What powders are recommended for use in the 308 Winchester AR10. I plan to use 150gr to 165gr bullets.

Ed, check out this link.
http://forums.accuratereloadin...2511043/m/5651063191

Hornady publishes good 308 service rifle loads in their handbook and a in their Load Notes For Service Rifles pamplet. Good powders are: Win 748, IMR 4064, IMR 4895, Varget, Hodgon 4895, A2495, A2520, N-135, N-140, N-150, and Reloader-15.

IMR 4064 is my favorite for 308 and 30-06 service rifle loads.

I recommend with a 165/168gr bullet 39.5gr of IMR 3031.

With a 150gr bullet try 42gr of IMR 3031.

These are "Old School Loads". but I have never seen ANY 308/7.62 rifle that did not shoot these loads plenty good.

Thanks guys. I am heading down to a shop this morning to pick up a new S&W M&P 10. I prepped a few cases last night and it looks like I have most of the powders recommended above on hand already. I have an assortment of 30cal bullets from Hornady, Barnes, Bergers, Sierra and Swifts.

The type/brand of case will play a part in the powder choice.
I use 44 point something grains of IMR 4064, Winchester LR primers, Nosler 168 BTHP Comp. in Federal cases, or Winchester cases.
Now I want to experiment with 175 grain BTHPs.

Jim

I have an Armalite AR10 in .308, these are my top two loads. I am not a Hornady bullet fan, but these will out shoot the Sierras 168's in my rifle. This is a 16", T series rifle.

TOP 2 LOADS: 46.5 BLC2, 168 Hornady Match HP, Federal Match Primer, Lapua brass 4shots .362” 5th .868” 07-12

TOP 2 LOADS: 43.5 Varget, 168 Hornady Match HP, Federal Match Primer, Lapua brass
5 shots .562” 07-12

Side note BLC2 meters much better.

the military loads 308 with WCC-844 and SC-846.

Pat's Reloading has the powders in stock, about $120 for 8lb kegs.

According to QL you're pushing 57k psi with that BLC2 load

quote:

Originally posted by jbok:
I have an Armalite AR10 in .308, these are my top two loads. I am not a Hornady bullet fan, but these will out shoot the Sierras 168's in my rifle. This is a 16", T series rifle.

TOP 2 LOADS: 46.5 BLC2, 168 Hornady Match HP, Federal Match Primer, Lapua brass 4shots .362” 5th .868” 07-12

TOP 2 LOADS: 43.5 Varget, 168 Hornady Match HP, Federal Match Primer, Lapua brass
5 shots .562” 07-12

Side note BLC2 meters much better.

Used Varget and RE15 for quite a while and they work very well, but somewhat difficult to source these days. As mentioned, IMR3031 is more common and does well plus another old standby is the IMR4895. The Armalite AR10's are known for being very accurate and would venture that any reasonable load will do well. Accuracy loads printed in Sierra's older manuals will quote as follows: 155's/46.2/IMR4064, 175's/44.2/IMR4064. Might be a bit stout and should work up to these levels and see how it goes. I used these loads with Lapua Brass, Fed 210m's and above bullets.

posted 12 November 2013 08:11 Hide Post

In reference to my load possibly being to hot as commented by Richj above. The load below was taken from the Nosler #6 Reloading Guide and is their max. load. It is also their most accurate load tested and was for me. I stated that I use Lapua commercial brass. If you use military brass you should know to reduce you load and watch for signs of pressure. I would like to thank Richj for the notice of a max. load application. Good luck and good shooting.

TOP LOADS: 46.5 BLC2, 168 Hornady Match HP, Federal Match Primer, Lapua brass 4shots .362” 5th .868” 07-12

h335