Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Powder for 165 gn bullets in 308?

Going to develop a deer hunting load for my Browning BLR in 308. Will be using 165 Accubonds or BTs. Looking for a middle of the road load as far as velocity.. along the lines of 2650 fps. I have H4350, IMR 4064, Big Game and TAC. Where would you start?

Of those only 4064 and TAC are the ones to use.

IMR4064...it's what you have.

Of those listed, I-4064 all day long. It is relatively temperature insensitive compared to others on your list which may be an issue where/when you hunt. If you ever can get your hands on some Varget, give it a try as well, for the same reasons as I-4064. I get excellent accuracy and velocities with both using Hornady 165 flat base Interlocks. Good luck.

Regards,
Manny

I'd try 4064 and would start with about 40 grains of it adding powder until you hit your 2650fps goal. But, that's me. BTY, the BLR is a fine rifle in my view.

IMR 4064 is a good choice, I've used it in .30-06, should do well in .308 too. The last two whitetails have been taken with .30-06 and Sierra Game King 165gr. and IMR 4350.

4064 is the ticket

I had (many years ago) great luck with WW 760 in my Win. Model 88…..though, it was a compressed load! And, again many years ago, many folks had good luck with WW 748! memtb

When I shot metallic silhoutte with .308 back in the 70's WW 748 was the powder I most often used.

I've mostly worked with 150's in the 308 but I did work up a decent load for the 165 gr Partition. 44 gr of 4064 gave me 2707 fps at 50 degrees from a 22" barrel.

I started loading165 gr bullets in my .308 at least 30 years ago using 4064. Several times I tried different powders, with no better results so I have stuck with it

TAC - is realistically the only powder needed for the 308/165.

The OP's stated goal is about 100 fps below full throttle where TAC likes to live.

If I was ok on increasing the velocity, are there any real benefits of TAC over 4064?

I'd try 4064. IF you can find some IMR 4895 or H4895 I would try them.

TAC meters better, and has given great results in our three 308's. thats my preference.

Have you used TAC in his rifle? It might very well turn out that his rifle prefers to run TAC 100 fps below "where TAC lives."

More often than not slightly reduced loads shoot better than full throttle...

I have a Browning BLR in 308WIN and have had good success with Varget when loading 165gr NAB and NBTs. RL-15 works well with other 165gr bullets in that rifle as well.
I have not used the powders you listed, but have used 4064 in my 7-MM-08.
I taken deer and elk with the Nosler slugs; the BLR in 308 is an easy handling rifle in the backcountry.

I get good results with TAC and magnum primers pushing several different 165-grain bullets right around 2,700 fps in a 22" barrel.

Some data shows the 308 moving a 165 over 2,800 fps in a 24" barrel. I think 2,700 is a more realistic top end in my rifle, so 2,650 isn't really middle of the road. Depending on the bullet and barrel length, it can be pretty close to the top.

How long is the barrel on your BLR?

Also, a question for the BLR owners: Do you have extraction problems with hot loads? Do you need to use a small-base sizing die?


Okie John

Im new to loading the 308 and TAC but its working for me at both the reloading bench and the shooting bench.