IMR 8208 XBR - Anybody tried it yet?

[acloco]

Just picked up the Hodgdon 2010 Annual Manual....of course this powder was on the front page. Anybody tried some yet?

Is this the infamous proprietary powder Hornady has been using?

Copied from Hodgdon's website:

26 GR. BAR VG FB IMR IMR 8208 XBR .204" 2.250" 27.7 4132 48,400 PSI 29.5C 4309 54,900 PSI
32 GR. HDY V-MAX IMR IMR 8208 XBR .204" 2.250" 27.5 3917 47,500 PSI 29.0 4130 56,500 PSI
35 GR. BER HP IMR IMR 8208 XBR .204" 2.240" 27.0 3830 50,700 PSI 28.2 3961 56,300 PSI
40 GR. HDY V-MAX IMR IMR 8208 XBR .204" 2.250" 26.0 3586 48,300 PSI 27.3 3754 56,300 PSI
50 GR. BER HPBT IMR IMR 8208 XBR .204" 2.300" 23.0 3129 47,800 PSI 24.9 3327 56,100 PSI


I would like to try some in the 204, 223 AI, & 222 AI (super duece):

std 223 loads....(the 223 AI usually provides 250-400 fps faster than std 223 loads).

40 GR. NOS BT IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.280" 25.0 3433 41,500 PSI 26.7C 3659 50,400 PSI
45 GR. SIE SP IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.240" 24.5 3287 41,700 PSI 26.8 3550 52,000 PSI
50 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.210" 23.5 3111 40,500 PSI 25.8 3407 53,300 PSI
53 GR. SIE HP IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.200" 23.0 3032 41,400 PSI 25.4 3310 53,400 PSI
55 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.200" 23.0 3024 42,100 PSI 25.3 3268 53,100 PSI
60 GR. HDY V-MAX IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.250" 21.5 2857 43,500 PSI 23.6 3057 51,700 PSI
63 GR. SIE SP IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.200" 21.0 2783 43,000 PSI 23.1 2995 52,400 PSI
69 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.235" 21.0 2696 42,200 PSI 23.8 2959 52,900 PSI
70 GR. SPR SP IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.140" 20.0 2621 44,100 PSI 21.8 2797 52,800 PSI
75 GR. JLK VLD IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.250" 20.0 2538 40,800 PSI 22.7 2804 53,900 PSI
77 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.260" 20.5 2535 41,800 PSI 22.8 2766 53,700 PSI
80 GR. SIE MK IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.550" 19.0 2456 44,400 PSI 21.0 2628 52,900 PSI
90 GR. SIE HPBT IMR IMR 8208 XBR .224" 2.380" 18.0 2270 45,600 PSI 19.6 2419 52,800 PSI

[BabaOriley]

It sounds really good. The benchrest community seems to be excited about it.

[jo191145]

acloco

I don't think its Hornadys "secret" powder. Its been a very long time since I stripped some factory Horn ammo but that powder was a light black from memory.
The new IMR 8208XBR is a yellowish powder. Not quite as yellow as Hodgens extreme line but a dirty yellow.
I'm wondering if its Benchmark II. Or would that be Benchmark I. Either way that Benchmark powder previously only available in Australia etc.
Originally it was contracted to be a small lot of powder (20,000lbs) designed to mimic the old 8208 WWII surplus powder legends have been built upon.
Instead the manufacturer presented an already in production powder that is supposed to live up to the reputation of 8208. Thats why I think its the "other" Benchmark.

My 8lb jug is stuck in Kansas. Care to shovel out the UPS depot for me

[the_right_reverend]

I wish I had know this all this info last week....... I would have picked a few pound at the Graf's Superstore when i was there for my annual run

[glenn asher]

According to my BR spy, a "wealthy" BR shooter went to Hodgdon and asked them to reproduce the old 8208 sold by Thunderbird Cartridge Company (I think it's takedown powder from some military stuff that wasn't to spec.)
Hodgdon did so, as an exclusive for him only, but then decided to make it a regular item. I THINK that's the gist of it, anyway, I'm going from what my BR spy told me.

Steve (spy) also has a jug sitting in Kansas at Powder Valley, they are only allowed to ship 100 pounds at a time, so there's where the back log is , it's all UPS' fault, or the fire marshal, or the ICC.

I THINK it's all new production stuff, but again, that's just what was related to me, and it might be wrong. I haven't heard anything about it being Benchmark I, (Benchmark II is what we already get), but it might very well be that.



The BR guys were/are running out of the old TCC 8208, and were getting nervous. Some of them were mixing it with a similar powder to stretch out the supply. DON'T TRY THAT AT HOME, KIDS. I know a guy who's doing exactly that, but I sure won't recommend it, in fact, I strongly encourage people NOT to do that.

The things folks will do, to avoid using VV-133.............................

[jo191145]

Thanks for straightening out the BM 1 and BM 2 for me Glenn.
I'm thinking my assumption/theory may be off now. Did a little investigating and from what I gleened it should'nt be BM 1.
BM 1 has the same burn rate as N-133. 8208XBR is just under H-4895 in the burn rate chart.
I've never taken much stock in burn rate charts but coupled with some live load data in the 6ppc the difference is big enough to believe.

Steve got the story right. It was supposed to be a trial run batch ordered by one well known BR shooter with the intent of going into regular production if they could acheive the proper results. Turns out Hodgen/IMR/ADI already had produced such a product and it was being used on a limited basis (non public) It should be new production.

Eerrr Thats my story and I'm not sticking to it.

Either way theres a new powder available suitable for quite a few more cartridges than just the 6ppc.
FWIW I found a post by Lester Bruno that accuracy was good (6ppc)but trying to ramp up the pressures opened up groups.
That may be a blessing. N-133 works best in the ppc when running HOT. FWIW Ramshot X-Terminator shoots great for me at sane pressures in my ppc.
It just may turn out this new powder is more suited to another cartridge (204R?) Only time will tell.

My 8lber is stuck with UPS in Kansas. My weather spy told me they've had lots of snow. His reliability factor is pretty low with me tho It'll get here when it gets here.

[acloco]

Pick up the Hodgdon 2010 Annual Manual....the "story" is in there.

[jwc41]

I picked up a pound of 8208 in mid-January at the local gun store after reading the article in the Hogdon 2010 mag/manual. I have a CZ 527 sporter that has been indifferent to the loads that shoot well in my other 204's, struggling to get under an inch. So, I figured it couldn't hurt to risk $25. Ultimately, I really wanted to find a good-shooting 32 grain load since I have several hundred 32 grain bullets I bought before discovering the happy confluence of 39 grain BK's and H4895 in my AR and Remington 700.

I'm a pretty conservative handloader, so I started with 27.0 grains in once-fired Win brass with Rem 7 1/2 primers under a 32 gr. Nosler BT. On a quick trip to my local range on a cold Saturday morning the first three shots out of that CZ went into .38" at 100 yards. The subsequent three groups were all under .5". I can't wait for it to warm up a little so I can drag out my chrono for a half-day session at the range. I'd like to see if I can improve upon that but I won't be unhappy if I can't. P-dogs in Utah and Wyoming probably won't be happy either way.

[acloco]

This month I am in Minneapolis on a work assignment.

I did pick up a pound of the new powder as well. Will be trying it in two 223 AI's and "Super Duece" a.k.a. 222 Magnum AI.

One of the 223 AI's has a 1:12 twist barrel, so this might be just the ticket for it.

Spoke with people in eastern Montana, the last couple of mornings have provided them with -22 and -24 degree mornings! UGH!

[BabaOriley]

acloco, did you find it at Gunstop in Minnetonka?

[acloco]

acloco, did you find it at Gunstop in Minnetonka?

In Glendive, before I left for Minneapolis. I am flying, so, don't think a pound of that would be a good thing to take through the airport.

[Joe O]

I'm on backorder for 8lbs.A friend has loaded and tested loads in his 204ruger with great results.Pours very well in most all powder measures.Is smaller than short cut powders,more like a small cube.The Lyman DP 3 electronic measure,I just started using threw 20 loads of Varget at different Grain amounts,exactly on the setting,so IMR8208 XRB should be even better,and not temperature sensative at all

[acloco]

I'm on backorder for 8lbs.A friend has loaded and tested loads in his 204ruger with great results.Pours very well in most all powder measures.Is smaller than short cut powders,more like a small cube.The Lyman DP 3 electronic measure,I just started using threw 20 loads of Varget at different Grain amounts,exactly on the setting,so IMR8208 XRB should be even better,and not temperature sensative at all

Joe O - maybe a new FAVORITE powder for us small caliber/case shooters? Smaller than short cut!!! Sweet!

[Al 204]

Going to a Gun Show tomorrow and hope to pick some up. It sounds like a great new powder.

Al

[Hotshot]

I have 3 lbs in hand, but have not loaded anything yet. Hope it's good, My shooting buddy bought a 33 lb. keg and I'm on the hook for 1/3. I've heard it's so good it will hand lap your barrel, bring your pipe and slippers, and serve a cold beer besides being the best powder ever for 204 to 308 size cases. More to come on this story.......