Looking for a good spherical powder for 308

[Adam Morris]

You might give Leverevolution a try. It is perhaps the only currently available powder that works well, at least where I looked for propellant. According to the Hodgon burn rate chart, it's right behind BL-C2 and CFE-223. I would suppose that it would be a bit temp. sensitive, typical for the ball type propellants.

 

[Laurie]

I am running a 1-10 twist 20" long bbl and shooting from 168 to 200 grain SMK's

H. BL-C(2), Ramshot Big Game, and AA-2520.

H414/W760 (same thing) may work with 190 / 200 gn SMKs, but could produce rather heavy muzzle blast in a 20-incher.

If you find you're getting heavy muzzle blast and a large muzzle-flash, increase loads as this is a sign of inadequate pressure and an incomplete charge burn.

 

[mac86951]

You might give Leverevolution a try. It is perhaps the only currently available powder that works well, at least where I looked for propellant. According to the Hodgon burn rate chart, it's right behind BL-C2 and CFE-223. I would suppose that it would be a bit temp. sensitive, typical for the ball type propellants.

I've been sorely tempted to try this powder in .223 and .308, but with zero factory data for those cartridges I've hesitated. Like you say it is still available, to the point that the local shop has kept an 8# and several 1# in stock for weeks... Is this listed in the latest QuickLoad update?

-Mac

 

[wapiti25]

Comforttechinc, there are extruded powders that are double base such as the reloader 15, 19 ect and Norma rifle powders. VithaVuori Oy has both, the 5XX series is double base.

 

[Laurie]

Comforttechinc, there are extruded powders that are double base such as the reloader 15, 19 ect and Norma rifle powders. VithaVuori Oy has both, the 5XX series is double base.

Comforttechnic has the right idea, but back to front. Because of the way they're made, all ball / spherical powders are double-base from the off. Extruded types can be found in either form as a base nitrocellulose mix is made first and NG and/or other extra energy ingredients are added afterwards.

 

[Gappa]

Comforttechinc, there are extruded powders that are double base such as the reloader 15, 19 ect and Norma rifle powders. VithaVuori Oy has both, the 5XX series is double base.

this is quite interesting I never would have thought RL 15 would be a DB powder.

 

[bigedp51]

Comforttechinc, there are extruded powders that are double base such as the reloader 15, 19 ect and Norma rifle powders. VithaVuori Oy has both, the 5XX series is double base.

this is quite interesting I never would have thought RL 15 would be a DB powder.

Check and read the MSDS for each powder and it will give you the content of the powder. Below MSDS for RL-15 and the nitroglycerin percentage.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/downloads/msds/Reloder15.pdf

Of note from my earlier posting is the military switched to the single base powder IMR-4064 for the 7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0 cartridge.

 

[ljhsniper1]

Win.-748 is a 1/4" grouper in my 700V with 168-175 SMK's out to 300 Yds. SEMPER FI!

 

[RStewart]

AA 2520 for medium weight bullets.

^^^ this. But it is temperature sensitive.

 

[Steve Blair]

AA 2520 for medium weight bullets.

^^^ this. But it is temperature sensitive.

[br]
It is, but I've never seen a ball or spherical powder that wasn't. They are all double base powders and will show some temperature variation. I use single base powders in competition for that reason but the OP wanted to know about spherical powders.

 

[amlevin]

I've been using CFE223 in my 5.56. It is a burn rate near BLC-2. Definitely worth a look.

-Mac

I've been using this powder with good success in my .308 as well as .223. So much so I ordered two cases of it just before the "Panic".

I like it because I can get a lot more speed out of it than the old "usual suspects" and not have to compress the loads to do so.

FWIW, it also reduces copper fouling greatly. Don't know about the "eraser" qualities but I do know that cleanups are a lot quicker and I don't have to reach for the bottle of Sweet's as often as before.

 

[A_Gamehog]

I have Nosler's 7th ed. load book. It has ball power listed as the "most accurate Powder" for a few bullet weights.

125's W-748
165-168"s BLC-2

Their load data has a most accurate power denoted by the * for most accurate load. it's usually pretty close like Sierra's accuracy load data.

I like Tac in my 10 twist Win 308 for the 125's and 150's

 

[Adam Morris]

I did not find data on the leverevolution powder, but my testing has indicated that 27.5 gr. w/ a mag length 62 gr. SS109/LC case/Rem 7 1/2 primer works in my AR. I have not chrono'd the load, but have placed loaded rounds in the freezer and left them in the hot sun to soak without indications of excess pressure or crazy pressure variations. Port pressure is a bit higher than w/ a faster propellant, so the gas driven weapons will cycle faster. Additionally, I've started some limited testing in 308 w/ LC cases w/ Leverevolution and 46 Gr. seems about max to me with a 150 gr. bullet. I used Win. primers for my initial testing as they generally show pressure faster than a primer with a harder cup. Anyway, I normally steer clear of ball type powders due to temp. sensitivity, but I was behind the power curve in purchasing a reasonable amount of propellant for medium capacity cases, so had to go with what was still available. I equiped my M1A's with an adjustable gas plug(schuster), so the this slower than 4895 powder was not much of a factor for me. Wear safety glasses YMMV Adam