"Temperature Insensitive" Powders

[f18hornet]

Has anyone done objective testing to verify that IMR 8208 XBR is less temperature sensitive than most other powders? Based on the linked burn rate chart (https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Burn%20Rates%20-%202014-2015.pdf) IMR 8208 XBR is listed just before IMR4895 and H4895.

How is it doing in the 6PPC?

 

[LHSmith]

It (IMR XBR-8208) is not doing very well in SR BR competition when you consider that in the last 3 SuperShoots (FISS at Kelblys range) only one top 20 competitor using it made the list in that period......and that was for both weight classes, LV and HV, therefore a one in 120 showing.
Edit- Although 8208 was listed 7x, only one specifically listed XBR-8208.

 

[Joe R]

I have no experience with the 6PPC.

I used IMR 8208 for over a year in my 308 that I use for F-TR. I found it to be very insensitive to temperature changes. However here in Houston our winter daytime temperature are in the low fifties, so the low range is not where our interest lies. We're more concerned with high temperature sensitivity in the summer months; its October and we're still having temps in the upper 80s to low 90s, but at least our morning temps have dropped into the 60s.

I used IMR 8208 when Varget was very difficult/impossible to find. I like it a lot because it flows like water (the average kernel is 0.010 of a grain, 1/2 of Varget's size) and is dense taking much less space. That enabled me to achieve velocities that are not attainable with Varget because of case capacity limitations. Although I have gone back to Varget, I'm not entirely convinced that Varget is better. But I'm deep into matches and don't really have time to investigate further right now.

QuickLoad shows that the pressure curve of IMR 8208 at the same velocity is virtually identical to Varget. IMR 8208 may have advantages in density and kernel size advantage over Varget but the really important question is: is it as consistent pressure wise as Varget? Some people have told me that their results revealed that IMR 8208 is more "spikey" than Varget. I haven't verified that, but I plan on it now that I have both powders.

I hope this helps.

Kindest regards,

Joe

 

[f18hornet]

Is it closer to 4895 or Varget in burn rate?

 

[amlevin]

It's not doing very well when you consider that in the last 3 SuperShoots (FISS at Kelblys range) only one top 20 competitor made the list just one time in that period......and that was for both weight classes, LV and HV, therefore a one in 120 showing.

Does that mean that IMR-8208 XBR wasn't doing well or there weren't many top competitors using it?

It would be more telling to see a complete list of all competitors by powder type.

Personally I like 8208 alot. It's been available when Varget has not. Loads a lot easier and I can fill cases more with no crunch. Speeds are more than adequate in my .308 with 175/178 gr bullets. Lastly, it shows nearly the same speeds over the chronograph with nice L-O-W SD/ES numbers regardless if the temp when shootiing is in the 30's or near 100.

That's just my experience and YMMV.

 

[Down South]

Is it closer to 4895 or Varget in burn rate?

Its closer to H4895, its faster burning than Varget.

 

[f18hornet]

It might be something worth trying in a .222??????

 

[Brians356]

It's not doing very well when you consider that in the last 3 SuperShoots (FISS at Kelblys range) only one top 20 competitor made the list just one time in that period......and that was for both weight classes, LV and HV, therefore a one in 120 showing.

Does that mean that IMR-8208 XBR wasn't doing well or there weren't many top competitors using it?

+1. I couldn't decipher that, either. Where was "8208" supposed to be in that statement?

 

[LHSmith]

It's not doing very well when you consider that in the last 3 SuperShoots (FISS at Kelblys range) only one top 20 competitor made the list just one time in that period......and that was for both weight classes, LV and HV, therefore a one in 120 showing.

Does that mean that IMR-8208 XBR wasn't doing well or there weren't many top competitors using it?

+1. I couldn't decipher that, either. Where was "8208" supposed to be in that statement?

????? The OP asked specifically about XBR-8208 in a 6 PPC. Perhaps just a WAG on my part, but apparently it SEEMS like the top competitors can't even get it to agg better than N-133, Lt-32, or T-32.
XBR-8208 was Hodgdons attempt to duplicate the famed T-32 powder that performed so well in the 6 PPC without adjusting powder charge every match to stay in tune. Well they did not succeed in that objective....but I'm sure it works well in some other applications that may not require the accuracy demands imposed by competition SR BR.
Western Powders Accurate brand powders' recent attempt to duplicate T-32 performance-namely LT-32 has greater success in that it is now the 2nd most popular powder among the top shooters behind N-133.
Now, what was there to decipher?

 

[Brians356]

Now, what was there to decipher?

Where "8208" was in that statement. Still waiting. But your comments were informative, BTW, thanks and a hat tip!

 

[LHSmith]

It's not doing very well when you consider that in the last 3 SuperShoots (FISS at Kelblys range) only one top 20 competitor made the list just one time in that period......and that was for both weight classes, LV and HV, therefore a one in 120 showing.

It would be more telling to see a complete list of all competitors by powder type.

Actually, the FISS has around 350 competitors and composing an equipment list for all competitors would be a monumental ,yet pointless task. Why complicate matters by being concerned what unsuccessful shooters used?

 

[Lou Murdica]

Lhsmith is right
Xbr was a good attempt but they never duplicated the powder they gave me to test.
That's the blame of ADI powders in Australia . They have never been able to.
It's a good powder just not the strongest for the ppc. Very few still use it.
Of the ppc powders v133- LT32 -LT30 -xbr- both LT powders require very little
Changes if any during the day's stay in tune.
As far a temp sensitive xbr was to be good up to 120 deg. But I found it to be just like
LT as 100 deg they all show changes.
Xbr is go with the lighter Bullets in a 308.
So what are you trying to shoot with temp sensitive powers and what bullet in what temp.
Lou murdica

 

[f18hornet]

I was just wondering if it might shoot as well (or better) in a .222 as 4895. From what I'm hearing, it is performing well in other cartridges.



I have very limited match experience, but one of the worst feelings in the world is going to the line and realizing your load or rifle is completely out of tune.

 

[OIF/OEF]

reading this post I just figured out what WAG was....

 

[boltfluter]

I have had great luck with 8208 in my 8 twist .22BR. It is the powder to beat in my gun and very temp. stable.

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[Lou Murdica]

I would try LT30 in a 222

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you see 8208 listed in a match report for a ppc im sure its some of the old 8208 pulldown powder not the xbr. Ive never seen it at a match and anybody you ask just hollers "that s*it sucks!!" But it does perform well in other cartridges im sure just not in a ppc. Like lou said Youll either see a rare unobtanium powder or lt32, lt30 or n133 at a match in the top half.

 

[johara1]

IMR 8208 does work well in a .223 with 77 gr. bullets and in Dasher with the 105 class bullets……. jim

 

[Titan700]

Following