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Using IMR8208XBR w/ Hornady 155 gn HPBT in 308

LGKLAS

Hi everyone,

I recently bought an FN SPR in 308 with the intent of re-barreling it to 6.5CM. When I got the rifle it was just too nice to do that to at this time. Heavy barrel, McMillan stock, bedded action. So decided to keep and shoot it as 308 for the time being. I bought some Hornady factory 155 ELD-M ammunition for it w/box MV of 2850 and my rifle shot it just great out to 800 yards w/ a chrono velocity of 2829 average.

I want to mirror this load and have a pound of IMR 8208 XBR powder. I've got the bullets (#30313), 1XF Hornady brass and Fed 210 primers. Box COAL was 2.80"

Have any of you used this powder/bullet combination to get to 2850(ish)?
 
I have used IMR 8208 in my 21 inch fly weight .308 with 155's. 1.3 grain under max 155 Hodgdon load with 155 Nosler HPBT's and Hornady (range brass). I would guess velocities were around 2,700. Managed to hit 3 inch steel at 300 most of time, missing when barrel became real hot.
 
44 grains would get you close according to Gordons reloading tool but as usual work up and be careful.
Semi related but different, I get 3050 from my 30 inch tube with 155's, with not much more powder.
But its a close run thing to over pressure.
 
Good Evening

IMR 8208 XBR is my powder of choice for 155 -168 class bullets.
I have loaded 155 lapua's (moly'd) with 8208xbr 45gn Norma brass and CCI BR2s from a 32' barrel with excellent results, but it is faster then you are asking... longer COAL and bore .300 then the article posted above
168 berger hybrids (moly'd) outstanding results

As you are trying to match a speed 2850 fps i would start with 43.5 work up .3 increments and use or borrow LabRadar to tune your speed.

What is your plan after testing with the lb of 8208; you will get approx 160 rds out of a pound... unless you are going to commit to 8208 i would find the powder u want to stay with and run your tests.

Trevor
 
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If the IMR8208XBR doesn't give you the accuracy you want - maybe also try N140 and RL15. These provided the best accuracy by far (.25" MOA) in my M1-A. I had also run Varget, LT32, IMR 4064, 8208XBR and a few others. IMR 4064 shot the worse, though all loads shot under .85" MOA. Every rifle is different, though - as we know.
 
I settled on 45 gr 8208 in a .308 with bare 155's, 12T 30 inch barrel. Velocity settled between 44.8 and 45.2gr at around 2970 fps although I expected it to be faster. Using srp palma brass, OAL 2.900.
 
Martin52 said:
I settled on 45 gr 8208 in a .308 with bare 155's, 12T 30 inch barrel. Velocity settled between 44.8 and 45.2gr at around 2970 fps although I expected it to be faster. Using srp palma brass, OAL 2.900.
Click to expand...

Same here.

Shot several seasons’ Palma matches with IMR 8208XBR, plain Berger 155.5 bullets loaded to 0.020” off the lands in Lapua’s superb srp Palma brass.

45.0 grains was my go-to standard load, new cases or multi-times fired & neck-turned to 0.012” wall thickness. Most often Wolf/Tula KVB-223M or KVB-556 primers until my stash ran out. This was with Bartlein 1:12 29” & 30” finished length barrels. 3,025 fps was routine, confirmed velocity. Got me my HM rating for long range.

BUT as with any load recipe, please start lower then work up. My equipment & shooting conditions aren’t likely the same as yours.
 
spclark said:
Same here.

BUT as with any load recipe, please start lower then work up. My equipment & shooting conditions aren’t likely the same as yours.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree. And to the OP - the barrel length and the OAL of your loaded round are going to influence chamber pressure.
 
Thanx you guyz! You're great. Before posting I did check published load data and ran some numbers thru QL. I wanted to get some info from people who have actually used the powder, bullet and velocity. I think with that info and the info here I am on my way.

I just have a pound of this powder. And a pound of RL-15. My shooting partner has been running 155s and RL-15 so he can help with the RL.

Appreciate it, Everyone!! lg
 
spclark said:
Same here.

Shot several seasons’ Palma matches with IMR 8208XBR, plain Berger 155.5 bullets loaded to 0.020” off the lands in Lapua’s superb srp Palma brass.

45.0 grains was my go-to standard load, new cases or multi-times fired & neck-turned to 0.012” wall thickness. Most often Wolf/Tula KVB-223M or KVB-556 primers until my stash ran out. This was with Bartlein 1:12 29” & 30” finished length barrels. 3,025 fps was routine, confirmed velocity. Got me my HM rating for long range.

BUT as with any load recipe, please start lower then work up. My equipment & shooting conditions aren’t likely the same as yours.
Click to expand...

Pretty much the same here, 45.5 grains But using ADI BM 8208 ( same powder ) SRP Lapua brass lit off with 450"s, nice strong Banard action.
 
I might add, IMR 8208 is very temp stable, my primary use is for my .20 P, .204R, & .223 rodent rifles & 5.56 AR. I charge my cases directly thru my powder measure and find the tiny, small diameter & short IMR 8208 grains a benefit for large volume loading. IMR 8208 has provided excellent accuracy at temps from 20* to 100*. Extending 8208's use to the .308 was natural and 150-155 grains bullets are my favorites for that caliber & my 10 twist, fly-weight easy carry rifle.
 
Not a target gun but with the Palma 155gr I get nice groups with Varget 45.5 and AR-Comp 42. It's a gas gun. These are not near max.
 
Quick update: After research and your help I decided to start at: 44 and 44.5 gns of IMR 8208 XBR.

Then 45.5 and 46 gns of RL-15. Four loads, 5 rounds of each. Per QuickLoad these are all under max pressure and 'should' get me into the 2800s MV. My rifle liked Hornady's factory load with this bullet and velocity. I hope I have mirrored it.

Unfortunately, I am getting ready to go south (AZ) and won't get a chance to shoot these until next spring as this rifle will stay up here (SD).

Thank you again everybody for your time and help. AS is an awesome forum. lg
 
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