Loading 223 using 8208

[Boogie]

Does anyone have load info using IMR 8208 + 80 gr Berger VLD or SMK? The Hodgedon manual says 21 gr is max but QL says I can go to 23.4 and still not be in the danger zone. With the lack of components I would rather not use them up only to find out I was no where near the velocity or accuracy node I want to shoot at.

I got a decent load using Varget that gives me fair accuracy at a little over 2800fps. I want to see if I can improve using a different powder.

Thanks for the help

 

[223ai]

I run 24.4 grains of 8208 and shoot 82 bergers at 2900-2910. I am on my 4th loading of Lake City 223 brass, and the gun still bugholes with 3500+ rounds on the barrel.


Edited to add: Let me qualify the above by saying that I worked this load up, it's in a bolt gun, and I have the bullets seated to a case overall length of 2.500", fed via an AICS 223 polymer mag. DO NOT start anywhere near this load. I started at 22.5 and worked it up from there.

 

[You-Two]

It seems like the (sorta) standard 8208 highpower load for 77s and 80s is right around 23.2gr. Maybe more with long-seated 80s. That load gives me about 2750 fps out of my 20" service rifle. I would imagine you could get more with a bolt gun and long-seating. My experience has been good, but some people do mention that hitting peak pressure occurs very fast when approaching whatever the true max load is. So just be careful as you work them up to max.

 

[M14 Shooter]

I use 23.2 grains of IMR 8208 with 80 Grain SMK.This is out of a 1-8 Lilja barrel with a Wylde Camber.No signs of pressure .But I would start out at 22 grains and work up.

Regards,Mike

 

[Boogie]

Thanks guys. Using y'all advice I did a OCW test today and started at 21.9 gr. Started seeing some cratering of the firing pin hole at 24 gr using Wolf primers. I think I can go up at least another 1/2 grain with CCI BR4 primers. The wolf primers always show pressure problems long before the CCIs do.

 

[M14 Shooter]

Be careful IMR 8208 peaks real quick. I will not go over 23.2 with 77's or 80 grain bullets with use in my AR-15.This is with LC Brass.

Regards,Mike

 

[Rprecision]

I have taken 77's to 2750 FPS behind 24.2 grains in LC brass with zero and I mean zero evidence of pressure.

This is out of a wyld chambered 5.56 gun not a .223 rated gun.

I started at 22.2 and worked up .2 at a time

 

[Boogie]

I posted my ocw test target in a fresh thread. Check it out and tell me what y'all think

 

[jkonzal]

I load Lapua 223 brass with 22.6gr of 8208 and am getting 2940 with a 28" 1:8. Have shot it out to 1K yards and it works great!!!

 

[bjay]

What about using this powder to lighter bullets like 50-55grainer is ut posible.. anyone tried it with good results? Maybe for 1:12 bolt action 24" barrel sako varmint 75

 

[Pappasniper]

I got 2787 out of my 20inch service gun and 2447 out of a 10.5 barrel. 77SMK's. 23.8 grains. Another batch was 50 fps slower. That turbo load was too hot and popped primers. 8208 has a reputation of a bit of inconsistency.

PB.