What powders for 308

gethuntin

gethuntin

Member
I would like to know what powder is good for 150 grain SST's in 308, looking for decent speed and accuracy, Actually hoping for about 2900 fps.Will varget be a candidate for this speed?
 
2900fps w/a 150gr bullet is kinda askin' a lot of the 308. Varget may require a compressed load to achieve it in a 24" or longer barrel. I think IMR4895 or R-15 may be a bit better, pressure wise. Even they will require a stout load, for sure. I have found 4895 to be excellent, accuracy wise, with 150's, and no slouch in velocity either. Varget seems to do better with the 165-180gr bullets......
 
You can push a 150gr pill to 2900 right at the max load of almost all .308 powders. IMR4064 will touch 2900 w/ 48gns but the lower 46.7 - 47gn loads are more accurate for me going around 2840-2870fps from a 24" tube. Varget will get it done also with more compress. Take a look at the Nosler 155grn match. I can actually fire those faster than the hornady or sierra 150's....I don't know why???????
 
I don't know about velocity, because I don't own a chronograph, but I've got good accuracy with AA2230 and 150 grain NBT.
Jazzball
 
Yep, you are talking max loads in a lot of rifles. Since he did not say what he was shooting, I was a little hesitant to offer up any really hot loads. 4064 and BLC-2 also came to mind. I personally have not found any of the maxed out loads to be best for accuracy in the 308.......
 
If you want velocity, I would try the Barnes tipped TSX in 130gr. You will get much higher velocities with a much better/tougher bullet. BC is not as good, but velocity will make up for that at reasonable ranges........
 
Quote:
If you want velocity, I would try the Barnes tipped TSX in 130gr. You will get much higher velocities with a much better/tougher bullet. BC is not as good, but velocity will make up for that at reasonable ranges........




I guess one of the reasons i want speed and the SST is the BC to get it a little flatter shooting, i know it wont make a world of difference but it would be nice to try and get it into that range,
i know some may say i should have gotten the 30-06 but i dont need two and i have been intrigued by the 308 for a while and it seems to be a very efficient cartridge, alot of the ballistics charts has the 150 grains SST's around 2900 fps just a touch slower than the 06,
 
It won't be any flatter shooting than the 130gr until it gets way out there.

The SST is no elk bullet, for sure. I would go with the Interbond or Accubond if elk is in the plans......
 
Quote:
It won't be any flatter shooting than the 130gr until it gets way out there.

The SST is no elk bullet, for sure. I would go with the Interbond or Accubond is elk is in the plans......



I agree 100% with both those statements.

Mike
 
me too /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif those tsx's are spendy though but maybe worth a try .. but eah i would go to a bonded bullet for elk and most likely bump up to 165's
 
A 150gr TSX will drop elk all day long. Only reason I know, is because a bud does it with 140gr 7mm-08 TSX's. They are supremely tough and deep penetrating. You could just use them for everything and be done with it......
 
Quote:
If you want velocity, I would try the Barnes tipped TSX in 130gr. You will get much higher velocities with a much better/tougher bullet. BC is not as good, but velocity will make up for that at reasonable ranges........




Ditto. I shoot this in my Savage Striker, chambered in
308 Win. It has a 14" barrel, and with a stout load of
W-748 the load chronographs at 2800 fps MV+15'. I had
no problem reaching 2900 fps, with the 150 gr. bullets I
loaded for my BAR, also in 308 Win, with a 20" barrel.
The 150 gr. bullets I tried were a Hornady SP, Barnes
XBT, and Barnes TSX. Find faster burn rate powders, that
shoot well in your 308, and you might be surprised what
the 308 Win will do.

Squeeze
 
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