Best Powder for Reloading .308 - What Do You Recommend?

General
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Seeking the Perfect Powder for .308 Reloading

I’m diving into reloading .308 cartridges and would love to tap into the collective wisdom of this community. As many of you know, choosing the right powder can make a significant difference in terms of accuracy and performance.

What I’m Looking For

I’ve been doing some research, but with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming! Here are a few specific things I’m hoping to learn:

  • Best powders for different bullet weights: I’ve read that certain powders work better with specific weights. Any recommendations?
  • Consistency and accuracy: Which powders have you noticed provide the best performance on the range? Any personal experiences?
  • Recommended loads: If you could share your favorite load recipes, I’d greatly appreciate it. It would really help me get started.

A Few Powders I’ve Considered

I’ve come across some names like Varget, IMR 4064, and H4895, but I’m not sure how they stack up regarding what I need.

  • Varget: Good for both lightweight and heavyweight bullets?
  • IMR 4064: I’ve seen some users swear by it.
  • H4895: Is it really versatile as they say?

Conclusion

I’m really eager to hear your experiences. Let’s create a little repository of knowledge here about the best practices for powder selection for .308 reloading. Your input would be invaluable as I start to experiment on my own!

Thank you all in advance for sharing your insights! Looking forward to your replies.

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For .308 reloading, I highly recommend Varget for both target shooting and hunting. It offers excellent accuracy and works well with a variety of bullet weights.

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I’ve had great success with H4895 too! It’s really versatile and great for lighter bullets.

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How do you guys feel about Reloader 15? I hear it’s good for both medium and heavier bullets, plus it burns clean!

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Reloader 15 is solid! I like it for hunting, but it can be a bit temperature sensitive.

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I prefer IMR 4064 for my target loads. It gives me consistent results and I love the tight groups!

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I’ve heard that IMR can produce great results. Is there a specific bullet weight you recommend with it?

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For IMR 4064, I generally use 168 gr bullets. It really shines there and gives fantastic results for precision shooting.

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I like trying to find the best combinations. Any thoughts on Winchester 748? Looks interesting for lighter loads.

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Winchester 748 is a decent choice for varmint loads. Just don’t expect amazing accuracy in long-range shooting.

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Humor aside, what’s everyone using for a walking around load? Something that’s effective yet won’t blow your budget?

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If you want a budget option, check out Hodgdon’s Varget. It’s good for practice rounds!

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Reflecting on everyone’s comments, consistency seems to be the key. I like to experiment, but it’s good to stick with tried-and-true powders.

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I agree with the need for consistency. Anyone ever tried blending powders? Is it safe to do that with .308 loads?

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I’m new to reloading .308 and looking for advice too. I’ve heard Varget is a popular choice for powder. Anyone have feedback on that?

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Varget is indeed great! It meters well and produces consistent velocities. It’s a solid all-rounder for .308.

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Don’t forget to measure your charges accurately! A good digital scale makes a huge difference. Accidental overloading can ruin your day.

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I usually use H4895. It’s versatile and provides excellent accuracy. Also, I like to fine-tune loads with a chronograph for best results.

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That sounds smart! What kind of chronograph do you recommend, robert46?

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I use the Magnetospeed V3. It’s easy to set up and gives reliable readings. Just watch out for interference if you’re shooting in a covered range.