.308 RL 15, Vhit N140 or CFE 223

[Rory]

I would like some opinions - really don't mind how varied or combative etc.
What are people's thought's on the following powders for .308 (150gr Hornady Interlock for stalking, 175gr Sieera HPBT for target).

The way I see it as we now have the REACH thing in place - Pros and cons.
1. Vhit N140 is probably the most Euro powder, it's going to be readily and cheaply avaliable, it's a top rated powder for accuracy with a Sierra 150gr bullet (Sierra .308 data). Maybe not that great behind a 175gr bullet, I'm not sure how temperature stable it is.
2. RL 15 is a good extruded powder along the lines of IMR 4064, good for heavier bullets and will push the 150gr as well. More expensive, supposedly quite temperature sensitive (not sure if the newer stuff has been adjusted - rumours either way?).
3. CFE 223 features highly on the Lee table but also seems to be temperature sensitive and possibly better for the 150gr projectiles than the heavier 175gr boys. Ball powder which has been treated for an extruded type burn.

Thoughts please. Am I being overly concerned with temperature sensitivities? Is there that much difference for our temperate temperatures on this Sceptered Isle?

 

[Malxwal]

If you're shooting at sensible stalking ranges, perhaps too fussy over temp sensitivity.
For target stuff, worth considering keeping a wee thermometer thingy in with your loaded rounds (cheap as chips of the 'bay).
Not had any issues with N140 as regards temperature, but my 308 didn't like it, moved to RL15 then RS52 which was great and not sensitive.

 

[Steff]

I try to avoid anything coming from across the big pond these days.
Even though Reloader is supposed to be manufactured in Sweden, this will probabla not help a lot, if the US continue to bugger about.
My vote is clearly for N140.

 

[bryn]

I use vhit 140 for Sierra 150g BT Spitzer and Sierra 168g TMK’s, very good results from them both. Temperature has never been an issue.
bryn

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

For what it’s worth, the newer batches of N140 are marked as temperature insensitive.

 

[sundog]

I used to use varget in my 308 until the varget drought of 2010 when I switched to N140. To my suprise almost the exact same load gave me the same great accuracy with 150 grain bullets. I've used N140 with 165 and 180 grain bullets with good results and just about to work up a load using barnes 130's.

 

[Rory]

Thanks for the replies gents, I think the 'ayes' have it and N140 it will be.

 

[enfieldspares]

Yes, Viht 140 is a most excellent powder for .308 Winchester. It also does very well in .303 British. The "go to" 303 Mk VII FMJ load used by most of the placing competition shooters in HBSA and LERA .303 Matches being...from memory (so I may be wrong you must check this)...40.5 grains N140 behind a 180 grain spitzer point bullet for a genuine 2,450 fps. Viht 150 was also favoured powder by shooters for the same competitions using...from memory (so I may be wrong you must check this)...41.0 grains for the same performance.

 

[turner.jc1]

CFE223 has been great for me with 150/165gr. Very accurate and high velocity. My 308 is used for UK stalking or driven boar on occasion, so temp sensitivity isn’t a consideration. But gaining a free 100-150 FPS over n140 is a real bonus. Neither cfe223 nor n140 are ideal for your 175gr load. Maybe look at rs60 or n150/n550. I‘m not into target shooting however, so my opinion might not be of applicable to you, but my first priority is to find a powder that maximises the power and accuracy potential of a cartridge. N140 falls well short on power for me.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Bit more info on CFE 223 in this thread - Hodgdon CFE 223 Powder in .308win

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

Have you thought about Ramshot or Lovex powder? Screenshots from some of their load data below:

 

[mwest]

I use N140 in my .308's with Sierra 2110 bullets, Sierra 2125 bullets, and Sierra 2130 bullets. These powder/bullet combinations have for many years worked very well indeed for me. When I shot competitively in service rifle matches I used N140 and pulled/batch-weighed military bullets and then Sierra 2315 bullets. The latter powder/bullet combination in my 303 rifle's was, and still is excellent for me. Unfortunately it's my eyes that let me down now...!!
I don't think you will go too far wrong with N140 in a .308, just work up your load/loads carefully in an organised and orderly fashion, and you'll get on just fine.
Happy loading..
Kind regards M

 

[Utectok]

Another vote for n140 I use 44gn behind 150 sst in 308 flavour

 

[hendrix's rifle]

+1 for cfe223

 

[Rory]

Have you thought about Ramshot or Lovex powder?

Hi, yes I did look at Ram-Tac, but this seems to be very difficult to find in stock in the UK!

 

[Steff]

I have also tried Lovex 73.4, 5 and 6. I didnt get along with the latter two for bullets 150 grs. and lighter as I ended up producing compressed loads which is bad for ball powders.
But 73.4 seems promising though I am not done testing it for a variety of bullets.

 

[Scotty99]

Vit N140 pushing a 150 grn Sierra Gameking. Distance is 100 yards. This I see my goto deer load for Roe to Red.

 

[Rory]

Tidy, I will be picking up a kilo of Vit N140 this week. Much appreciated for all the replies. I will use the RL 15 for the 175gr HPBT and the N140 for the 150gr Interlocks.

 

[quarryman]

+1 for RL15 and Sierra 175 hpbt. 0.25" groups at 100m all day long with this combination .

 

[Shooterman1]

This mornings effort with my .308 at 100 yards 41 grains of 140 with a 168 Sierra matchking