Finally had a chance to try out the new IMR8208XBR powder in my model 12 LRPV with a 1:9 twist. Using Dan Newberry's system for developing the Optimum Charge Weight I started with usual 10% below maximum and worked my way up in essentialy .2 grain increments. Nothing startling until I reached 24.4 grains which gave me a 0.137" three shot group. This was followed by a 0.159" group at 24.6 grains, and this again was followed by a 0.200" group at 24.8 grains. The groups either side of this were approx. 1/2" so it looks like I stumbled upon a node. The bullets used were 53 grain Sierra Matchkings and the average velocities were 3188fps,3244fps and 3259fps respectively. At no time did these velocities vary by more than 47fps tops. The temperature was 34 degrees C ( 92 degrees F). Winchester brass was used for everything and it was sized using the Lee Collet die. Runout was 1 1/2 thou or less measured just where the ogive starts on the bullet. The next step is to load five rounds of each charge and see if it repeats.
I really wanted to see how this powder was effected by temperature extremes as they say it's very stable from well below zero to in excess of one hundred degrees F. I don't expect to shoot it at these extremes but the chamber and barrel temperature can get much hotter than the ambient temperature that you're shooting in which could hurt groups. Hope this helps. By the way, I used a Redding Competition Bullet seater and all charges were weighed.
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