I recently got an Armalite 16" barrel carbine that is a target model with a muzzel brake (AR-10T) . What powder will work well with this barrel? Should I use a fast powder so it will burn completely? Also, would the lighter bullets work better with this gun because they will have more velosity which is otherwise lacking due to the short barrel?

I've been using IMR4064 in a 16" 7.65x53 Mauser which has about the same case capacity as the 308. I'm happy with the results.

My 20" barreled Scout rile in 308 fires a full(max) charge of Varget (44.5g) under a 180g barnes XLC at 2630fps. I doubt you will want to shoot this loading as it is for hunting, but the point is that Varget works very nicely in the 308 as will BLC2 and Winchester ball powder( can't remember the number.)

Win 748, BLC-2...work well in my 15" tube. I imagine Hodgdon's Benchmark would work well also. Check Hodgdon's website...but dont worry you should burn all your powder.

AA-2230C works good for my short barreled .308's

Great I have about 5 lbs of 2230C left and it is cheap.

Glenn R,
The same powders that give the highest velocities in a 26" barrel wil give the highest velocity in your shorter barrel. They will also give you muzzle flash and blast. If you want the speed you have to put up with the rest.

PaulS

Varget.

http://www.gibrass.com/gunpowder.html

lots of quality military surplus componants.

I believe you will get your best overall performance from loads that are also optimum in a 22" barrelled .308. The .308 uses pretty fast powders anyway, and I don't believe going any faster that 3031 would make things better!!