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.

My BLR has a 20” barrel, I’m sure that is the standard. I recently picked up a Magneto Speed chronograph so I’ll check MV next time I’m at the range.

I’m using my late father’s RCBS FL die manufactured in 1968 and haven’t noticed any extraction problems, but I have not loaded hot. My rifle is steel receiver model made in the mid 80s. Picked it up off the used rack at Cabela’s 12 years ago. The newer models have aircraft aluminum receivers and might require a small base die.

I've good results using W760 and the 165 gr. Speer Hot Core. Brass is Winchester and the primer is the WLR standard primer, not the magnum.

The load was worked up for Ruger M77 RSI that the previous owner couldn't get decent groups. I won't go into the what I had to do to finally get a consistent 1.5" or better group from that rifle. Just a little over two years working off and on, mostly on though. Finally achieved success.

Velocity from the 18.5" barrel is 2550 FPS. For comparison that same load does 2610 FPS from a 22" barreled Winchester M70 Youth Ranger that I won in a raffle. I've taken quite a few deer with that RSI and wouldn't hesitate to try the load on elk. Nobody suggest another 165 gr. bullet as changing anything is that load causes accuracy to go straight to hell. The rifle is definitely a one trick pony.
PJ

I use accurate 2460 with 165’s out of my 88 Winchester.

I 've had 5 good ( accurate) rifles chambered in 308 Win. 42 grains of IMR 4064 with a good 165 grain jacketed always gave a good accounting of itself. It was either "THE accuracy load", or right up there.

I use Accurate 2495 and 165gr Sierra GameChangers with great accuracy and terminal performance out of a T3.

IMR 4064, H 4895, Varget and WW 748:have worked well for me.

Another vote for H4895 here.

Seeing as it has been put near unobtanium for a few years though, the more readily available A4064 and Reloader 15 also shoot well through mine as alternates with 165gr Speer Grand Slams and 168gr TTSX.

I’ve had the best lock with RL15 and BLC2, but I’ve also been accused of being old school.

Old70

I've used healthy loads of CFE 223 with good results behind both 165sp's and old style BT.

I’m currently shooting 44gr of 4064 behind a 150 Interlock in my .308 Ruger RL (20”bbl) and have tested 41 & 42gr with 165gr Interlocks but decided on the 150’s.

For close shooting while tracking whitetails a softer shooting load is what I wanted.

I’ll have to double check my velocity notes before I quote them but accuracy for both is right at 1” to 1 1/4” at 100yds in that gun. (My T3x .308 shoots these same loads under an inch)

Good luck!

Referencing your list of powders, IMR-4064.

It pushes 165 interlocks 2710fps from my 22" and prints 1/2" clover leaves.

Just did some 168 smk for my savage Impulse. 18 in ch barrel.
IMR 4895 at 45 grains. Velocity is 2735 with half inch groups give or take at 100 yards.
Shot 3 at 600 to verify drop and group was 2.6 inch.
Might work just as well with 165s. Edk

I shoot 168TTSX over H4895. 15’ from the muzzle it averaged 2692fps out of my 22” kimber’s barrel.

Great advice. Should be 43 to 43.8 from my experiences.just start at 40

Don’t overlook the Golden oldies if you have any about. IMR 3031 and IMR 4320(sadly now discontinued) have made some very accurate 165gr .308 Win loads for me. Especially IMR 4320. It’s very similar in my experience to Varget only more accurate.

I vote Big Game, but only because I use it in the Mighty 7mm-08.