What's Your GO-TO Powder......

[Rupe]

for the 308 Winchester. First let me explain that I am not a competitive shooter. I'm a hunter and a paper puncher and am obsessed with finding small groups. Last year I shot a whitetail using the 125 grain Sierra Pro-Hunter and was disappointed in its' performance. The load I was using was with H4895 and it shot lights-out at 100 yards. I decided to try the Nosler 150 grain BT using H4895. So far accuracy has been so-so. Need suggestions as to powder to try. Thanks for your suggestions.

Chuck - Rupe/PA

 

[George Az]

I think the 125 grain is a little light for the .308. Not that it cannot be shot, it is just I think it is not optimal. I do not know your twist on the barrel either. I have had good accuracy using Varget and BLC 2. But these are tough powders to find. RL 17 is another good one a buudy of mine really likes. This will be somewhat dependant on your barrel length and projectile weight. For the .308, I think you can find optimal hunting rounds from a variety of sources, Sierra, Berger etc. I would not hesitate to use a Berger 155 Hunting VLD on a deer. I had a .308 that liked the 180 grain Gameking with Varget. there are numerous bullets from the 150's to 160's that would make a decent deer round from 100 yards to the limits of your capabilites and the catridge.

 

[JORTZ]

+1 for berger hunting bullets also 150gr hornady sst puts the smack down on whitetail. I use reloader 17 and 15 for my hunting loads. Also use ramshot tac powder for heavy bullets like 175gr and above.

 

[RStewart]

8208 XBR works well with lighter bullets. I use it in my .223 (80 smk) and .308 (155.5 FB) shooting F-class. Varget if you get above 175's.

 

[K22]

Surprised that the Nosler 150 BT and H4895 is not working for you. With that said, IMR 4064 and Varget are proven performers in the 308.

I use Sierra 150 Pro Hunter bullets. This is a no frills bullet but extremely accurate and effective on white tail. I use Varget with Federal 210 match primers. My rifle is a Rem 700, 24" barrel, 10" twist. This combo will hold about 5/8" group at 100 yards for me. If you can't find any Varget, IMR 4064 is very close in performance and may even shoot better in your rifle.

You don't need a "tack driver" for deer hunting, a 1 moa load is more than adequate but I understand your obsession.

 

[fdshuster]

H4895 with 150 SMK's for 200 yd and less. H4895 with 168 SMK's for 300 to 600. Varget with 175 SMK's to 1000.

 

[Outrider27]

Odd man out here; I run 748 with 150gr bullets, and occasionally 168 and 180gr bullets in the .308.

 

[navyrad8r]

rupe,
IMR 4064, RL 15 (pull down or real), varget for heavies IMR4320 for really heavies. The military combat 147gr fmj is fueled by WCC846 or BLC(2). are you running a gas gun or a bolt gun? whats your twist and length?
cheers,
Doc

 

[2506]

The 125 Sierra is a bit too soft for my liking on deer. BUT the 125 Nosler ballistic tip is another story. It is a GAME bullet and not a varmint bullet. I use 46 grs IMR 4895 with the 125 BT in a WW case with a CCI BR2 primer. It runs right at 3000 fps muzzle from my Heart 21 1/2" barrel. BANG FLOPS deer 99% of the time out to 300 yards so far. You need to keep your impact velocity under 3000 fps with the 125 BT.
It should not be hard to get your 308 to shoot well with H4895 and 150 BT. Play with the seating depth. Ballistic tips like to jump so don't seat them too close to the lands. I have had great results and accuracy with 150 Sierra and Ballistic Tips with 43 grs IMR 4895 in the 308s.

 

[fredhorace77]

treat the 308 just like the 223....light bullets Benchmark medium weight bullets H4895 heavy bullets Varget

 

[spclark]

8208XBR for the 155's I use, H4895 for 185's.

 

[jcm800]

I use varget in a sps varmint 308....shoots great with 150gr corelocks's - 180 smk's

The cheap 150gr cl's drop deer as fast as any of the premium bullets at normal hunting distances.

 

[Buck 89]

I used 45G varget with 165 barns x bullet and get 3/8 to 1/2 in. groups. Three rounds per group. That is with a match barrel.

 

[Ringostar]

My deer loads are 30-06 not .308 , but I use H4895 and 150 gamekings. I'm very happy with gamekings on deer. The combo will shoot very well from a .308 also. Try them and play with seating depth.

 

[NWnewguy]

I'd tell ya, but since I can't find any for my self right now, I am hesitant to recommend it to anyone else.

 

[jsthntn247]

Imr 8208 xbr, benchmark, cfe 223, imr for 150gr bullets. Varget and imr 4320 will work well if you can find it.