Which powder? .308 175gr loads

[TexMex247]

I finally got back into reloading for the 308. Feels like it's been over a year. I'm currently working with 175gr SMKs for a bolt action 20" rifle as well as an 18" gasser. I also have some 180s on hand. Turns out I could find both easier than 168s at least for what I was willing to pay(35cpb). In the past I had a lights out sub moa load using RL 15 and the 175s, however, my stockpile has dwindled and I'm seeking an alternate.

Among my top choices are TAC, AA4064, BLC2, 2000mr. I have several alternates but only these 4 in sufficient quantities to batch out over 500. I already loaded my first rounds with TAC and honestly I hope it can rival the RL15 load. IMR4064 was a close second in the past and AA4064 falls right between the two so I have high expectations for it. I have no idea if BLC2 can do any better or 2000mr.

It would be perfect if one of these powders gave me the correct pressure to run the gas gun well without beating the brass to death. I'm also not trying to push these past 600 yards so they really won't need to run full throttle as far as MV. Before I go burn up a bunch of powder, I wouldn't mind some advice or first hand knowledge. TIA

 

[TxStetson]

BLC2 works pretty well for 308. Thats what I used when I first started reloading 308. Then a buddy gave me a pound of Varget to try out and that’s all I use now. I have no experience with the others you listed.

 

[country_boy]

My Remington police rifle loves varget and 175 pills.

Imr4064 I was told is the same as varget, BUT it’s not temperature stable. Hence why hodgdon has their varget label.

 

[TexMex247]

Well the thing is, I have a pound and a half of varget, 2 or 3 of IMR 4064, a pound of w748. I'm just don't want to get into load development just to start over after I crank out a few hundred. If I can make any of these work I can make over 1000 before I have to worry about a powder change. Honestly I would stick with reloader 15 if it wasn't so scarce. The only places I've seen it available were priced over $60/lb and that's just ridiculous.

 

[Deavis]

Of the choices, for me, BLC2 and then TAC.

 

[xkon]

I'm actually in the process of the same thing right now. Just processed and primed all my 308 brass. Have a bunch of 175 gr factory seconds (look like SMK) that I will be loading up. Have some varget that I will be using but don't have the load worked out yet. Will be loaded a few rounds to test out this weekend.

 

[Eastexasrick]

My Remington police rifle loves varget and 175 pills.

Imr4064 I was told is the same as varget, BUT it’s not temperature stable. Hence why hodgdon has their varget label.

I was told similar by a factory rep. IMR4064 and Varget, same base, but temperature stabilization for Varget .
IMR4064 has a solid track record, it was introduced long before temperature stabilizing in nitrocellulose powders was a possibility. I have been using it for 25-06 and 308, 150 to 175 gr. bullets, with excellent results, for a long time. If it goes away, Varget is the obvious alternative.

 

[TexMex247]

I actually gained a little headway a few weekends back. I had pretty good performance from some BLC2 loads. I had over charged the TAC rounds and had to pull them. Blew primers in 2 and decided it was enough. I'll get back out this weekend and retest. I'll post targets and update this thread when I do.

 

[wbblazer90]

H110 and fill that bastard to the rim!! …Joking, though I know a few of you out there do that.

 

[TexMex247]

So I went out to test a few loads with TAC and BLC2 again. Probably on the windiest Saturday of the damn year. I believe it was forecasted as 45 degrees with 10 mph sustained winds and over 20 mph gusts. I can tell it gave me a few fliers which I know I pulled but overall decent stuff. Most all groups were hovering at an inch. A few show 4 shots but there were indeed 5. A couple same holers.

Anyhow the BLC2 once again shined, but to my surprise some 168gr Speer bullets did great over some imr4064. The TAC pushes the 175s just a little faster than I'd like to see even at my lowest charges. It grouped ok but I got better SDs with TAC using standard primers. I'm going to bump it down a touch and retest in a few weeks. The BLC2 targets were pretty consistent at 44.6 and 44.8gr and magnum primers with an avg velocity if 2533 and 2542 fps respectively. SDs of 13 and 11. Those were loaded with once fired pmc brass and fed215s.

Anyhow here are some targets. Considering my numb right thumb and the ridiculous winds I was pretty satisfied. Next go will be with the slightly reduced TAC loads. This weekend I'm looking to fine tune these BLC2 loads with a 210M vs 215M SxS comparison. Looking at 2 accuracy nodes I think I've found at 44.2 and 44.9 just to see if a little tweaking pays dividends. Also retesting the previous 2 just to see if better conditions deliver better groups.

 

[Niv]

Everyone says TAC, but its very temp sensitive. IMR 8202 XBR, AR Comp, and Varget are not temp sensitive, and perform just as well. For heavier bullets, try AR-Comp and Varget

 

[TexMex247]

I saw some swings with my BLC2 loads that surprised me but maybe the PMC brass has more case volume than FC. It's the only thing I changed. My last session was nothing to write home about. I need to prep a bunch of PMC brass to standardize. I'm going to give TAC another shot here in a couple weeks.

 

[smittyb]

I’d say 8208 would be the ticket here, but of the choices listed I would think Tac. Of course I have no experience with BLC2, so?

 

[paknheat]

Not on the op’s list, but I’m going to try some of the new Winchester Staball brand powder called match.

It’s a bit slower than Varget on the burn rate chart but labeled for .308 & .223 cartridges.

Supposed to be temperature insensitive also.


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[TexMex247]

BLC2 grouped pretty well with 175s. I bought some 168 SMKs to try out soon. I really want to make TAC work before I consider some horse trading but I have several 8 pounders. The AA4064 falls between RL15 and imr4064 so it should be a good performer. I've been dragging my feet about cracking open an 8 pounder.