IMR 8208 - 39 BK

[belfire27]

I picked up a pound of this powder because they had it in stock (for once) at the local shop. I went in for 4895 and came out with both. I don't see a lot of published data for the 39BK and 8208 so I am asking what weight range would be a good starting point.

Thanks in advance!

[Hedge]

Best source for the info would be to give Hodgdon a call. They know their powders and can give you an idea of where to start. I've found them to be very helpful.

[Silverfox]

All you have to do is click on the link below and you'll find load data for Hodgdon and IMR powders for a variety of .204 caliber bullets. True, none of the bullets listed are your 39 gr. Sierra BlitzKing, but I just used the data for the 40 gr. V-Max and started a bit below the maximum load for that bullet and found a load that worked without a lot of effort.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

[belfire27]

i just put some 32V-max with 28.5 of 8208 together to see if I can find something outstanding about this powder. I'll try it tomorrow. I'll be trying some 27.?? with the 39 BK's too. I tried Benchmark powder but nothing was outstanding thus far. I struggled with my 25-06 until I found a magic match but it was worth the work.

[Silverfox]

belfire27--I have a Savage target action with a 26" stainless steel Lilja barrel with a 1 in 12 twist and three grooves that has seen nothing but 39 gr. Sierra BKs coated with hBN using Nosler brass, Remington 7½ primers, and IMR 8208 XBR powder. I think 27.3 gr. of IMR 8208 XBR is the listed max load, but I did try 27.0, 27.1, 27.2, 27.3, 27.4, & 27.8 gr. of 8208. Don't ask me why I didn't try 27.5, 27.6 or 27.7 gr. Remember: All the bullets I shoot in this rifle are coated with hBN and it takes a bit more powder to get these bullets going as fast as bare bullets will go with a slightly lesser powder charge.

The 27.8 gr. load gave me 3,975 fps at 12 feet from the muzzle and a 5-shot group measuring .548" center-to-center that had a called flyer. Without the flyer the other 4 shots measured .303" center-to-center. I decided this load was too hot, even though there were no signs of excessive pressure. I am currently shooting a load of 27.2 gr. of 8208 and getting a velocity of 3,879 fps at 12 feet from the muzzle which translates to a muzzle velocity of 3,894 fps and great accuracy. Here's a scan of the last target I shot at 100 yards off a cement bench with my Harris bipod for a front rest and a rabbit-ear bag for the rear rest when I was testing loads using a new lot of powder I had purchased.



Let us know how your load testing is working out.

[belfire27]

I ran the 32V's with the 28.5 of 8208 and it printed decent. I had some other test loads with 4198 and Benchmark but didn't like them. I did not get a chance to load any 39BKs but will try this week. I loaded the 32s to an OAL of 2.350". I have no chance of getting them to touch but I might stay with the same powder charge and go progressively deeper to see if it improves. At 200 Y (where I usually test) The first group was about 1/2". I didn't measure but a 3/4" dot sticker covered the 4 holes so it was pretty tight.

Looking at the loading data posted by members it appears a good portion like the 39 BK's. I have a Salvage LRPV with the 1:12 so is the 32 a little too light for a 12 twist? Perhaps the 39 is the best match? I shoot chucks in upstate NY where the shots can go out to 500 so I am looking for the absolute best tack driver I can build.

[ryutzy]

Belfire--- I also shoot eastern woodchucks and if you plan on shooting to 500 yards I would not go lighter than the 39SBK for those distances. I'm sure a 32 grainer may be ok to 300 yards, but those chucks are tough critters and I'd use the 39 grainer. Most 1:12 twists stabilize the 39 SBK (mine does). This year I shot a chuck around 100 yards with a .243 and blew out intestines and stomach contents, and the chuck made it to it's hole about 20 yards away before I could put another round in it. I was shooting a 75 grain vmax at 3560 fps and I was surprised it made it to its hole. I couldn't believe it. This particular load has anchored a lot of critters for me.

[Glen]

I have to agree with ryutzy on the 39's. I didn't like what I got from the 32gr V-Max after 275yds. They will kill groundhogs that far but not reliably enough in my opinion. The 40gr Bergers shoot in a lot of the factory tubes also.

[K22]

Silverfox,

Are you finding that 8208 is giving you a bit more velocity than H4895?

[Silverfox]

K22--

Are you finding that 8208 is giving you a bit more velocity than H4895?

The 8208 powder gives me just a tad more velocity than H4895, but they are real close.

[GaCop103]

I tried 8208XBR with the 39 gr SBK in my Savage 204. Charge was 26.6 grains. My best group was .143" at 100 yards with velocity at 3798 fps. SD was 16.0 and ES was 43.0. I'm seating the SBK .032" OTL.