New Powder - Almost as much fun as a new rifle

[southern_idaho]

After a long drought of no powder on the shelves, one of the local suppliers actually had some.

I scored an 8 lb. jug of IMR 8208xbr - a powder I have been wanting to try. I can use it in 3 of 4 calibers that I regularly load for: .223 Rem, .22-250 Rem., 260 Rem.

Oh the possibilities

We have to take pleasure in small things these days.

 

[CatShooter]

After a long drought of no powder on the shelves, one of the local suppliers actually had some.

I scored an 8 lb. jug of IMR 8208xbr - a powder I have been wanting to try. I can use it in 3 of 4 calibers that I regularly load for: .223 Rem, .22-250 Rem., 260 Rem.

Oh the possibilities

We have to take pleasure in small things these days.

That's too much fun for one person to have.

Send 4 pounds to me - I'm not having any fun

 

[SmokinJoe]

I am with you on this issue. I placed a backorder with Midsouth back in February for an 8# of CFE223 that I wanted for my 308 & maybe the 223 varmint rifles. Finally got it in September & I'm proud to say that I seem to now have a 1/2 MOA Mod70 Stealth with great performance using 150BT. Patience is definitely a virtue these days, and Christmas comes at unexpected times

 

[searcher]

The neat thing about getting to try all that 8208 in your rifles - is that there is a very good chance you will find many new "best loads" with it. It brought several of my "dead-beat" rifles to new life.

 

[medic727]

IMR 8208XBR burns real clean. Inmy 6BR I went the full plus practice without cleaning. If anything it shot better at the end of the season (450-12x) than it did at the beginning. Using Wipeout with accelerator it took maybe 12 patches to clean it up.

 

[rcerro]

Try it with your 35 Whelen

 

[1shot]

I'm currently shooting either H-4350 or H-4831sc in my 243 AI w/105 pills. Anyone ever tried it in this combo?
Thanks in advance,
Lloyd

 

[amlevin]

I'm another fan of 8208 XBR. Unfortunately for me, it's almost as scarce as Varget on the shelves. Happened to see 6 1# bottles of it on the shelf of my nearby Cabela's. Bough two (their limit) but like a dummy I didn't just go put them in my truck and return two more times.

 

[amlevin]

I tried to buy a 8lb jug of 8208 and the gent sent 8200 instead.Has anyone used this powder and if so for what ? Thanks,Tom.

What brand???? Can't seem to find any listing for "8200" powder.

 

[rvn1968]

My mistake,I just had to dig through the powder locker. It is Alliant 4000MR Tom

 

[RStewart]

I switched from Varget to 8208 over a year ago. Everytime someone was making a bullet, powder or primer order I bought some of each. Sitting on 40# of 8208, so I should be able to ride out the scarcity for a while.
It is a great powder. As some said, it shoots pretty clean. Temperature sensitivity is basically non-existent, at least down here. It takes less powder than Varget and gets higher velocities without pressure issues in both my .223 and .308.

 

[spclark]

I'm currently shooting either H-4350 or H-4831sc in my 243 AI w/105 pills. Anyone ever tried it in this combo?

Not me but my experience with this stuff (all good!) leads me to think it might be a wee bit too fast for the case capacity vs. bore volume you suggest.

It's my favorite powder for 6XC with Berger's 105VLD & Hybrid and their 155 Hybrid or 155.5 Fullbore for Palma shooting. (Did I mention 6HAGAR in a spacegun?)

I feel very fortunate to have pulled an 8# bottle off my local vendor's shelf day before yesterday....

 

[1shot]

Thanks,
I may give a try in my Palma rifle.
Lloyd

 

[Nalgi]

8208 XBR

I have been shooting it for about 3 years. I love it. Acts alot like H4895.

Here is a group from my 7mm-08
41 gr 8208XBR
145 gr Barnes LRX

 

[22BRGUY]

think I saw it used recently by a comp benchrest shooter in 6 dasher and she did very well. Got my wheels turning again. Wondering how it is on throats.

 

[22BRGUY]

There are some good 8208XBR lots. But they do vary from lot to lot. Accurate LT32 does not vary from lot to lot
and is taking over the benchrest world wining a lot . You mite wont to try it.

Where does it fall on a burnrate chart if you know?
Thanks

 

[southern_idaho]

Went to the range yesterday to shoot first rounds loaded with the 8208 xbr.
Results were excellent. As the powder charge went up, the groups shrank.
Last group was 39 grs., Sierra 107 bthp, Rem 7 1/2 primer.
1/2" 3-shots @ 100yds. (Can't figure out how to post pics with my iPhone )

 

[southern_idaho]

Went to the range yesterday to shoot first rounds loaded with the 8208 xbr.
Results were excellent. As the powder charge went up, the groups shrank.
Last group was 39 grs., Sierra 107 bthp, Rem 7 1/2 primer.
1/2" 3-shots @ 100yds. (Can't figure out how to post pics with my iPhone )

Should have added cartridge was .260 remmy

 

[stacy]

I SHOT 8208XBR IN A22-250 W/OUTSTANDING RESULTS W/52GR'S SEIRRA BTHP MATCH AT 3800FPS..............

 

[spclark]

Where does it fall on a burnrate chart if you know?

Rumor has it it was developed to compete with VV N133 & early testers seem to support this. Later lots slowed a bit but it's got a different pressure curve (I can feel the difference in the two rifles I use it in, 6XC & 308 for Palma) AND it's easy to go overboard if you're not well aware of how it behaves near max.

I put it close to N140/540 myself.