308 Powder Choice - 155/165

[waldo9190]

About to pull the trigger on a 308 Tikka, curious what everyone's go-to powders are for 155 and 165/168 projectiles. Going to start with the 155 Scenar and the 165 Gamechanger OR the 168 TMK. Ideally I'd just buy a jug of Varget but I haven't seen that at my LGS in many moons. They do have a steady supply of Tac so was planning on starting with that, then 4064 if I can find some available.

Also, no prior experience with any of the Accurate powders but 2520 and 2460 seem to be relatively temp stable based on the charts I've seen.

Thanks.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

Varget, aa2520, w748, blc-2, h4895, 8208, 4064. First three I’ve had good success with.

 

[DRT Fred]

AA2520 is my absolute go-to. 150’s to 180’s through an old Mossberg 800a and I’m getting 1/2” groups no problem.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I use IMR 3031 for 150s and IMR 4895 for 180 NP...Probably better options these days but I have plenty of these 2 on hand and haven't seen a need to change as I get 1/2" groups.

 

[CanyonHunter]

8208 xbr gave me the best accuracy and velocity, rl15 is good if you can find any. Also blc2 was really accurate but had terrible velocity.

 

[Huntr]

Varget has always worked for me in my 308/155gr Scenars.

 

[Buck300]

Varget works great in the 308

 

[FLS]

TAC is a great powder. I’ve shot a ton of it under 77 SMKs out of my .223s.
8208 XBR is better in my 308s and has become my go to powder with 165 TGKs and SGKs.

 

[robtattoo]

CFE223 for speed with 150/155s. Works perfectly with Accubonds. 4064 & Norma 202 are my go to powders for bulk/hog hunting with 150 Hornadys for a cheap, reliable option.

 

[MTtrout]

Varget with 150s. Never had a reason to try anything else in my Tikka .308

 

[49ereric]

Long time user of 748. I load for colder weather-deer season and don’t shoot on hot summer days or pressures jump up.
lot of people choose a modern powder that is not temp sensitive.

 

[vonb]

Imr4064, RL15 and Varget is what seems to work best.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Varget, h4350

 

[DB Cooper]

My top 3: IMR 4895, IMR 4064, Varget............but I use the 4895 most of the time.....

 

[Brent]

AR-Comp is working well with 168s Classic Hunters for me right now. Varget is my back up.

 

[Kindo]

Been playing with 4064 and TAC lately in my 16" .308 with 165 TGK, 168 TMK and 178 ELD-X. The 4064 seems to be more finicky and shows pressure signs at lower charge weights and TAC seems to be most consistent and hasn't shown a single pressure sign yet leading up to a second higher velocity node. I've heard TAC can be temp sensitive so I'll be testing that in the coming months.

I'm also getting sooty necks on my lower charges of 4064 but I'll go up .2-.4gr and I'm significantly increasing pressure signs then.

 

[Parker15]

Varget

 

[BHanson]

IMR 4064 and AR-Comp with 150gr Hornady BTSP

 

[hicountry1]

Varget for me

 

[Jstanley79]

If you can find them, then Varget and 8208XBR work great. H4895 may be a tag to fast, but may work.