what is good brand of powder to reload for a 308 bolt rifle? using 168 or 175 gr bullets out of a 24" barrel. (everyone says varget but its never in stock locally)

what is a good brand of powder to reload 9mm?

^^^If you want bulk loads then I'd go for a spherical powder.  That being said I do like IMR 4895 which is a stick.  Varget I really didn't like especially since it seemed it did best on a compressed load........made me nervous.

9mm I forget which powder but we tend to look for something that can be used for multiple cartridges and is spherical to get it metering better.

N140 and n150 will also work

I can't speak to your .308 question.

For 9mm I am currently using Hodgdons Titegroup. It is a spherical powder that meters very nicely. I get very good consistent results with it in 9mm, .38 +P and .357 Magnum loads. It is also VERY economical as you don't use as much to get the same results. The only downside I see with using it is that it is a little dirty. I have also in the past used Bullseye, Unique, Herco and Blue Dot. Out of those I settled on Bullseye and Unique and used them mostly for 25 years. The 9mm cartridge has been around and has been reloaded for a very long time. There are a lot of good powders available for loading it.

The issue that we have been seeing with the vast shortages will affect you the most as a new reloader because you can only use what little scraps are left on the shelves. Good luck finding what you need. I see SEC has 8lb kegs of Unique in stock according to their forum post. Considering you are going to get 1200-1500 rounds per pound that keg may last you a lifetime. 

I like Vit N320 for 9, 40, and 45ACP.  It meters well, is very clean with jacketed bullets, and is a soft shooting powder.  The downside is that its expensive.  SEC has started bringing in Vit powders, not sure if they have any 320 in stock right now, and I've seen it at Young Guns.  I don't mind spending a little more on powder as it actually is one of the cheaper reloading components.
Titegroup is good too, as Inspector said its very economical.  One thing I didn't like though is that its such a dense powder, at the charge I was using, I could pull the hande 3 times on my press before the powder would overflow the case (9mm).  A double charge would be hard to spot.  Also,  its not a real clean powder to shoot, especially if you're shooting lead.  Just depends on what you're looking for in a powder.   

I like Vit N320 for 9, 40, and 45ACP.  It meters well, is very clean with jacketed bullets, and is a soft shooting powder.  The downside is that its expensive.  SEC has started bringing in Vit powders, not sure if they have any 320 in stock right now, and I've seen it at Young Guns.  I don't mind spending a little more on powder as it actually is one of the cheaper reloading components.
Titegroup is good too, as Inspector said its very economical.  One thing I didn't like though is that its such a dense powder, at the charge I was using, I could pull the hande 3 times on my press before the powder would overflow the case (9mm).  A double charge would be hard to spot.  Also,  its not a real clean powder to shoot, especially if you're shooting lead.  Just depends on what you're looking for in a powder.

I have never used Vit powders but I have heard very good things about them. Be aware that the company that makes the powder is in a little financial trouble and is closing its plant in Finland. This doesn't mean they are going to stop making the powder. But they may. Here is a link to the company's statement:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/03/eurenco-statement-regarding-vihtavuori-oy-powder-plant/

If you use or plan to use this brand of powder I would recommend working up your loads with an alternative brand of powder just in case supplies dry up and the company stops production.

Yikes!  I hadn't heard or read about that.  Thanks for the heads-up.  All I use is Vit powder, (N320 and 3N38).  Damn, if they don't close up, its at the very least probably going to cost even more for their stuff.  As good as TG metered, the Vit (especially the 3N38) was unbelievable.  Set my powder drop for 9.6 or 9.4, and every drop I spot-checked was exactly on.  Guess I'll have to hope for the best, but also research alt. powders.  I really do not like working up new loads.  Thanks again for that link though,  its good to be prepared.

^^^If you want bulk loads then I'd go for a spherical powder.  That being said I do like IMR 4895 which is a stick.  Varget I really didn't like especially since it seemed it did best on a compressed load........made me nervous.

+1 on Varget. No way to double charge with that. The crunching sound was rather satisfying to me. Reloader 15 is also good.

9mm depends on what weight bullet you plan to load and what you intend to use the load for. General practice 115gr FMJ good with most of the fast pistol and shotgun powders. I used Bullseye for many years because I bought a 8lb keg. I'm using 700X now because I got a 12lb keg for a good price. I'm trying Power Pistol now for my 115gr 50 yard match loads.

Sorry, I do not have a 308, but here is a link to a thread about my local project to simulate a factory 9mm load.
There is some load data buried in there somewhere. " The 9mm XTP Project"

http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=7656.0

Have you actually started to reload rifle or pistol yet?

You dont need to have a comressed load with varget in .308. 

I like using Reloader 15

You dont need to have a compressed load with varget in .308. 

But  I liked the crunching sound. It was like I was at my max potential as well as pressure.

Doesn't seem like any of the stores have the powders mentioned except for the Unique 8# keg at SEC and that may last me a lifetime of shooting the 9mm...

going to reload 9mm 124 grain....

I guess I have to call SEC once a week to see what's on the shelves....

Doesn't seem like any of the stores have the powders mentioned except for the Unique 8# keg at SEC and that may last me a lifetime of shooting the 9mm...

going to reload 9mm 124 grain....

I guess I have to call SEC once a week to see what's on the shelves....

My buddy told me that there are 4lb kegs of Unique at SEC. He could be wrong and they could be the 8 pounders so I would suggest a phone call if interested.

Doesn't seem like any of the stores have the powders mentioned except for the Unique 8# keg at SEC and that may last me a lifetime of shooting the 9mm...

going to reload 9mm 124 grain....

I guess I have to call SEC once a week to see what's on the shelves....

No need call check out their thread, they have on on reloading supplies and looks like its the 8# unique.
http://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=7824.0

for .308...IMR 4895, IMR 4064
for 9mm...Titegroup, cheap fast powder

Ramshot TAC
Hodgdon Varget, BLC-2

Is what I would say works well.  I would not use H414 even though there is load data for it I could not get it to group.

Hodgdon Load Data

winchester 748 is good too for .308 and .223

for .308...IMR 4895, IMR 4064
for 9mm...Titegroup, cheap fast powder

What he said.

I like 4064 for my .308 reloads--very accurate out of my M-1A (I wish I still had it!).  748 is also very good for volume production.  Last week SEC had a lot of Varget in stock but when I stopped in yesterday they were all sold out!

I used to load 231 for 9mm but I haven't loaded pistol ammo in quite a while.

Buy what you can find and try it.