I reload for a few gas guns. One is an AR 15, and I have found a load that can group sub-MOA using Ramshot TAC.

On a whim I tested the repeatability of my Hornady auto powder dispenser and found that it consistently threw loads within .05 grains or +/-2% with TAC, 10 in a row. I ran off 50 rounds in my progressive press, weighing every 7th charge, and they never wavered more than .05 gr.

I then tested the repeatability of the Hornady dispenser with IMR 4895, which I use in handloads for my FNAR (.308), another gas gun, but a pretty accurate one (again, sub-MOA) but not one ragged hole accurate. Unfortunately, the first 10 charges the Hornady dispenser threw varied +.1, -.2 gr., and the Lee powder perfect I have bench mounted did a little better but not good enough to release me from throwing light charges and trickling to final weight.

IMR 4895 being a stick powder, I understand why it does not meter very well, as opposed to TAC, which pours like water. Are there any powders with similar burn characteristics to I4895 that are granular like TAC and work well with .308 Winchester? It would be great to be able to run off my .308 "accurate" handloads in my progressive press.

I'm just not sure that last bit of precision in charge weights will make a difference given the rifles I'm reloading for.

OTOH, I don't shoot that many .308 rounds that I can't weigh every charge, but I just wondered if anyone else has done this, switched powders from one that shoots well to one that meters better, without compromising accuracy.

Or maybe I'm just nuts.

Joe

Well, yeah, ya probably are.. Would,nt worry about it too much, most others are as well, to a certain extent.
Depending on the recipes and powders you want to use, RL 15, H380, Win 748,etc, smaller grained stick powders will flow more consistently, the ball powders even better.
Disclaimer being that I don,t load for .308, but these are a few that might be worth a try...

varget is right next to 4895 on the burn rate in the 308 case.
similar to 4064.
some lots of milsurp 4895 have a burn rate similar to 4064.
oh yeah.. accurate makes a ball powder 4064.

minus 1 plus 2 in a semi auto wouldn't even bother me unless i seen some vertical stringing in my groups.

H4831 and, worse, H4831SC never metered well in my RCBS Uniflow. In fact I found that as it was not graphite coated that H4831SC used to "bridge " in the drop tube part of the Uniflow more often than did regular long kernel H4831.

TAC should still work just fine in your .308.

I have used both H380 and BLC2, but like you I don't shoot enough 308 to justify giving up the accuracy I get from varget to go to just throwing loads with ball powder.

1. The weight variation you are experiencing won't impact the accuracy of a rifle like you are shooting AT ALL.

2. If you're really concerned, buy a Redding powder measure. It will drop IMR-4895 within less than .05 grains consistently. I've been loading 4895 for decades using the Redding, so I can assure you of this.

3. BL-C2, which is the same spec powder as WW-748 and WC-846, was designed for the .308 and continues to be an excellent powder for it. I wouldn't switch from 4895 for the difference, but if your anal-retentive side just won't let you rest, this powder will likely provide you with similar performance as 4895 at virtually zero variation in the weight of dropped charges.

Have had similar issues and to a small degree I was able to resolve them with a little extra effort with the handle of the meter. This probable won't work on a progressive but i Always double tap at the top of the stroke and at the bottom of the stroke. It seems to shake the last kernel or three into the case.
Frank