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Imr 8208 xbr?

poke5353

Full Member
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Minuteman
Jan 15, 2009
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Central Arkansas
I have been using Alliant AR comp for my 308 with 175gr smks. Well, just like everyone else I ran out of powder and all my places are out. I did find some IMR8208 and picked up a few pounds so I could load for my prarie dog trip in less than a week. Can someone give me some advice on what kind of perfomance I should expect out of this powder used in 308 bolt gun shooting 175gr SMK's? I know hodgdon has load data and that is what I will use to work up but I am not sure what perfomance to expect from this powder with this heavy of a bullet.

Thanks
 
Wish I could remember the load, but I got something like 2600 fps out of a 20" TRG barrel with Lapua brass, FGMM LRPs and 8208 with the 175 SMK seated to mag length. Worked fine to 1k. I think I like the Berger 155.5 FB more here, though.
 
It will work just fine. I load my 175 smk. at 42.2 Winchester brass and primers at BHA length. It chronos at an avg 2620 out of my rifle. It seems to shoot well out of all of mine bolt guns. Have not tried it on my AR 10. I do not shoot it much.
 
i was reading that 8208 works best in 308 with LAPUA / LAKE CITY BRASS ... with less case capacity for better case fill ???
 
Here is what I came up with. Lapua brass, 2.86" OAL 175gr pulled SMK. Bolt started getting heavy at 43gr, extractor marks started at 43 as well.

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A2DD7F64-4513-4ECF-9566-AE4EA17419A9-13288-0000036ECA3AAC89.jpg

EF6B8251-4AE8-471D-BD85-E89D8B830B38-13288-0000036ECDDA716A.jpg

882722DE-7E0A-4F10-9F20-E0EF2E3D65B7-13288-0000036ED23DA508.jpg

C6C1DADB-2C4C-4720-A049-9CF1B3EB71D2-13288-0000036ED582E012.jpg
 
LC LR Brass, 41.8 gr IMR-8208, Fed GMM Primer, 175SMK seated at 2.825 out of a 24" Schneider barrel gives me 2,650fps and sub 1/2 moa.
 
My old .308 with 18" barrel shot 2620fps (trued) with the 175 SMK, BR2 primer, and LC brass. Very impressive powder.
 
42.1 Gr. of 8208 XBR / Federal Brass / Federal 210/ 175 Sierra OTM/ 2.790" COL (palma throat) I did a prelim. test with it. 2-5 shot groups @300 yards. = .6 & .7 MOA.
No pressure signs. Just logged it for future use. This was with a 1-12" .308 Win. rifle that doesn't like 175's.

I'm working on limiting my powders for 308 Win. and .223 Rem. to 8208 XBR, AR Comp and CFE 223.
 
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