8208xbr in 22GT

[Woollybugger]

I was running Varget in my new 22 GT 12T 22” with 53gr Vmax and had good success. Shot well at 3825fps but Varget seems dirty and carbons up quickly.
I ran a quick test with 8208xbr and had an easy 3900 with no signs of pressure.

Any one else have experience with 8208 in a similar volume case? 22dasher - 22-250 with light bullets?

 

[urbanrifleman]

Smokin!!!

 

[17VLD]

So far I've only used 8208 in my 6ppc to replace the N133 that I ran out of. To say I was pleased is an understatement. Will definitely use it in other calibers this spring.
Matt

 

[birdog]

So far I've only used 8208 in my 6ppc to replace the N133 that I ran out of. To say I was pleased is an understatement. Will definitely use it in other calibers this spring.
Matt

same here. I switched to 8208

 

[boltfluter]

8208XBR is an amazing powder in my 8 twist 22BR. Temperature stable, very good velocity, and one hole accuracy! What's not to like.
Paul

 

[RussellJ]

I was running Varget in my new 22 GT 12T 22” with 53gr Vmax and had good success. Shot well at 3825fps but Varget seems dirty and carbons up quickly.
I ran a quick test with 8208xbr and had an easy 3900 with no signs of pressure.

Any one else have experience with 8208 in a similar volume case? 22dasher - 22-250 with light bullets?

I use the IMR 8208XBR powder in an 8-twist barreled 22 Dasher with the Hornady 53grn V-Max bullets. I have run this combo up to 4000fps with NO problems. Ended up backing the powder charge down a touch due to smaller SD and ES (35.0grn = 3915fps). I have had amazing results on groundhogs out to 600yds with this combination.

 

[boltfluter]

I use the IMR 8208XBR powder in an 8-twist barreled 22 Dasher with the Hornady 53grn V-Max bullets. I have run this combo up to 4000fps with NO problems. Ended up backing the powder charge down a touch due to smaller SD and ES (35.0grn = 3915fps). I have had amazing results on groundhogs out to 600yds with this combination.

Russell,
We need pics of this beautiful rifle of yours! Needing some motivation for the next build. Lol!
Paul

 

[17VLD]

Russell, was wondering if you've tried the 62 ELD-VT in your 8 twist yet.
Don't get me wrong that 53 vmax is a great bullet. I have used the 53 for coyotes and love it. Just thinking at distance the 62 might have an edge. More or less thinking out loud.

Matt

 

[RussellJ]

Russell, was wondering if you've tried the 62 ELD-VT in your 8 twist yet.
Don't get me wrong that 53 vmax is a great bullet. I have used the 53 for coyotes and love it. Just thinking at distance the 62 might have an edge. More or less thinking out loud.

Matt

I have been testing the 62grn ELD-VT bullets in both of my 22 Dashers. The Stiller Predator -V with a 8 twist Shilen barrel I settled on a 31.7grn of Varget at 3471fps. I have run these bullets up to 3700fps with IMR 8208XBR however, I couldn't get the groups under 5/8"
My other 22 Dasher with a Pierce action and a 8 twist Kreiger barrel looks real promising with the 62grn ELD-VT and 33.0grn of Varget at 3539fps. I just loaded 33.0grn, 33.3grn and 33.5grn of Varget to do the 2nd test.

 

[DShortt]

Are you seeing 8208XBR on the shelves locally? I haven't seen any for a decade or so.

 

[RussellJ]

Russell,
We need pics of this beautiful of yours! Needing some motivation for the next build. Lol!
Paul

 

[bobcat93]

I did read IMR was discontinuing the 8208xbr powder about 2-3 months ago. I hope that was false it was in a hunting article.
I like that powder alot. It works for me in some of my favorite loads. So i hope the article or wherever i read that was wrong

 

[padom]

Are you seeing 8208XBR on the shelves locally? I haven't seen any for a decade or so.

My LGS just got 8208 and H4895 in stock last Wednesday. First time in a few years on the H4895 and more than a year on the 8208.. I grabbed a few, $340 each 8#

 

[SGT. Slaughter]

So far I've only used 8208 in my 6ppc to replace the N133 that I ran out of. To say I was pleased is an understatement. Will definitely use it in other calibers this spring.
Matt

I'm really interested in 8208 in 6ppc as an alternative for N133 if you would like to give some details since I'm having a 6ppc built for the first time. Thank you Sir for any help.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I have been testing the 62grn ELD-VT bullets in both of my 22 Dashers. The Stiller Predator -V with a 8 twist Shilen barrel I settled on a 31.7grn of Varget at 3471fps. I have run these bullets up to 3700fps with IMR 8208XBR however, I couldn't get the groups under 5/8"
My other 22 Dasher with a Pierce action and a 8 twist Kreiger barrel looks real promising with the 62grn ELD-VT and 33.0grn of Varget at 3539fps. I just loaded 33.0grn, 33.3grn and 33.5grn of Varget to do the 2nd test.

They don't like being overspun. Best groups are under 3500 fps in 8 twist from what I've seen.

 

[boltfluter]

In my Tikka. 223 they definitely like to be in the rifling about .010 to .015. Groups tightened right up for me. A great looking bullet that checks all the boxes for a varmint bullet. Crows and coyotes beware! Lol.
Paul

 

[boltfluter]

View attachment 1647447
View attachment 1647631

Very nice looking rifles! Thanks bud.
Paul

 

[Woollybugger]

I was running Varget in my new 22 GT 12T 22” with 53gr Vmax and had good success. Shot well at 3825fps but Varget seems dirty and carbons up quickly.
I ran a quick test with 8208xbr and had an easy 3900 with no signs of pressure.

Any one else have experience with 8208 in a similar volume case? 22dasher - 22-250 with light bullets?

Follow-up to this. I shot groups at 36.5 - 38.1 gr. Best was 37.4 of 8208xbr at 3943fps spread 5.9 std 2.4. Best group .394 and I know it would shoot better if I understood the mirage. I haven’t played with seating depth. these were .010 off of jam in once fired brass.

 

[17VLD]

I'm really interested in 8208 in 6ppc as an alternative for N133 if you would like to give some details since I'm having a 6ppc built for the first time. Thank you Sir for any help.

When I lived in Colorado a group of us shot a monthly informal VFS match at the Aurora gun club. I was blessed to win the unlimited class many times. I think most of the reason for that was that I used the awesome 66 grain Cheek bullet from Texas. To your question, N133 is a great powder but I was having trouble back then finding a jug. I had heard 8208 was doing very well and decided to try it, it is slightly slower burning than N133 so I figured that I could start with the same weight as the 133 and slowly work up. 27.0 of 8208 went 2970fps with the 66 Cheek and a 205m.I went up from there and jumped up by 1/2 a grain at a time to get close to the velocity and accuracy I wanted and then fine tuned my load at that point. Both powders shot very well and these days finding either one would be the deciding factor for me. Hearing that 8208 may be discontinued makes me disappointed, but life goes on. XTerminator is another great powder and it is in between the burning rate of N133 and 8208. I hesitate to list actual loads as each rifle is different and your mileage may vary. I think it's OK to list my starting load but as always go up slowly and be safe the 6ppc is a wonderful place to start.8208 goes up in velocity in a very linear fashion in the ppc case, approximately 50 fps per 1/2 grain. I am used to taking it much slower with the smaller calibers usually 1/10 at a time. My point here is to error on the side of safety and watch your pressure and use a chronograph they are absolutely worth the money.Have fun.
Matt

 

[padom]

Hearing that 8208 may be discontinued makes me disappointed,

Its not, a huge 8208 drop just occured last week all over the country. All the popular online stores had it and my LGS got it... <My LGS is out of the 8# now, but still have 1# cans left..