Reloading Newbie .308 F/TR loads

[Jase PTRC]

Hi all, im new to reloading and was looking at some ideas on powder types to go well with Berger 185gr Juggernauts. Im not after specific loads just what types of powders people are having success with using these projectiles or similar. Thanks in advance

 

[37Lincoln1]

Varget

 

[Down South]

Varget or H4895 would be my first choice but Vihtavuori powders work well also with that bullet (N-140 & N-150) along with IMR 4064.......... Alliant powders (RL 15 & 2000MR) shoot well also but tend to be a bit more temp sensitive for the most part.

 

[JAnderson94]

If you are careful, and do some research. RL-17 will give you the best velocity. My accuracy load was 1 grain under max (in my rifle) and was going 2755 with a 178 A-Max. Most the other powders will be hard pressed to give that speed. Case life was good at 10-12 reloads with lapua brass.

 

[Joe R]

Jase PTRC said:
Hi all, im new to reloading and was looking at some ideas on powder types to go well with Berger 185gr Juggernauts. Im not after specific loads just what types of powders people are having success with using these projectiles or similar. Thanks in advance

Most of the guys at my range shooting F/TR at 1K use (around 43.2 grains of) Varget with 185 juggs. My understanding is that is made in your country, so there should be plenty there.

I'm using IMR 8208 simply because I couldn't find Varget a year ago. The 8 pound jugs are still scarce here in Houston, but yesterday I was able to get a 1 lb can to do some testing.

 

[Down South]

If you are careful, and do some research. RL-17 will give you the best velocity. My accuracy load was 1 grain under max (in my rifle) and was going 2755 with a 178 A-Max. Most the other powders will be hard pressed to give that speed. Case life was good at 10-12 reloads with lapua brass.

Varget or H4895 can easily get you 2750 ish velocity with a 185 juggernaut in a 30-32 inch barrel without destroying your brass......RL-17 isn't the most temp stable powder in varying temps.......There's a reason the majority of competitors are using the Hodgdon Extreme powders.

 

[JAnderson94]

If you are careful, and do some research. RL-17 will give you the best velocity. My accuracy load was 1 grain under max (in my rifle) and was going 2755 with a 178 A-Max. Most the other powders will be hard pressed to give that speed. Case life was good at 10-12 reloads with lapua brass.

Varget or H4895 can easily get you 2750 ish velocity with a 185 juggernaut in a 30-32 inch barrel without destroying your brass......RL-17 isn't the most temp stable powder in varying temps.......There's a reason the majority of competitors are using the Hodgdon Extreme powders.

Sorry I should have been more specific, my rifle was a factory 10 savage with a 24" tube. that was about the fastest I could get with the accuracy I wanted

 

[Down South]

If you are careful, and do some research. RL-17 will give you the best velocity. My accuracy load was 1 grain under max (in my rifle) and was going 2755 with a 178 A-Max. Most the other powders will be hard pressed to give that speed. Case life was good at 10-12 reloads with lapua brass.

Varget or H4895 can easily get you 2750 ish velocity with a 185 juggernaut in a 30-32 inch barrel without destroying your brass......RL-17 isn't the most temp stable powder in varying temps.......There's a reason the majority of competitors are using the Hodgdon Extreme powders.

Sorry I should have been more specific, my rifle was a factory 10 savage with a 24" tube. that was about the fastest I could get with the accuracy I wanted

No worries, i thought you were referring to longer barrels as the original post was about powders for FTR and juggernauts. I do have a friend that is shooting juggernauts in a 11.25 twist custom barrel that is only 24 inches and with Varget he is running over 2700 ftps but i don't know what kinda brass life he's getting as that seems pretty stout to me.

 

[Jase PTRC]

Thanks for all your replies, are any of you or know of anyone having success with H4350?

 

[mac86951]

Thanks for all your replies, are any of you or know of anyone having success with H4350?

H4350 is a little slow for the 308. Try it, but I'll bet your accuracy node with the 185 jugs is about 150-200 fps slower than with the H4895 or IMR 4895 or Varget.

all that means is that at MR and 1000y you'll get a little more wind drift than with a faster loading. Typically H4350 is used in the 30-06, and the faster Varget, N140/N150, or 4895s (h or imr) are used in the 308

-Mac

 

[gsg5pk]

Test 43.0 of IMR4064


Sweetspot!!!!