IMR 8208 and the 204

[Dean2]

Update with yesterdays results from the Vmax. Provided for information only, use puvblished loads and work up slowly, each gun is different.

8208, in Hornady weight sorted brass (which it badly needs as there was just under 13 grains variation in the 150 cases I started with), CCI 400 primer, Gun - Rem 700 SPS, 22" light sporter floated barrel in the factory stock with glass bedding. Action has been trued, lugs lapped and trigger done. Bushnell 6x24x40 scope.

All groups are edge to edge, not deducting bullet diameter. Max deviation = highest velocity - lowest velocity. Beautiful sunny day. Temperature both days minus 10 C. Almost zero wind. All targets 100 yards.

35 grain Berger at 2.350 LOA.

27.6 grains 3804 FPS max deviation 19 fps. Average of groups .75

27.9 grains 3883 FPS max deviation 46 fps. Average of groups .325

28.2 grains 3950 FPS max deviation 22 fps. Average of groups .410


40 Grain Nosler at 2.40 LOA, rest of the recipe is the same.

27.3 grains 3855 FPS max deviation 6 fps. Average of groups .310


39 grain Blitzking at 2.40 LOA, again the rest of the recipe is the same.

27.3 grains 3792 FPS max deviation 102 fps. Average of groups .925


40 Grain V-max LOA 2.390

26.5 grains 3735 FPS, max deviation 32 fps. Averagge of groups .320

26.7 grains 3764 FPS, max deviation 31 fps. Average of groups .520

27.3 grains 3865 FPS, max deviation 28 fps. Average of groups .365

Both the Bergers and the Noslers grouped well with virtually no load development. The Sierra BKs would need more work.

I am very happy with both the speed, consistency and accurracy of the 8208 loads, and none of them are showing pressure signs. Since I hhave quite a bit of this powder I believe I will stick to it for now. I plan to retest the max loads this summer to check for temp sensitivity by looking at changes in speed/pressure.

The Hornadays are the least expensive, best B.C. and my favourite bullet. The 40 grain V-maxs shot as well as the best of the others, are much cheaper and have great terminal effect so this is the bullet I will be using.

 

[dead meat]

I`ve been meaning to try this powder as well, looks promising. So far i`ve been using 32gr. Sierras did not like the 26gr. Barnes varmint grenades Hornadys are good. I guess i should try some 40gr. bullets as well. Been using H332 and 10x so far. Rifle is a Tikka t3 much nicer to carry than the sps varmint i had. Looks like i`m going to have to go shopping again, wife hates me when i go to gun shows.

 

[warrenb]

Awesome groups, 5 or 3 shots, not that it matters just interested.

Yup, that 8208 is good stuff. My 223 likes it with 69 grn smks.

I'm hoping to get out and try this weekend with 80 grn smks. The Hodgeson data for the 80s appears very much on the careful side so I may not get good results with my first loads.Maybe its too fast for the 80s.

 

[Dean2]

Warrenb - they are 3 shot groups. When I am doing initial load testing I always shoot three shot groups, just because it would take too long to do 5 shot groups with that many differnet combinations. The averages are made up of 3 groups of 3 shots.

DM- what kind of velocity are you getting with the 32s? I was getting just over 4000 using 8208.

 

[dead meat]

Haven`t cronographed them yet. Using Hodgon data they are doing about 4000 fps. Can`t remember what the 10x data said but i hope to start crono graphing this spring.

 

[Dean2]

Used some of the Noslers on gophers. Very spectacular results, as is true with the Vmaxs. Either one makes a great gopher round, just depends on if you gun likes them and which is cheaper in you area.