IMR 8208 Suggested Loads for 7-08?

[bugabob]

Newbie looking for light recoil 7-08 loads for this powder and 130 & 168gr SMK bullets. Hodgdon's website shows:

130 GR. SIE HPBT IMR 8208 XBR .284" 2.800" STARTING LOAD 39.1GR VELOCITY 2755 42,600 CUP AND MAX LOAD 41.6GR 2922 50,400 CUP

Anyone have experience with this powder or is there a rule of thumb on how much lower than 39.1 I can begin with? Thanks!

Bob

[Bob Mc Alice]

The standard "rule of thumb" when working up a load in your rifle is to start 10% lower than the suggested starting load, UNLESS THE MANUFACTURER ADVISES OTHERWISE. Work up in half grain increments until you are satisfied with the accuracy results and stop when you start seeing excessive pressure signs. The IMR 8208 starting load of 39.1 grs. can be reduced by 10% to 35.2 grs. with a 130 gr. bullet. This is a light charge in a 7-08 case, it will only have about 73% load density. You may experience some hang fires (delayed ignition) and or smoked cases due to the pressure curve being off. 36 or 37 grs. may be a better starting point. I use Varget which is close in burn rate to I4895, H4895, I4320 and a few others. IMR 8208 seems to fall in the same range. My own 130gr. CPT load uses 37.0 grs. of Varget. It is a mild load that is extremely accurate in all of my match rifles and even in three factory barreled sporters.

You can develop a mild load using the 168 gr. bullet using the same procedure of 10% less than starting load. But I wouldn't. If you have the bullet going slower than 2400 fps you will need close to or more than a full revolution of the scopes elevation knob , assuming a 200M zero, to reach 500M. Not a bad thing, but keeping track on where your zero is by having to use more than a full revolution can be a pain. And hitting rams with more speed is a good thing.

This topic came up last spring....viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4436

You may be the first here on SC to try 8208 in the 7-08. Let us know about your results. Good shooting to you.

[bugabob]

Thanks, Bob. Will post results if weather cooperates and I can get to the range.

By the way, what kind of grouping is generaly acceptable at 100 and 200 yards?