Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

[kwak]

Since I live in Michigan and the temps here just do not remain constant enough to use the older powders that are very temperature sensitive I use Varget and get good results.

I am in the process in working up some loads with the new 8208 and would like to know if the Varget users have tried this powder and what results they might be getting.

Are there any other powders that perform as well as the Varget that cost about the same and burn as clean?

Thanks

 

[ncboiler]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

I shoot with SubMOA here on the hide and he has been testing it for the past couple of months. Hopefully he'll come along and comment on the XBR, if not, shoot him a PM.

 

[67rschev]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

I've tried XBR in 223 to find another powder besides Varget , and it shot very well ... but not good enough to become my #1 powder for the round . I have yet to experiment with it in 308 so have no help for you there . One thing I noticed , when the XBR was at its best , was well over publish maximums but showed no pressure signs

 

[glock24]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

I tried it with 80g SMKs in 223. It sucked. I'm sticking with Varget. I might try it again with my 165g hunting load in 308.

Where in Michigan are you? Just curious.

 

[oneshotkyle]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

why change powders if varget has already proven itself with good results?

 

[wrhunter]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why change powders if varget has already proven itself with good results? </div></div>

Because it doesn't meter well. I'm in the same situation as the OP. Varget is my best performer in my AR, 25g over 69smk, but I don't like weighing every charge. I just picked up some 8208 and will be trying it with 69 and 77 bthp. I tested it with my uniflow and it meters almost as good as blc-2.

 

[BCP]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

I bought a pound of it a year or two ago. It's good stuff but hard to find around here whereas I never have problems finding varget.

 

[kwak]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xmark</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneshotkyle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">why change powders if varget has already proven itself with good results? </div></div>

Because it doesn't meter well. I'm in the same situation as the OP. Varget is my best performer in my AR, 25g over 69smk, but I don't like weighing every charge. I just picked up some 8208 and will be trying it with 69 and 77 bthp. I tested it with my uniflow and it meters almost as good as blc-2. </div></div>

That is correct the XBR does meter much more consistant than Varget but that is not my reason for the question.
I trickle each charge and it goes much quicker with the XBR

I was thinking someone might have worked up loads that performed well with both powders and found one or the other with more consistant results in different temps and tight velocity spreads.

I forget to say I am loading for the 308 at this time. I intend to nload the 223 also but that might require a different powder all together.

I live in SE Michigan and belong to Multi-Lakes

Thanks for all the input.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

I use it and Varget in the 223 and 308 since it came out. It seems to do well in the 308 for bullets 168 and lighter. It will still shoot well with the heavier bullets but the velocity doesn’t equal what I can achieve with Varget. I have played with it in the 223 as well but I have found it to be very picky with the charge weight, often a 1/10th of a grain separates a great load from an ok load, whereas Varget allows a larger window. (that is with 69-77 grain bullets)

 

[rbeckwith]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

I have shot it in a 222 with wonderful results and have replaced Varget in my slow twist 6br (12 twist). Shooting 33.2 grains of 8208 and a 70 grain Nosler with 1/2 MOA accuracy.

 

[5R Milspec]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

it works really well in my rifel shooting a 69gn NCC.the max at the Hodgdon web site is spot on.I was able to go just over the max but choose not to.my load is 24.0gn's and its pushing the 69gn NCC around 3000 fps.this load gives a ragged hole at 100 with 5 shots.when shoot out to 300 it gives a 1.5 inch group with 15 shots.
I all so found that this powder is really clean.

 

[josephberry]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

It works for me in 223 and 308, and 6x47L.

 

[FALex]

Re: Varget users have you tried IMR XBR 8208?

I just bought two pounds of it to try with 69gr and 175gr SMK's. I'll report back after I get some data tracked...