IMR 8208 XBR in a 30-30?

[Fatelvis]

I just set up my 550 to load for my new 30-30 Contender barrel. I did some searching and found alot of people were having good luck using 5744 and 4759 under my bullet (Lyman 311041). I tried both powders, and Dillons measure was horrible at throwing consistant loads with those powders. (I'm used to H322, Bullseye and other fine kerneled powders). I really would like to load these progressively, and have 8lbs. of 8208 staring up at me......
I know it burns a little faster than 4895, but would it be sacrilegious to use a benchrest powder in a 30-30? LOL. Really, has anyone tried it yet, and if so, could you share your data? I know it would flow better through the measure, and I have alot of it. Thanks-

 

[Offfhand]

Hodgdon's new IMR8208XBR flows very smoothly and uniformly thru a measure. I've tried it in several calibers and had good luck with it in all. There is an article about it by Jim Carmichael in the Hodgdon Annual and he says it flows like"quicksilver" which I think is a good description. Should work well in a .30-30. IMR 4759 is about perfect in .30-30 with cast bullets but is coarse grained and probably not a good choice for a progressive loader.

 

[Fatelvis]

Ok, does anyone use IMR4227?

 

[NCsmitty]

Ok, does anyone use IMR4227?

It's a bit fast as you probably know, but does have potential under a cast bullet load.

You probably would be better off using H322 or your other choice, IMR8208XBR.



NCsmitty

 

[Fatelvis]

Well, I just got done working up what seems to be my new load using 8208 in the 30-30.
Using a Lyman 311041 cast from WWs and lubed with Speedgreen, gas check and sized to .310", I started with 22 grns 8208 (way underpowered/incomplete burn) and went up in .5grn incriments until reaching 25.0 grns. I shoot this load from my Contender and Marlin 336 (1948 version w/Ballard rifling), and it works great in both! There are no unburned kernals in the barrel, the WLR primers have plenty of roundness on thier edges and shows no signs of being too hot, and leaves absolutely no leading. I suspect you could go up in charge weight more, but this load seems to have plenty of "oompf", and is accurate enough to take 200 meter Rams every time, from either firearm. Next week I plan to chrono this load from both firearms, and will report back.

 

[Rico567]

If you're using a progressive, H380 (a ball powder) has worked well for me. Right now, I'm using Varget, because it returns good performance in all my .30 cases.

 

[NCsmitty]

Next week I plan to chrono this load from both firearms, and will report back.

I would be interested to know what you're getting. What's your final bullet weight for that Lyman bullet?



NCsmitty

 

[hancjamk]

Go to the IMR website. They have all the latest loading data for XBR8208.

 

[Fatelvis]

Thanks Hanc, but thier load info is very limited. They don't list any 8208 loads using cast bullets, and don't show any pistol loads using 8208. I guess that leaves us in "unexplored territory"! How exciting!

 

[Fatelvis]

What's your final bullet weight for that Lyman bullet?

I don't have any sized, gc and lubed, but nekkid they weight 169.5 grns.

 

[popper]

I've used 8208XBR in 30-30 and 308 ME, it's OK but I've found Lever to work better(flows good too). It's temp insensitive like ARcomp, but I don't see any improvements in accuracy over other powders. Best results for me were near max loads with 160-180 grn bullets.