View Full Version : Anybody load IMR 8208 XBR
I just got the 2010 Hodgdon reloading manual magazine and they have an article in it on a semi-new powder thats 8208 XBR. Its supposed to be similar to the old 8208 powder and give excellent accuracy. Was just wondering if anybody was using this powder in .223/5.56 and what kind of results you were getting. I have been using H335 with good success, but am always open to trying something else.
No, haven't tried it but will IF it is cheaper than TAC.
No, haven't tried it but will IF it is cheaper than TAC.
I dont think it will be cheap, but I dont know what TAC costs. The 8208 XBR I have seen online is about 22 a lb. Its more of a benchrest/varmit powder than just a plinking powder I guess.
I hear that it is starting to win over benchrest shooters, and is supposed to be incredibly temperature INsensitive.
Would be interested in first-hand reports out of the AR platform.
If I can find a lb I might work up some loads behind some match ammo and see what I can do. I don't have an optic of any kind on my AR though and I suck through iron sights.
I don't have an optic of any kind on my AR though and I suck through iron sights.
I suspect you're being modest, but if not, then brother just get out and shoot more, regardless of powder!
for my 1st post...
Guys I just wondered if there was any more information on recipes? I picked up a lb of it to try in both 308 and 223. I checked hodg's website and found their reloading data, and a few other 308 recipes, but not found anything actively used for 223.
Everyone is commenting that it's an accuracy load rather than a velocity load, and I'm trying to figure out what the problem with this design would be?
I'm new to reloading and just picked up my first AR - don't be too critical, it's a RR, but I like it a lot, and had a gunsmith check it to make sure it was staked right. Not new to shooting, but just getting back into it now.
Thanks!
Anyone willing to share their 223 recipe for 8208?
m1a_scoutguy
07-03-10, 22:00
Here is a link to the IMR Load Data website,,it has general info,,but gives you some good starting loads & info ! I bought a 1LB can of it and have played with it some,,but only in 308/7.62x51 loads. For me it worked better with the lighter bullets,,125 grn TNT in particular,,so that mite translate even better into the 223/556 and the lite bullets ! Here is the link:http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
The big thing I guess is thats it is supposed to be very consistant no matter what the outside temp. is,,which would be helpfull for benchrest, target,& service rifle guys. I will continue to play with & finish out this 1LB can,,but will wait for more info myself & maybe even a New Loading Manual to come out before I get to interested in it !
Any recent findings on this powder? I have been researching it and seems like guys are gettting great accuracy with it but haven't heard much in the way of velocity figures.
Anyone out there tried this powder and what velocities are you getting compared to say TAC, H335, RL-15, etc? I am mostly shooting 1/8 twist 16" SS barrels.
Thanks,
WW
Any recent findings on this powder? I have been researching it and seems like guys are gettting great accuracy with it but haven't heard much in the way of velocity figures.
Anyone out there tried this powder and what velocities are you getting compared to say TAC, H335, RL-15, etc? I am mostly shooting 1/8 twist 16" SS barrels.
Thanks,
WW
I've never used RL15, but some folks have been mentioning using similar load data to their RL15 loads.
My limited experience with 8208 has been that it appears to be slightly faster than Varget, and therefore more suited for heavier bullets.
Definitely does not push lighter bullets (i.e. 40-grain) as fast as, say, X-Terminator.
Thanks akxx. For these rifles I only shoot 69, 75 and 77 grainers. Have other rifles set up for the tinier pills.
WW
Going to bump this back up.
I just picked up a bunch of 75g Hornady BTHP and 77g SMK and from everything I am reading H335 is not a great powder for these bullets.
So I think I am going to try some 8208XBR and some R15. Might try some TAC too as I have seen a lot of guys using that.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x160/308sako/77NosIMR8208XBR100yards.jpg
Distance to target was 100 yards.
Since I cannot control the many and complex issues regarding reloading I neither recommend you try any of these loads or do anything other than establish your own work up as per published reloading manual recommendations and procedures.
22.3 grains LC '06 cases Tula SRM primers & Nosler CC 2.255" Vel = 2651 SD 15
22.5 grs V = 2677 SD 14
22.7 grs V = 2711 SD 16
22.9 grs V = 2743 SD 5
23.1 grs V = 2760 SD 11
Book maximum is 23.2 according to Hodgdon's online data... no pressure was evident in my Colt 6724. So I continued on, cautiously.
23.3 grs V = 2793 SD 11
23.5 grs V = 2826 SD 2
I have further tested this powder with commercial Winchester brass and Sierra 77 MK's and found accuracy with the recommended maximum load to be exceptional in my rifle. It is also my belief that velocities approaching 2900 ft/secs can be achieved in a bolt action and longer barrel.
Hope that answers some of the curiosity. :D
Distance to target was 100 yards.
Since I cannot control the many and complex issues regarding reloading I neither recommend you try any of these loads or do anything other than establish your own work up as per published reloading manual recommendations and procedures.
22.3 grains LC '06 cases Tula SRM primers & Nosler CC 2.255" Vel = 2651 SD 15
22.5 grs V = 2677 SD 14
22.7 grs V = 2711 SD 16
22.9 grs V = 2743 SD 5
23.1 grs V = 2760 SD 11
Book maximum is 23.2 according to Hodgdon's online data... no pressure was evident in my Colt 6724. So I continued on, cautiously.
23.3 grs V = 2793 SD 11
23.5 grs V = 2826 SD 2
I have further tested this powder with commercial Winchester brass and Sierra 77 MK's and found accuracy with the recommended maximum load to be exceptional in my rifle. It is also my belief that velocities approaching 2900 ft/secs can be achieved in a bolt action and longer barrel.
Hope that answers some of the curiosity. :D
Did you adjust the scope after 23.1 and before 23.3? That's a big jump for just a POI shift.
Sure looks like you've found a nice OCW node right around 23.4g. Almost no POI shift between charges!
I did adjust the scope.
I also agree that the node of 23.3 to 23.4 is an optimal window, and have repeated that with Sierra 77 SMK's since these original loads were shot.
My current opinion is that IMR 8208 XBR is a very consistent and stable powder which is very well suited for use in the 5.56 AR rifles.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x160/308sako/233XBR77SMK300yds.jpg
Really amazing load
308sako,
Thank you for the update! Looks like you are having outstanding results with the powder. I haven't been able to do any loading in the last few months as my wife is retiring from the Army and we are moving back home after many years being told by Uncle Sam where to go! ;)
WW
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x160/308sako/DSCN0009-2.jpg
Really amazing load
:blink: I'd say so! What length barrel?
Colt 6724, 24" 1 in 9 twist SS, 5.56 NATO Chamber half moon carrier with Tubb CWS and Tubb flatspring. Optic: Leupold 8.5 x 25 LRT fine duplex crosshair. Geissele match trigger set to minimum pull weight.
The actual reload was in twice fired LC'06 cases which had been annealed after first firing. Headspace set to -.0015" neck tension set to .0025" in a Redding bushing F/L die. Tula small rifle magnum primers and thrown powder charges from a Redding BR3 measure. Finished cartridge length is 2.255." Additional aspect of this group was the barrel had been cleaned previously and then 30 rounds fired, so the bore was stable. Round count for the tube is 2,500+
Technique with measure is to throw 5 charges which must come within +/- .1 grain of the desired 116.5 grain total. Only when the measure feels identical for all drops is this achieved.
This is my second CR6724, I wish this powder had been available back when.. the first was a far more accurate rifle!
Colt 6724, 24" 1 in 9 twist SS, 5.56 NATO Chamber half moon carrier with Tubb CWS and Tubb flatspring. Optic: Leupold 8.5 x 25 LRT fine duplex crosshair. Geissele match trigger set to minimum pull weight.
The actual reload was in twice fired LC'06 cases which had been annealed after first firing. Headspace set to -.0015" neck tension set to .0025" in a Redding bushing F/L die. Tula small rifle magnum primers and thrown powder charges from a Redding BR3 measure. Finished cartridge length is 2.255." Additional aspect of this group was the barrel had been cleaned previously and then 30 rounds fired, so the bore was stable. Round count for the tube is 2,500+
Technique with measure is to throw 5 charges which must come within +/- .1 grain of the desired 116.5 grain total. Only when the measure feels identical for all drops is this achieved.
This is my second CR6724, I wish this powder had been available back when.. the first was a far more accurate rifle!
Nice specs! The 24" tube explains why you're getting such good velocities with that load. While those velocities are certainly attainable with a 20" barrel, I've found that accuracy typically drops off beyond 2700-2750fps.
The problem with loading for a 5.56 NATO chamber when using .223 Remington data is that you begin not knowing what a true recommended book maximum is, and then you have to go on your own experience.
I have done a step by step increase of only 1/10 of a grain per increment and and still not found the absolute maximum for this powder and bullet combination. I can tell you that there are two nodes above the shown one! The 77 SMK is not over stablized at 2880 ft/secs either...
I've been working up a load with 8208XBR and 69 grain SMKs, 2.255" OAL.
18" 1/7 BCM SS410 barrel and the IMR max of 23.8 grains (at 2.235" OAL in the book) only got me to 2,550 fps.
Accuracy over 10 rounds was 1.07". Mean Radius = .339" at 100 yards. Eight of them were in one hole, with the cold bore landing high and one I pulled landing low. This is a very light felt recoil load.
I went .8 grains over book max and was at 2,750 fps, with no signs of pressure. I think there's more room to move up.
mizer, FWIW I have shot the 77 SMK's above the load you mention also without pressure indicators other than great velocity.
mizer, FWIW I have shot the 77 SMK's above the load you mention also without pressure indicators other than great velocity.
The velocities seem to match Sierra AR AA2520 load data pretty closely for the 69 and 77 SMKs.
I haven't found a high-end accuracy node yet.
:blink: I'd say so! What length barrel?
Barrel is a Colt 6724, or 24 inch SS 1 in 9 twist. 5.56 chamber
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.