• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

8208 powder lot 167

Do I remember correctly that this was a good powder for the PPC? Michael Kavanaugh called this morning and said he was sending me about 7 lbs.

About any lot of IMR 8208 will work Butch. But, there are two downsides. It is relatively dirty burning, especially when compared to N133. And, at $60+ a pound more expensive, too.

A check of the equipment lists from any NBRSA Match results confirms that N133 is the go-to choice for Group Competitors. LT-32 has made some in roads, but N133 still tops the list.

SJ
 
About any lot of IMR 8208 will work Butch. But, there are two downsides. It is relatively dirty burning, especially when compared to N133. And, at $60+ a pound more expensive, too.

A check of the equipment lists from any NBRSA Match results confirms that N133 is the go-to choice for Group Competitors. LT-32 has made some in roads, but N133 still tops the list.

SJ
I understand. I have an 8lb jug already and can't turn down a freebe. I have an 8 lb jug of LT32 also, but not a lot of 133.
 
About any lot of IMR 8208 will work Butch. But, there are two downsides. It is relatively dirty burning, especially when compared to N133. And, at $60+ a pound more expensive, too.

A check of the equipment lists from any NBRSA Match results confirms that N133 is the go-to choice for Group Competitors. LT-32 has made some in roads, but N133 still tops the list.

SJ
Don’t confuse the currently produced IMR 8208XBR with the original 8208 military surplus pull-down powder that I was referring to. The original stuff was one of the legendary powders for PPC’s, certain lots especially (along with the original T32 powder). The new IMR 8208XBR was an attempt to recreate the original 8208 burning characteristics, marketed specifically for benchrest shooters, but it’s nowhere near as consistent as the old stuff and as SJ noted you’ll rarely find anyone using it in a PPC these days. When the stockpiles of 8208 and T32 finally started running out is when benchrest shooters started using VV N133 in their PPC’s. The currently produced LT-32 powder is a similar attempt to recreate the original T32 powder, and it has been much more successful in that regard, especially the first lot. Several of the lots after that were significantly different, prompting benchrest shooters to mix LT-32 with LT-30 and call it LT-31, and that has been a winning combination.
 
Don’t confuse the currently produced IMR 8208XBR with the original 8208 military surplus pull-down powder that I was referring to. The original stuff was one of the legendary powders for PPC’s, certain lots especially (along with the original T32 powder). The new IMR 8208XBR was an attempt to recreate the original 8208 burning characteristics, marketed specifically for benchrest shooters, but it’s nowhere near as consistent as the old stuff and as SJ noted you’ll rarely find anyone using it in a PPC these days. When the stockpiles of 8208 and T32 finally started running out is when benchrest shooters started using VV N133 in their PPC’s. The currently produced LT-32 powder is a similar attempt to recreate the original T32 powder, and it has been much more successful in that regard, especially the first lot. Several of the lots after that were significantly different, prompting benchrest shooters to mix LT-32 with LT-30 and call it LT-31, and that has been a winning combination.

I guess I'll quote Jerry Garcia when discussing the history of 8208 and LT-32. I.e., "What a long strange trip, it's been." :confused: :)

Although I started competing in IBS Score about 27 years ago the old 8208 - also called "T" powder - was long gone. The H332 of that time worked well, especially older lots that were made in Scotland. After a couple of seasons, N133 was widely adopted. Thereafter just about anyone competing with a 6PPC used it.

As you mentioned the 1st lots of LT-32 were great, while the later ones ... not so much. I went thru about 7# of a later lot that just about drove me nuts with its inconsistency. It took that long to realize it shot the lights out when it was cold and dry, or warm and dry. If it was damp and cold or warm and humid it was awful. I finally switched over to N133 and got (most of) my sanity back. :rolleyes:

I did try the LT-31 mix but found it was inconsistent too. Maybe I didn't mix is evenly enough?

I always wondered why the LT-32 acted the way it did. My pet theory it's because of its thick deterrent coating. Those tiny grains would burn way too fast without it. But, being that thick, it absorbs moisture and that changes the way the powder burns. Then again, I could be wrong and maybe it's something else entirely.

SJ
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
165,981
Messages
2,207,132
Members
79,238
Latest member
claydunbar
Back
Top