Bench-Talk

So far I am impressed with 8208 XBR in a PPC, I don't feel that it has the edge of N133, but it is not far behind. I thought about trying this out in a 22BR with 52 gr bullets. Anyone have any load data? I checked and Hodgdon has no info on it yet. Thanks

Pat, have not tried the stuff yet. But, last week, Tom Gollob gave me one of Hodgdon's 2010 loading booklets - surprisingly, they list the burn-rate is closer to H-4895 than it is to N-133; H-322; BenchMark; etc. But burn-rates 'change' with expansion ratios. Perusing the data for the .223 and 22/250 (no 22 BR data listed), it appears that the 8208 XBR produces top, or near top velocities, but at higher pressures than H-4895. The Hodgdon web-site does not list and 8208 XBR/22BR data either. Good luck and good shootin'! RG

Hey Randy,

I have burned up a couple of pounds of the stuff in the 6PPC, for the most part I like this powder. I saw the burn rate charts, and would have to say I agree with them. This is part of the reason I think it would be good in a 22BR. I found that with it in the 6PPC it is on the slow side of things, and is far away different than the old Mil surplus IMR 8208. My findings so far is you can not get enough powder in a 6PPC case to get pressure signs. With an 10 inch drop tube, I find that I can get 32 gr of the stuff in a case, but you have to watch how it drops. I have a 6ppc gun that doesn't like pressure, and did not shoot the best because I could not hit the same nodes that everyone else was with IMR or H322. I found that XBR woke this gun up, and made it shoot, and I don't have pressure problems. In my mind XBR seem a bit slow for the 6PPC, and I went back to N133 in my comp gun just because it has a bit hair more accuracy potential. We shot H4895 and Varget mostly though a 22BR, but I see others have done well with the faster powders like benchmark, and H322, so I am thinking that XBR may be the perfect powder for the 22BR. No one has gave me any loading data, I called Hodgdon yesterday and they had no info, they did have data for a 6BR with a 55 gr bullet, and I think I can work off of that data. Well wish me luck, and pray I don't blow up. :)

I have tried 2 lots of XBR in the 257TED.  One lot was pretty slow, I would say it was about the same as H-4895.  The second lot was a bit faster, I would say ti was closer to H-Bench Mark.  I thought they both a bit slow for my use but still usable.

Just my opinion but I think it is the same powder as Bench Mark and 322 with a slower deterent coating on it.