Reloading for .308

[Lonestar grips.]

Originally Posted by Gatorade

I have heard a lot about Varget for the .308. Is that a good all round .308 powder?

yes, as I mentioned above Varget is a great powder for the 308. I also use it in my 222rem, 22-250 and 25-06 and get great accuracy. it will also work for many other calibers such as the 223.

while I prefer simplifying and having one or two powders for all my rifles it is best at first to try several kinds. that way you can see what your rifle/rifles like and then stock up on that powder.

buying #8 of powder that your rifle doesn't like isn't a great idea.

[AFJuvat]

Varget is a great all around powder, it works from 5.56 - 30-06 (just not for M1 Garands).

H335 and BL-C(2) were the original powders for the 5.56 and 7.62x51.

[Grizzman]

I also use Varget for .308, 30-06 (it is suitable for the M1) and 5.56 with great results. It seems more available in 8 pound containers than others, at least in Kansas. They haven't been mentioned yet, but in addition to the above, IMR 4064 and 4350 have been used for the .308 for decades.

I use CCI primers, but would have no reservations with using Winchesters instead.

My primary bullet choice is the Hornady 168 grain A-Max. It has a good BC, flies like a match bullet (because it is) and expands reliably enough for use on big game (and 2 legged vermin). This gives me one load that will do pretty much anything besides dispatch extra tough big game, but I've got other calibers for that.

The SMK is the gold standard, but it's sorta a one trick pony. The Swift Scirocco, Nosler Ballistic Tip (though a bit fragile for Elk/Moose), Accubond, and Partition, as well as the various Hornady Interlocks all have great reputations for hunting use.

[DrHenley]

Varget is an excellent powder for a number of applications. It is my go-to powder in 223 and 7mm-08. It was good in 308, but Reloder-15 was great with 150 grain bullets.

The one thing Varget has over Reloder-15 is that it is less temperature sensitive.