The powders that the above posters have recommended are good ones.

However back in 1975 or so a fella recomended this load to me.

I have used it ever since.

It has been super accurate for me in competition bolt rifles, Competition M1 A's and 308 Garands, in standard M1 A's and 308 Garands, FN FAL's H&H 91's, Sniper Rifles, Hunting Rifles, including a buddies Savage 99 in 308.

I have shot this a LOT at distances on paper, as far as 1000 yards, which is a stretch for a 168gr bullet, but it is under MOA at 800 yards all the time.

I have killed a LOT of game with this load over the years.

I have used this load with the following bullets:
Sierra 165 HPBT Gameking, 165gr Spitzer, 168 Matchking, 180gr Spitzer, 180gr Matchking. [It is a less than max load with a 165/168 gr bullet, and works great with 180's.

Nosler 165 Ballistic Tip, 165 Partition, and 180gr Partitions.

The powder is IMR 3031, the Charge is 39.5 grains [Thirtynine, and one half grains].

I have killed animals [antelope] with load and the 165 Sierra HPBT as far as 550 yards with this load.

In many rifles it will shoot even better than Federal 168gr Match...


There are a lot of newer powders, and there are a lot of higher velocity loads for the 308...

BUT I have NEVER seen a 308 that did not shoot this load pretty good.