308W AR2208 BM8208

[madang55]

Is it just me or does AR2208 take up a lot more room than BM8208? I'm using the ADI book and for 110gn/165gn/200gn proj, the 2208 just takes up too much room in the case. How "compressed" can I go? I'm not fond of the idea of creating grenades in the chamber. There is a lot of feedback on other topics giving the 2208 the thumbs up, but 8208 gets a "also good" comment. I will probably only use 180gn proj as a max for for my purposes.

[bladeracer]

Is it just me or does AR2208 take up a lot more room than BM8208? I'm using the ADI book and for 110gn/165gn/200gn proj, the 2208 just takes up too much room in the case. How "compressed" can I go? I'm not fond of the idea of creating grenades in the chamber. There is a lot of feedback on other topics giving the 2208 the thumbs up, but 8208 gets a "also good" comment. I will probably only use 180gn proj as a max for for my purposes.

Compress it as much as it will allow - compressed is good.

[bigrich]

You guys got any recipes for 150gn projectiles . I’m looking at using bench mark 2 and 2206h as I already have some . I’m going to get a sample of 2208 of a mate later on to try. Was looking at using hornady sst’s out of a 22” barrel. Cheers

[SCJ429]

You should be able to get 47 grains or even a bit more with a long drop tube and a bit of tapping with 2208. If you try 150 grain SST I have seen 47 grains of 2208 produce a SD of 9 and a ES of 17, which is not a bad hunting load.

[madang55]

Haven't gone near 150gr Proj yet.
Have to get a long drop tube.
Are you sure compressed is good?

[bladeracer]

Haven't gone near 150gr Proj yet.
Have to get a long drop tube.
Are you sure compressed is good?

Compressed is good with many powders, it makes a more consistent burn compared to having air in the case.
Some powders are not compressible - AR2217 is one I struggle with in .30-06, sometimes having to reduce the charges to be able to seat the bullets.
AR2206H I heap above the case mouth in the .204, and then seat the bullet on it.

[madang55]

OK, (he says with trepidation)

[bladeracer]

OK, (he says with trepidation)

I don't know if it's fact, but I have read that old .303 Cordite ammo was charged first as a straight-walled case, and then the neck formed around the Cordite strands - now that sounds like compression to me

[bigrich]

You should be able to get 47 grains or even a bit more with a long drop tube and a bit of tapping with 2208. If you try 150 grain SST I have seen 47 grains of 2208 produce a SD of 9 and a ES of 17, which is not a bad hunting load.

thanks for the advice, targeted game is primarily pigs and goats, with a bit of luck deer. the 165's are better ballistically, but i feel are overkill for these species. 2208 is supposed to be THE powder for 308 as well i beleive. opinions anyone

[SCJ429]

The ideal condition is where the powder sits right at the base of the projectile, you can settle the powder better with drop tubes and vibrating the case. Heavily compressed loads are not conducive to accuracy, the powder pushes the bullet back out of the case and your seating depth is all over the place. If you cannot get the velocity you are after you can try another powder.

[SCJ429]

I think that 2208 isn't a bad choice for all weight of bullets except for the lightest bullets. Other powders do quite well but in most cases cannot eclipse the performance of 2208. Some Winchester ball powders can do quite well depending on your application.

[duncan61]

I purchased 4kg of 2208 a while back and load.222 .243 and the 100gn pills in my 7mm.none are compressed and they all burn clean some loads are compressed in the loading data so I am sure it is fine.an experienced shooter at the range when I was new said I could fill my .222 to the top and compress the load and I thought he was mad however even a compressed .222 is not as much powder as a .223

[BRNO_Bigot]

I purchased 4kg of 2208 a while back and load.222 .243 and the 100gn pills in my 7mm.none are compressed and they all burn clean some loads are compressed in the loading data so I am sure it is fine.an experienced shooter at the range when I was new said I could fill my .222 to the top and compress the load and I thought he was mad however even a compressed .222 is not as much powder as a .223

If I was stuck with just one powder it'd probably be 2208 - acceptably good in everything I have from .223 to .458 Win.

Not perfect in all of them, but better than any other over that spread.

[Stoney]

Try AR2206H, it is very consistent and can be safely used for reduced loads. From what I have read it's the bee's knee's for 308,303 etc. I put a mate onto it and he shot great groups.