I bought a .308 FW earlier this year, super interesting little early 50's rifle. I decided to slip it into a McMillan and take it west this fall for elk. I haven't loaded the .308 before as blue box Federal covered all my needs out of this chambering. I picked up dies and brass, Hornady Match, and a box of Scenars as per the advice of seemingly everyone on here. I had an unopened pound of Varget and sat down to start finding velocity. I used CCI 250's. I loaded up and went to the range:

blue box 150 did 2810

43 gr did 2650
44 gr did 2715
45gr didn't register on the chrony for reasons I didn't dwell on...said dupl. OK then.
46gr did 2760

Huh....I didn't see that coming. So I loaded some more and went up last night again:

46 did 2759
46.5 did 2810
47 did 2860

No pressure signs. I'm used to loading faster rounds, this is new territory for me. I have a few pounds of TAC on hand and half a pound or so of RL-15, some 760 and H414 laying around along with some 4350. Anybody got any suggestions or should I be happy with what I have?

My load I settled on is pretty much what you shot. 46.5 grains of Varget with a 150 grain, puts 3 into a 1/2"

If it's grouping like you want then I'd say you're there. If you simply must try something else then go with TAC or RL15. Forget about 760, 414 and 4350.

The load for my son's .308 45 gr TAC 210M 155 gr Scenar-L gets 2950 fps

That's my sweet spot with multiple .308 rifles with multiple 150 bullets and the 155 Scenar. 46.5 grains of Varget and any bullet in the 150's has been great for me.

In a 22" bbl:

CFE-223 will get you 3,000 fps, which is nice for a 150 TTSX

Most others (4895, 4064, Vargay, RL-15, W-748) will get you 2,900 fps with 150/155 gr bullets

Interesting. I felt like 2860 was a bit underwhelming with that much Varget.

RL15 gave me 2,850 from a 22" factory 700 with the 155 Scenar. H4895 currently makes 2,880 from a 22" factory M77 with the 150NBT. Both were getting close to Max as indicated by manuals and as verified by the chronograph. I'd not sweat 50fps here or there if a slower load shot well.

With TAC, WLRM primers, and Lapua cases, I get 2,850 with most 150s, and 2,900 with Hornady's 150-grain FMJ.

Accuracy hovers around 1 MOA, but a better shooter could probably tighten that up some.

Rifle is a 700 that's been shortened to 22" and bedded into a Bell & Carlson stock. 1:10 twist, 3-10 Nightforce SHV.

I use data from the Hodgdon site.


Okie John

Thanks this is all helpful

I used TAC to send some Scenars down range last evening. I think we're getting somewhere now.

Don't over look CFE223 in the 308 win

If I found some I'd try it

And of course my LGS operator was unpacking a case of CFE223 when I stopped after lunch...rabbit holes everywhere.

I run 45.7 TAC and 155 Scenar. Runs 2880 fps from an 18.5 inch barrel. Sub moa.

That's the velocity you should see in a 22" barrel. I'd back off 80 fps...

This with GameKings