Of these 3 powders, which have ya'll gotten the best accuracy using 168 grain smk's and 175 grain smk's, RL-15, Varget or IMR-4064? I have only used RL-15 and IMR-4064 and the RL-15 seems to be the one that produces the better accuracy and the least variation in velocity and group size. In the loading tables and burning rate charts, Rl-15 and Varget seem to be almost identical in charge weight/velocity, at least with the 168 grain bullets.
I think powder choice is more to make best use of the length of one's barrel, and the time the bullet stays in you barrel. Heavy bullets in long barrels will take advantage of slower burning powders. Light bullets in short barrels are best served with faster burning powders.
I have found , from experience with reloading over the years, that Hodgdon powders and IMR powders seem to be more stable in temperature extremes. Reloader powders and Accurate powders seem to be more sensitive to temperature change. No powder is 100% stable in all conditions. All can be accurate, used to the best abilities of you and your rifle.
We like Varget for our 308 SMKs both 168 and 175s and we used it for a while. Recently, we started trying RL15 and I'm starting to think that I'm getting more fps while still getting good groups. Still not totally sold yet but RL15 is looking very promising.
Something I've found with reloader powders and Magnum rifles is that safe loads made in the fall may not be safe in summer. I've reloaded for my .300 RUM with RL25 in 50 degree temps with no pressure signs and well under SAAMI spec, as well as Alliant's specs and got good accuracy. However - in 80 degree temps, bolt sticking, primer popping pressure has occured. Whether this has happened with RL 15, I couldn't say.
I have used RL-15, IMR4064 and Varget. Different .308s want different powders. No two are the same. My LTR prefers Varget to RL-15. However, my custom rig prefers RL-15 and IMR 4064 to Varget. Try them all and see what works best in your gun. They are all in the sweet spot for .308.
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