powder choice for .308 using 185 Jugs

[TackDriv3r]

Trying out the 185 Jugs in the .308 for up to 800 yards and beyond, what powder choice would you lean on? I have MR2000, Varget, IMR 4064 , etc. It seems MR 2000 is temp sensitive especially in the hot days.

 

[Bart B.]

IMR4064 was the favorite when 308's were king of the XTC mountain. 42.X grain range did well. I'd load 42.5 grains which all my barrels liked with 185 grain Lapua match bullets. I used 43.0 with 180's and 42.0 with 190's. Half grain less in cases weighing 165 grains or more.

Worked well in ambient temperature 30 to 100 degrees. Shoot with no more than 15 seconds chamber time.

 

[Papa Charlie]

I use nothing but Varget with 185 Jugs. My barrel is 30" and 1:10 twist. Powder load is 42.9gr and produces 2731fps.
I have not bothered to experiment with the other powders as this produces very good performance at 500 yards and is not temperature sensitive compared to other powders.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I like Varget as well. - Have Not Tried 4064 or MR-2000,

 

[Jimmy James]

Try CFE223. It got my velocity up and pressure down compared to Varget. Shooting 190 Sierras. 185 juggys too finicky.

 

[Nature Boy]

I started with Varget but switched to H4895. I found it to be more consistent, achieves comparable velocities with less powder and shows pressure signs later than Varget

 

[allen529]

I use varget for 185's. I use a mild load of 40.0 grns. It hammers for me and doesn't eat the barrel up as bad. The picture is 20 rounds at 300 yards off a benchrest.

 

[284winner]

RL15. Thinking 2750-2775 was the velocity but it's been a while. My gun really likes the 168 TMKs now so I use them for everything.

 

[dcali]

I use varget. I know some who use 4895 successfully as well.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Varget or the IMR4064 will do you right. I run H4895 with the 185 Juggernaut.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I am having get loads with Varget and 185’s
1-10 30”z.
4320 is also a Hammer with 175 OTM .

 

[TackDriv3r]

Worked up 3 shot group loads round robin with 185 Jugs at 200 yards from 46.0 to 47.5 grains. The 46 grain load shot one ragged hole vertically, while the 46.6 and 46.9 shot around .7 to 1 MOA but on the same plane. The speeds are higher than average than what it shows on the Nosler Reloading website. The average load speeds are as follows in the 26 inch barrel:

46.0 - 2732 fps
46.3 - 2747 fps
46.6 - 2759 fps
46.9 - 2774 fps
47.2 - 2795 fps
47.5 - 2,825 fps

Nosler website shows 46.5 grains as max, and I had no pressure signs and groups got worse past 46.9 grains and it looks like I'll redo again from 45 grains to 46.9 grains, and see what pops up. Maybe there is a node in the mid 45 to 46 grain area. The ES spread is not what I liked.

The max speed of 2,825 fps are similar to 30 06 speeds, that MR2000 is moving, but ES is not what I liked. If these loads will not work, I'll try Varget since it works very well for me with other loads in the .308

What speeds will be in the accuracy node window if using the 185's ?

 

[LVLAaron]

43.9g Varget loaded 10k off lands. FTR load. Lapua Palma

 

[Kimber.204]

I'll give another vote for IMR4064 with CCI Benchrest primers in Lake City brass. 5 shots less than 0.5moa out of my FN-A5 SPR bolt rifle with 1:10 chrome lined bore.

 

[Down South]

Trying out the 185 Jugs in the .308 for up to 800 yards and beyond, what powder choice would you lean on? I have MR2000, Varget, IMR 4064 , etc. It seems MR 2000 is temp sensitive especially in the hot days.

I personally like H4895 for my match loads with all bullets up to 200 gr. but I've shot a ton of Varget with similar results. Of the powders you listed I'd go with Varget. If your barrel doesn't shoot Juggernauts with Varget something ain't right as that is about as proven a combo you can get. Juggernauts are one of the easiest bullets to get shooting well that I've ever tested and Varget or H4895 seems to really shine with it. Good luck in your testing.

 

[boltman13]

Varget and Berger 185's, Jugs or Hybrid go together like gin & tonic with a twist on a hot day.

 

[Damfino]

Although the trend is now moving toward heavier bullets, if there is a standard load for the F-TR shooters for the matches at Tullahoma, TN it is the 185 Juggernauts and Varget. You just can't go wrong with that combination.

 

[Medic505]

I personally like H4895 for my match loads with all bullets up to 200 gr. but I've shot a ton of Varget with similar results. Of the powders you listed I'd go with Varget. If your barrel doesn't shoot Juggernauts with Varget something ain't right as that is about as proven a combo you can get. Juggernauts are one of the easiest bullets to get shooting well that I've ever tested and Varget or H4895 seems to really shine with it. Good luck in your testing.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This.

 

[spudgun]

I use varget for 185's. I use a mild load of 40.0 grns. It hammers for me and doesn't eat the barrel up as bad. The picture is 20 rounds at 300 yards off a benchrest.

What gun, bolt or AR?

 

[XTR]

..185 juggys too finicky....

There are legions of shooters who would disagree with you. In fact you may be the first person I have ever seen post or say that they could not get the 185 Jugg too shoot

Are you sure you were trying to shoot them in a .308 caliber barrel?