Powder choice

[Willy]

Hi All,
I'm quite new to f-class. I'm shooting F standard. At the moment I'm using 44.5gns of AR2206H and 155gn Sierras with a 30" barrel. It's shooting OK, but I'm thinking of trying a slower burning powder and I'm wondering what other people are using.

[Gyro]

I know buggerall about F Std but I know 2206H is favoured by a few top TR shooters. 2208 ( Varget ) is the global go-to though I believe for the 308 and 155's.

[Barry Davies]

2208 is as slow as you would want to go.
Start at 45.5 gns and work up.
Sierras ( 2156 ) need to go at around 2940 minimum if you intend shooting 1000yards. If you are using Sierra 2155 bump it up to 2970.MInimum, however these could need a load around 47gns which may be too much for a lapua case depending on the chamber you have.
Might be better to stick with 2206H if you use Sierra 2155.

[Willy]

2208 is as slow as you would want to go.
Start at 45.5 gns and work up.
Sierras ( 2156 ) need to go at around 2940 minimum if you intend shooting 1000yards. If you are using Sierra 2155 bump it up to 2970.MInimum, however these could need a load around 47gns which may be too much for a lapua case depending on the chamber you have.
Might be better to stick with 2206H if you use Sierra 2155.

I'm currently using 2155's but was going to give some Bergers a go. I can get them significantly cheaper and it seems to be what everyone else is using where I shoot. Open to suggestions on this too. I am using Lapua cases (large rifle primers).

[Barry Davies]

With Bergers and 2208 start at 45.5 and work up. For 1000yards you need around 2940 /2950 and should be able to get this with around 46.5 gns
Depending upon your chamber ( free bore ) and projectile Base to ogive measurement, using Lapua cases you might get to 46.5 without compressing. If you cannot get the speed you require go to 2206H at about 45 gns --but start at 44.5 and work up.

[Willy]

With Bergers and 2208 start at 45.5 and work up. For 1000yards you need around 2940 /2950 and should be able to get this with around 46.5 gns
Depending upon your chamber ( free bore ) and projectile Base to ogive measurement, using Lapua cases you might get to 46.5 without compressing. If you cannot get the speed you require go to 2206H at about 45 gns --but start at 44.5 and work up.

Thanks, I'll give that a go.

[Rich4]

I would definitely try 8208 before 2208, my only complaint is no 4kg jugs, otherwise excellent results, I heard it’s made from powdered unicorn horn

[stu_bear2002]

In my .308 Omark I tested both dyer vld 155's and the 2155 sierra's both liked the same load of AR2208 @ 46.3gr which gave me 2979fps seated 10tho off the lands with no pressure signs on primers or my Lapua cases.
I settled on the dyers since they gave a consistent better grouping of 0.300 to the sierra group of 0.380