IMR 8208 XBR for 155 AMAX in 16.5" P-308?

[RyeDaddy]

My go to bullet for my 16.5" P-308 is the 155 AMAX, it allows me to still get good velocity with the short barrel and is accurate and capable of hunting.

I've only used Varget so far and the accuracy is great, but I'm wondering if I could get more velocity and less muzzle blast out of the short barrel by going to a faster powder. Should decrease port pressure too I'd think, not that POF's care but it might make my brass last a little longer.

Temp stability is a must, in TX it goes from 20*F to 110*F and I hunt and target shoot all year long. With that in mind I thought about H4895 but it seems so close to Varget I wonder if it's worth spending money to try it. IMR 8208 XBR is faster than both, seems about perfect for my application, heavier bullets I'd stick with Varget. Anybody have any experience with it in a shorter barrel 308 with lighter bullets? Am I thinking correctly?

 

[fireguyty]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR for 155 AMAX in 16.5" P-308?

44.9 of 8208 gave me 2900 fps and sub .5 MOA with 155 Scenars in my 22" DTA. I really like that powder for the reasons you mentioned. 155 seems about its weight limit though as I didn't have good luck in a 168.

As always start lower and work up.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR for 155 AMAX in 16.5" P-308?

Thanks. I'll buy a pound this week to try out. Here's hoping it works out, just don't wanna end up with less velocity. I'm getting right at 2700 FPS with Varget, 16.5" barrel is definitely a handicap.

 

[Unsichtbar]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR for 155 AMAX in 16.5" P-308?

45.4 IMR 8208 xbr Lapua case 155L bullet 22" DTA SRS 2920+++ works great Temp stable meters great. EL at 1000 Yd sea Level 8.5 mils 80F

 

[fireguyty]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR for 155 AMAX in 16.5" P-308?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RyeDaddy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks. I'll buy a pound this week to try out. Here's hoping it works out, just don't wanna end up with less velocity. I'm getting right at 2700 FPS with Varget, 16.5" barrel is definitely a handicap. </div></div>

I have been wanting a 16" 308 for a long time. Very neat pack gun that can get you past 800 yards. I'd be surprised if you were unable to get 2775 with accuracy to boot. Keep us informed.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR for 155 AMAX in 16.5" P-308?

Bringing up this thread from the dead to say I finally got around to trying it out. Better late than never.


IMR8208 XBR was great in today's sample run! In my 16.5" POF P-308 I ran the 155 AMAX over 43.9 to 44.9 grains in PMC brass loaded to 2.800" OAL at 100 yards testing for groups.

Groups were wide on the low end loads, at around 2.25", slowly shrinking up till I had 0.75" five shot groups at my highest loading of 44.9 grains. Only had 2 rounds left to fire through the chrono, but velocity from my short barrel was 2754 and 2760 FPS. With Varget I was only getting 2700, so I'm impressed! Recoil and muzzle blast both seem softer compared to Varget loads. I should have done this months ago.

This is just one day out with a simple workup, but it's very promising. I'm gonna keep on it and play around at longer ranges and redo the test in the future with some higher charges, but so far it looks like a winner for lighter bullets and shorter barrels.

 

[squirrel_slayer]

Re: IMR 8208 XBR for 155 AMAX in 16.5" P-308?

man I almost went this route and was back and forth between the 168 and 155 and pulled the trigger on the 168 and really happy with the results (2600 from my 16" 3/4moa) but man does a 155@2750 sound appealing. especially if it has less blast. well have 1200 168's to burn through first before trying that now.

 

[archad]

Bringing up this thread from the dead to say I finally got around to trying it out. Better late than never.


IMR8208 XBR was great in today's sample run! In my 16.5" POF P-308 I ran the 155 AMAX over 43.9 to 44.9 grains in PMC brass loaded to 2.800" OAL at 100 yards testing for groups.

Groups were wide on the low end loads, at around 2.25", slowly shrinking up till I had 0.75" five shot groups at my highest loading of 44.9 grains. Only had 2 rounds left to fire through the chrono, but velocity from my short barrel was 2754 and 2760 FPS. With Varget I was only getting 2700, so I'm impressed! Recoil and muzzle blast both seem softer compared to Varget loads. I should have done this months ago.

This is just one day out with a simple workup, but it's very promising. I'm gonna keep on it and play around at longer ranges and redo the test in the future with some higher charges, but so far it looks like a winner for lighter bullets and shorter barrels.

How is the 155 and IMR 8208 been working for you?

 

[Macmathews]

Currently this is my best load.

5 shot groups are consistently 2.5" @ 300 YARDS.
Not totally happy with that yet , since I can shoot below .5" at 100 YARD over and over again.

Anyhow - better than varget and 175 smks and varget and 178 amaxs - for me anyhow

did not send any though the chrony yet !

Kyle

 

[archad]

Currently this is my best load.

5 shot groups are consistently 2.5" @ 300 YARDS.
Not totally happy with that yet , since I can shoot below .5" at 100 YARD over and over again.

Anyhow - better than varget and 175 smks and varget and 178 amaxs - for me anyhow

did not send any though the chrony yet !

Kyle

What load you did not post any specs...please so thanks