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Wait on H4895 or Switch?

I use the exact load on the bottle for my 308 hunting load, except with a Sierra bullet. It has provided very nice accuracy and velocity for that cartridge in my X Bolt. HOWEVER, you can probably guess this, it has been like hen's teeth to find in stock. I'm getting down to where I couldn't reload a box with what I have. But I also won't have to reload more 308s for , gosh, maybe 2 years. ( I don't go through that much)
Should I look for a powder that is more reliably in stock? If so, what might work closely to the same as H4895? I tried 4064 and Reloader 15 and they didn't match the h4895. I have several manuals , Lyman, Hornady, Nosler, the Hodgdon handbook, Sierra. I'm shooting out of a 22" barrel and I'm thinking that makes the faster powders work better, as 4064 and Reload 15 are slower.
 
What's wrong with IMR 4895? I've been using it and IMR 4064 for years. IMR 4895 for lighter bullets. If that's all you can get. Remember when IMR 4451 or 4166 was all we could get and myself and lot's more people really liked them . I still use both and have a few pounds. Still works and is accurate.
 
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I use the exact load on the bottle for my 308 hunting load, except with a Sierra bullet. It has provided very nice accuracy and velocity for that cartridge in my X Bolt. HOWEVER, you can probably guess this, it has been like hen's teeth to find in stock. I'm getting down to where I couldn't reload a box with what I have. But I also won't have to reload more 308s for , gosh, maybe 2 years. ( I don't go through that much)
Should I look for a powder that is more reliably in stock? If so, what might work closely to the same as H4895? I tried 4064 and Reloader 15 and they didn't match the h4895. I have several manuals , Lyman, Hornady, Nosler, the Hodgdon handbook, Sierra. I'm shooting out of a 22" barrel and I'm thinking that makes the faster powders work better, as 4064 and Reload 15 are slower.
AR-Comp seems to come pretty close. But it can be hard to find too. :rolleyes:
 
I'll add some advice to the above. If the question is wait or switch after reading your post, you may as well be prepared to switch since H4895 is an indefinite wait.

As for the alternatives, you will want to share more details about your favorite bullet.
All we know now is: 308 WIN, Browning XBolt, 22"

Don't let the 24" test bbl velocities used for many manuals distract you. Your results will average slower with a shorter bbl, but you are still going to qualitatively get the results you are after if you stick to the known good bullets, brass, primers, powders.

308 WIN is not a mystery when in test bbls or good quality match guns. It starts to swirl when the discussion goes wide open.

Since you are a very low volume hunting ammo discussion, and not likely to be shooting much past 400 yards, you have many good options depending on your favorite bullet weight.
 
I use the exact load on the bottle for my 308 hunting load, except with a Sierra bullet. It has provided very nice accuracy and velocity for that cartridge in my X Bolt. HOWEVER, you can probably guess this, it has been like hen's teeth to find in stock. I'm getting down to where I couldn't reload a box with what I have. But I also won't have to reload more 308s for , gosh, maybe 2 years. ( I don't go through that much)
Should I look for a powder that is more reliably in stock? If so, what might work closely to the same as H4895? I tried 4064 and Reloader 15 and they didn't match the h4895. I have several manuals , Lyman, Hornady, Nosler, the Hodgdon handbook, Sierra. I'm shooting out of a 22" barrel and I'm thinking that makes the faster powders work better, as 4064 and Reload 15 are slower.
I just lately here in Livingst0n, M0ntana saw H4895 f0r sale first in a while. I need it as I'm 0ut as well. Seeing the high price I just set it back 0n the shelf. Can't remember what it was, but t0 much f0r my inc0me...
 
Fortunately, the switch will be painless and easy for a 308.

Here are one's I used with outstanding results for a big game hunting rifle that shot varmint level accuracy with these powders and 150 grain Sierra and Nosler bullets.

Varget, IMR 4064, IMR 4895

I no longer shoot the 308 but I made the switch for my 223 Rem bolt rifles last year to Varget and IMR 4895. No problem. These days it is wise to have suitable alternatives.
 
Many of the powders mentioned here would make that .308 shoot as well as H4895.
Incase I missed it which Sierra bullet and weight?
 

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