16" 308 powder?

tacks

FNG
Joined
Mar 21, 2025
Messages
40
As my Tikka is coming together and I am looking for powder recommendations? The barrel is 16.5" fluted and threaded. Waiting on a Scythe TI for it and a Blacktooth stock.

Not wanting to blow up the TI, planning 150 grain max bullets, 125 or so on the lite end. Not looking for max speeds, just good powder burn.

Thanks
 
Varget. In my 20" ctr, I use 8208xbr and it woke it up. I get faster velo in my 20" when compared to my T3 lite, and it's not compressed like varget.
 
I don’t know if there is a best. 308s are easy to load for.
Benchmark is great for 125s and one of the cleanest powders I’ve ever shot.
H4895 and 8208 would be tied for a very close second. Both are available now.
Varget is the easy button usually works for about everything in a 308.
N140 has been available locally and is very good also. VV powder used to be the most expensive. Not so anymore. Great 223 Powder as well.
 
I used Benchmark last season for a 138gn bullet and was pleased with the performance out of am 18” barrel.
 
I usually load 4895 for my 308. I ask because of the shorter barrel (16") and I plan to shoot only with a can. It has the 10" twist and my goal is 300 yard max. Maybe the 124 Hammers. What will get burned up and not in the can? So slower or faster powder?
 
If your using hammers or mono's, velo is your best friend. 8208xbr ran them faster than Varget. But yes I use both. Prob is getting enough varget in the case.
 
Trying to understand this...... Burn rates fast to slow. Benchmark, 8208xbr, H4895 then Varget

So with 16" of barrel and suppressor would not Benchmark be the best or are the speeds close enough to not matter?

I am not looking for the fast muzzle velocity. I am looking for less recoil. Hoping to shoot this with my grand kids.
 
I'm not a reloading expert by any means, but here's my best shot at explaining my understanding of this:

Any of those powders with a light bullet is better than any of those powders with a heavy bullet, in terms of recoil and kids. Without getting into the details, heavier bullets just cause more recoil.

Benchmark and something in the 150gr range for bullets is essentially going to be the most efficient at getting you up to acceptable velocities, with the least amount of muzzle blast, as the powder will burn more completely in a shorter barrel. The slower the burn of a given powder with a light bullet, the more fuel will still be burning when the bullet exits, especially in a shorter barrel. Heavier bullets have a slightly higher dwell time in a bore, and that gives slower burning powders a bit more time to transfer their energy to the bullet and combust more fully - especially in a longer barrel. But you can't just chase efficient burn by putting faster and faster powders behind a given bullet, because you'll hit a tipping point of the pressures spiking too high. You're looking to find the sweet spot in balancing out the intent of the round, with the preferred bullet, velocity, and available powders.

The thing is though, just about any of the powders you mentioned will do fine, especially with a suppressor on the barrel. It's not necessary to chase perfection. Go with the powder that makes the most sense, in terms of availability, cost, and what you want to get out of the load. In truth, ensuring your grandkids have the stock firmly against their shoulders, with their bodies aligned to not collapse from that recoil, will do more to "mitigate recoil" and their perception of it than the difference between a 150gr bullet over Benchmark vs a 165gr bullet over Varget.
 
I would suggest H4895, A2520 or IMR 4895. I have used all of those (currently use A2520 with excellent accuracy out of my CZ 308, M1A and M1 Garand (CMP Converted 308)).
 
Back
Top