Good powders for 168g. 308

[Orr89rocz]

I'm glad everybody knows PP2000MR is waaay too temperature sensitive to be useful.

I’ve got 8 lbs of the stuff to try in my 308. So far its great with 180 grain ballistic tips. Its suppose to be good for heavies, but might try it in 168’s. I do hear its a little temp sensitive so will have to keep an eye on the loads when it warms up

 

[Timberyote]

RL-15, IMR-4064, & Varget are great for the .308 with 165 & 168 gr. bullets.

And 178gr SMK's.

 

[rijndael]

And 178gr SMK's.

175

 

[lotech]

I've already suggested H4895. However, I have always enjoyed load development and learned a lot from it. I've also worn out some barrels. When I get a new rifle, I may try many powders and bullets. I know components are not easy to find right now, but if you have access to them and the funding, work with everything you can. When you do this methodically, you develop a very firm footing regarding what works best in your rifle and often other rifles in the same chambering that you may run across later.

There are many good .308 powders. I haven't tried all of them and never will, but try what you have on hand first. I suggest H4895 because it provides good and consistent accuracy and velocity with the common bullet weights used in the .308 cartridge: 150-180 grains, and not just in one rifle. I prefer Hodgdon Extreme powders for most rifle cartridges that I load jacketed bullets for.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I’ve got 8 lbs of the stuff to try in my 308. So far its great with 180 grain ballistic tips. Its suppose to be good for heavies, but might try it in 168’s. I do hear its a little temp sensitive so will have to keep an eye on the loads when it warms up

If, I repeat if you're running near the high end of pressure with your load and if was developed in the cool to code months, it will be more than a little temp sensitive in the summer. I've seen it in my buddy's. 308 and I've experienced it in my .223. Our issue were heavy boltlift and increased speed .

 

[Orr89rocz]

If, I repeat if you're running near the high end of pressure with your load and if was developed in the cool to code months, it will be more than a little temp sensitive in the summer. I've seen it in my buddy's. 308 and I've experienced it in my .223. Our issue were heavy boltlift and increased speed .

I developed the load in cold weather since thats when we usually hunt. However early season it could still reach 50’s degrees so we will have to keep an eye on it. If i have to back it off in summer thats fine, as long as it still performs the same. I am not quite at max but its upper end of the scale. Performance is great so far. 2712 out of a 26” with 180 grainers. I’ve seen the same speed with re17 as well with berger 180’s but gun will not shoot any vld

 

[CharlieNC]

I’ve got 8 lbs of the stuff to try in my 308. So far its great with 180 grain ballistic tips. Its suppose to be good for heavies, but might try it in 168’s. I do hear its a little temp sensitive so will have to keep an eye on the loads when it warms up

Yea I was being sarcastic. With 168ELD, 2000MR gave the absolute widest powder node I have ever encountered. Just don't develop an extreme load in the Winter.

 

[Forum Boss]

All good powders listed above by straightshooter. With 155s in .308 we got best accuracy (better than Varget) with IMR 8208 XBR in one rifle. 8208 XBR also yielded a little more velocity and very low ES.

 

[Badhabit]

It's worth trying all that have been mentioned. I have in my current barrel and varget gets the win with 168amax for accuracy and 8208 is next.

 

[No.343]

I fire formed some 308 brass with Win 748 and Sierra 168 bullets with a middle of the load range powder charge that I threw through my powder measure. It nailed the 500 meter plate with boring regularity. I wish I had worked up a load for it now.