XBR 8208/ Help with targets

[sic65stang]

In the always continual drive for the laser gun, I picked up some 8208 XBR to try in my .223 R15 AR. First I would like to hear if anyone has any experience with this powder and what you all thought about it. I shot it today in increments of .5gn with 69gn SMK. What I noticed was that it was extremely consistent regardless of powder charge (note scope was adjusted after 21.5 group was shot). I believe it was dirtier than varget, the gun seems dirtier, and the brass was dirtier. Not on the picture is the higher powder charges, but as the charge went up, the groups opened up.

What I am trying to figure out is how to use this data, the 21.5 and 22 seem the best, so I have loaded in smaller increments though those ranges. Another issue I have is I shot all of these as 5 shot groups, however I do not have all the rounds perfectly defined as I usually see, I broke clean, the shot seemed fine, could they have went so perfectly through the same hole? Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks for any thoughts, info, or analysis of target. -Bob

 

[Ol' RD]

Re: XBR 8208/ Help with targets

Have you done a 10 shot ladder test with this ammo? Where did you find your nodes were located?

 

[223ai]

Re: XBR 8208/ Help with targets

8208 his my favorite powder for .223 with heavies and .308 with 155's. Mine doesn't shoot any dirtier than other powder.

 

[sic65stang]

Re: XBR 8208/ Help with targets

Robot, I did not do a ladder test for this ammo. I just loaded it up in .5 increments from min to max.

Pipes, maybe I am just thinking it is dirtier because the gun was freshly cleaned when I begun...

 

[Ol' RD]

Re: XBR 8208/ Help with targets

1 and 4 look like you have some vertical stringing. 2 and 3 are tighter but I'd still run a ladder test just for giggles.

 

[dmpowder]

Re: XBR 8208/ Help with targets

I use 8208 in my .223,.243,264LBC, and even in my 6.5 Creedmoor.

It is my go to powder in my AR but I shoot 55gr pills. I'm curious as to the smaller charges you loaded up between 21.5-22? I have never found any reason to go less then .3grs between charges for the .223.

I 2nd Robot Doc and is this rifle capable of shooting tighter groups? What is the best group to date and is it repeatable on any given day?

 

[You-Two]

Re: XBR 8208/ Help with targets

My WOA service rifle upper seems to like 8208XBR up near or at MAX (according to Hodgden). This puts me at 25.4 for the 52-55gr bullets and around 23.2gr for the Nolser 77 or Hornady 75.

Haven't tried the 69gr yet, but you probably want a higher charge. That is the conventional wisdom about 8208XBR I have gleaned from the internet anyways.

Good luck!

 

[sic65stang]

Re: XBR 8208/ Help with targets

I have loaded up some .2 increments between 21.4 and 22.2 to see how those do. Usually how I test I can pick a good load after the second round. The best group to date is in the pic below, it is fairly repeatable if I do my part (obviously not on the flyer). This is with Varget, consistent accuracy with that is standard at about .45 MOA. I did go higher with the charges, but the groups opened up quite a bit.