168 grain for 308

[Theheavychevy85]

I just picked up 168 grain amaxs to reload was wondering what is the best exstreme weather powder fir this bullett what are you guys have the most sucsess with thanks in advance

[NicfromAlabama]

For what it is worth, I have read that Varget is supposed to be very temperature insensitive. I just recently bought some, and loaded some .308 with it, but have not actually shot anything with it yet. People seem to speak highly of it.

[Stumpkiller]

The Hodgdon Extreme and IMR (also a Hodgdon Co) Enduron varieties are temp stable.

The site below gives min/max loads for Hodgdon (by caliber & bullet make).

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle (http://http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle)

IMR 4166 might be a fun one to work with.

https://imrpowder.com/imr-enduron-4166/

[big honkin jeep]

Not sure about the extreme temp stability since I primarily shoot in the south and don't have to worry about it, but my rifles in .308 didn't seem to like hornady A max bullets until I started loading them over Power Pro 2000 MR then all the sudden little tiny clover leafs and holes in holes.
your mileage may vary, but for me it's the cats pajamas.

[Hitman49]

I've always had luck with my 308s and 168s by using Varget. Varget has been stable in extreme heat and cold temps. The rifle groups the same during the summer as it does before deer season in 20-30 degree temps.

[SageRat Shooter]

H4350 (better know as unobtainium) I shoot the 168 TTSX out of my 30-06.

[Stumpkiller]

H4350 (better know as unobtainium) I shoot the 168 TTSX out of my 30-06.

I have some in transit! I have some in transit! H4350 that is.

I also picked up a pound of IMR 4451, which is supposed to be very similar. We shall see.

It's always good to have a back-up powder or two. H4350 hasn't been on a store rack hereabouts for some time (I think they call buddies when a shipment arrives). Might aw well pay the HazMat fee as drive all over two counties hoping to find some. I have been working up some H4831 loads (not a .308 Win but a .260 Rem, aka 6.5x'08) and that is just about right when it just starts to compress . . . which I figure is good to intersect max. case capacity with min. seating depth on the 140/142 gr bullets. I still have 'em poked down over 1/2" into the case!

[bearcatrp]

Depends what your shooting them out of. If you have a 24 inch barrel bolt rifle, varget and 4064 work great. For 16 inch or less in bolt or AR, 8208 works well. What rifle will you be shooting these out of? Remember, 168 A-Max are a target bullet, not for hunting use, according to Hornady.

[SageRat Shooter]

I have some in transit! I have some in transit! H4350 that is.

I also picked up a pound of IMR 4451, which is supposed to be very similar. We shall see.

It's always good to have a back-up powder or two. H4350 hasn't been on a store rack hereabouts for some time (I think they call buddies when a shipment arrives). Might aw well pay the HazMat fee as drive all over two counties hoping to find some. I have been working up some H4831 loads (not a .308 Win but a .260 Rem, aka 6.5x'08) and that is just about right when it just starts to compress . . . which I figure is good to intersect max. case capacity with min. seating depth on the 140/142 gr bullets. I still have 'em poked down over 1/2" into the case!

I use H4350 in the 30-06 and as well as my 260 Rem. I've also tried the IMR 4451 among other powders (for the 260). the 4451 doesn't give me the same MV. supposedly .3 to .5 more grains will get you back to H4350 velocities. YMMV

[bigedp51]

.308 Reloading data only

http://www.sniperforums.com/forum/reloading/43364-308-reloading-data-only.html

All Winchester brass. Reduce by .4 grains if using Lake City, or Federal brass. Reduce by .3 grains if using Lapua brass.

168 grain Sierra Matchking (or any comparable 168 grain match bullet)
43.6 grains of IMR 4895 (my all time favorite accuracy load)
or
44.5 grains of Varget or IMR 4064 or W748
there is a high node with Varget at or near 46 grains, Hodgdon's max...
or
39.0 grains of IMR 3031 (slower, but very accurate to 300 yards, a great close range tactical load).

These load recipes are approximate (but very close) to where the accuracy nodes are. Work up from a grain or two below, to be safe.


Old School .308 Winchester Match Loads (http://www.provenreloads-handloads.com/articles/2016/9/18/old-school-308-winchester-match-loads)

http://www.provenreloads-handloads.com/articles/2016/9/18/old-school-308-winchester-match-loads

.308 Match Loads Effective out to 200 and 300 Meters
The primary (accuracy) powder charge for each load is noted below. A range of powder grains is included for load tweaking purposes.
168 gr. SMK, 39.0 gr. (37.0 to 39.0 gr.) IMR 3031, LC Match, Fed 210 Primer
168 gr. SMK, 39.0 gr. (38.5 to 40.5 gr.) IMR 4895, LC Match, Fed 210 Primer
168 gr. SMK, 40.5 gr. (38.5 to 40.5 gr.) IMR 4895, LC Match, Fed 210 Primer
168 gr. SMK, 40.0 gr. (38.0 to 40.0 gr.) H-4895, LC Match, Fed 210 Primer
168 gr. SMK, 40.0 gr. (39.5 to 41.5 gr.) IMR 4064, LC Match, Fed 210 Primer168 grain Sierra Matchking (or any comparable 168 grain match bullet)
168 gr. SMK, 43.0 gr. (41.0 to 43.0 gr.) Win 748, LC Match, Fed 210 Primer


Below the number to the right of the powder is the FPS change for each degree of temp change.

Example the military switched from RL15 at at 1.52 to IMR-4064 at 0.45 for their long range 7.62 sniper ammo.
https://i.imgur.com/33XPgx3.jpg

[Zero333]

43 gr Varget

41 gr H-4895

These are mild loads.

[DanSavage]

Varget.

[yobuck]

4320 cause it's about like 4064 but measures easier. Same in 06s, 280, 270.

[Texas10]

I have a load that is 41.1 grains of IMR4831 and 168 HPBT that will shoot very tiny groups. Tune the jump for best results in YOUR gun. I shoot it at 300 yds and under as its a fairly mild load. Your powder lot will of course be slightly different so your powder charge may not be exactly the same. This is out of a 26 in, 1/10 twist factory Savage barrel.

[Zero333]

I have a load that is 41.1 grains of IMR4831 and 168 HPBT that will shoot very tiny groups. Tune the jump for best results in YOUR gun. I shoot it at 300 yds and under as its a fairly mild load. Your powder lot will of course be slightly different so your powder charge may not be exactly the same. This is out of a 26 in, 1/10 twist factory Savage barrel.

41.1 gr of IMR-4831 is not ideal for the 308win.

One would need closer to 50 gr of IMR-4831 to generate 55,000 psi. And IMR-4831 is a bit bulky making 50 gr barely fit in a 308win case.

Maybe you were thinking of IMR-4895 ??? Would make more sense.

[Stumpkiller]

I use 4831 from anutter brutter (H4831 instead of IMR) in a 308 Win based case (260 Rem) and it doesn't wake up until I get to loads that "crunch" when seated. I'm using 45.5 gr behind (& beside!) a 140 gr bullet.

That's just shy of 59,000 PSI according to Hodgdon.

I have a box of 156 gr./.264" Norma that I want to play with in that powder as well. It likes the heavies in medium bore cartridges (like the 220 gr in a .30-06). Just doesn't seem to be happy in a .308 Win.

But accurate loads may not be the highest velocity or the most efficient.

[eldos]

168 A-Max with Varget makes a very predictable rifle.

Good cartridge guide
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/308win/

[bearcatrp]

What is the rifle specs? If its a 24 inch barrel and 1:10 twist, you can use heavier bullets to buck the wind. 168 A-Max is a good round for target shooting, not for hunting. Varget is great for long barrels. If its under 20 inches, try 8208 XBR. Great stuff for short barrels. My savage 10T 308 loves 178 ELD-X and varget. But my 12.5 inch barreled 308 AR works great with 8208 and 168 A-Max bullets.

[Bunky-Shooter]

With the 308 win. Varget has always shot really nice groups in my rifle. With 168gr. Nosler Custom Comp. bthp my accurate node is 45.5gr. a little bit above max./ 45 is max. on
Hodgdon Reloading site. Good starting point would be 43grains and work your way up slowly.. IN my rifles 30-06, 308, and 223 they have all
shot there best at near or max. loads. When getting close to max. make sure to check for pressure signs and follow your reloading manual..

[Gunnie]

Of the four rifles chambered for 308W, my Savage LE10fp Tac is the most accurate. I reload with 168gn BTHP SMK over about 42gns of Australian powder Mulwex AR2206. I don't have my data on hand but that load rings a bell in the memory bank. The brass is Lapua & I'm using Federal & CCI primers.

This load out of the 20" barrel will put 3rds into 11mm group @100m if I do my part.

Unfortunately AR2206 isn't produced anymore & has been replaced with AR2206H. I'm on my last 500gm bottle of 06 & then I'll have to rework the load for 06H.

The Mulwex/ADI powders are designed to be very temperature stable, in part due to the widely ranging extremes here in Australia. I believe our powders are marketed over in the USA under the Hogden brand name. Google powder comparisons & you should find out what the equal Hogden powder is.

A lot of shooters here also swear by AR2208 as the powder of choice, especially those running longer barrels in their 308's.