Re: IMR 8208 In the 6.5 Grendel
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DHD</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shanerd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does anybody have any experience using IMR 8208 in their 6.5 Grendel. Performance? Loads? </div></div>
Some.
AA Overwatch, 24" Lowther Walther barrel, JP trigger, Leup MK4 4.5x14, off of a solid bench with a high quality heavy rest:
29.5 8208, 107 SMK, 205M, AA brass. No velocity data, but no obvious pressure signs in 95 degree heat.
29.5 8208, 107 SMK, RP 7 1/2, AA brass. No velocity data, but no obvious pressure signs in 95 degree heat.
29.5 8208, 108 Scenar, 205M, AA brass. No velocity data, but no obvious pressure signs in 95 degree heat.
All shot about the same into .6" or slightly under. The max is 29.8 I believe, but saw some slight pressure signs so I backed it to 29.5. I do use more AA2520 and don't mind a little crunch
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With an Oehler chronograph to tell the story, here is the data I got from the 8208. The rifle now wears a Satern 24" 5R barrel, .875 GB, .820"ish muzzle with crown only.
107 SMK, 450, 29.5 8208, 1.683" using Possum Hollow comparator - 2752fps average, 15 es, 6 sd. .420 moa 5 shot group. This load I have taken to 600 yards with damn near the same moa.
108 Scenar, 450, 29.5 8208, 1.736" using Possum Hollow comparator - 2726fps average, 17 es, 7 sd. .660" 5 shot group.
FWIW, I have been using Leverevolution with the 123's and it is really good powder with no demons. I get the velocities I got with 2520 (2640fps with sd's around 10) with none of the pressure signs. The brass does not show any flattened primers or exjector swipe that I saw with 2520 and factory AA and some older Black Hills 6.5 Grendel ammo. The Lever powder, a 120 Berger, 450 primer, jumped .005" will shoot under .5 moa elevation time and again @ 600. I don't doubt that alot of the accuracy I see @ 600 is from a great barrel (Satern), great trigger (JP), great rest (Randolph), great components, and a good day for me, but the Lever and 123's really shoot good. The Berger 120's however, shoot, well great!