123 ELDM / 8208XBR

[HonkeyMcGee88]

Just picked up a Seekins SP10 from a friend and my plan is to load 123 ELDMs with IMR 8208.

Has anyone used this combo, and if so what did you wind up at on powder charge, speed etc?

Appreciate the feedback in advance and not to be rude but please only post if it is this powder combo or a very similar weight bullet with 8208.

 

[hlee]

Well, in a 6.5 Grendel, I'm getting 2535- with an SD of 7- with 27.7 grains of 8208 and 123gr eld-m bullets.

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

Should have clarified, looking for 6.5 creed info.

 

[Yondering]

Should have clarified, looking for 6.5 creed info.

8208 is totally the wrong powder for the 6.5 Creedmoor and that bullet.

You've probably seen it recomended for the Grendel, which is a much smaller case. Case/bore ratio applies here, you need a slower powder. Try Rl16 or Rl17, H4350, etc.

 

[Foghornleghorn]

8208xbr great for the Grendel not so much for the Creed. Pet load for the Grendel is 28.0 with a 120 SMK gave a .279 but i wouldn't stuff it in the Creed. Right now working with a123 Nosler CC but I am using RL17. Tried Varget.....no cigar so that nixed the 8208. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Soulezoo]

8208xbr is ideal for 5.56 precision loads using 75-77gr. pills.
Not for Creed

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

8208 is totally the wrong powder for the 6.5 Creedmoor and that bullet.

You've probably seen it recomended for the Grendel, which is a much smaller case. Case/bore ratio applies here, you need a slower powder. Try Rl16 or Rl17, H4350, etc.

8208xbr great for the Grendel not so much for the Creed. Pet load for the Grendel is 28.0 with a 120 SMK gave a .279 but i wouldn't stuff it in the Creed. Right now working with a123 Nosler CC but I am using RL17. Tried Varget.....no cigar so that nixed the 8208. Your mileage may vary.

8208xbr is ideal for 5.56 precision loads using 75-77gr. pills.
Not for Creed

Have any of you tried it?

 

[Soulezoo]

Well, it's like this:
You can stick your head up a cow's ass to find out what kind of steak you're going to get, or you can just take the butcher's word for it. ;-)

 

[lte82]

I've tried it. Wound up with 37.7gr with a 123 Scenar, 2950 FPS in a 26". Accuracy was very good. I'd start around 36 and work up.

 

[Soulezoo]

36 represents a max load (59,000 psi) in my Hodgdon book. May want to start lower to be safe.

 

[bobke]

In same basic range as 8208, AR Comp works well in 6.5 Creed with lighter bullets. Padom tested it a good while back, and I have in a Lilja 6.5 with good accuracy, decent velocity and gas/recoil behavior. Maybe not 4350 like numbers, but an option for use in 223/Grendel and 308-same as with 8208. Your results may vary.

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

Well, it's like this:
You can stick your head up a cow's ass to find out what kind of steak you're going to get, or you can just take the butcher's word for it. ;-)

36 represents a max load (59,000 psi) in my Hodgdon book. May want to start lower to be safe.

I'm gonna take that as a, no you haven't tried it.

Hodgson's data for 6.5 creed is way off with H4350, this is why I asked here for first hand experience instead of going off that data.

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

I've tried it. Wound up with 37.7gr with a 123 Scenar, 2950 FPS in a 26". Accuracy was very good. I'd start around 36 and work up.

Thanks bud. This is about where i was thinking to start.

 

[Soulezoo]

No, I have not tried it, didn't say it wouldn't work, just said it's not ideal. It's not.
I have used a lot of xbr in other loads and have 8 lbs on hand now. It is a very good powder and reasonably temp stable. Still not going to use it in my 6.5 Creedmoor.
However, you are obviously welcome to do as you wish...

 

[lte82]

Thanks bud. This is about where i was thinking to start.

Keep this thread updated, I'd like to see what you find out. I think it should do well in the shorter barrels.

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

Will do. Itll probably be a few weeks at least as I'm working out of town right now, just trying to have all my info ready when I get back.

 

[ddavis]

Well Bill seems to be doing fine with Varget and 140's so I would think that 8208 (not much faster than Varget) and 123's would be just fine. It should also be fast enough to keep port pressure down vs a slower powder (which will be a benefit in a dumb dick AR10 that is always overgassed.)

 

[lte82]

Well Bill seems to be doing fine with Varget and 140's so I would think that 8208 (not much faster than Varget) and 123's would be just fine. It should also be fast enough to keep port pressure down vs a slower powder (which will be a benefit in a dumb dick AR10 that is always overgassed.)

I use Varget with 147's and get plenty of speed. 2750 fps with 38gr. 1/2 moa accuracy or better and single digit SD's. Yea, you can go 100 fps faster with RL16, or even touch 2900 fps with RL26 if you want to, but I haven't found anything as consistent accuracy wise as Varget.

 

[DRAM40A1]

I tried 8208 with a 123 AMAX but the fill ratio concerned me. I switched to Varget and did a pressure test and limited work up. I ended up at 39 grains but haven’t run them over the chrono yet.

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

Well Bill seems to be doing fine with Varget and 140's so I would think that 8208 (not much faster than Varget) and 123's would be just fine. It should also be fast enough to keep port pressure down vs a slower powder (which will be a benefit in a dumb dick AR10 that is always overgassed.)

This is exactly why I want to run it Dan lol.
Just bought Larry's SP10.

 

[LawnMM]

I'm interested because it meters better than varget and h4350

 

[HonkeyMcGee88]

A little update on this. Was home this weekend so I loaded up 20rds af 35.5gr just to zero the gun and get a baseline for speed.

As I expected the charge was very low on pressure and I expect to probably end up in the 37-38gr range.

At 35.5 gr of 8208 I was getting an avg of 2745fps with the 123 eldm, shot about an inch but this was off my tripod and I couldnt get myself very stable yesterday.

 

[supercorndogs]

I use RL15 with the 123s. I was thinking of trying 8208.

 

[rothgyr]

Time to resurrect a thread. Honkey, did you ever get a load going for this?

I've got 8 lbs of 8208 and and a 20" .260 barrel that I want to find a load for using the 123 Scenars. I've got a decent grouping load of 123 Scenars with h4350, but only get 2835 FPS. Being that the h4350 really shines with the 140s, I've been looking for good loads with a faster powder.

 

[JimmyT]

I working up loads for 123 grain AMax... in a 16” 6.5 Creedmoor. I started at 34 grains and went up to 36.5 grains without pressure signs. I will get some 123 grain SST or SMK when they become available to shoot. Now if I could get more primers...

 

[flyfisherman246]

I working up loads for 123 grain AMax... in a 16” 6.5 Creedmoor. I started at 34 grains and went up to 36.5 grains without pressure signs. I will get some 123 grain SST or SMK when they become available to shoot. Now if I could get more primers...

How fast are they going out or that 16”? Are the 123’s about the best combo you’ve found in the shorter barrel?

 

[JimmyT]

I started at 34.0 grains of 8208 XBR and loaded 5 each in 1/2 grain increments up to 36.5 grains. At 36.5 grains I’m just getting close to 2600 FPS without pressure signs. I prepped more brass to go up in .3 grain increments up to 37.7 grains to look for accuracy and pressure signs. 8208 XBR meters like water... if I get a good load, I’m going to run it on a Dillion and make a bunch!

140 grain SMK in FGMM factory rounds gave me a 4 round cloverleaf with fifth round flyer I caused when I got excited looking at the group in the scope. I have 140 gran Barnes match burners to work with.

I have also worked up loads for 130 grain game changers that are “minute of deer”. I need to try again or try a different powder.

 

[rothgyr]

I started at 34.0 grains of 8208 XBR and loaded 5 each in 1/2 grain increments up to 36.5 grains. At 36.5 grains I’m just getting close to 2600 FPS without pressure signs. I prepped more brass to go up in .3 grain increments up to 37.7 grains to look for accuracy and pressure signs. 8208 XBR meters like water... if I get a good load, I’m going to run it on a Dillion and make a bunch!

140 grain SMK in FGMM factory rounds gave me a 4 round cloverleaf with fifth round flyer I caused when I got excited looking at the group in the scope. I have 140 gran Barnes match burners to work with.

I have also worked up loads for 130 grain game changers that are “minute of deer”. I need to try again or try a different powder.

Are you running the XBR behind those 140s?

 

[JimmyT]

No, I’m using IMR 4451 and IMR 4350. I’m using the XBR for 123 grain bullets and lighter. I want to get some 107 grain SMKs to try, but they are unobtanium right now.

 

[rothgyr]

Gotcha. I was about be very shocked and worried for a minute there

 

[rothgyr]

I've got a 6.5 Timberwolf (6.5mm Norma Dasher) coming back from the smith next month and am going to try 8208 behind 123 scenars. If it works, I'll have a good practice gun with similar recoil to my XC, but much better barrel life, and loading should be stupid fast since 8208 meters well. I'll post results when it's in.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

I want to get some 107 grain SMKs to try, but they are unobtanium right now.

If you PM me your address, I'll send you 30 of them for free if you promise to post up some results. I was going to grab a Wilson Combat 16" but waited too long and now their site says they don't even know when they'll be in stock again.

I also saw that Midsouth has 8lb. of IMR 4166 in stock. I was tempted to stock up in case a barrel comes through but then changed my mind.

 

[JimmyT]

Was able to go out and shoot for accuracy 4 loads of 120 ELDm over 8208xbr. My largest load yielded the best results. 37.7 grains under the bullet with a 2.675 OACL was a 1/2” 3 shot group, 1“ 4shot group, and 2” 5 shot group. Speeds were slow coming out of the 16” barrel with 2645fps with a 7 sd for 5 rounds. There were slight ejector mark on the brass and I do not want to push further. I’m going to try again and do a load ladder with Varget and IMR4350 to see what results I can get. I’m happy with the speeds I get with 8208 XBR IF it is accurate... that’s still a big if.

 

[JimmyT]

6.5 Creedmoor load development: 16.5 inch barrel, 123 SMK and 140 SMK

6.5 Creedmoor 16.5″ barrel load development for the 123 grain Sierra MatchKing (SMK) and 140 grain Sierra MatchKing (SMK) When I rebuilt my Savage 10 FCP-SR into a custom 6.5 Creedmoor, I set…

rifleshooter.com

pretty happy with my velocity numbers after comparing them with a bolt gun.

making a batch of 20 rounds with the IMR 8208 XBR with a 37.7 grain charge and Hornady 120 grain ELDm bullets. If it looks promising, I’ll start messing with OACL to try and tighten things up a bit.

 

[JimmyT]

How fast are they going out or that 16”? Are the 123’s about the best combo you’ve found in the shorter barrel?

I’m using the 120-123 loads because it’s what I have on hand until the supply chain opens back up.

 

[JimmyT]

Shooting some different charge weights to get more data. The 37.7 grain charge was wonky today with velocity and pressure signs in the rifle. I think that an accurate load can be found below max with some more work. I’ll let you know where I end up.

 

[DMONEY]

Just picked up a Seekins SP10 from a friend and my plan is to load 123 ELDMs with IMR 8208.

Has anyone used this combo, and if so what did you wind up at on powder charge, speed etc?

Appreciate the feedback in advance and not to be rude but please only post if it is this powder combo or a very similar weight bullet with 8208.

 

[JimmyT]

heavy breathing in creedmoor…

 

[rothgyr]

"Why use 6.5 Creedmoor in a 14.5 inch barrel?"

Because if you miss, muzzle blast does area of effect damage

 

[JimmyT]

"Why use 6.5 Creedmoor in a 14.5 inch barrel?"

Because if you miss, muzzle blast does area of effect damage

Gee, it’s a sniper support system for use with a dedicated sniper with a more traditional weapon. There is a need for 22-26” barrels for a 1000-1400 yard shot. The shorter barrels are excellent to use in tight terrain, instead of a 20” barrel and 10” of suppressor. The short rifle is easier to carry in vehicles too.

my 16” barreled AR10 is a loud bastard unsuppressed, but is quite tame with a can on it.

ypur results may vary

 

[rothgyr]

Gee, it’s a sniper support system for use with a dedicated sniper with a more traditional weapon. There is a need for 22-26” barrels for a 1000-1400 yard shot. The shorter barrels are excellent to use in tight terrain, instead of a 20” barrel and 10” of suppressor. The short rifle is easier to carry in vehicles too.

my 16” barreled AR10 is a loud bastard unsuppressed, but is quite tame with a can on it.

ypur results may vary

Sorry, didn't mean to be taken seriously there.

 

[JimmyT]

My bad, sorry…

 

[JimmyT]

I have a good load now with 120 grain ELDMs that I’m going to fire again on Monday. 37.2 grains of 8208 XBR with a BR2 primer and Hornady case. Looking at an anneler so I can make my brass more consistent before I work up ant more loads.

worked up a good recipe for 107 SMKs. 38.8 grains of 8208 XBR under the SMK at an OACL of 2.750” in my rifle. It delivered a solid 2800 FPS and was pleasant to shoot.

 

[NewsShooter]

I use Varget with 147's and get plenty of speed. 2750 fps with 38gr. 1/2 moa accuracy or better and single digit SD's. Yea, you can go 100 fps faster with RL16, or even touch 2900 fps with RL26 if you want to, but I haven't found anything as consistent accuracy wise as Varget.

I've touched 2900 with RL16 and 140's and gotten close with 147's without a sticky bolt. Most of the time I end up with a load in the low to mid 41 grain level with 4350 or rl16, which is a little faster. 2820-2860 seems to be the sweet spot for the 140's in multiple barrels. Guessing 123's would be a bit faster.

 

[JimmyT]

I’m playing with a 16” ar10, so I can’t get near that velocity… I would love to get som H4350 to try with my 140 grain Barnes match burners