IMR 8208 XBR....Have any of you guys used this powder? IMR claims "The ballistics group at IMR has tested this powder from -40 to +165 degrees Fahrenheit with virtually no performance variation." I was thinking about using it for .308, .243, and .223. Just wondering if any of you guys have tried it and if it lives up to its billing.

I've heard some good things about it, just haven't gotten my hands on any yet. I would love to have a single powder for my .308 and .223.

I think i am going to buy a pound and try it out. Hopefully it will work as good as IMR says. I was hoping someone on here had tried it

Cool, let me know how it works out. I just ran out a few weeks ago of my usual powder, so this might be the time to switch

I will be going by to get it tomorrow. Let you know as soon as I get a load going....I will probably start with 308

Haven't tried IMR 8208 XBR with 5.7x28, but a buddy of mine put together some loads for his brand new 6.5 Grendel/AR-platform (24" bull-barreled upper/Rock River Arms lower), which is my only reference point. Last weekend we compared, via 5-shot groups, the Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel ammo (factory) to his reloads (IMR 8208 XBR). Both had 130gr bullets (his reloads were hollow point, the factory ammo used FMJ). The temperature was 85 degrees; 56% humidity; light/variable crosswind up to 10 mph. We only got through the 50 yard portion of the comparison (they were closing the range early, so we couldn't shoot at 100 yds). Regardless, the IMR 8208 XBR grouped 5 shots at 50 yards at 0.23"; the Alexander Arms (factory ammo) grouped 5 shots in 1.28". That said, the range (highest - lowest) on the velocities for the IMR 8208 XBR was 68FPS while the range on the velocities for the 5 shots fired with the factory ammo was 34 FPS.

Clearly, the IMR 8208 XBR grouped very tightly, even though the velocity had a greater variability than the factory ammo. I haven't had time to check velocities for the IMR 8208 XBR to see where it falls into the 5.7 continuum. The powder definitely appears very promising from a consistency perspective. I'll probably be putting together some loads for my bull-barreled AR. Haven't planned on using it on .243 (I'm a big fan of IMR 4350), but it might be worth trying.

Very nice, I might try to pick some up today then!

I too am interested to see how that works for you. I am shooting a 175gn SMK HPBT for my .308. I just loaded 20 rds with Winchester brass, winchester LR primers and 45 gns of reloader 15 powder. I am expecting around 2700fps and a sub moa group at 100yds based on a friends range info with a similar weapon. The gun I am shooting with is a DPMS 308LR upper with a 24in BBL, SWFA SS 10X42mm scope, harris bipod. Hopefully this particular load works for me and I can load it for a tactical/long range clinic I have next month in Sacramento. We are gonna learn how to build load data out to 1k yards.

Haven't loaded any yet as the first piece of brass I tried to deprime got stuck in my die and I couldn't get it out. Waiting on Hornady to get it back to me.....may just buy another die

Nice... what, you forget to lube it or something?

No i lubed it with one shot....the brass was shot out of my LR308....first time i have tried to load brass out of it....never had any problem with brass from my savage mod 11.....first time i have ever had one get stuck.....i knew it felt a lil tight but didn't think it was that tight.....should have listened to that little voice in my head that said to stop... ....can't fix stupid

Bummer, I hate it when that happens.

LR308 Semi more case stretch with the larger chamber.

savage model 11 Bolt no stretch.

I am amazed you could not get it out.

Drilled and tapped it. When I ran a bolt in it the bolt head sheared off when I started turning it. Is there some other trick I don't know to get it out?

I have never done it that way. You didn't remove the de-capping rod first? If you don't the rod keeps pressure on the neck against the die body locking the brass in. I remove the de-capping rod and spindle nut. Then I use a long punch to knock out the brass from the top. You don't even need to pull the Die from the press.

That's why I like lee dies, you just loosen it up and beat it with a hammer until the brass comes out.