Best powder for both .223 and .308?

[C-130 Dude]

In an effort to keep things simple and cheap I'm going to try to find a powder that will work in my AR, .223 Savage and my newest .308 F-class build. I've been using Hodgons Benchmark in both my .223's with great success. I developed a load that will shoot excellent in both rifles out to 600 yards. Now with the addition of the .308 I will need a new powder because benchmark, to my knowledge, isn't suitable for 155gr - 175gr bullets in the .308. What ever powder I buy I'm going to buy it in an 8 pound canister so that the lot is the same and it's such a pain in the butt to find a powder source around here.

So the question is what is the best powder for both the .223's and .308, will handle heavier bullets in .308, and will get me the velocity needed to push the large pills out to 1000 yards?

From what research I've done, BL-C(2) and Varget will work but I'm not sure about BL-C(2)'s ability to get the velocity I need in the .308. I like the idea of using BL-C(2) because it's a ball powder and it meters extremely well. My RCBS powder measure doesn't like Varget at all. It catches and makes reloading difficult plus it is temp sensitive from my experiences with it.

Let me know what you guys think

Thanks in advance,

Dennis

Your problem may end up being you want the same powder for the "heavy" 308. This is going to require a slower powder than the 223 can eat. Imr4064 and R15 are always good choices. Blc2 is nice for 168s. But if you want heavy 308, well...Even if you are using heavy 77s for 223, using that same powder may be a compromise for a heavy 308. I see compromise here.

 

[gohring3006]

Accurate 2460
Shows pretty good temp stability on the chart and the burn rate seems in a good place to cover both cartridges well.

 

[Reelamin]

BLC2

 

[C-130 Dude]

Accurate 2460
Shows pretty good temp stability on the chart and the burn rate seems in a good place to cover both cartridges well.

I forgot that one, sorry. Haven't used it in a while though. Could be a good one.

 

[436]

I'd think RL15... depending on bullet weight(s) in the .223 Rem, seems to work a little better with heavier bullets in the .223 Rem. Just my .02 Cheers

 

[C-130 Dude]

I'd think RL15... depending on bullet weight(s) in the .223 Rem, seems to work a little better with heavier bullets in the .223 Rem. Just my .02 Cheers

Yup. But it's an option.

 

[GrayCreed]

How bout aliant 2000-MR?

 

[C-130 Dude]

How bout aliant 2000-MR?

Never tried it but it looks like it is in the same speed ballpark. Try it. Why not? May be a great one for you. If you can find it.......

 

[436]

Yup. But it's an option.

Yeah... it (RL15) has always been one of those powders that have always worked with both my F-class .223 and .308 cartridges, the .223 with the 80gr. Mk and the .308 with the 175gr Mk, the Mk load in .308 was the clone of the M118LR OTM and Federal Gold Match, I could pretty much shoot all three of the .308 loading, aforementioned, into the same group without adjustment due to POI change. Other powders work, but... this one for me seemed to just shine. Cheers
Top .308

 

[C-130 Dude]

Yeah... it (RL15) has always been one of those powders that have always worked with both my F-class .223 and .308 cartridges, the .223 with the 80gr. Mk and the .308 with the 175gr Mk, the Mk load in .308 was the clone of the M118LR OTM and Federal Gold Match, I could pretty much shoot all three of the .308 loading, aforementioned, into the same group without adjustment due to POI change. Other powders work, but... this one for me seemed to just shine. Cheers
Top .308

View attachment 360792

View attachment 360793

I seem to bounce between I4064. H4350, and a couple of others. Availability dependant. What are you using for you 308 m118 loads?

 

[436]

I seem to bounce between I4064. H4350, and a couple of others. Availability dependant. What are you using for you 308 m118 loads?

Well brother, here you go.

M118LR Clone: .308 Win
175gr Sierra Mk
Lapua brass... optional
Case trim 2.09"
RL-17 (43.3grs)
Primer Federal 210 M Match back up is Russian Kvb-7
O.A.L in my rifle 2.285"
Vel's 2650 fps

Cheers.

 

[C-130 Dude]

Well brother, here you go.

M118LR Clone: .308 Win
175gr Sierra Mk
Lapua brass... optional
Case trim 2.09"
RL-17 (43.3grs)
Primer Federal 210 M Match back up is Russian Kvb-7
O.A.L in my rifle 3.260"
Vel's 2650 fps

Cheers.

Excellent! OAL is 3.260? Am I reading that right?

 

[436]

Excellent! OAL is 3.260? Am I reading that right?

No... good catch, don't know what I was thinking, that number is with the OAL gauge bullet comparartor which is 1.0" longer off the o-jive... it should be 2.285" off the meplat of the bullet, that's in my rifle anyway...sorry... the wife was buzzing around me.

 

[Tex LR]

In an effort to keep things simple and cheap I'm going to try to find a powder that will work in my AR, .223 Savage and my newest .308 F-class build. I've been using Hodgons Benchmark in both my .223's with great success. I developed a load that will shoot excellent in both rifles out to 600 yards. Now with the addition of the .308 I will need a new powder because benchmark, to my knowledge, isn't suitable for 155gr - 175gr bullets in the .308. What ever powder I buy I'm going to buy it in an 8 pound canister so that the lot is the same and it's such a pain in the butt to find a powder source around here.

So the question is what is the best powder for both the .223's and .308, will handle heavier bullets in .308, and will get me the velocity needed to push the large pills out to 1000 yards?

From what research I've done, BL-C(2) and Varget will work but I'm not sure about BL-C(2)'s ability to get the velocity I need in the .308. I like the idea of using BL-C(2) because it's a ball powder and it meters extremely well. My RCBS powder measure doesn't like Varget at all. It catches and makes reloading difficult plus it is temp sensitive from my experiences with it.

Let me know what you guys think

Thanks in advance,

Dennis