what viht powder for 155smk in 308

[243DH]

Currently using varget with 155 smk. FN A3G is shooting 5 shot groups around .35" and 20 shot groups 3/4". Good velocity, 2889, SD is 8.xx. my varget is drying up with none in sight. Is viht 135 or 140 workable? I want good accuracy but need the speed also. I have 5-6 lbs of h4895 that i shoot in my 6br fast twist. I have some loaded up in .2 increments from 45-46. Will shoot tomorrow but might need a plan b. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[6mmHot]

N140 here in the UK is a standard powder to use with 155's starting around 45 grains and working up.
A friend of mine swears by H4895 and uses it to great effect have just won our Easter meets F/TR comp at Bisley again start around 45 grains and work up.
So really you are spoilt for choice with two excellent powders for the .308
Cheers
Dave

 

[MrMajestic]

N140 here in the UK is a standard powder to use with 155's starting around 45 grains and working up.
A friend of mine swears by H4895 and uses it to great effect have just won our Easter meets F/TR comp at Bisley again start around 45 grains and work up.
So really you are spoilt for choice with two excellent powders for the .308
Cheers
Dave

I'll second what 6mmHot said. Many use both with excellent results.

 

[Down South]

Anyone ever try N-150 with the 155s?

 

[Laurie]

Anyone ever try N-150 with the 155s?

Yes, it often gives very small groups and MV spreads, but is usually a bit down on velocity compared to N140 and especially N540. It's actually my favourite 308W powder with 155s for short-range, lower pressure loads.

 

[Coolhand]

243DH , sorry can't help you with info on Viht powder and 155's , but I can tell you that I switched from Varget ( 2208 ) to H4895 ( 2206H ) last year and don't regret it one bit .
My velocity improved, SD and Extreme spread came down . Now a word of warning , my current load is 46.4 grains , which is .4 over MAX from the ADI manual , I have loaded up to 46.6 with no pressure signs in my Fullbore chamber but the groups opened up with that increase . Unlike Varget , H4895 fills up the Lapua cases nicely .
I am scratching around here trying to find one of the ten shot test groups I shot with H4895 , as soon as I locate it , I will append the info for you .


regards
Mike.

 

[spclark]

H4895 in my Palma rifles works better with 185's than 155's. That's not to say it won't work in your 308 though. For VV products & 155's N140's been a standard for many but can be a tad peaky when used near max. loadings & on warmer days. Same for N540. Typically N150 is a better choice (or 550 if you need a little extra velocity) with the added benefit that these also work with medium-weight bullets (175-185) in 308.

(Last year I switched from Varget to IMR 8208XBR with Berger's new 155 Hybrid & shot best season ever.)

 

[Laurie]

(Last year I switched from Varget to IMR 8208XBR with Berger's new 155 Hybrid & shot best season ever.)

I agree - it's a great powder for the 155s, the 155.5gn Berger LRBT in my case. Very small elevation spreads at 1,000.

 

[Coolhand]

Found my best test group with H4895 ( 2206H) 46.3 grains , using :
Lapua Cases
RWS 5341 Primers
Berger 155 Hybrids Moly Coated
The Velocities were :
2994
2993
2985
2987
2990
2976
2987
2981
2975
2985
Average Velocity 2985
SD 7
ES 19

A second group, with 46.5 grains H4895 showed
High 2989
Low 2978
ES 11.0
SD 3
Average Velocity 2984

regards
Mike

 

[243DH]

Wow coolhand that is some speed. What barrel length, 28-30"? I appreciate all the help folks, did some work ups the last couple days. I really wanted to be at or around 2900fps out of the 24" factory barrel. 45.6& 46.0 of h4895 got me there, 2898&2930 respectively. The accuracy was good on both, but the numbers were more consistent with the 45.6 gr load. It shot a .490 10 shot group @100 off a bipod and rear bag. When i run out of varget i will switch to that load. Also be shopping for more h4895 instead of varget, it will be nice to not have to keep varget on hand for one rifle. I use h4895 in my mag fed 6br fast twist, a fclass 6 br, and my 223 varmint AR. When powder is a little more available i will try to find a higher node that is as consistent as my 45.6 load with more speed and equal accuracy. I wish i would have picked up an fn spr a3g earlier, this is the most solid factory rifle i have owned, or equal to my tikka t3 sporter260. As a sidenote i had 146 rds down the barrel since it was cleaned when doing this load work up. It cleaned up in no time. First patch through the barrel just glided, gotta love the chrome lining in these. Wish they made this rifle in 260 or 6.5 creedmoor.