 

[rfwind]

IMR 4064 is stellar in my Winchester M70 .308 but it has been unavailable the past couple years. H4895 seems best in my rifle as an alternative

 

[joshb]

IMR 4064 is stellar in my Winchester M70 .308 but it has been unavailable the past couple years. H4895 seems best in my rifle as an alternative

Yup! …and I have 9 lbs. of it…..back in Delaware. A friend here said the same thing to me. I went thru every cabinet I have, twice. On the second search, I found a pound! I “knew” I had some! (You younger fellas don’t understand an old guy’s “knowing” something.)
Yesterday, I went to my friends house to fix his wife’s desk. When I was done, he handed me a pound and two boxes of 150 grain bullets.
50 resized cases came out of the tumbler last night and are sitting on my desk.

 

[joshb]

I loaded some 42.5 Varget/Sierra 168 to retest and foul the barrel. Meh! I shot the H4895/Hornady 168 combo and got less than stellar results. I went back to the rifle itself. I pulled it apart and redid the old bedding job. While that hardens up, I made some test loads with Sierra 150s and the IMR4064. The new Bartlien SHOULD be shooting better than this. I’ll see what the new loads and bedding job does.

 

[DShortt]

I've not had great success getting a .308 Shilen 1 in 10 to shoot under 1 1/2 MOA consistently recently myself. Put it up for a bit and started playing with other things.

Interested to see if you get this sorted out. Went through the re-bedding process also. Didn't seem to matter, but checked that possibility off the list.