I need to load a lot of .308 for my SOCOM 16 and I'm looking for a low flash powder, if that's even possible with a 16" barrel with a muzzle brake. I have a lot of BL-C(2) on hand but I can't find an accurate load with it in my rifle and the flash is severe in low light. Does anybody have any suggestions? I have a good load using IMR 4064 but I never had a chance to try it in the dark before I ran out. I think 748 is also relatively low flash but that's another one I don't have at the moment. Does anybody have any experiences or suggestions?

Dave Sinko

I need to load a lot of .308 for my SOCOM 16 and I'm looking for a low flash powder, if that's even possible with a 16" barrel with a muzzle brake. I have a lot of BL-C(2) on hand but I can't find an accurate load with it in my rifle and the flash is severe in low light. Does anybody have any suggestions? I have a good load using IMR 4064 but I never had a chance to try it in the dark before I ran out. I think 748 is also relatively low flash but that's another one I don't have at the moment. Does anybody have any experiences or suggestions?

Dave Sinko

That's quite a challenge there. To find a low flash load for a .308 Winchester in a 16" barrel. The military loads are designed for 22" barrels and even then, they use a flash suppressor on the M14, M21, M60, and M240 series machine guns. If I remember correctly, ball powders tend to have greater flash because of the deterent coatings used on them, unlike the IMR series stick powders. Muzzle flash is due to incomplete combustion of powder granules as the bullet leaves the muzzle.

That seems to be the prevailing thought. How well does IMR 4064 meter through the powder measures? My 550B leaks a lot of BL-C(2) during the charging operation and I haven't been able to figure out any way to remedy this. Charge weights seem to vary too. I'm sure 4064 wouldn't leak as badly, but will the volume be inconsistent enough that the charges will have to be individually weighed?

Dave Sinko

Sir, IMR 4064 does not meter worth a hoot. IMR 4895 is better, but not vastly. I'm told that H4895 has shorter "sticks" and thus meters fairly well. Winchester 748 is supposed to meter very well (it's a ball powder), but has a reputation for temperature sensitivity, and I've avoided it for that reason.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

W748 has the lowest flash of all the powders I've used.

Dave Sinko, a fellow forum member here (Engineer1911) told me a trick to use on the Dillon powder measures if you have leakage or jamming problems with it. I haven't tried it yet as I replaced the old measure that came with my old RL-450 press that did have problems, but it should also work with the newer measure too. What he said to do was to cut a piece of scotch brand transparent tape and carefully apply it to the top inside of the cavity the charge bar slides in and then carefully trim away the tape from the opening that the powder drops through. Use a very sharp Exacto knife to cut the tape away out of the powder hole in the measure (remove the reservoir). Then, carefully slide the charge bar back into the opening and it will tighten up the spaces and clearances enough to where the powder doesn't jam up the charge bar or leak out around it. I am pretty sure that if you unhook the automatic linkage and try cycling the charge bar by hand as your measure sits now with BL-C(2) you will feel some to a lot of resistance to the charge bar sliding in and out. At least that is how the old manual powder measure that my RL-450 was with Accurate #9 and 296/H110 powders.

I hope this helps you out.

Checkout the data on CFE Rifle powder.................

it might be the magic powder, for you.

If you use one of these, it won't matter what powder you use. I mounted the Smith "muzzle brake" on my LR308 when it had a 16" barrel and the effect was miraculous.
I don't know if the SOCOM 16 has the standard M14 front sight mount. If it does, you will have to spring for the adapter.
Smith Enterprise Vortex Flash Hider 11/16-24 - MPN: 1001-G6A2-SBV30
Smith Enterprise M14 5/8-24 Thread Adapter M14 M1A Matte - MPN: 2002

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I'm with her

I’d bet that after 9 1/2 years the OP probably has his powder dilemma figured out.