IMR 8208XBR for all my .223?

[Vicdiesel]

Hoping this powder can serve as a do all for my .223 from 55gr to 77gr.
Looking for a powder I can throw with my RCBS uniflow 3 that’s is also temp stable....
I have a chargemaster for more accurate ammo needs but would like to be able to load some plinking ammo a bit faster.

anyone agree/ disagree or have other suggestions?

thanks!

 

[Doom]

I use it for 52 to 77gr but I will tell you I cannot get it to throw very consistently in my RCBS Quick Change measure. I threw 20 charges, the average was 25.32 gr, median 25.3 gr, standard deviation was 0.09gr, extreme spread is 0.4gr. That put 95% of the charges between 25.14 and 25.5gr. At least for my work, that is not consistent enough.

Haven't run the stats but the Lee Perfect and Lyman seem to be about the same.

EDIT: This stuff is harder to find at times than VARGET. Keep a good supply.

 

[BoilerUP]

Yes, XBR can do everything from 40s to 80s.

Meters just fine from a Lee Perfect Powder measure for Mk262 clone loads...

 

[louu]

I agree with @BoilerUP and it also meters great with the Hornady powder measure that comes with the LnL.

 

[Gustav7]

My AR precision load like it with 75's, my 223AI varmint load is with 50's and 53's, and it seems to push the 80 SMK's well so far too. Its a phenomenal powder.

Measures very well so far out of my Dillon Powder measure, although I haven't run much. Once I get another measure and polish the entire thing, I'm sure it will run even better.

Buy 16+ lbs the next time you can and never use another powder lol

 

[Steel head]

8208 meters pretty decently, not like W748 but a lot nicer than varget.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

For plinking ammo, yes. It will run fine. But you could use a powder that's cheaper/more available/ball and you may end up happier.

 

[Vicdiesel]

does temp stable ball powder even exist?
I was originally looking at h335 but came across a few threads regarding it not being very temp stable....
as the old adage goes...”Trying to kill two birds with one stone..”
I am very interested in Shooters World Tactical to fill this intended role but can’t find any decent reviews and definitely can’t find anything regarding temp stability.
For what it’s worth, I live in south Texas and at times (Winter, early spring) we can have some pretty drastic temperature swings. Also, it gets stupid hot down here so thats the premise behind a temp stable powder... during summer... day starts off at 78-80 and can get 93-97... with heat index in the 110+ range in the afternoon

 

[supercorndogs]

More temperature stable powder does, H335 would not make that list. It meters very well though.

 

[6.5SH]

does temp stable ball powder even exist?
I was originally looking at h335 but came across a few threads regarding it not being very temp stable....
as the old adage goes...”Trying to kill two birds with one stone..”
I am very interested in Shooters World Tactical to fill this intended role but can’t find any decent reviews and definitely can’t find anything regarding temp stabilit.
For what it’s worth, I live in south Texas and at times (Winter, early spring) we can have some pretty drastic temperature swings. Also, it gets stupid hot down here so thats the premise behind a temp stable powder... during summer... day starts off at 78-80 and can get 93-97... with heat index in the 110+ range in the afternoon

6.5 Sta-ball is the only one and is too slow for .223 unless using 77 gr or heavier and are still better choices for that.

H322, Benchmark, H4895, Varget, AR-Comp, SW Precision and the various VV offerings are going to be your temperature insensitive powders outside of 8208. FWIW the kernels on Benchmark are pretty small so it meters well.

 

[Codiekfx400]

8208, Benchmark, and Ramshot xterminator-accurate 2230 are all that I use in 223. My favorite is xterminator. Lots of people love Ramshot Tac it has been okay for me.

 

[MarinePMI]

Out of a powder meter? CFE223 is your friend. Not as accurate as 8208, but for plinking ammo, definitely a contender IME.

 

[pmclaine]

8208 does okay through a Dillon.

Not likely match but will hold a ten ring, throw in a 9 now and than, in my AR or bolt with 77s.

 

[Lightning8]

I am a big fan of TAC and use it for 75 and 80 ELDMs plus 80SMKs. Works great in a Dillon powder drop. I have been able to find TAC easier than 8208.

 

[Doc68]

Hoping this powder can serve as a do all for my .223 from 55gr to 77gr.
Looking for a powder I can throw with my RCBS uniflow 3 that’s is also temp stable....
I have a chargemaster for more accurate ammo needs but would like to be able to load some plinking ammo a bit faster.

anyone agree/ disagree or have other suggestions?

thanks!

I use it for 55gr HPBT, 73ELD and 75 HPBT. Zero issues. I use all lake city brass.

55gr/25.8gr of 8208
73gr/23.4gr of 8208
75gr/23.2gr of 8208

Doc

 

[Vicdiesel]

Thanks Doc.... now to find some...

 

[Xcount]

8208 does okay through a Dillon.

Not likely match but will hold a ten ring, throw in a 9 now and than, in my AR or bolt with 77s.

Hundreds of people use IMR8208 for NRA/CMP service rifle matches. high X cleans are common. 9's are all you.....

 

[pmclaine]

Hundreds of people use IMR8208 for NRA/CMP service rifle matches. high X cleans are common. 9's are all you.....

Agreed.

 

[Gustav7]

Hundreds of people use IMR8208 for NRA/CMP service rifle matches. high X cleans are common. 9's are all you.....

I think he was referencing XBR specifically thrown out of a Dillon Powder Measure, and not commenting that XBR could only do so well. I'd be interested to hear someones anecdotes who has shot multiple matches with rounds loaded via Dillon Measure with XBR, versus manually charging.

 

[pmclaine]

I think he was referencing XBR specifically thrown out of a Dillon Powder Measure, and not commenting that XBR could only do so well. I'd be interested to hear someones anecdotes who has shot multiple matches with rounds loaded via Dillon Measure with XBR, versus manually charging.

You sir are correct.

My S1050 is what it is.

It produces good enough ammo - lots of it - for fun range sessions but I use FGMM when I want it to matter.

Whether its sizing, powder dropping or seating I never seem to get the consistency others claim.

But its good enough.......

 

[Gustav7]

You sir are correct.

My S1050 is what it is.

It produces good enough ammo - lots of it - for fun range sessions but I use FGMM when I want it to matter.

Whether its sizing, powder dropping or seating I never seem to get the consistency others claim.

But its good enough.......

I've always wondered if the 1050 gives up some of its precision capabilities in leu of speed and number of die allocations.

My 550 is as accurate as I would ever need for anything short of ELR or Benchrest...and even then if my components and prep were on par, it'd prolly perform. The 650/750 also seems to perform like the 550, especially with the host of toolhead and shellplate mods available.

I do plan on getting another Dillon measure soon and polishing the entire interior and seeing how good it will throw.

 

[supercorndogs]

25.8 with the 53 v max

23.2 with the 77 SMK

Both in LC brass

 

[pmclaine]

I do all the measure polishing work - guessing it helps - cant hurt anyway.

Ball powders - W231, TAC - and stuff like ARComp, CFE223 seem to drop really consistent. I load a lot of stick and trickle for those rounds.

Key to consistency seems to be keeping a full shell plate and consistent operation feel.

 

[Choid]

I'm a 23.1 with 77 smks. Shoots great out of everything.

I had a light kaboom with CFE 223 once. My fault, for not noticing the ammo was getting hot, but it is not temp stable.

 

[padom]

Ive been running 8208 on my 650 for years for 77gr AR precision loads and it drops very accurately out of my polished/modded Dillon powder measure which has the Uniqutek Powder baffle and Micrometer. I did a full testing on my A&D across like 25 charges on here a while back and the spread was very little. Not enough to matter if you are in a node.

Now for lighter 5.56 bullets (52-64gr), I actually run WC846 and WC844. Meters like water out of my Dillon powder measure and after load development is extremely accurate with SS109, 62gr FMJBT and 55gr FMJBT.. I run them in my SBR's and 16" AR's. Super accurate. Cant speak on temp stability but I have zero issues putting my shots were I aim on steel from 200yd and in. I was able to buy LOTS of this powder before the craze for dirt cheap and I love it.

My final load
Hornady 62 FMJ BT / 26gr WC846, 3xLC brass, 100yd 16" Wilson Combat 1:7

 

[Xcount]

I think he was referencing XBR specifically thrown out of a Dillon Powder Measure, and not commenting that XBR could only do so well. I'd be interested to hear someones anecdotes who has shot multiple matches with rounds loaded via Dillon Measure with XBR, versus manually charging.

I only replied to the pmclaine post because he mentioned ar15 shooting on a decimal target, within those boundaries I am speaking to. Not benchrest. AR15's are not benchrest competitive rifles.
I earned my Distinguished Rifleman badge using a 550 and 4895. I know for a fact it meters worse than 8208. I've personally shot about 80 matches with this combo. i know of others that have shot hundreds using 8208. 9's are all shooter. Period and end of story. NRA decimal targets are huge. If you blame 9's on ammo you will continue to shoot 9's because you will continue to waste your time testing ammo. It's your trigger control.