IMR 8208 XBR

[Rundownfid]

When I got home from the week-end my new Handloader was here. Inside was a brief review in Propellant Profiles of the new IMR 8208 XBR. On the way home from trying some new loads I stopped at my local dealer and low and behold 8208 in the flesh (well a plastic bottle in fact).

I bought some and the Varget I came for and scurried home to test. The max load listed on the Hodgdon website was 23.6 with the 69 gr HPBT. I skipped the reduced loads and got a few to shoot at my home 50 yd range. only got 2737 and 2723 from the two 5 shot strings. Accuracy wasn't spectacular either. I noted that the primers were not even particularly flat and almost no flow around th firing pin strike, I suspect it could hold a few .10ths more? Re reading the article the imputation was that the powder would work best with lighter bullets in .223. I'll have to try it with some 55 gr A-maxs I am thinking of slaying groundhogs with this summer.

It was rather exciting to find a brand new powder so far out in the sticks so soon, but a little anti-climactic later.

Can anyone suggest a better load for the 69 gr s than 26.0 grains of Varget. I'm getting just under 3,000 fps and sub .75 MOA should I just give up and decide that is as good as it gets??

 

[Bugholes]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR

I shoot 69SMK with 26Varget or 26RL15 in my rifle length AR and get similar velocity, youre on the right track there. The loads are compressed and need some settling of powder to get uniform seating depths. I did try benchmark to get the load density down and it worked very well, 24.4-24.6 grains was very nice and got me around 2950 with the 69smk IIRC

 

[Bronco]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR

Gas or bolt rifle? Barrel length?

 

[Unsichtbar]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR

The IMR 8082 works great, you just have not developed the load. The reloading info is very conservative, it likes compression 77 gr SMK 2850 Fps Win, Case, OCW load is north of listed Max. No pressure signs

I also shoot it in .308 155L Lapua Case 2920 Fps in a 22" barrel 8.8 Mils elevation at 1000 yds OCW above Max listed no presure signs.

For both loads I can cover the groups with a dime at 100yds and under 1.5" at 300 yds if I do my part.

Suggest if you do not have a method to develop a load you do a search for Optium Charge Weight

 

[Rundownfid]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR

Thanks for the tip, I just started to check out the OCW web site and it appears very interesting.

I am not surprised that there is more potential in the 8208, as mentioned thee were no signs of even normal near max pressure. Will have to try a bit more, but I hate to exceed max listed loads.

 

[josephberry]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR

I'm shooting the 69 matchking with 8208. Still testing, but accuracy is very good and velocity is over 2900 in a 20 inch barrel. Bump your powder up slowly. I'm running around 25 grains,and the primers are just starting to flatten a little,(bolt lifts with one finger)

 

[Mr.Kirk]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rundown</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> only got 2737 and 2723 from the two 5 shot strings. Accuracy wasn't spectacular either. </div></div>

Did you only load one length? To the lands?
If so and it's a bolt gun;
You might want to try loading something like 5 rnds of 10, 20 thou in and 10, 20 , 30 back.
One of these will shoot best.

 

[Unsichtbar]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR

Bolt Gun IMR Test by a couple of fellow I shoot with

223 Ladder test .2g steps, 300yards, 80g berger vld, Lapua brass, Wolf Magnums, Krieger 1:7.7 @ 29", 7mph full value wind from 3oclock, 5 shots each from bipod

grains---avg fps---group size----notes

24.20 2932 2.25" 1.6"vert

24.40 2960 2.5" 1.6"vert

24.60 2992 2.8" 2" vert

24.80 3003 1.7" 1.1"vert - clear winner, 3 shots in 0.4"

25.00 3012 2.7" 1.4"vert

no pressure signs at all, could probably go to 3050fps if needed

my version of QuickLoad software does not have IMR 8208, but some of the forum board junkies have said to use ADI AR2206H powder for the specs...it does come out fairly close.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR

I think you will like this powder, it seems to be working well for me.

80gr A-Max, 23.8 grs IMR8208, 2757 fps, 4.5" ~ 6" 10-shot groups @ 600 yds from the bench.

I haven't tried the 69gr pills but the 75gr Hornady BTHP's are doing decent, 24grs of powder, I don't remember off-hand the velocity but it was pretty good, 10" groups & 600yds from the bench.

It's fine-cut so I assumed it would meter well but that hasn't worked out. Variations of up to .3 tenths of a grain through my Dillon measure and my Redding measure.

.2 tenths of a grain also makes quite a bit of difference on target also, tried throwing versus weighing for 600yd loads, increased group size to 10+"

A very good powder but it takes a bit of work to make it work. I did all of my load testing in Feb/Mar. Need to get back to the range and see what the higher temps are doing to the velocities now.