Dad has an AR-10 carbine rifle (16" 1:11.25" twist, chome lined) and I need some suggestions on which
powders I should look at first to start working up some loads. (I'd prefer to have loads that I can run on
our LNL progressive press... so forget Varget... I'll save it for my match grade stuff)

Bullets I'll be using:
Hornady 168 grn HPBT
Hornady 150 grn Interbond

Primers:
Winchester Large Rifle

Brass:
LC once fired

Powders to choose from:
Benchmark
8208 XBR
H322
H335
REL7 (probably too fast)
H4198 (probably too fast as well)

Thanks.

-ZA

Honetly there are much better suited powders than any of those I see for a 308. If you want to stick with a good metering one maybe Win 748 or BLC-2. One other thing make sure those primers are seated all the way.

Varget
IMR-4895
RL-15
H-335
VV-150
VV-140
AA-2520
IMR-4064
Win-748

Those are go to powders, at least for the 168s.

For the 150s, H-335, VV-140, VV-150, AA-2520, all meter pretty well.

Chris

I like
Varget
H-335
in that order

Use the Varget. -I am also using it on my LNL... it sucked until I went to w@lmart, spent $6 on a fishtank air pump and strapped it to the side of the powder measure. Now I'm using 43.5gr of Varget to push 165gr SST's out of FC brass with F210M primers, getting sub 3/8" groups at 100m from a bypod from my AR10T W/22" barrel. Ave 2652 FPS, SD of 7 FPS.  The powder measure still cuts powder but the throws are pretty much dead on. -I haven't shot it out of my 16" carbine yet but hope to soon.

-JTR

You should be able to minimize cutting the Varget powder in how you throw each powder charge

I loaded up some surplus 150gr. FMJBT with Varget and had horrible results out of my M1A's.

No consistency whatsoever out of my SOCOM at any range, and no consistency in my standard M1A on anything past 100 yds.

I was very surprised because I had heard nothing but praise for Varget powder.  I have now loaded up several rounds using the same bullet, but different powders and bought some 168gr match king (I think) factory loads to compare.

If the weather would clear up, I could go try it out.

I've been using 8208XBR, RL-15 & IMR 4895 with good result in my Ar-10 carbine.  H335 works well with 125gr. TNTs.  BL(C)-2 didn't work worth a crap with anything.  The first three group very well, 8208 meters best through my 550B.  My rifle likes 168 Amaxes beter than any of the 150 -155s I've tried.  In LC cases it's hard to get enough IMR-4895 in with lighter bullets.  I'd like to try H4895 as it's atouch faster and might fit better.  If working up max loads with 8208, be careful when you get near the top as it makes pressure fast their.  TAC is another one I'd like to try for low cost high volume tactical match loads. Check out 6mmbr.com and read the .308 Win. Section, lots of good info.

Thanks Scaup!

-ZA