So many powder choices...

[b.faust]

So after months of reading/research I took advantage of some Christmas sales and got an RCBS RCS kit, as well as some other accessories (Hornaday electronic scale, nice expensive Calipers, trimer, etc etc)

Now I'm about to buy my first components to reload.
I'm going to start with reloading for my Noveske AR-10 first.
I've found it likes 168 grain HPBT the best, so that's the first part of my plan.
So I know my bullet type to start with. (or at least what I want)

CCI #34 large military primers (the manuals and various forums mention the harder primers are safer for semi-auto. Correct me if I'm wrong here)

I've got a lot of spare Winchester brass already laying around and more on the way.

Now..Powder.
I know I'm poking a hornets nest here, it seems like everyone has "the one" or warnings about how other powders will eff up your gun, etc.
I'm having a bit of data overload here. I'm just starting out with this. I don't expect to be making super accurate rounds for my first few batches, I just want them to work and be safe while I learn.
I hear Varget is great, but hard to meter (I have a RCBS uniflow btw)
Nobody seems to know anything about AR-Comp
IMR XBR 8208 has lovers and haters.
Tac seems popular.

Eventually I would like to move on to reloading for my AR-15 which as a 1:7 twist. I've never shot anything over 62 grain (which it seems to like), so later I'd like to try some 75 (and maybe...just maybe 77 grain, but I keep reading about compressed loads and magazine length, get a bit freaked and figure I'll wait on that one till I've done a lot of other stuff.)

All that being said, currently I'd like to just make some 168 grain .308 rounds that work and hit the paper. I've been doing nothing but reading, reading, reading (working up the loads, etc), but I'm just stumped on where to start with a powder brand.

So...powder advice? Anything I should absolutely stay away from or absolutely start with?

[afrancke]

A simple method

Step 1: choose a bullet first

Step 2: buy the (bullet) manufacturer's reloading manual or consult manufacturer's website with loading data

Step 3: review powder choices listed for your bullet

Step 4 (optional): consider other sources and factors (e.g. reports of being harder/easier to meter, temperature sensitivity, usefulness with other bullets, price, cleanliness)

If you were simply to pick a powder at random at step 3, however, and maybe buy a pound locally that'd be enough to give you a baseline for your next foray into a different powder (or a keg of the same).

Also, step 0: before buying bullet, check the manual or website for tested COAL (overall length) - make sure this is at mag length or less unless you really want to single-load. For example, when you get around to loading for your .223 rifle, skip the Hornady Amax in 77gr unless you want to single-load (Sierra Match Kings are fine).

If you are intending as your first loading experience to use bullets pulled from surplus or some other bullet that comes without load data, do yourself a favor for your first go-round and buy something with manufacturer documentation instead. A box of .308 bullets is inexpensive on an absolute basis from any manufacturer.

[b.faust]

All good advice. Thanks!

I'm settled on Sierra 168 HPBT
I've already checked the data and suggestions

Your step 4 is what has my head spinning. A lot of opinions out there.

I've been reading up a lot on mag length, (and seen a ton on the Amax being to long).
Also, I'm buying all new components. I do have some once fired (by me) Winchester Brass here, but I'm getting some new as well.

Step 1: choose a bullet first

Step 2: buy the (bullet) manufacturer's reloading manual or consult manufacturer's website with loading data

Step 3: review powder choices listed for your bullet

Step 4 (optional): consider other sources and factors (e.g. reports of being harder/easier to meter, temperature sensitivity, usefulness with other bullets, price, cleanliness)

If you were simply to pick a powder at random at step 3, however, and maybe buy a pound locally that'd be enough to give you a baseline for your next foray into a different powder (or a keg of the same).

Also, step 0: before buying bullet, check the manual or website for tested COAL (overall length) - make sure this is at mag length or less unless you really want to single-load. For example, when you get around to loading for your .223 rifle, skip the Hornady Amax in 77gr unless you want to single-load (Sierra Match Kings are fine).

If you are intending as your first loading experience to use bullets pulled from surplus or some other bullet that comes without load data, do yourself a favor for your first go-round and buy something with manufacturer documentation instead. A box of .308 bullets is inexpensive on an absolute basis from any manufacturer.

[pdq_wizzard]

Just pick one (1lb at a time) and see how you like it, next time get another brand, rinse and repeat. you will find what works for you and the gun. then get 8lb + :-)

[afrancke]

Your step 4 is what has my head spinning. A lot of opinions out there.

Yes; I listed it as optional for that reason. About the most useful thing you _might_ consider doing is just buying based on the "best load for accuracy" recommendation given in the bullet manufacturer's table _or_ maybe based on ease of metering (ball vs. extruded), depending on how you're measuring your charges. But here I go again complicating things.

Here's the Sierra manual for 308: http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/f/sierra308Win.pdf

For 168 HPBT there are an overwhelming number of powders to try, many of which make maximum velocity. Reloader 15 is recommended as the accuracy load, and it's a fairly common one. IMR 4064 or TAC I'm sure would be fine, too.

[NapaCountyShooter]

I have the same RCBS powder chucker and Varget meters and works just fine for me. Also, it's not temperature sensitive, so that's nice.

[Divernhunter]

308 win powders. Here are a few which I have used with good results. Win748/Benchrest/H335/varget/RL15
223= Win748/benchrest/H-335

I have a list of others but these are the main ones I can think of.

[Fjold]

When looking for powder, look at the loading data first for 308 on sites like www.Hodgdon.com. Go into their Data center, pick cartridge loads, then rifle, then 308. Once you get all that data up, select the bullet weight (168) and click on get data.

Look at all the powder choices and pick one that meets your velocity requirements, simplify your choices by not starting out with compressed powder loads. (They'll have a "C" next to the maximum powder charge.)

Now write down all the powders that you are interested in and then go back to the Hodgdon main page and look up the powder by name. Cross off any powders that say "extruded" because they are harder to meter accurately, unless they say "short cut" or "super short cut" as those will be easier to throw.

Once you get the list down to 2 or 3 powders, go to a shop and see what they have available for what price. Some powders are $2-$5 a pound cheaper than others.

The other thing to consider is that if one powder calls for a charge of 45 grains of powder to get your desired velocity and another powder requires 35 grains of powder to work, then you'll get more loaded rounds per pound of powder with the second powder.

[Bill Steele]

My Favorite three 308 powders are RL15, Varget and IMR 4064. None of these have metered as well as I want just to use a drop. I drop and trickle up.

If I wanted to load my 308 on a progressive using its drop, I would probably pick BL-C(2), but I don't like it as much as the other three, so I drop and trickle....

[ejhc11]

Get yourself some good reloading books - why reinvent the wheel when the bullet manufacturers have already done the testing for you.

[Whiterabbit]

need a powder and don't know where to start?

Look at your loading book for the bullet you chose, and see if there's a star for a load that was "most accurate". Try starting with that powder.

Another suggestion. Do you plan on hunting in the condor zone? load your own lead free and save major bucks? Check barnes load data for your cartridge, it's really limited. Try that powder. That way you know what its like to use it when you start loading lead free.

If they work, great. If they don't, you'll have some data under your belt to start looking at other powders.

[emy]

Since your not progressive press you should have no problem with VARGET. The 168 bullet is a great choice. I load 42.3 with that combination. You will have to do a few trial round to see what your rifle like.

[EL_NinO619]

RAMSHOT TAC is just what you need.....

[b.faust]

Thank you very much for all the advice/suggestions. I always feel like I'm walking away with great info when I ask for help here.
I'm just going to get about 2 or 3 1lb of manual suggested powders (for gas operated) to start. Anything with a "C" i'm going to avoid for now.

The gun show at the cow palace up here in the Bay area is in about two weeks. I may just wait till then and go down with my shopping list.

Thanks again!

[FLIGHT762]

Since most powders cost about the same per pound, I would look at Hodgdon's "Extreme" powder line. These powders are less sensitive to temperature than ball powders and most other single based powders. Powders in the line which are suitable for the .308 Win. are Benchmark, H-4895, Varget and IMR 8208 XBR (also an ADI powder).

Varget and H-4895 are good places to start.