Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 8208 XBR

I am wondering if anyone has experience with this powder they might be willing to share.
In looking over the Nosler and Hodgdon data, I've get the idea that pressures might be erratic or touchy with it. Data shows quite different pressures with all else the same, but the bullets. Same weight bullets developed significantly different pressures. This is important as it appears to be a powder that provides better performance as max is approached.
Might be one that requires a no-nonsense methodical work up.
I have a special concern here as I am working with the various copper bullets, and they each seem to be behaving quite differently, particularly the ETip.

What cartridge are you looking to use it in? I use it in 7-08 with 120 Ballistic Tips and in my 22-250 with 50 gr. Ballistic Tips. It's a great powder, when you can find it.

Fishdog, I am using the 8208 for loads in my .308...so far with great results (in my opinion).
I use 168gr Sierra Matchking and with 41gr of the 8208,,
the '5 shot' groups at 100yds were 1/2 inch,good enough for me.

I've played with it a bit in my 6-250 and really been blown awaY by its accuracy.

A favorite in the 6mmBR and I used it in the 35 Whelan with 250gr too.

I use it exclusively in the 338 Federal. It's good stuff...and I primarily use copper bullets as the OP inquired. Actually, I tried several powders in the Federal and 8208 was the hands down winner for velocity and accuracy in my rifle.

I'm using it in .223 with 75 gr match bullets. It fills the case without the compression that Varget requires in .223.

[quote=358Dog]Fishdog, I am using the 8208 for loads in my .308...so far with great results (in my opinion).
I use 168gr Sierra Matchking and with 41gr of the 8208,,
the '5 shot' groups at 100yds were 1/2 inch,good enough for me. [/quote

What velocity are you getting ?

Dingo, with regard to velocity from my .308 loads...the short answer is "I have no idea" ..... the longer reply is:
I recently purchased a chronograph and it is still in the box.
I hope, when the warm weather gets here (April) I will set it up and try some of my hand-loads through it.
Up until now I reload and shoot for groups picking 'mid-range' loads listed in the books...I never load over what the book calls for and most of the time I have found good loads with this plan.

just bought some to use in my 6.8 but no loads yet. op - i know a shop in cny that just got in 10 pounds - pm me for info if needed

As previously mentioned, it's a great powder for the 338 FED. I've seen no unusual issues.

Has anybody used 8208XBR in the .300 Savage?

I'd like to try it but have not seen any load data for it.

Works great in my 308 Win with 12 twist 26" barrel.
shoots 125 TNT's and 125 SST Hornadys in one ragged
hole at 100yds with WLR primers and LC91 brass with
no pressure problems at 3180 fps.
also shoots the 110 Sierra HP at 3350 fps
love it in 308 Win so far.

penrod... where abouts in cny are you?

The manufacturer makes some rather bold claims for this powder.

I have a 250 savage that really likes 8208 with 85gr ballistic tips. It's good stuff.

I have tried it in my 223 and my 223 ackley.

I found 1 load in my regular 223 with flat based 55 grain traditional cup and core bullets that is tolerable, and that was at the max grains in the Hornady book.

I have not found an acceptable load for my 223 ackley yet.

It does appear to perform better closer to the high end of the weights given in the trials I have done.

In my case I have gotten much better performance from Benchmark powder in both 223's.

Dingo might be able to back me up here...

30 years ago we had an awesome accuracy powder for the 308 Win (and 22-250) here is Aus called Ar2206. Ar2206 was discontinued in favour of Ar2206H, which is your H4895 sold to Hodgdon.

2206H is a great powder for the 308 Win, but I always thought the 2206 was a bit better. I've heard ADI developed 8208 as a true successor to the original 2206.

That being the case I'm not surprised people are getting great results with the 8208.

I'm just building a new 308 Win medium range (500-750y) plinker so I'll have to try some of it.