Thread: Powder recommendations for short barrel 308?

Hey you'll

I've got a 14" 308 I'm looking to reload for, and not sure what powder would best suit the shorter barrel. It's got a muzzle forward can on her, that probably takes it out to about 20". I'm thinking a slightly faster powder? Probably going to use around 150 to 160grn projectiles. It'll mainly be used for deer as a bush gun, Sometimes lighter projectiles for goats will be used too. Keen to hear your recommendations!

Cheers.

First time reloading of a 308. Everyone says 2208 .What we used. 4064 is another good powder.

Look at the adi data, 2206h is also a viable option with that bullet weight range and is slightly faster than 2208 which may be relevant with that shorter barrel. Even with the suppressor it will look spectacular especially at dawn or dusk.

Sweet thanks guys, I'll check them out!

Check out adi pistol data for 308, their pistol data is calculated for a 15" barrel, still shows 2208 as giving the highest velocity for the weight class of bullets you want to primarily use (150-160gn) but not much in it 20-30fps, if you can get either 2208 or 2206 you should do OK.

I'd be looking at other options than 2208 - 2206H maybe? Although it does depend nowadays on what you can get you hands on...

Originally Posted by No.3

I'd be looking at other options than 2208 - 2206H maybe? Although it does depend nowadays on what you can get you hands on...

Totally! And twice the price lol

Greetings,
My vote is for AR2206H or BM8208 if you can't get that. BM8208 is a little faster.
GPM.

I use 2206H, from 130TTSX - 165BT grain.

Been trying to get my hands on 8208, but it's a bit thin on the ground.
Seems to be plenty of 2206H around.
CFE223 might be worth a look too in that short a barrel.

I've had good accuracy with both 2208 and 2206h with 150-168gr projectiles. Just recently got a Bergara with 16.5" barrel, plus just picked up some IMR3031 powder so will be trying some 168gr projectile loads in the next few weeks in 3031, 2206h and 2208 to see how they compare - also hoping to line up a chrono to borrow! I'll respond here with the results... but if I had to pick one right now, I would say go with 2206h. Shot a few 168gr a-max last week with 43gr of 2206h in my 22" single shot 308, and was happy with the 30mm group at 100m. Could have been better most likely, but I was in a rush...

The 3031 is a faster powder, slightly faster than 8208 according to the ADI chart, similar to Benchmark 2, so will be interested to see how it goes. I was after some 8208 a little while ago as I thought would work with both my 222 and 308, but seems hard to find locally...

Originally Posted by bjp

I've had good accuracy with both 2208 and 2206h with 150-168gr projectiles. Just recently got a Bergara with 16.5" barrel, plus just picked up some IMR3031 powder so will be trying some 168gr projectile loads in the next few weeks in 3031, 2206h and 2208 to see how they compare - also hoping to line up a chrono to borrow! I'll respond here with the results... but if I had to pick one right now, I would say go with 2206h. Shot a few 168gr a-max last week with 43gr of 2206h in my 22" single shot 308, and was happy with the 30mm group at 100m. Could have been better most likely, but I was in a rush...

The 3031 is a faster powder, slightly faster than 8208 according to the ADI chart, similar to Benchmark 2, so will be interested to see how it goes. I was after some 8208 a little while ago as I thought would work with both my 222 and 308, but seems hard to find locally...

I was put on to 3031 for the 168's (in a 16inch barrel) and it's been a game changer... over 12x 3 shot strings I've got 0.53MOA average.. and 2 of those groups had fliers (included).
Want to get my hands on BM2 to see if the results are repeatable.
Couldn't get the 150SST to stabilise well enough with 2208, but the load may have been a bit hot for the short barrel.

Sticking with 168gn & 3031 for hunting.. will look at trying the 150sst & 2208 when time allows.

Originally Posted by bjp

I've had good accuracy with both 2208 and 2206h with 150-168gr projectiles. Just recently got a Bergara with 16.5" barrel, plus just picked up some IMR3031 powder so will be trying some 168gr projectile loads in the next few weeks in 3031, 2206h and 2208 to see how they compare - also hoping to line up a chrono to borrow! I'll respond here with the results... but if I had to pick one right now, I would say go with 2206h. Shot a few 168gr a-max last week with 43gr of 2206h in my 22" single shot 308, and was happy with the 30mm group at 100m. Could have been better most likely, but I was in a rush...

The 3031 is a faster powder, slightly faster than 8208 according to the ADI chart, similar to Benchmark 2, so will be interested to see how it goes. I was after some 8208 a little while ago as I thought would work with both my 222 and 308, but seems hard to find locally...

At the range today was lucky enough to be able to borrow a chrono (thanks Flock) Tried 3 shots of 3 loads with 168gr HPBT, with suppressor: 44gr of 2208 (2520 fps) 43gr 2206h (2500 fps) 41gr 3031 (2420 fps). Accuracy of the first 2 was good, opened up a bit with the 3rd. Not very scientific, but just wanted to get a feel on velocities. The 3031 was slightly compressed, but still below book max. It might do better with a bit more powder.

Went to the farm yesterday with the BA13 Bergara 16”. 150gr hornady BT interlocks seated to 2.800, 47gr 2208 5 shot group @ 100m. Wind left to right
Velocities 2710,2709,2713,2717,2710.
First shot is the low shot, scoped with VX 5Hd 3-15 fire dot.

I get the same speeds out of the same rifle with 8208 43.7 gn I think.
150 gn speer btsp.
Shoots moa @ 100m.