Temp insensitive powder for 308

[TimberHunter]

Varget has been difficult to find, what are good second choice powders that are temp insensitive? Load development will be done in weather ranging from 55-80 degrees. Hunting will be done from 10-60 degrees.

Locally I’m able to find BLC2 (have 2 lbs that I haven’t tried or used) and RL-15 (have 1 lbs I haven’t used)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JimGa]

4064 isn't as good as Varget, but I believe it's better than rl15.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

8208XBR

 

[TimberHunter]

Thanks guys. I’ve read mixed reviews about RL-15 being sensitive to temp... for hunting applications is it sensitive to the point its effecting hunting out to 500 yards?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JimGa]

On the rl15, probably not, but if I used it, I would make sure I got dope as close to the temperature you will most likely be hunting in. I've seen rl17 shoot one hole groups at 90 degrees and patterns at 50 degrees and below, in 260, 7-08 and 308. Maybe I just got a bad lot, but I won't touch it anymore.

 

[tdot]

8208XBR and H4895 have both been very good to me with lighter bullets.

I have some RL16 on order to try. It is supposed to be much more temp stable the RL15.

 

[wind gypsy]

8208XBR and H4895 have both been very good to me with lighter bullets.

I have some RL16 on order to try. It is supposed to be much more temp stable the RL15.

I believe AR-comp is more comparable to RL15 burn rate but more temp stable.

RL16 is closer to RL17 and H4350 burn rates and might be on the slow side in a 308 unless shooting heavier bullets.

For the OP, I’d look at benchmark, 8208xbr, imr4166, h4895, and varget.

 

[TimberHunter]

I believe AR-comp is more comparable to RL15 burn rate but more temp stable.

RL16 is closer to RL17 and H4350 burn rates and might be on the slow side in a 308 unless shooting heavier bullets.

For the OP, I’d look at benchmark, 8208xbr, imr4166, h4895, and varget.

Thanks for the info. 8208 and Varget have been tricky to find. I’ll keep my eye out for 4166 and 4895. What’s tour thoughts on IMR 4064? From the temp sensitivity charts I found, it seems to be just above Varget but on par with other Hodgdon extreme powders


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[J&A Outdoors]

Hodgdon benchmark would be a good choice!

 

[Rob5589]

I used 2000mr in mine from the 50's to 100 or so with no issue. Great short barrel powder as well.

 

[tdot]

I believe AR-comp is more comparable to RL15 burn rate but more temp stable.

RL16 is closer to RL17 and H4350 burn rates and might be on the slow side in a 308 unless shooting heavier bullets.

For the OP, I’d look at benchmark, 8208xbr, imr4166, h4895, and varget.

I haven't tested RL16, so didnt comment on burn rate, only compared it to RL15 temp stability, sorry if other correlations were drawn. It does seem like it may be slightly faster then H4350, so I'm trying it in a few chamberings where I want a temp stable powder between Varget and H4350.

Have you tested anything with IMR4166? Happy with results?

 

[TimberHunter]

Ended up with getting two lbs of IMR 4064 so I’ll give that a try and save my half bottle of Varget


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[freddyG]

Thanks for the info. 8208 and Varget have been tricky to find. I’ll keep my eye out for 4166 and 4895. What’s tour thoughts on IMR 4064? From the temp sensitivity charts I found, it seems to be just above Varget but on par with other Hodgdon extreme powders


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

imr 4064 is pretty good for being temp stable. It’s the powder I use most. Not as good as H4350(which is the best IME), but better than Varget in a 308.

 

[MidGAHunter]

imr 4064 is pretty good for being temp stable. It’s the powder I use most. Not as good as H4350(which is the best IME), but better than Varget in a 308.

This is interesting. I have found 4064 to be more temperature sensitive than Varget. Both are very accurate in my .308s though. Never tried 4350 in my .308s...

 

[freddyG]

4350 in 308 doesn’t work good. The problem with Varget is that it’s temp stable up to a certain temp, and when it gets hot, all bets are off. It’s not a flat curve at all.

 

[Wyatt.Carter]

Take a look at the IMR enduron powders , they've worked awesome for me!

 

[dkime]

Like others have said 8208XBR and 4895 for me

 

[Newtosavage]

8208XBR

Been my go-to for several years now. Just about through my first 8 lb. jug, and when I finish it, I'll buy another. Not finicky, very predictable, very accurate and mild-mannered and handles temps like a champ.

 

[FLS]

8208 and H4895 work really well in the 308. Both are very temp stable.
8208 give me the best accuracy with good speed and low SDs with 165 Sierras and Noslers over 8208 in my 308.
Varget is the top heavy bullet powder.