Good Powder suggestion for .30cal family

[Peter_Kirch]

I just got a relodaing setup for christmas and I am gearing up to reload for the first time. My first choice was going to be varget but I can't seem to find any. I will order some from Sinclair International but I want to make sure I like reloading first since the charge a hazmat fee. What would be a good second choice for 30-06 and 308. My local stores sells IMR and Hodgdon. The bullets will be Sierra matchking(168gr), Hornady A-max(168gr), or Hornady match HPBT(168gr). The barrels are 1:10 twist and 24" long.

So how about it? Whats a good second choice that isn't in a shortage like varget.

[pbcaster45]

IMR-4064, IMR-4895, and H4895 all work well. If I was going to use one powder for both (.308 Winchester & 30-06) I would use IMR-4064.

[Eric in NC]

+1 on IMR4064 and either of the 4895s. For the '06 I would throw 4350 in there as well (maybe a little slow for the 308 but will get you some impressive velocity with the 168 grainers in your 06).

[Peter_Kirch]

alright Thank you guys very much. I'll go pick up a pound of each and go from there.

So the 4350 is a good powder for 06 only
what is a good 308 only powder

-Peter

[Uncle Jack]

In the .308 Win with 155grn Palmas and 168grn match either Sierra or Hornady I use both 4064 and 748. 748 being a spherical powder is much easier to measure. I get my best accuracy with 4064. I don't load for the 30-06.

[clambdin]

I would go with IMR 4895 for the .308 Win, and IMR 4350 or IMR 4831 for the 06 depending on what bullet weight you use, 4350 up thru 168gr bullet 4831 for the 180s..

[Balljoint]

Try both 4895's in 06/308 check your reloading books and start 10% under max and go from there

[LG]

alright Thank you guys very much. I'll go pick up a pound of each and go from there.

So the 4350 is a good powder for 06 only
what is a good 308 only powder

-Peter


Several powders work well in the .308. I've had good luck with H4895 and 168gr bullets. One of my .308 rifles loves H4895 and Hornady 168gr match bullets. As mentioned by other posters, IMR 4064 and 4895 are very good options for the .308 as well.

[JCalhoun]

BLC 2 works well in both.

[David Sinko]

I have been getting hangfires with BLC2 in the .30-06, even with heavy charges while using the standard CCI large rifle primer. If you're going to use BLC2 in the .30-06 I'd suggest magnum primers. There's nothing wrong with my powder; it behaves perfectly in my .223, .308 and .300 Savage rifles.

I just grabbed 8 lbs. of the esteemed Varget for $134 for use in my Ruger 77 Mk II .30-06. This rifle doesn't shoot anything well at the moment, and I'm well past the 100 round break-in period for their stainless barrels. Hopefully the Varget will make everything well.

Dave Sinko

[Blue Avenger]

I have been getting hangfires with BLC2 in the .30-06, even with heavy charges while using the standard CCI large rifle primer. If you're going to use BLC2 in the .30-06 I'd suggest magnum primers. There's nothing wrong with my powder; it behaves perfectly in my .223, .308 and .300 Savage rifles.
Dave Sinko
I think the book do recommend mag primers with that powder

[Dennis]

Just got off the phone with BERGER Bullets, below is what they recommended for my 308!

Now I just loaded some 175 VLD Bergers using the formulas below: I started with touching the lands with four rounds, then loaded four more .0010 off the lands, then four more .0020 off and up to .0050 off. I will let you know which works best. The person from Berger also wants to know the outcome! In my search's on this site, 43.0 grns of RE15 seemed to come up a lot for my 308 using 175 Berger VLD's. CCI primers.

Also, Lyman's reloading handbook is a great source for any loads. I refer to this book often.

POWDER CHARGE PER 175 VLD MATCH (BERGER)
BERGER BULLETS: IMR 4895 – 38.0 42.3max
RE15 39.0 43.3max
Varget 37.5 42.0max

185 VLD MATCH (BERGER)
IMR 4895 – 36.5 40.5max
RE15 37.5 41.5max
Varget 36.0 40.3max

190 VLD MATCH (BERGER)
IMR 4895 – 37.5 41.2max
RE15 38.5 42.2max
Varget 38.5 41.0max

Note: Berger VLD’s, start touching lands, then set the bullet inward starting at .0010 and up to .0050 , test @ 100yds
All others bullets: Back off lands .0015

[psharon97]

I've had great luck with the IMR 4895 for the 308 in my match rifle that i built. Both 4064 and 4895 work great for both calibers.

[Dennis]

BERGER BULLETS: Since there is NO published load data!

What's your favorite 308 Berger bullet and powder/load data? Of course shooting a FCP 308 10"twist barrel.

[hound_dogs_01]

.308 and .30-06 i use 95% IMR-4895. its proven and proven again

[okie2]

all of you missed the one I use in my 308 and I have put 10 shots in .75 group
with 168 hornady and IMR 3031 39.5 grains very mild load dose not kick at all
and is about 2560 FPS

[tammons]

Just buy 8# of H4895. I have all sorts of other powders, but I load almost everything with H4895. You can down load it safely to 60% of max, it works with pretty much everything from 110 gr bullets up to 200 gr bullets in 308.

Only thing is if you were trying to max out you would want to use a faster powder like H4198, slower like H4350 for heavy bullets like 180 gr and over.