VV SUBSTITUTE FOR 8208 XBR

[7br]

IMR 8208 XBR gives excellent performance in my 204 Ruger as well as those of my sons and grandsons. It produces great results in my 7BR with the Sierra 100gr hp and Hornady’s 120 gr V-MAX, also in my 6BR with 64gr Bergers, Sierra’s 70gr match and 85gr hpbt bullets. I don’t shoot F-Class or LRP like many of you here do. An occasional local short range benchrest match (100-200yds) and groundhog hunting is about the extent of my shooting with these rounds. The terrain and population in my area limits the practical distance of shots to 300-400yds. Anyway, to make a short story long, my supply of 8208 powder is down to about 4 pounds, and I’ve been seeing a lack of availability for quite some time now. I have no experience with the VIHTAVUORI powders, so I’m looking for some advice on which one might come close to matching or exceeding the performance of 8208 in these smaller capacity cases. Thank you.

 

[urbanrifleman]

N135 is nearly identical in performance.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-cont...mokeless-Relative-Burn-Rate-Chart-WEBSITE.pdf
Here’s the newest burn rate chart.
N-135?

 

[Doom]

I found N135 to be a good substitute in 223. Case fill is greater for the same velocity. Lapua brass will hold about 25.4gr uncompressed with a 52 Gn Berger target.

 

[SSchnd]

+1 N135 in 223 and 6BR is mirroring H4895 and 8208 stuff I have been using 8208/H4895 for years.

 

[7br]

I thank you all for your information. All well respected names on this forum. By the unanimous agreement I’ll be trying N-135.

 

[SSchnd]

I will add I hope to try out 140 also at some point but so far the 135 is doing good stuff

 

[KMart]

I thank you all for your information. All well respected names on this forum. By the unanimous agreement I’ll be trying N-135.

For me, N 133, Benchmark and 8208 all give me excellent performance in a 6BR with 68 & 70 grain bullets. All give me similar velocities and accuracy.

 

[7br]

Thanks KMart. From what I’ve been seeing on this forum it seems like it’s a toss-up between N-133 and N-135. Not to say that they’re the same but both are popular with the BR cartridge community. The first responders, whose remarks I’ve read many times in the past, all answered in unison. N-135 for my present needs. That’s not to say that N-133 won’t find its way into my life at some point. I thank you for your information.

 

[7br]

Ordered an 8 pounder from Graf & Sons

 

[SmokinJoe]

How would N-530 fit in here. I had a 204R briefly a few years ago and N-530 was pretty awesome with 40 gr bullets.

 

[Gabe22BR]

For me, N 133, Benchmark and 8208 all give me excellent performance in a 6BR with 68 & 70 grain bullets. All give me similar velocities and accuracy.

Bingo !!!

 

[Mulligan]

Ordered an 8 pounder from Graf & Sons

How is N135 treating you?
Just curious how your project is coming along.
CW

 

[SeabeeKen]

VV is all I shoot now. 8208 fits between N-133 and N-135

 

[7br]

How is N135 treating you?
Just curious how your project is coming along.
CW

The N-135 is fantastic. Definitely has an edge over the 8208 in my 204 and both of the BRs. I’ve since got an 8 pounder of N-133 from Bruno’s when they had free shipping and no hazmat. Loaded 50 rounds of 6BR but haven’t shot it yet.