8208 load?

[Jmccracken]

I?ve got a ladder test loaded up with 123eld and 8208

27gr up to 28.6gr.

What?s the max load of 8208 with the 123, before I shoot these and mess up my rifle. Will be used in a bolt gun

[trdjohn]

hornady 10th manual doesn't list 8208 for that weight, hodgden website for 123 sierra bullet between 25.5 - 28.5, in my ar platform I couldn't get anywhere close to even mid 27, so can't help with what a bolt action could take, others will be along in sure

[A5BLASTER]

28.5 is the max you should approach it slowly over the chronagrah. 8208 is know to spike quickly and very badly with bullets in the 123 grain range and heavier.

[Klem]

28.5 is the max for 8208 Sierra 123HPBT according to ADI's charts.

I use 28.5 as the max for 120's. Bolt guns will be more forgiving but why risk it?

[1Shot]

I know that you are using 123 ELDM but each bullet make and design has it's own MAX load in YOUR rifle. For example, in the same rifle using all the same components only changing bullet make weighing the same, 120 grs in this example. One a Sierra Pro Hunter the other Speer Gold Dot. I can load 28.5 IMR 8208 with the Sierra safely but only 28 grs with the Speer GD.

I have been hand loading 40 years and have learned that it is very true. "If you change anything in a load back off and work back up."

I don't have a 6.5 Grendel bolt rifle but like most bolt rifles I would think that you probably can load to a longer COAL than you can by being limited by the AR magazine. Longer length allows more room for powder and depending on your throat length you may find that it allows you pressure wise to use more powder and can achieve higher velocity safely. Work up slowly using a chronograph and the rifle will tell you what it will handle.

[muvef]

I get flattened primers and ejector swipes at 27.5 with any bullet in the 120-123 grain range.

[A5BLASTER]

I get flattened primers and ejector swipes at 27.5 with any bullet in the 120-123 grain range.

That sounds like you have some other kind of issue besides the powder.

[LRRPF52]

I get flattened primers and ejector swipes at 27.5 with any bullet in the 120-123 grain range.

What barrel/chamber do you have?

[Constitutionalist]

27.0gr with a CCI-450 gets me 2450fps out of a 20" AR. No pressure signs and it's the most accurate load I have for that bullet (about 1 MOA at 100yds).

[Letmwork]

27.3 with CCI 450 gets me 2400 fps out of a 20" with 120 MKs and it the most accurate for my AR at about 1" 5 shot group at 100. As i approach 28gr i start seeing preasure signs.

[delt475]

Like others have said 28.5gr is a pretty well established max for 8208. I definitely start seeing pressure signs on brass and I get speed spikes any higher. It?s rough on brass as well but man is it accurate. I worked up a ladder and 28.3/28.5 were the most accurate for my AR.

[s3silver]

Great speeds out of 8208. Too bad my rifles just don’t like it but I still keep messing with it. I’m on my third lb now working from 26.5 - 28.5 gr with both Hornady and Lapua brass and changing col. it was easy to get varget, h4895, and benchmark to shoot.

[Laman]

My Howa heavy barrel loves 28.3 grains of 8208 with either Hornady 123 sst or Sierra 120 hunters. Brief chrono session indicated 2450-2500 ft./sec with no pressure signs.

[muvef]

What barrel/chamber do you have?

I have a group buy barrel and bolt (love that gun) that will show pressure signs at that charge weight. Along with a Criterion rifle length hybrid barrel and Maxim bolt. My mutt of a JSE surplus barrel did it to, that thing is currently shelved.

Sierra's maximum published data is 27.5 grains of XBR in that bullet weight range, so I don't think it is unusual.

[A5BLASTER]

I have a group buy barrel and bolt (love that gun) that will show pressure signs at that charge weight. Along with a Criterion rifle length hybrid barrel and Maxim bolt. My mutt of a JSE surplus barrel did it to, that thing is currently shelved.

Sierra's maximum published data is 27.5 grains of XBR in that bullet weight range, so I don't think it is unusual.

Are you sure your not over gassed and not showing false pressure signs?

[muvef]

Are you sure your not over gassed and not showing false pressure signs?

I have adjustable gas blocks on them all.

[glk45]

I was told when working with 8208 a Chrono. is your friend. In my AR the other day my velocity jumped 60 fps at 28.3. I was working up loads for Nos. 120 NBT. That statement to me proves it point

[nuthead]

the most 8208 I could stuff into a lapua case without causing pressure issues behind a 123gr amax/ ELD-M was 28.5 like most people are saying

it also was the most accurate load and I got 2553fps from a 22inch barrelled howa