Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: jrebel on December 29, 2014, 05:15:52 PM

Title: .308 reloading questions
Post by: jrebel on December 29, 2014, 05:15:52 PM: Working up a load for .308 win and have some questions. Keep in mind I have never reloaded .308 so pardon my ignorance.

Barrel Length: 20"
Twist: 1:10
Bullet weight (I am trying first): 165 gr

So the question is?? Is H-4350 burn rate two slow for this set up? My books show load data for H-414 which has a similar burn rate, but not the H-4350. They also show a load data for IMR 4350 which again is really close to H-4350.

Does anyone use H-4350 for .308 win? If so what is your experience.

If H4350 is not a good choice, what is a better choice based on your experience?

Thanks

jrebel
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2014, 05:23:19 PM: Varget is a exellent powder for the .308 Winchester. It's a very stable powder, it meters well and it's temperature talerant which is a plus when you work up a load and you wish to shoot it in 100 degree weather as well as the colder fall hunting season weather.

H4350 has been a good accurate powder for me in 7x57, 300 WSM, .270 Win. H4350 & IMR 4350 are not close enough in burn rate to substitute one for the other.

I just looked through several reloading manuals Speer, Hornady and Nosler. None of them list a load using H4350 with the 165-168gr bullets for .308 Winchester.

With a 20" barrel I would be inclined to lean towards the faster burning powders or 100% plus on the load density Varget and Big Game will get you there along with RL-15 and IMR4350.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: HawkCreek on December 29, 2014, 05:43:15 PM: Nosler lists some load data for H4350 with a 165g BallisticTip. I burned through nearly a pound of it trying to get it to work but I couldn't get consistent groups with it. Some groups were just shy of MOA and others would be nearly 3 MOA, I'd get enough hope now and then to keep trying but eventually I gave up and went to 4064 and Varget and after switching things are much more consistent.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 29, 2014, 05:51:59 PM: IMR 4064 Has been my go to 308 powder for years. If you can find any, you might try some. I only run 165g plus bullets in my 308's.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2014, 05:58:38 PM: IMR 4064 has a huge " Cult " following with the long range competition guys shooting the .308 Winchester.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: BNAElkhntr on December 29, 2014, 06:02:31 PM: Lapua Brass 44.5 gr 4064 Fed gold medal match primers
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: motg9_6 on December 29, 2014, 06:10:16 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on December 29, 2014, 05:51:59 PM
IMR 4064 Has been my go to 308 powder for years. If you can find any, you might try some. I only run 165g plus bullets in my 308's.
Bi mart just got 100 pounds
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: mountainman on December 29, 2014, 06:14:53 PM: How are you liking that new toy Jrebel? What scope did you put on it??
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: jrebel on December 29, 2014, 06:25:32 PM: Quote from: mountainman on December 29, 2014, 06:14:53 PM
How are you liking that new toy Jrebel? What scope did you put on it??

Haven't shot it yet...but have had countless hours of fondeling it. I put a leupold 4.5 x 14 x 40mm on it. Just picked up some varget and will load tomorrow. Hopefully make it to the range next week.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: mountainman on December 29, 2014, 06:28:05 PM: Sure you will enjoy it buddy!
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 29, 2014, 06:28:37 PM: Great scope and a good powder, I've smoked allot of Rockchucks over the years with Varget powder in the .308 case sized cartridges. It shot super well in my .257 DGR.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 29, 2014, 06:29:23 PM: Quote from: motg9_6 on December 29, 2014, 06:10:16 PM
Quote from: carpsniperg2 on December 29, 2014, 05:51:59 PM
IMR 4064 Has been my go to 308 powder for years. If you can find any, you might try some. I only run 165g plus bullets in my 308's.
Bi mart just got 100 pounds

I have been seeing a little more powder now days. That's cool they have some in now. Sportsmans had several choices a couple weeks ago. Nice to see some sitting around.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: mountainman on December 29, 2014, 06:56:51 PM: We've been seeing that here also Carp. Jrebel, will let you know when I see some 4064 if you want?
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: lokidog on December 29, 2014, 08:04:38 PM: We used to use HR3031 I think for my ex's gun. I think I still have some powder around if you are interested in trying it.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: jrebel on December 29, 2014, 08:07:15 PM: Quote from: mountainman on December 29, 2014, 06:56:51 PM
We've been seeing that here also Carp. Jrebel, will let you know when I see some 4064 if you want?

That would be great....let me know.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: jrebel on December 29, 2014, 08:08:50 PM: Quote from: lokidog on December 29, 2014, 08:04:38 PM
We used to use HR3031 I think for my ex's gun. I think I still have some powder around if you are interested in trying it.

Thanks for the offer Lokidog.....I just bought 8 lbs of Varget so if it works as well as people say I think I will be good. If not the 4064 will be my next option. Thanks again though :tup:
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: Kittman on December 29, 2014, 10:05:39 PM: My .308 Win load is 43.5 grains of Win 748 for the Nosler moly 168 grain bullets.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: RadSav on December 29, 2014, 10:45:43 PM: My 165gr .308Win loads use 43 grains of Norma 202 (similar burn rate to H335). Running them through a 22" factory Winchester barrel. Not sure the speed, but they sure group great! I'd like to try some 748 one of these days. Just can never find any in stock when I'm looking.

Here is the burn rate chart I reference most -

http://www.lapua.com/upload/reloading/reloadingburningratechart2011.pdf (http://www.lapua.com/upload/reloading/reloadingburningratechart2011.pdf)
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: lokidog on December 29, 2014, 11:07:56 PM: Quote from: jrebel on December 29, 2014, 08:08:50 PM
Quote from: lokidog on December 29, 2014, 08:04:38 PM
We used to use HR3031 I think for my ex's gun. I think I still have some powder around if you are interested in trying it.

Thanks for the offer Lokidog.....I just bought 8 lbs of Varget so if it works as well as people say I think I will be good. If not the 4064 will be my next option. Thanks again though :tup:

No problem.
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: Jason on December 30, 2014, 08:50:59 PM: I had a hell of a time with Varget in my Rem 788 308win. I did find RL15 to fill that void :tup:
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 30, 2014, 08:58:18 PM: Quote from: Jason on December 30, 2014, 08:50:59 PM
I had a hell of a time with Varget in my Rem 788 308win. I did find RL15 to fill that void :tup:

788's are way cool. 8)
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: packmule on December 31, 2014, 07:54:54 AM: I've had great luck with IMR4064, RL15, and BLC(2) in my 308. The 4064 loads seem to be the most consistently accurate but the RL15 loads provide more velocity and still are plenty accurate. Good luck!
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: Mike450r on December 31, 2014, 12:14:28 PM: 44gr of Varget works nicely for me with 165 gr partition
Title: Re: .308 reloading questions
Post by: Fl0und3rz on December 31, 2014, 12:55:01 PM: Quote from: Mike450r on December 31, 2014, 12:14:28 PM
44gr of Varget works nicely for me with 165 gr partition

You stole my load.