IMR4895 or Varget for .308

[Kadams1563]

Ok I'm starting to get components together and can buy either of these locally right now. If you were just starting out to reload .308 and we're looking for shots out to 1k what powder would you use.

I will be loading with the 175 SMK.

[Robinhood]

4064

[earl39]

I use BLC2 but it is a split with most of the people i shoot LR with between IMR4064 and Varget. Varget seems the hardest to tune for but once tuned does well until lots are changed then needs to be tuned again.

[darkker]

I'm with Earl on the variations found from Varget, been some really nasty swings.
I use 748 for my very long shooting, but that is more about availability, consistency, and wanting to use USA built powder. 4064 disappeared here way back, so I switched.

[psharon97]

There's so many great powders for 308. You can use any powder in the burn range for Varget or IMR 4895.

[Kaldor]

8208 XBR works pretty well as well. Meters nice. Ive used it for both 223 and 308.

[yobuck]

A few years back we bought my grandson a 308 Savage model fp something with an accustock, a muzzel brake, and a detachable clip.
Anyway i brought it here and just ran a rod thru it to clean the barrel but otherwise didnt touch it.
I loaded up some 150 gr smks with 42 gr of 4320 and shot one of the smallest 5 shot groups of my long life.
We still have never even bothered to adjust the trigger or remove the gun from the stock.
4320 is very similar to 4064 but is easier to use in the powder measure.
It was Jack Oconners favorite 06 powder which is how i first came to use it.

[eddiesindian]

Ok I'm starting to get components together and can buy either of these locally right now. If you were just starting out to reload .308 and we're looking for shots out to 1k what powder would you use.

I will be loading with the 175 SMK.

Ive used both. id have to go with 4895.
Im currently using 4064 for my 175 SMK,s couldn't be happier, but seeing as how you asked a "specific" question?.........Its 4895

[mr.revolverguy]

308Winchester
Hornady 178grAmax
IMR4064 (41.8gr)
TulaSLarge Rifle Magnum


COAL 2.792




308Winchester
Hornady 178grAmax
Reloader15 (43.1gr)
Large Rifle Primer


COAL 2.792




308Winchester
Sierra Match King 175gr
Reloader15 (43.5gr)
Large Rifle Primer


COAL 2.792



I have tried these 3 loads out of 3 different rifles and they shoot great groups in all.

[rfd12fv]

i've had best groups using h4895 in the axis hb .308w with amax and matchking bullets ... but as always, other peoples loads are just their opinions and you need to trial loads to see what yer rifle likes best.

[D.ID]

I have had my best luck with varget. I buy it 16 lbs at a time to avoid lot variation.

[concretus]

It seemed for me that IMR 4895 worked best for me with lighter bullets...(150gr). I use 4064 for my bolt gun and Varget for my AR -10 w/ 165gr Bullets and when I shot NRA High Power in the match class used AA 2520 for 175 gr Sierra MK...

[eddiesindian]

a few years back we bought my grandson a 308 savage model fp something with an accustock, a muzzel brake, and a detachable clip.
Anyway i brought it here and just ran a rod thru it to clean the barrel but otherwise didnt touch it.
I loaded up some 150 gr smks with 42 gr of 4320 and shot one of the smallest 5 shot groups of my long life.
We still have never even bothered to adjust the trigger or remove the gun from the stock.
4320 is very similar to 4064 but is easier to use in the powder measure.
It was jack oconners favorite 06 powder which is how i first came to use it.
4320?....imr?.......

[homefrontsniper]

Imr 4064

[daniel87]

Buy what is available locally then buy bulk from that lot

[BillyTee]

Varget was developed for the .308 by ADI in Australia

[lrshooting]

4064...where the heck are you finding varget? That stuff is like gold around here. More rare than that actually. Only place I find it is on gunbroker for 40-50$ a pound. Which is about a 100% hike up as far as im concerned.

But yea, 4064, blc2, reloader 15, 4895, maybe a couple others will all give you good results. There are some older powders that do well also, (blc2 is somewhat of an older powder) but they tend to have more temp sensitivity from what I hear. Dont think Mr. Hathcock cared much though now did he?

[jim_k]

IMR 4895 will get the best velocity, but if your rifle will remain supersonic with Varget, it is usually the most accurate. H4895 is a good compromise, since it is temp-stable, and gets better velocity than Varget. It is real consistent in my experience. IMR 4064 is very temp-stable, like Varget. Win 748 is not temp-stable, but can be very accurate.

[wbm]

Lot's of good powders for the .308...Varget and 4895 being two of them. For what it's worth, when the military decided to select a powder for their new issue of M118LR ammunition they chose IMR 4064. The existing load for that ammunition utilized a Sierra 175gr HPBT over Reloader 15. But RL-15 had some real pressure issues in the heat of the middle east. I read the "official" armorers report on the selection process and 4064 was selected as the best choice for the desired results. With the 175gr Sierra, 4064 has a big fan base among 308 shooters. There is a good reason for that.

[BillyTee]

Varget!