Hodgdon Releases Impressive New IMR 8208 XBR Powder
Hodgdon Powder Co. has unveiled a brand new powder, IMR 8208 XBR. From early reports, this is an exceptional new propellant that may change the way the game is played in short-range benchrest. According to Hodgdon, “IMR 8208 XBR is a remarkably advanced technology propellant” formulated for popular match, varmint and sniper rounds, including 223 Rem, 308 Win, 6mm PPC, 204 Ruger, 6mm BR, 22-250 Remington and similar calibers. We’re told the powder is being produced by ADI in Australia.
IMR 8208 XBR is Consistent in All Conditions
This short grain extruded rifle powder exhibits exceptional stability with virtually no change in velocity at temperatures ranging from -40 degrees F to 165+ degrees F. Lou Murdica, who helped develop this new powder, confirms that it is not temp-sensitive. Lou told us: “I have been shooting IMR 8208 XBR for over a year and I have done a lot of winning shooting it. One of the great things about this particular powder is, I always shoot the same load whether I shoot it in Florida or Phoenix AZ. I have never had to adjust for temperature or humidity.” That’s big news in the short-range BR game. Currently, most competitors must tailor their load to suit conditions.
IMR 8208 XBR is Already Winning Matches
Lou Murdica, one of the nation’s top BR shooters, won numerous matches with 8208 XBR in 2009, including the Heavy Varmint Grand Agg at the Cactus Classic. In August 2009, Jim Carmichel won the Heavy Varmint Grand Agg at the IBS Group Nationals. What is significant here is that Jim shot the exact same load of IMR 8208 XBR both days to win the event. That’s right–this powder requires far less “tuning” than most other powders currently used in short-range benchrest.
Product Development and Performance
Lou Murdica revealed some interesting facts about IMR 8208 XBR. Lou explained that the development team was initially trying to produce a propellant that would match the desireable characteristics of the “classic” T32 powder from the 1960s. In the process of developing a T-Powder clone, Lou says that the Hodgdon/IMR powder wizards came up with something even better: “We were originally pursuing a formula like T-Powder, but we came up with something a bit different. It was so good, and shot so well, that we didn’t want to lose it. It turned out that this stuff shot as well or better than the earlier T-clone mixtures and was incredibly stable.”
Lou continued: “I’ve shot a lot of T-Powder and it is sensitive in certain way. I feel this new powder is equal to, if not better than, a T-Powder clone because 8208 XBR is not sensitive. I can shoot the same load, at any location, in any temperature or humidity. Additionally, and this is very important — the new powder is very forgiving. It has a very broad accuracy window. If you’re shooting 30.0 grains in a 6 PPC successfully, we found you could go down to 29.8, or up to 30.2 and the accuracy was still there. You won’t see a change in group size. It has a very wide and forgiving load window.”
[CAUTION: These charge weights may be excessive with your rifle and your bullets. Always start 10% low and work up.]
The new powder is versatile and has plenty of energy. Lou tells us “8208 XBR is a great powder. With a 6 PPC shooting 68-grainers, I can get up into the 3500 fps range. And the powder will work with larger cases too. I’ve tried it with success in a 6BR with 105s and I think it will work in a Dasher or 6 BRX. I also shot it in a 22BR successfully.”
Lou predicts that IMR 8208 XBR will have a big impact on the Benchrest game once it is widely available: “Once this powder gets in people’s hands I think you’re going to see GREAT things. It’s not finicky. It meters really well out of normal powder measures. It’s really stable. There are plusses all around. We’ll know within a year whether it becomes the powder to beat.”
Lou is no longer involved in the sale or distribution of IMR 8208 XBR: “I’m not in it any more. I have to buy my powder like everyone else.” But he encourages all BR shooters to give it a try: “The powder is fantastic. I have been telling everyone to go to your powder dealers and order it. Buy a jug and shoot it.”
Lou has high praise for the folks at Hodgdon: “You can’t say enough good things about Chris Hodgdon and Hodgdon’s willingness to develop this new powder. They’ve finally given us something we’ve really wanted and really needed. What they have done is great.”
Product Availability — IMR 8208 XBR in Short Supply until 2010
IMR 8208 XBR will be available in 1-lb canisters and 8-lb kegs in 2010. Hodgdon has produced limited quantities already, and you may be able to find some 8208 XBR at popular vendors, such as Powder Valley, in early January, 2010. You’ll need to call around to see who has it.
For more information or complete data visit imrpowder.com, phone IMR at (913) 362-9455 or write to 6231 Robinson, Shawnee Mission, KS 66202.
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I’m not taking orders. I am just like everybody else. I’m waiting on some.
Butch
To the folks at Hodgdon: I’m sure shooters thank you for your efforts to improve your product line, however at present your time might be better spent trying to offer your customers products which they might actually buy. I just checked Powder Valley’s website, and of the various Hodgdon rifle powder products, 2/3 were out of stock. What good is a wonderful new, unavailable product?
At the end of the day you don’t buy powder every day, just order some and wait for it.
A
The description of the powder gives no information as to burn rate. When it says it is formulated for the .223 and .308, I am thinking a Varget like burn rate, but when you say 6PPC I am thinking much faster like N133. It would be nice to have an idea of the burn rate from them. You go on their website and the powder is not even listed or discussed.
Great report from 6BR.com though – nice job!
Robert Whitley
Robert,
The powder, as packaged by ADI, is currently being loaded in .308 sniper rounds. So I suspect it may have a burn rate similar to H4895. But Murdica says it performs differently than most powders, meaning a flatter energy-release curve. Even if it’s slower than N133 its energetic enough to give high velocities in a 6PPC.
I will be contacting Chris Hodgdon this week to see if we can get more technical details on IMR 8208 XBR. I’m personally interested in trying it with a 6BR and 105gr bullets.
ADI 2208 is packaged by Hodgen as Varget and ADI 2206 is packaged as H4895.
How is the IMR 8208 XBR packaged in Australia by ADI? yes…in a plastic bottle is a correct answer but what is it called?
The character of the powder as a flatter energy-release curve harkens to the technology used to produce the Reloader 17 seris of powder….I can only speculate however.
Perhaps the future will hold a IMR 8206 XBR !!
Roy
Sorry Roy but i think you guys are seeing this before us Australians? It’s not likely to be our benchmark2 because you already get that packaged as benchmark.
BTW ADI 2206H is H4895, ADI 2206 is a completely different powder which has been discontinued with the introduction of 2206H.
Roy, DavidB, I’ve just emailed the ADI guys to see if I can find out what’s going on with this powder in down under.
Gentlemen:
Got my first jug of 8208 XBR in late August. Have been using in 338 Federal, rifle is Tikka T3 classic, using Barnes TTXB (160 gr) and Hornady 200 Spire. Groups are .75″ at 150 yards. No pressure signs, great numbers from chronograph.
Got mine from local jobber, one jug per customer “in person”
According to ADI, this will be released in Australia depending on how well it is taken up in the US. Our market is too small apparently.