I just started reloading, and I want to load a round that my wife or youngster can handle. Any suggestions? What would be the min velocity and energy for deer. I have a model 600 Mohawk 308. It is just right for a small person but kicks a bit much. I have 150 and 180 gr bullets. What are the best powders for a 308 that works well for 300 win mag also?

WThunter,

I've found that IMR 4064 with 150gr bullets gives a pretty light feel in the 43gr to 45gr load range in my semi-auto rifles. I've never worked with the 300WinMag, but I see in the manuals that 4064 (around 60gr) is acceptable for it.


"Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat" (Gen 9:3)

Trust God..........but keep your powder dry!

A 150-grain bullet in the 2400-2600 FPS range (muzzzle velocity) would work OK for deer at ranges up to 200 yards, and won't kick too much. There is no powder that is ideal for use in the .308 and is also useful to any degree in the .300 Win. Mag!! The .300 Win. Mag has so much more case capacity that it requires much slower powders than those which are best suited to the .308. You COULD use a powder like 4064 or 4895 in the magnum case, but the maximum charges of powders with this burning rate would give very low loading densities, and hence, poor uniformity of ballistic performance. IMR 7828, H4831, Norma MRP, H1000, or similar powders are best for the .300 Win. Mag., but a bit slow for the .308 Win.

Keep yore powder dry!!

Thanks for the information. The 4064 is what I have been using for my 308. I loaded a few 300 rounds also at around 58 gr and did not find it very consistant. I also loaded some 300 mag with 3031? or 3130? I have to look. I hand measure each charge but still have not gotten the results I would like. I shoot about 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards with my 300 but it widens out at 200 yds. Factory loads are much tighter. I would like to stay with 180 gr for my win mag. Eldrguello, which of those powders are the best for the 300? Are they all about the same?

Please explain loading density some more and where do I need to try to get. After measuring a charge do I want the case to be close to full or have more space in the case for gas buildup? Is that what you are talking about?

3031 is even faster than 4064!! ...making it even LESS satisfactory in a large magnum case. It is best in smaller rounds such as the .30/30, .300 Savage, and big bores like the .38/55, .45/70, etc.!!

Keep yore powder dry!!

Is that why I am not getting the accuracy and down range performance I want?

WT, in the .300 Win. Mag., I would not use any powder slower than IMR 4350, and even this is a bit on the fast side!! My preferences would be: H4831, Alliant Re 22, Re 25, IMR 7828, H 1000, AA 3100, or Norma MRP. I have not tried Re 25, it is a recent arrival on the market. I have had great results with Norma MRP!! (But MRP is very similar to Re 22.) I just looked at my Speer Manual No. 13 (copyright 1998). It doesn't even show ANY loads using IMR 4064 or 3031 for any bullets of 150 grains or heavier in the .300 Win. Mag. (These two powders are NOT really suitable for any .30-cal. cartridge with a case capacity larger than a .30/'06, and even in the '06, there are better choices, also slower!!).

Keep yore powder dry!!

Thanks a lot! That is what I needed to know. I know I need to try several powders to learn which is best for me but that gives me a great starting point. I cannot really afford to buy too much powder at one time.

My father-in-law shoots a 7 mag so would it be the same for it or is the smaller cal different?