Best powder for .308 Mcgowen?

[danno]

I use varget for .223 and a factory barreled savage .308 I no longer have. I was curious if anyone was having good luck with something else? I have been using around 44.0 grains, this load shot better in the factory barrel than the Mcgowen. Thanks.

[Dennis]

H4895 and Varget are about the best!

Give us a little more info on what bullet your shooting. 44grns might be a little hot for the McGowen. Just depends on what your shooting.

Give barrel length, twist, bullets you want to load!

[danno]

It's a 10 twist, I've got 155.5 berger & 168, 175 smk's.

[learjet]

my 10 twist mcgowen prefers varget, the only bullet ive tried is 155 scnears, they shot well, and i havent looked any further

[Dennis]

Go to 6mmbr.com or reloadernest.com and look at some of their recommendations for your 308. That will get you started as all guns are different and like different powders! Not telling you to use this, but my Savage likes 43.5grns of varget with a 175SMK! Start at 42.5 and work up. But you will find a lot of info on the sites I recommended.

[danno]

Thanks guys 43.5 grains of varget with 168 smk's did good today. I think I was switching around too much last time I shot.

[psharon97]

One of the best loads I've seen is 45g of 4985 in 308.

[earl39]

all guns are different and like different powders!


Dennis said it like it is. My Mcgowen is also a 10 twist and it likes blc-2 better than varget with 175 smk's. You will just have to try a little of everything you have to find the best of what you have.
gary

[Budweiser360]

Varget, 4895, BLC-2, Re15, N140, N540, N550, Win 748, AR2208, etc. etc. etc......308's aren't too fussy

[darkker]

748 all the way!

[kenbo776]

Have to agree with Budweiser360 on this one...my .308 has shown great results with 4 or 5 diffrent powders. But as far as bullets the best seems to be ones in the 168 to 175 gr. Last week got 3 round group 1/2 in. at 300 Yards using 42 gr. Reloader 15 , 168 gr Sierra Matchking. Varget did just as well when I could find it for sale. Benchmark also preformed very well for me and even the older powders like Win 760 have given me exceptional results. I am very careful prepping the brass and I do scale weight every charge .
The cases are already fire formed to my chamber since I shot them only in my rifle. I set my dies so I mostly size the neck and it dosnt move the shoulder back much. I get a little resistance when closing the bolt and then I know that I have a good fit.
A little long winded here but just wanted to put my2 cents worth in.