new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Share information about reloading the .204 Ruger.
robert w.
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Posts: 165
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:59 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: ruger american preditor/cz527

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by robert w. »

I don't have a pc just phone and tablet.when I open it there is double lines and not readable.I'd buy a pc but most of what I need I get on my tablet
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2609
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by Bill K »

Next best option then Robert is to locate the Hodgdon Annual reloading magazine, get the 2017 issue, but 8202 powder is also listed, with loads, in the 2016 issue, if a book counter has either. Also various dealers i.e Midsouth, MidwayUSA,Graf's and others, along with Hodgdon themselves sell it. Bill K ( if you can not locate one, let me have your address and I will send you one )
robert w.
Senior Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:59 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: ruger american preditor/cz527

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by robert w. »

Ok im about to call hodgon.i will use 8208 in my 22-250 also
robert w.
Senior Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:59 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: ruger american preditor/cz527

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by robert w. »

Just got off the phone with hogdon and they were very helpful .gave me starting and stopping weights for my 204 and 22-250
MZ5
Senior Member
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:57 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M77 Hawkeye Predator
Location: Arizona, USA

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by MZ5 »

robert w. wrote:This powder is new to me none of my manuals has it. was told its almost identical to varget
I think this is erroneous information. Varget is basically a 4064-like powder, in general terms, and my experience with 8208 is that it is _not_ a 4064-like powder overall. Please understand that powders behave a little differently in every cartridge they're loaded in (meaning, for example, 30-06 vs 22-250), and powders each have unique burning characteristics. That means that 2 given powders may behave similarly in cartridge X, but rather differently in cartridge Y.

Either way, I think there's enough 8208 data out there for the 204 to get a person headed the right direction.
MZ5
Senior Member
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Oct 13, 2007 2:57 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M77 Hawkeye Predator
Location: Arizona, USA

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by MZ5 »

Sorry, robert w. My reply was sitting waiting while you posted again. Glad Hodgy got you squared away.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2609
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by Bill K »

robert w. wrote:Just got off the phone with hogdon and they were very helpful .gave me starting and stopping weights for my 204 and 22-250
Good Robert. I have always found Hodgdon to be very helpful. I do have a extra 2016 annual, had a mixup in a order, that I would give/send too you. If you would want it. Bill K :)
truckerwalt
Junior Member
Posts: 88
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:59 am
.204 Ruger Guns: RUGER MK II/SAVAGE MOD. 12

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by truckerwalt »

the absolute best load for my .204 model 12 savage is the 39 grain sierra with 25 grains of h-322. i have used 8208 xbr and i think it also shot pretty good but nothing i have tried is better than the h-322.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2609
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by Bill K »

That is the nature of our hobby and also our rifles and handguns. Each is it's own beast and you need to try various combinations and find the one your weapon likes the best. Part of our fun, is the reloading and study. Bill K
robert w.
Senior Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:59 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: ruger american preditor/cz527

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by robert w. »

Was getting great results with varget then all local places ran out.im tryin 8208 n maybe some more.everybodys input helps the cause
robert w.
Senior Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:59 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: ruger american preditor/cz527

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by robert w. »

Update, went in a gun store n found 3 pounds varget.they now don't have any varget but I do
Aus_Ryno
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue May 30, 2017 6:47 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: CZ527 American Standard barrel

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by Aus_Ryno »

G'day all,
I started with 26.2gn for my start load with 39gn SBK. It gave ok results but I think it needs to go a bit quicker to really tighten the groups up.
Being in Australia 8208 XBR is sold as "Benchmark 8208 by ADI" (listed as identical to IMR 8208 XBR by the manufacturer) and while it's similar to Varget (AR2208 here) it is a bit different - finer grained and slightly faster. They dont list the 39gn pill in the manual but using 8208 for a 40gn VMAX they list "C.O.L 2.250", start load of 26.0gn, for 3,586fps @ 48,300psi up to 27.3gn for 3,754fps @ 56,300psi" stated velocity from a 24" 1:12" barrel. I Have not seen the hodgdon data but i'd imagine it would be pretty similar.

My pet load previous to the 39gn SBKs was 34gn Nosler Shots over 27.3gn 8208, CCI 450 primer, Hdy brass. They were good too but the square shank was a bit fiddly in the seating die, no problem there for the SBKs.
Have 40gn VMAXs to load too - just need some range time...

Love the forum - hope it helps the thread.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2609
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by Bill K »

Hodgdon's Data site shows a start load of 26 grains, with max of 27.3. Check it out on their loading site. Bill K :)
robert w.
Senior Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:59 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: ruger american preditor/cz527

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by robert w. »

Yes finally got all info i needed 28.3 works in my rifle best.gave a friend 5 or same load n his savage didnt like what my ruger likes.we bought our rifles same day at same place too
robert w.
Senior Member
Posts: 165
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:59 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: ruger american preditor/cz527

Re: new here with question about 8208 xbr powder

Post by robert w. »

Print mistake thatwas to be 27.1
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