2208 & 2206H

[Member-Deleted]

I reloaded some .308s yesterday to use up some 110 grain Vmax i have. My 2016 edition ADI manual doesn't list that proj but for a 110 grain Barnes TSX says to start at 46.1 gr of 2206H and max at 49.0 gr [compressed].

Muggins me was on autopilot and got the 2208 out instead, because .308 = 2208, and 2206H is for my 223. didn't realise until after they were all loaded and don't own a puller.

Anyway, they worked well through a 24" barrel and got two promising groups at 47 an 47.5 grains.

Question for experienced reloaders: Why would ADI not list 2208 for 110 gr projs - the manual starts at 125s. Would you persevere with the 2208 [is there any risk/downside] or should I start over with 2206H?

[bladeracer]

Most likely just because they consider a different powder works better with lighter bullets, or more efficiently, in the cartridge.

[JimTom]

Maybe the AR2208 is just a bit to slow for projectiles that light mate I’d say. AR2206H is the slowest powder they list for that bullet weight if my eyes don’t deceive me, and the 2206H is just a bit faster than 2208. Mate personally I wouldn’t load anything that isn’t listed, but that is just me. I am fairly conservative when it come to reloading.

[SCJ429]

I would think that 2208 is too slow and a light 110 grain bullet has exited before you burn the powder, this would result in lower velocities. Best to see what you get with 2206 to compare. Keep going with 2208 if you want, you have proved that it is a safe load

Double check your data next time to stay safe.

[Oldbloke]

I would not stress.
ADI lists 110 gr bullet for 30-06 start 55gr.
Also,

reduced loads .jpg (39.15 KiB) Viewed 5611 times

Probably just not efficient. Best next time use the right powder. A good reason to use just one powder for everything.

[Potatoes]

How did they smell after firing? A nice nitrousy smell after firing might indicate that your powder isn’t burning fully. If your cases aren’t showing signs sign of over pressure you might be ok, you are likely using an inefficient load though. Anecdotally, when ive used ar2208 for light grain bullets in the 223, i find more carbon build up when cleaning than when using ar2206h.

I could swear one bloke i saw at the range had his burning powder a metre from the muzzle and i could smell it from 7m away. Makes me wonder if he was using a too slower burning powder.

I just love the smell of nitrides in the morning though...

[Oldbloke]

If you full fill the requirements of 20 above it is safe.

BTW That is straig ht out of yhe ADI manual.

[SCJ429]

I could swear one bloke i saw at the range had his burning powder a metre from the muzzle and i could smell it from 7m away. Makes me wonder if he was using a too slower burning powder.

I just love the smell of nitrides in the morning though...

The 243 and 204 are well known for having big flames hanging out the muzzle even when using ideal powders. Looks impressive.

[Blr243]

243 flamethrower u say. I never even thought about it before , often shooting at night but always got my eye rammed up against my tube ..... if I can work out how to hunt and see fireworks at the same time I will give it a go just for a bit of novelty

[No1_49er]

According to QuickLOAD, 110gn Vmax and 47gn 2208 should give around 2880fps and acceptable pressure @ 98% capacity.
47.5gn 2910fps, 99% fill.
SAAMI max pressure listed as 62,000psi, your 47.5gn load 41,000psi.
YMMV.

[marksman]

beat me to it No1

l took my extrapolation up to 53.5 as what l would try as max but l doubt you could get that much in the case
l would go for the 2206 powder myself

[Member-Deleted]

thanks to all of you for the considered replies. i figured it would be under-powered rather than too hot but good to have it confirmed. there was no flames or smell but it was very dirty cleaning afterwards. i'll stick to the 2206H for this light round in future.

[in2anity]

I realise it's not what you asked about, but if you have it, try AR2207. I use 07 under a 125gr Speer for acceptable 300m accuracy. Very low recoiling. It'd be even more suited to the 110gr I'd reckon.

[No1Mk3]

G'day Member-Deleted,
ADI do list loads for 110g projies with 2208, their book shows starting at 48.0 for 3134 fps to 50.0C at 3237, Cheers.

[JimTom]

G'day Member-Deleted,
ADI do list loads for 110g projies with 2208, their book shows starting at 48.0 for 3134 fps to 50.0C at 3237, Cheers.

Out of curiosity is that in an older edition mate? I have checked again in the online data and can’t find it. I have noticed some loads for various powder have disappeared in the more recent editions.

[Member-Deleted]

JimTom, mine's a 2016 9th edition, I don't know what the latest one is. Mine doesn't list 2208 for use with 110gr proj - they first start listing at the 125s.and heavier. In any case it seemed to work well enough, even if it's not the best option [and was a mistake in my case]

I did another load test on the weekend this time with the 2206H and got a sweet spot and basically two identical nice groups, at 47.5 and 48 grains.

[Member-Deleted]

I realise it's not what you asked about, but if you have it, try AR2207. I use 07 under a 125gr Speer for acceptable 300m accuracy. Very low recoiling. It'd be even more suited to the 110gr I'd reckon.

Hmm, I don't have it on hand only the 2206H and 2208. My ADI manual gives a 2207 load for the 110gr projs but it seems to run the same speed as 2206H for much higher pressures.

[JimTom]

Glad you got it sorted mate. I have found 2206H ti be the best for 125gr pills too mate.

[in2anity]

Hmm, I don't have it on hand only the 2206H and 2208. My ADI manual gives a 2207 load for the 110gr projs but it seems to run the same speed as 2206H for much higher pressures.

Suppose it will boil down to group size.

[No1Mk3]

G'day JimTom,
Yes, 4th Edition 2004, ADI want to promote Benchmark for lighter projectiles as it offers better performance, and simply drop some data as they find better alternatives. I keep old manuals for this reason, and also because I'm a bit of a bower bird! Cheers

[JimTom]

Haha yeah makes good sense mate. I remember I was looking for a .223 load 55gr projectiles using BM1 but was no longer listed. Fortunately my Dad is like you and I got one from a much earlier edition of the ADI data.

[marksman]

l did a test shoot with the 110gr vmax bullets and BM2 showing pretty good results
it will be a good load for young kids to shoot 308's with little recoil
3 shot groups for the featherweight, barrel is way to skinny for any more, the right group is 2 clicks over from the left group