IMR 8208 powder in 308 Win.

[6BRonwheels]

I finally tried some of this great new powder in my Savage 308 Win. with a 26" tube, using the Sierra 155 grain Palma bullet. I shot five different loads, and the best load was a five-shot group that formed one nice hole on the target at 100 yards. The ave. vel. was 2975fps, extreme spread 8 fps, and the SD was 3.4 fps. I will do a bit of seating depth tweeking for my next trip to the range. I think this powder has great potential for this cartridge.

 

[Johnboy]

sounds good but while you are at it try the 168 and 175s.thats if you are welling to try.been looking and reading about the powder but not sure if its something to get yet.really haven't seen any one yet try it with a 168 or 175.and if you are willing keep us posted.might just have to try it if its as good as most are saying it is.

 

[CJ6]

I've also been playing with XBR in 308. 155 Palmas , 155 A Maxs. The Palmas are -.01 w/CCI 200s w/44.3grs., the AMaxs are + .005 w/fed 210s w/ 44.9grs. I found it odd that the Palmas were working @ -.01 this is a bit back from normal for this rifle . I haven't had it across the chrono yet tho.

 

[Bistem]

sounds good but while you are at it try the 168 and 175s.thats if you are welling to try.been looking and reading about the powder but not sure if its something to get yet.really haven't seen any one yet try it with a 168 or 175.

My initial load development for the 308 barrel on my new rifle was with 175 SMK's and 8208. Rifle is a Bat M action with a 26" Krieger 1-11 twist. best load I found was at 43.2gr with a 3 shot 100yrd group at 0.144". I then screwed the 6BR barrel on the gun and have not re-visited the 308 barrel since. rounds were loaded just touching the lands. according to IMR's web site, this load was "hot" but to my best judgement in Quickload, this still seems to be under max chamber pressure and I had no pressure signs even at 1/2 grain above this powder amount but groups were going south when i got this high......43.2 is what i stuck with.

 

[jsteiger]

Hey guys, can you give me a full description of your load? ie: case prep? dies? seating depth? neck tension?
THANKS!!

 

[Steve Blair]

Two successive five-shot groups with .308 Lapua brass, Lapua 155 Scenar molys seated 2.883", Wolf KVB-7 and 44.0 8208 from 30" McGowen-barreled Savage 12F delivered:

Average ES SD 2915.1 7.1 2.9 2916.9 16.4 7.0

100-yard groups were .389 and .483, respectively, in windy conditions.

 

[Trevor60]

I know this is an older post but thought it may be more useful then starting a new one.
Now that most of the shooting season is behind us has anyone converted to this powder over their previous choice?
What are peoples option on the performance, ES/SD, Speed, temp sensitivity, lot variation?

I have obtained some 8208 lot#4832 and will be conducting some testing against my current standard of Varget. Comments have been made that more speed with better ES/SD are obtainable using less powder with 8208.

Thanks
Trevor

 

[6BRonwheels]

Hi Trevor,
Based on shooting this powder all season, it is the best powder I have ever used. It gives much better ES and SD than varget. A lot more stable in temperature swings. As for accuracy, it is about 10% better than varget. As a bonus, it burns cleaner than varget. I have not found a problem with this new powder. I shoot it in three guns, 308 Win., 22-250, and a 6mm BR Custom rifle. I gained vel. in all the rifles, along with added stability and accuracy.

 

[Steve Blair]

I have shot 8208 for a while in .308 with Berger 155.5 FULLBORE. I am getting 2990 from a 26" Bartlein 10" twist in a Pierce action. The attached target was 10 rounds prone from the bipod at 300 yards, the first 7 in .852" until the wind returned. I am pretty happy with the powder.

 

[Nomo4me]

6brOW could you tell me a bit about your 22-250 load please?

Thx

Hi Trevor,
Based on shooting this powder all season, it is the best powder I have ever used. It gives much better ES and SD than varget. A lot more stable in temperature swings. As for accuracy, it is about 10% better than varget. As a bonus, it burns cleaner than varget. I have not found a problem with this new powder. I shoot it in three guns, 308 Win., 22-250, and a 6mm BR Custom rifle. I gained vel. in all the rifles, along with added stability and accuracy.