.308 WIN Loads

I've read a little bit on it, it seems like it gets peaky right at the top of the load data. I've read some good results with it in .308, and in particular the M1a platform, but not a whole bunch of it vs the tried and true IMR powders like 4895 and 4064.

I tried it with 150gr hornady FMJs. They cycled and accuracy was good enough but I'm sticking with H4895. ymmv

I can’t imagine a better powder than H4895 for 308 in either bolt actions or semi auto.

That said, get a pound of each and try them. Let us know what you find

Nature Boy said:

I can’t imagine a better powder than H4895 for 308 in either bolt actions or semi auto.

That said, get a pound of each and try them. Let us know what you find

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In bolt guns, I like IMR-4064. In the gas gun, I have been trying out 8208XBR along with Ramshot TAC. Early results have been encouraging with 8208XBR and the Speer 125 gr TNT. I like TAC and 8208XBR for their ease of metering and clean burning.

2ndtimer said:

I like TAC and 8208XBR for their ease of metering and clean burning.

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I use TAC, and agree... Metering is about as good as can be gotten, and I was surprised at how clean TAC is... I'm kinda treating it like 'ball 4895', with maybe just a smidge faster curve. AA2460, a long time favorite of mine is my 'ball 3031'. So far, really enjoy using TAC.

2ndtimer said:

In bolt guns, I like IMR-4064. In the gas gun, I have been trying out 8208XBR along with Ramshot TAC. Early results have been encouraging with 8208XBR and the Speer 125 gr TNT. I like TAC and 8208XBR for their ease of metering and clean burning.

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I had a good load for 125g TNTs for my M1A with Benchmark. That's also a good metering powder. Used it on a prairie dog hunt.

There are so many good powders for 308

Varget and RL-15 always worked best for me, at least for 168 Gr - 175 Gr bullets in .308 Win.

IMR 8208-XBR has really only stood out to me for .22-250.

Nature Boy said:

There are so many good powders for 308

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That's really true. I used to use IMR4895 all across the board, but now that I have 3 very different .308 guns... a lever, a bolt, and my M1a... I've gone to 3 different powders. IMR4198 for cast in the Savage 99, IMR3031 for 150grn in the 16" M1a, and IMR4064 with 168 and, soon, 175grn in the Savage bolt gun. Having said that, IMR4895 works in all 3 just fine, too, and I still use it in my M1 Garand. IMR8208 is in between IMRs 3031 and 4895, so I'm sure it's a reasonable choice.

RugerOldArmy said:

Varget and RL-15 always worked best for me, at least for 168 Gr - 175 Gr bullets in .308 Win.

IMR 8208-XBR has really only stood out to me for .22-250.

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I guess you haven't tried it in 5.56 or .338 Federal, then.

My experience is that -0.1 gr difference with IMR-3031 versus IMR 4064 will yield almost the identical results. Both are great powders, although sometimes a little tricky to dispense.

dg

2ndtimer said:

I guess you haven't tried it in 5.56 or .338 Federal, then.

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I tried 8208 XBR in .223 Rem (5.56) for 50/55 Gr V-Max, 69 SMK(s) and 75 Gr BTHP(s). Other powders did better in my rifles. Nothing special.

For 6mm BR it did fairly well, but not as good as Varget.

For .22-250 8208 XBR I got decent accuracy with exceptional velocity.


Check the velocities in .22-250. The target is 200 yards. THAT is a decent load.

8208 XBR was an attempt to clone the old benchrest powder called 'Thunderbird', which was highly regarded. It is best suited for cases with volumes like 6mm PPC, 6mm BR....22-250 is in that ballpark.

YOUR results, with your guns, may vary.

I really like 8208 XBR for 150gr jacked for 30-30 Win. I get 1" at a 100 yds from a Marlin 36 G rested and scoped.
I bought this powder for 308 Win. when I could not find Varget but never needed to try for the 308.

I actually just loaded some test rounds of 8208 XBR today under some 165gr SST's. Although it was purchased for 6.5 Grendel I don't see why it won't do alright. Guess I'll find out tomorrow...

Yes. Don't have notes in front of me but tried it in LC 7.62 brass M80 loads for my PTR 91. As I recall, it did well at 43 grs but I stuck with IMR4064, of which I have a fecal ton.