Next best powder to replace IMR 8208

[searcher]

I don't look at burn rates. I normally look in several loading manuals and see which powders give the highest FPS for my bullet weight. I tend to pick the powders that have been around a while. If you get high fps I assume it indicates good compatability and good burn rates for my cartridge.

I hope everyone knows that burn rates are not determind using a rifle chamber or barrel. Look it up. There is a standard volume cylinder and a standard amount of powder put in the cylinder and it is set off with an igniter and the temperature and pressure are measured electronically. Cylinder volume and the amount of powder charge change the burn rate. Burn rate is not a constant number. All othe conditions under which it is burned change the burn rate. All powders are tested under identical unrealistic conditions. It's just a crude guide. I will try post post a link to the procedure.

Yes - and many powders that have similar burn rate do not get going as fast or as slow on ignition - but rather in the tube, so to speak. You can get two powders that have near-identical burn rates - but that does not mean the gun well like them equally - and sometimes far differently. Ideally, the best load is a full case, provides the best accuracy and velocity. That doesn't happen as often as we would like....

 

[Clancy]

They should really categorize the chart based on behavior and not burn rate.

That would be too hard, I know, but optimal nonetheless.

 

[Webster]

In that caliber and with those bullets you mention, I'm sure you would not be disappointed with Accurate LT32. My friends and I have found nothing better for that combo. While pretty much available - it is a pricy powder. The two next best overall powders that will shoot those bullets pretty well (all under 1/2" MOA in all of our varmint A/R's) are H322 and H4198. If you can get some LT32 - start there.

Webster
If your replying to my post I am getting up in age and don't need to test more powders. I am happy that I get under .400" with both my rifles. I don't need more tinkering I just need to find more of the rare almost extinct GH in Ohio.

 

[Jeff]

I am using 10X in my 204 w/ 39 SBK

 

[JSH]

Looking for a powder to replace IMR 8208 with since it's unattainable now unless you want to pay ridiculous gouging prices. I'm down to 1 lb left and I'm saving it for my 20 Practical running 39gr Sierras but I'd like to try some 39's and 40's in a 204 Ruger as well. What are guys using instead now and having good luck with? Thanks.

I will add for the OP, AVAILABLE powders as an option to 8208.
I see several powders mentioned that I have not seen in 3-4 years and some around 5-6 years.
I will admit to not burning as much powder as I used too, H322 was procured 8lb at a time and 16 when a deal was to be had.
H4198, that is hilarious .

Gotta say CFE223 is what I am using, but I won’t say it’s a replacement for 8208 in the cartridges the OP mentions.

 

[Laurie]

I hope everyone knows that burn rates are not determind using a rifle chamber or barrel.

I agree completely with your reservations on the accuracy and usefulness of burn rate charts. They are OK for a very rough categorisation of a powder; pretty useless for identifying equals.

There is one exception to charts/tables based on 'closed bomb' devices. Norma uses an actual cartridge fired in a pressure barrel with common components other than the powder, and a single charge weight throughout. The cartridge is 308 Win. As Norma says, it may be no better than the more common methods, but it is at least based on firing an actual cartridge. It is also rather out of date and unfortunately, doesn't include H. VarGet. Still worth looking at though.

Go here and scroll down to the table:

https://www.norma-ammunition.com/en-gb/reloading-data

It is based on 308 Win loaded with a 143gn FMJ and a single charge weight (43.2gn) is used for every powder with pressure and MV measured/recorded as normal. IMR-4350 is used as the benchmark and its MV/PMax values each ascribed 100, all other powders shown against them. This often gives different results to conventional charts. For instance, Viht N150 is shown in most charts as close / equal to IMR-4350 and N160 likewise for IMR-4831. In the Norma table, N150's relative pressure measures as 118.0 vs 4350's base 100, so is noticeably 'quicker'; N160 measures 107.5, so it too is 'quicker' than 4350, never mind the 4831s. (IMR-4831's relative pressure is 93.2, so there is a large gap between it and N160) ... and so on.

 

[OMW57]

I have had very good results with RL-10X in my 204 & 39 sierra's
shot this combo in factory class BR at our club, took 4th place overall in first year & 2nd place in the 2nd year.
even beat a couple of guys using savage F-class BR style rifles!

 

[markm87]

H322 and VV 135 are my XBR alternates. I load 77 and 69 gr .223 ammo with all three

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I run Exterminator in my 20p, saving the 8208 for my 204R. I did load up some 32 vmax 20p with H4198, but have shot them yet, Warren Brookman light pd load from the 20p feature story.

 

[searcher]

I will add for the OP, AVAILABLE powders as an option to 8208.
I see several powders mentioned that I have not seen in 3-4 years and some around 5-6 years.
I will admit to not burning as much powder as I used too, H322 was procured 8lb at a time and 16 when a deal was to be had.
H4198, that is hilarious .

Gotta say CFE223 is what I am using, but I won’t say it’s a replacement for 8208 in the cartridges the OP mentions.

It has been a long time since I had to buy any powder - and I just looked around to see what powders were not available. It is no wonder folks are not pleased about some of the powders I have been recommending!

 

[LarryDScott]

I found that 10X did a great job in a 204R

This info may not apply to your situation, but when shooting my 6BR
I could put cases loaded w/8208 in w/ones loaded w/VV135, and the groups would never change. There was different charge weights for these 2 powders. LDS

 

[TrapperBR549]

Just a thought but if you are happy with 8208 what have you tried to locate some? I put email alerts for when things come in stock with several of our suppliers. I realize shipping powder and primers can get pricey but I have a decent stock of the components I need by doing this.

 

[rogina]

I am using 10X in my 204 w/ 39 SBK

That combo is hard to beat.

 

[LarryDScott]

My good fortune is that since I'm out of any kind of shooting, I don't have to chase high priced components. LDS

 

[sdbob]

Looking for a powder to replace IMR 8208 with since it's unattainable now unless you want to pay ridiculous gouging prices. I'm down to 1 lb left and I'm saving it for my 20 Practical running 39gr Sierras but I'd like to try some 39's and 40's in a 204 Ruger as well. What are guys using instead now and having good luck with? Thanks.

I have used a lot of TAC in the 20 cal. It’s a little more temp sensitive so I shoot a grain lower when on a summer prairie dog hunt.

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

If anyone is in the SF Bay area, I'm in South Bay. I have about 5 or 6 lbs. of 8208 and would trade for Accurate 1680 which is widely available these days.

When I had a Dillon, I preferred the 8208 as it meters better than Varget. 8208 is a ball powder, not extruded like Varget. Now that I'm not using a progressive press, I have plenty of Varget which I can use for 308 and 6.5cm. I don't really need more 1680, but would be glad to trade if someone is in need. AFAIK, and could be wrong, but I think 8208 is made in Oz, so very difficult to get nowadays.

NOTE: I'm not willing to ship unfortunately, so need to be local FTF, preferably in South Bay, but I head up to Lake County every couple weeks and will be more frequent soon, so that gives a wide area up the south and north peninsulas. If anyone is interested I will get a count, mine are all from same shipment purchased from Powder Valley about 5 years ago. Not interested in cash.

 

[whatsupdoc]

If anyone is in the SF Bay area, I'm in South Bay. I have about 5 or 6 lbs. of 8208 and would trade for Accurate 1680 which is widely available these days.

When I had a Dillon, I preferred the 8208 as it meters better than Varget. 8208 is a ball powder, not extruded like Varget. Now that I'm not using a progressive press, I have plenty of Varget which I can use for 308 and 6.5cm. I don't really need more 1680, but would be glad to trade if someone is in need. AFAIK, and could be wrong, but I think 8208 is made in Oz, so very difficult to get nowadays.

NOTE: I'm not willing to ship unfortunately, so need to be local FTF, preferably in South Bay, but I head up to Lake County every couple weeks and will be more frequent soon, so that gives a wide area up the south and north peninsulas. If anyone is interested I will get a count, mine are all from same shipment purchased from Powder Valley about 5 years ago. Not interested in cash.

8208 is an extruded powder.

 

[Trapper1956]

https://forum.accurateshooter.com/a...okeless-relative-burn-rate-chart-pdf.1443763/Here’s a new one that was posted the other day.

This is a much nicer 1 and has a dozen of the newer powders as well..

 

[DLT]

8208 is an extruded powder.

Correct it’s extruded, I played with some today

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

8208 is an extruded powder.

Must be very small extruded, it's like a fine ball, IMO. Have you used it?

EDIT: it does say it's short grain extruded. It is very short compared to Varget, IMO. Varget meters like crap on a Dillon. I don't have any to look at that is in my office, but I do have 5 or 6 lbs. If someone wants to trade, details are above.

Wait a second, you can get this from either IMR or Hogdon's website. Interesting you can buy it for $44/lb from the IMR site, but $50/lb on the Hogdon site...go figure...