Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

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Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by Usurper » 03 Oct 2013, 8:24 pm

I have a pretty good load worked up for my CZ with Hornady A-Max and ADI 2208... I see ADI have really been pushing their new Benchmark 8208 the last few months though.

Like the title says it's a sporter for hunting, and I'm shooting a fraction over an inch at 100 yards with my current load.

Load testing is a bit of a bitch as we know, wondering if it's worth going to the effort of working up some loads with new 8208?

Anyone getting any significant improvements with it, or just a little fine tuning here and there?

Keen to know peoples results, if any...
Last edited by Usurper on 25 Oct 2013, 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by Fujix » 03 Oct 2013, 10:49 pm

I'd say worth trying but it doesn't like sound you're thrilled with the idea :lol:

Shooting a sporter, you're hunting obviously?

1" groups obviously plenty for that, you're not shooting F-Class... If you can be bothered with it stick with your current load.
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by Hercl » 03 Oct 2013, 10:56 pm

Sounds like you've talked yourself out of it already :P
What is this "too many rifles" you speak of?
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by pucker » 04 Oct 2013, 9:25 am

You should do the testing, then report back... So we don't have to :P

C'mon. Take one for the team.
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by Joom » 04 Oct 2013, 10:10 am

How much more accurate do you need your hunting rifle to be?

It's just another powder, it's not imbued with magical accuracy powders.

If you're curious or just want the experience give it a go. No need to though given the results your already getting IMO.
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by TPCKRT » 09 Oct 2013, 7:49 am

I tried 8208 in my brothers Tikka .308 and it didn't like it at all. He went back to 2208 and it grouped better and the fps were a lot more consistent. However 8208 works an absolute treat in my .204 with a 32g varmegeddon HP.
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by Aster » 09 Oct 2013, 9:59 am

TPCKRT wrote:I tried 8208 in my brothers Tikka .308 and it didn't like it at all. He went back to 2208 and it grouped better and the fps were a lot more consistent. However 8208 works an absolute treat in my .204 with a 32g varmegeddon HP.


Yep. It's just another powder... It will work better for some and worse for others.
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by Hardcast » 09 Oct 2013, 10:06 am

I think if you want to know how well the rifle will shoot, you'll never know till you have a go.
If you shoot at small to medium targets ( goats, pigs, fallow deer, dogs, ) at longer distances then try to get all the accuracy you can get.
No point trekking after a couple of goats in the hot sun only to find they are a bit timid and you can't get close enough
to have a confident shot. Practice makes perfect young man, and that might mean trying different powders, primers, seating depths.

I'm running 8208 in the .204 and .223, with some great results, but i haven't chronied them at this stage.
I didn't get better groups than the 2208, but it was more flexible in my guns.
The .204 showed excellent accuracy with a full grain of variation in the load, and the .223 about .6 of a grain where the 2208 has to
be spot on.
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by SendIt » 09 Oct 2013, 10:25 am

Hardcast wrote:I think if you want to know how well the rifle will shoot, you'll never know till you have a go.


+1 for this.

You can't know if you don't try.

If you'd like to improve your accuracy further, you'll need to explore new options - 8208 might be the best option.

If you're happy with your current load and don't need/want anything else, then no worries.
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Re: Worth trying Benchmark 8208 for .308 sporter?

Post by Harper » 16 Oct 2013, 12:41 pm

SendIt wrote:If you're happy with your current load and don't need/want anything else, then no worries.


Yeah cheers.

Sounds like it won't be worth my time I don't think. I'll give it a miss.
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