IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

[shadow4]

I bought some of this powder a few weeks ago to try out in my 6.5Lapua. I was happy with the results I was getting with Varget but was intrigued by the idea that the new powder might give me good results AND be able to meter accurately. My hopes were that I would get a powder that was #1)Temperature stable, #2)low ES/SD's, #3) accurate, and #4) be able to meter consistently. I get the first 3 with Varget already (basically looking for another way to speed up the reloading process, w/o sacrificing accuracy).

Back ground on the rifle being used:
Rifle was built by Jon Beanland and is a TACK-DRIVER!
Surgeon Reciever
5-R Rock Creek Barrel Finished at 25"
McMillan A-5 Stock
CG Action Trigger.
Nightforce 5.5-22x w/ Nightforce rings.

Components being used were; Lapua brass (of course), 123gr Scenars seated 15 thou from the lands, Wolf Small Rifle Magnum primers.......... FYI, I don't neck turn, weight sort brass, or clean primer pockets, so your results may vary from mine.

<span style="font-weight: bold">On to the results:</span>

I started at a full grain lower than I did when I first started working up loads for Varget because I noticed in reloading manuals this stuff was creating more velocity with less powder then Varget did in all the loads I looked at. <span style="text-decoration: underline">Disclaimer</span>= All of the loads were shot from a bench. If you've ever shot with me you would know that I suck at shooting from a bench, however this is the only way I can shoot across a chronograph and at a target at the same time around here. ALSO, I am not a scientist and I realize that my testing method may not be up to your "specs". I am ok with this. If you think my method for testing sucks, then go do your own range report, and let me know about it so I can "bask in your glory"

I am only providing this information to be a guide for anyone who may be considering this powder in this particular cartridge. Your results may vary significantly from mine.

<span style="font-weight: bold">35.5gr (Group size was .450")</span>
2842
2818
2789 (in my notes I wrote that the rifle sounded different and felt different on this shot, don't know if it was just me or what, the bullet impacted in the group though)
2818
2807

Average= 2815fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">35.8gr (group size was .416)</span>
2824
2842
2830
2824
2824

average=2828, ES=18, SD=7

<span style="font-weight: bold">36.1gr (group size was .496 would have been smaller but my bench shooting skills were kicking in

)</span>
2886
2855
2886
2873
2867

Average=2873, ES=31, SD=13

<span style="font-weight: bold">36.4 (group size .404)</span>
2892
2898
2898
2898
2873

Average=2891, ES=25, SD=10

<span style="font-weight: bold">36.7gr (group size .311)</span>
2898
2886
2898
2917
2879

Average= 2895, ES=38, SD=14

<span style="font-weight: bold">37gr (group size .350)</span>
2911
2904
2892
2911
2892

Average= 2902, ES=19, SD=9

Around the 36.4gr mark the rifle had a different report and recoil. As you can see there was a noticeable change in velocity around that point. Another thing you might notice is that when I got to the 36.7gr mark, there was barely any noticeable change in Avg velocity going up to the 37gr mark. I stopped at 37gr b/c I felt this is where this powder is "topping out" in my rifle. I figure why waste brass that costs almost a dollar a piece just to find the "max".

Don't let my group sizes fool you, this powder is more accurate than what I shot. Most of the groups had 3-4 shots all going into a raged hole, then b/c of my terrible bench shooting techniques the groups opened up. I probably should have shot off of sandbags exclusively but I was lazy and didn't want to take my bi-pod off.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Conclusion:</span></span>
The good= This powder DID meter REALLY well (+/- .1gr). It did shoot really accurate.

The bad= I did not achieve the velocity that I've achieved with Varget without compromising my brass life. Also got better numbers across the Chrony with my current load of Varget (getting 2930 with 38gr of Varget, ES in the teens, and SD in single digits, no signs of pressure).

You may get very different results than me. As you can see I only shot 6 different charge weights, so my test results are limited and not real thorough. It was enough shooting for me to realize that I am happier with my results with Varget. My personal opinion is that the powder is too fast of a burn rate for this cartridge/bullet weight. As always start low and work your way up. If you have any questions I'll do my best to answer.

 

[shadow4]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

BTW, I am selling the rest of the powder I didn't use FTF. Details are here:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1736719&#Post1736719

 

[Unsichtbar]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

I the load I have worked up for .223/77gr and .308/155L I experienced the same "Bark muzzel report" with this powder at that point I kept increasing till it stacked up. Its been working great in those cals, but it is a strange sound no pressure sighs when I kept going. When I opened the bolt after that report I was expecting to see some kind of pressure signs, none found. Simular velocities with RL 15 and Varget are hard on cases.

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

Shadow,

IMHO, your shooting ability is JUST FINE!

Great report. I've got 8 lbs coming soon and will be running it thru my 6.5 Lapua too.

Alan

 

[02Silver]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

Thanks for the write up and your shooting os just fine.

GSSP...would you PM me on where to buy some?

 

[shadow4]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

GSSP, I was happy with the results I was getting as far as accuracy goes, but I usually don't shoot very well when I shoot from a bench (this was one of my better "bench shooting" days). I just threw out the disclaimer so that people would know that the powder is capable of more accurate groups than I was getting.

I got a little better accuracy from Varget and the Velocity/ES/SD's was definitely better with Varget. I've also shot several groups into the teens with Varget so its going to be really hard to improve on. Had my ES/SD's been a little tighter with the IMR 8208 I would have probably tinkered with it a little more.

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

Friday, I received my 8lb jug of IMR 8208 XBR. Yahoo! Tried to get out yesterday but family emergency precluded that; too bad as the wind was only about 3-4 mps. Today, I did even though the wind was much worse. Decided to shoot a pressure/ladder.

Surgeon 591 (smithed by Chris Matthews of Longshot rifles)
26" Krieger 1:8.5 MTU contour (600 round count). No one's yet explained to me what MTU stands for.
AICS 1.5 stock
NF 5.5-22x50mm w/ NP-R1
6.5x47 Lapua, original throat .104" now .146". No turn .294" neck.
130 Berger VLD Hunting, .010" into lands
CCI 450 primer
Redding Type-S FL w/ .289" bushing
Redding comp seater, seated to OAL 2.760"
Just completed my load development for 40.24 gr H4350, .010" into lands, CCI450, 2800 fps, ES 24, SD 9, .25 to .6 MOA.

Harris 6-9" swivel bipod
CED M2 chrono with center of screens @ 13.5' from muzzle, sun light from my 9pm. Shot between 11 am and 1 pm today.
65'F @ start, 77'F at finish
47.47 Baro
Wind, 3 to 15 mph, average 9mph from 11 am to 1 pm direction.
Sunny

I started off by shooting 5 sighters into a group @ 385 yds. 32.5 gr = 2597 fps AV - 11 ES - 3 SD. Four shots into 1.5" with 5th out to 3". That's .389 MOA or .78 MOA. Looks promising as far as accuracy and good ES/SD. At least for me. Oh, and I shoot off a portable fold-up picnic table so with the wind, the rifle was not still. One of my favorite spots is a sort of bowl where I can shoot in a near 180 deg direction so I can keep the wind pretty much between 11 and 1; in my face.

31 gr to 36 gr in .5 gr increments. Three shots each shot at 385 yds. Used my VIC 123 elec scale to keep powder charges to with in +/- .02 gr.

31 gr/ 2436 - 2435 - 2454 / ES = 19
31.5/ 2474 - 2462 - 2445 / ES = 29
32 gr/2496 - 2504 - 2498 / ES = 8
32.5 /2522 - 2528 - 2523 / ES = 6
33 gr/2534 - 2548 - 2536 / ES = 12
33.5 /2599 - 2612 - 2616 / ES = 17
34 gr/2632 - 2634 - 2626 / ES = 8
34.5 /2643 - 2648ej-2641shiny/ES = 7
35 gr/2649ej-2657shiny-2650ej/ES = 8
35.5/2728ej-3734ej -2728 / ES = 6
36 gr/2768ej & stiff - 2762ej - 2780/ES = 18

ej = ejector mark on brass
shinny = shinny smear on brass
stiff = stiff bolt lift

ES 335 fps

Really haven't had a chance to eval the target which was a 3" circle. I color coded each 3-shot group of bullets with perm marker; green, red, black, blue, then repeating the same four colors again. Works great because my Zeiss spotter @ 45x had too much vibration from the wind to tell all the impacts. Thanks Jason Baney!

I'll try and post pics later.

For now, I'm impressed with the accuracy potential, ES and SD but not the velocity. I saw a post here on Snipershide where someone witnessed a chrono printout of something around 3000 fps. Must have been a looooong barrel and loooots of pressure.

Alan

 

[IanB]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

Thought about using RL 17? I can get 2950 fps out of a 26 inch Bartlein and 130 gr Bergers, alas accuracy is nothing special and it's just hitting pressure.

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

IanB,

Please tell me more about your Rel 17 experiences with the 6.5x47? I'm thinking of a light to mid weight hunting rifle to be built and I love the caliber.

Alan

 

[IanB]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

GSSP

Firstly I should add that my rifle is throated for the 123 Scenar, so accuracy with the 130's was only average.

I started of at 37.5 grains of RL17 using CCI 450 primers which gave a mild 2633 fps and worked up in .5 increments up until 39 grains and then in .3 increments.
Quickload predicted that I would see pressure at around 40 to 40.5 grains, I managed to get up to 41.5 before encountering mild pressure.
I didn't manage to run the last two loads over the chrono as I did these the next day and I was in a bit of a rush,these loads were 41.2 and 41.5. The last load to run through the chrono was 40.9 which was recorded at 2919 fps, so following the velocity jumps in .3 increments then my prediction would be 41.5 grains of RL17 would have given me 2950+ fps ( please remember this is way over maximum ) ES in all the loads were reasonable with a high of 21 and low at 2.

 

[Alan Griffith]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

Was able to run back out this morning and check out something that looked promising for accuracy and ES/SD.

Both the 32.5 gr groups (the first was the sighter load and then the next was within the ladder) ran .4 MOA'ish with low ES/SD. So, I loaded up 10 rounds each of 32.4/32.6 and 32.8 gr. I can't verify these exact weights because I "threw" my charges with my Harrell's Premium powder meter to see what sort of accuracy/numbers would present themselves. I was quite pleased.

Groups ran .36 to .69 MOA @ 360 yds SD's ran 5, 9 , 9 respectively. Something else. Velocity was a solid 70 fps slower when I dipped the bearing surface in some Sinclair's powdered graphite; 2530 vs 2600 ish.

So, again, not great velocity but very good accuracy, ES and SD's. Good enough to practice with.

Alan

 

[ledmach11969]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

I started reloading 6.5X47Lapua. 120gr. & 123gr sierra match king, with 39gr of R15, CCI450 primers. I started seeing some mild pressure signs in my brass, would this affect my rifle barrel or bolt? Or is nothing to be worried about?

Any advice would be useful, since Im thinking about saving my face and my beautiful 6.5X47 Lapua Custom Rifle.



I don't care that my wife get jealous, because I spend more time with her she is one beautiful rifle.

 

[diriel]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR results in a 6.5x47 Lapua

@GSSP

MTU = Marksmanship Training Unit

Gary