SmallCaliberCentral

I got 39 sierra blitzkings and 8208 xbr powder.my qusetion what's a good starting charge? Was thinking 26.5 grains but not sure and ehats max load 28 grains?
I'm using a ruger american preditor which I got in a trade.its shooting decent as I now have it broke in maybe 200 round.
Shot 40 grain hornadys, 32 grains factory loadd to break it in

Look here:
http://live-hodgdonreloading.pantheonsite.io/

or ask Sierra if you want data for the BK specifically.

Thank you , tried sierra and hit dead end

If you can't seem to get your gun to shoot as well as you think it should and it has a 1-12 twist barrel like many of the factory 204's do try using the 32 grain bullets or the 35gr Bergers. Those 39's and 40's are marginal at best in a 1-12tw barrel. If you have a 1-11tw or faster, disregard.

40 grain hornady factory loads were lousy as the light loads.but I'm working between 35 n 39 grain loads.I prefer a little weight to smack when it gets there.
Its odd a friend has a new savage n his eats 40 grain hornadys n groups great, mine did great with 32 grains.

I'm new here as well and I apologize for potentially hijacking this but thought I'd ask it here instead of starting a new thread. I'm also working a load up using 8208. I started from the min 26.0 and worked my way up to and past the max of 27.3 listed on Hodgdon website. Went up in .2 increments and watched for pressure signs (side note I am pretty new to reloading) I went passed the max all the way up to 28.3 which was what got me the best grouping. Only psi signs I've noticed were the primer dents being a bit shallower meaning they have been pushed back out a bit.

I guess my question is this.... am I to far over the max? I don't want to burn up my barrel faster than normal.
Federal primers
Winchester brass (new)
40 vmax
28.3 of 8208

Ar-15
RRA lower
22" Shilen barrel 1:10 twist (built by Dan Carey)
6.5x20 Burris fullfield II

Sounds a tad hot but I'm no expert.loaded other rounds n 204 is new on me as is this powder.maybe some in the know will chime in

I don't know what some are trying for, by reading the posts. Are you after max FPS in your rifles and therefore the reason for going upwards of one full grain over the listed max in Hodgdon's data ? Or are you after best accuracy, then adding in FPS ? I realize each rifle is a beast in it's self, but going over max is not a wise choice, especially if you are working the load up in cooler temps and then pull the pin on that same load in hotter temps. Things could well go boom. The best thing too do is work for accuracy, but stay within the data posted for safety. Just a thought and question. Bill K

I, the original poster am after accuracy and not wanting it loaded too heavy.as hard as mine hits it makes a yotes whole day bad

I am as well going for accuracy. I don't have access to a chrony.

robert w. wrote:I, the original poster am after accuracy and not wanting it loaded too heavy.as hard as mine hits it makes a yotes whole day bad

Robert W. That sounds good. Maybe I just read the post's in the wrong light, it just seemed like everyone was only interested in FPS, rather than accuracy and safe loads. I know, for me anyway, I would like a slow accurate bullet on target, rather than a fast miss any day. Bill K

Wybry, if your having primers do that I'd back off a little.
That's what I'm trying to avoid,

ya, im gonna back off some on that load. Currently trying to work up a load for the 32 grain vmax with the benchmark powder. Thanks for the info guys ill keep at it to get the perfect load for this thing. The issue with the primers was very minimal, however, I just don't wanna risk it. So ill try a different primer and powder combination for the 40 grain vmax.

This powder is new to me none of my manuals has it.was told its almost identical to varget but i dont trust its almost when i have no load info n tried hodgons site to no use.wish id waited n bought varget when it was restocked.but who knows when.i used it fine in my 204 n 23-250

How is it you say Hodgdon data site is no use.? They list up to 27.3 of 8208 as max and give start loads for various bullets. Bill K