short barrel 308 powder suggestions

[bobinpa]

I'm planning to run 155 class bullets in a 20" barrel with a 10 twist. This is not a long range rifle. It will be used for less than 400 yards most of the time so I'm looking for accuracy more than speed. What would be your go to powder to start with?

H4895, Varget, 4064 OR ?

Thanks

 

[Loudenboomer]

I hunt deer with 18" suppressed .308 Mod 70 Win. Varget and 150 gr. Nosler BT Shoots well.
Just yesterday I purchased a Browning Xbolt SPR 18". Going to start with Varget but will also try SW Match Rifle and AA2460 ball for use in the progressive loader.

 

[Straightshooter1]

I'm planning to run 155 class bullets in a 20" barrel with a 10 twist. This is not a long range rifle. It will be used for less than 400 yards most of the time so I'm looking for accuracy more than speed. What would be your go to powder to start with?

H4895, Varget, 4064 OR ?

Thanks

I've pushed some 155 SMKS with 45.0 grs Varget with a COAL of 2.863 in Federal brass with Fed 210M primers. . . which did really well out of my 24" Krieger heavy 10:1 barrel. That's a little on the mild to hot side for pressure where I'd get 2800 - 2825 fps. For a 20" barrel that kinda translates to an MV ~2700 fps. 43.5 grs of H4895 loaded the same produced close to the same results for me.

 

[JMAN80]

Varget, 8208xbr, imr3031,imr4064, imr4895….they will all work and make a 150 scream! If you’re into copper a 130gr Barnes ttsx with 42.5gr of TAC under it will have that sucker rolling around 3000+ out of that ole 308 with minimal recoil also.

 

[46and2]

I was looking at Hodgdon's site the other day. This article caught my eye. It seems to suggest that a 30" barrel would use the same powder as a 18" barrel. Does anyone else read this the same?


Quote from Hodgdon:
"Does My Short Barreled Rifle Require Different Load Data?
We often get this question. In asking, the customer is unsure if the different barrel length will necessitate a loading data change in the powder chosen. Let’s preface the answer with a quick guide on testing data.

All our data is tested for Pressure and Velocity with instrumented equipment as established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI). The dimensions of the test equipment are established by SAAMI, both internal (such as chamber) and external such as barrel length. The barrel length is set based upon most popular usage. Rifle calibers are set at 24 inch barrels. Handgun calibers are set based upon the most common use at the time, i.e. a 45 Auto barrel is based upon the barrel length of a 1911, and a 38 Special barrel based upon a standard police issue revolver.

The first thing to remember is that the chamber dimension does not change based upon application. A 223 Remington chamber is the same whether the gun it is in is a handgun or a rifle. The chamber dimension determines the pressure. So, the pressure is the same when fired in that chamber in a rifle or a handgun. The barrel length has no impact on the chamber pressure and hence the reloading data (powder charge and pressure).

The length of the barrel will change the actual velocity you observe. In general as the barrel gets shorter than standard the velocity will lower, and as the barrel gets longer than standard the velocity will increase. This does not change the reload data (powder charge and pressure), just the velocity.

Please note that there is no magic number for how much velocity is lost or gained by changing barrel length. This is because cartridges go from big to small and use varying amounts of different burn speed propellants. The only way to know for sure what the effect is with your different barrel length is to shoot over a chronograph.

So, the quick answer to the question is that the different barrel length will not change the reload data but it will impact the velocity you get."

 

[padom]

I shot a 16" 308 for a while and H4895 gave the highest velocities before pressure with 155, 168 and 175 smk... I use IMR4064 in my 26" 308s but H4895 is the ticket for short barrel

 

[Doom]

One thing to consider. Load data is load data and doesn't change with barrel length as Hodgdon stated. What does change is the amount of powder burnout. Slower burning powders will not burn as completely and will have higher muzzle pressure than faster burning powders. Muzzle flash will usually be greater also. As a result the slower powders may give higher velocity but the benefit comes at the cost of higher recoil, increased report, and more muzzle flash.

 

[ltebiker]

I just worked up a similar load this weekend myself, I loaded 45gr of N140 with a 165gr Sierra TGK and BR2 primer, loaded to mag length and it yielded 2690fps avg velocity over 10 shots. This was from a 16" 1-9 twist barrel, with suppressor installed. This was in 85 degree temps here in the south. I use N140 extensively in target rifles with 30-32" barrels, but was pleasantly surprised with the velocity, especially for a short barreled deer rifle with . Accuracy was excellent as well.

 

[mattri]

Cool thread thanks.

Currently working on what will be a 308 with an 18" 1:8 watching this with interest.

 

[K22]

IMR 4895 or H 4895 (if you can find it).

 

[AMG04]

Another good option is AR-Comp