Powder Options for .308 Win

So, I've got a great load for my 308 using 168 Amax and IMR4350. It shoots close to 1 hole 5 shot groups at 100, and the groups hold together well out to 800 yards. But that IMR4350 is wearing me out on temp stability, or rather the lack thereof. Looking at my DOPE sheets at 500 yards I've shot anywhere from 2.8 to 3.9 MILS over the last year as the temps ranged from about 45 degrees to the upper 90's. So I'm looking for something that will perform well in the .308 and is more temp stable. Besides IMR-4350 I currently use Varget, H4831SC, H4350, H414, and Retumbo in various rifles. I'm not stuck on any of those, but it would be nice to use something I already have. And I'd like to keep my velocity up to 2600+ using a 24 inch 5R barrel. What sayeth the collective THF wisdom?

4-5 people will be along shortly to tell you Varget.

I've never tried 4350 with 308. If IMR is working, H4350 is same burn rate but temp stable. Of course Varget is always an excellent choice. 4831 has to be too slow.

168 A-Max, 45.0 to 46.0 gr. of H-Varget

Varget or 8208

Yes, 100% Varget, since you already have it. But why did you go with IMR 4350 in the 308 to begin with? That powder is WAY too slow for that round. With 4350, you should only get about 46, maybe 47 grains of powder in there before you have a very compressed load. Even at these higher powder charges, you are generating lower pressure about 47K psi and about 2550 fps, with about 91%-92% burn rate. It's not the right powder for a 308 Win.

Also, your variation on your elevation correction at 500 from 2.9 to 3.8 mils is A LOT!!! At 2550 fps with a 168 A-max, you should be right at 3.8 mils with a 100 yard zero. Even when I bump up the speeds to well over 2700 fps, I get a 3.1 mil come up, which is still .2 mils short of your data. I don't think that's the powder. It sounds more like a zero shift, or the round not being zero'd to start. Yes, IMR 4350 will be a little temp sensitive, of about .8 to 1 fps per degree. From 45 degrees to 90 degrees, you should only gain/lose about 45 fps. So, something else is going on. Another thing with a heavily compressed powder charge with 4350 is the bullet pushing out. I have loaded some personal ammo with a light neck tension on a compressed load, and the powder push the bullet out after it sits for a few days or months. When the bullet gets pushed out and you chamber it, the bullet will jam into the lands, changing up your pressures and could cause a change your POI or zero. So, there's lots of things happening with this load of 4350.

Varget for me

Not a .308 guy, but if I was I'd consider H4895 also.

If you want to stay with powders on hand then it’s Varget no doubt.
As RR said H 4895 along with N150 are two of the best and for just plain old speed go with 2000MR

Imr 4064 is a real good powder but is temp sensitive.

Totally new to reloading and started with varget. Can't say if there are better but it worked pretty good so far for me in various temps just like others have mentioned and I used 168 sierra and hornady bthp. Gonna use the same powder with the 178gr LEDs hoping for equivalent results out to 400yds.

Got loads worked up using Varget, and low and behold some CFE223 showed up at the local gun shop so I snagged a pound of it just to try. Hopefully this darn wind will lay tomorrow or Wednesday and I can get in some range time after work.

Chad, good catch on the zero shift. I was looking at the raw data and had completely forgotten about that little fubar. Had some Vortex Tactical rings that weren't holding and ended up replacing them with Seekins. I did have a note on the bottom of my DOPE sheet about it but of course I didn't look down there when I typed up the numbers.

Varget......and yes 44 to 46 grains on the 168's (Nosler BT's for me). My accuracy node is 44.5.
You have to hand weigh your charges though.
If you want to load in a progressive press and spot check every 10th round or so BLC2 meters well and works very well in 308.

One of my favorite powders is becoming 8208. I find it more consistent than TAC and it meters just as well.